ESN software functions as a platform for employees to communicate, collaborate, and share knowledge within an organization. It provides features such as chat, forums, groups, file sharing, and project management tools, which can be accessed through a web browser or mobile app.
Enterprise Social Network (ESN) Software
An Enterprise Social Network is a collaborative platform similar to an intranet 2.0, which brings together communities of employees, customers and partners of a company within the same tool to facilitate information sharing and interactions.
Our selection of 10 enterprise social network (esn) software
Paid version from €14.00 /month
Boost your team's productivity with a powerful collaborative platform that streamlines communication and project management.
Interstis provides a central hub for team collaboration, allowing for real-time communication, file sharing, task assignment, and progress tracking. With customizable workflows and integrations with popular apps, Interstis helps teams stay organized and focused on achieving their goals.
Read our analysis about Interstis Learn more To Interstis product page
Paid version from €5.00 /month
Boost collaboration and productivity with this ESN software. Connect with team members, share files, and manage projects effortlessly.
With this software, you can create groups for specific projects or departments, schedule events, and hold video conferences. Its intuitive interface and mobile app make it easy to stay connected and productive on-the-go. Plus, its security features ensure that all data is safe and confidential.
Read our analysis about Talkspirit Learn more To Talkspirit product page
Paid version from €4.00 /month
Boost productivity and collaboration with powerful ESN software that streamlines communication and knowledge sharing.
With our feature-rich ESN software, employees can easily connect and collaborate, whether they're in the office or working remotely. From real-time messaging and file sharing to project management and task tracking, our platform has everything teams need to work efficiently and effectively.
Read our analysis about eXo Platform Learn more To eXo Platform product page
Paid version from $5.00 /month
Boost collaboration and productivity with this top ESN software. Streamline communication, build social intranets, and manage projects with ease.
With its intuitive interface, customizable features, and robust analytics, this ESN software empowers teams to connect, share knowledge, and work smarter. From real-time messaging to content creation and management, it offers a full range of tools to help your organization thrive.
Read our analysis about Jive-n Learn more To Jive-n product page
Pricing on request
Stay connected with your team and streamline communication with our Enterprise Social Network (ESN) software.
With iVision, you can create groups, share files, and collaborate on projects in real-time. Our intuitive interface makes it easy to stay on top of tasks, while our robust search feature ensures you can quickly find the information you need.
Read our analysis about iVision Learn more To iVision product page
Paid version from $4.00 /month
Boost productivity and collaboration with an ESN software that streamlines communication, file sharing, and task management.
Joincube makes it easy to connect with colleagues, share updates, and stay on top of projects. With features like customizable workflows, group chat, and file versioning, your team can work smarter and faster. Plus, with a user-friendly interface and mobile app, staying connected has never been easier.
Read our analysis about Joincube Learn more To Joincube product page
Pricing on request
Boost collaboration and productivity with our top-rated ESN software. Connect teams, share knowledge, and streamline communication effortlessly.
Our ESN software enables seamless collaboration among employees, regardless of location or department. With easy access to shared files, discussions, and projects, teams can work more efficiently and effectively. Plus, our intuitive interface and mobile app make communication and knowledge sharing a breeze.
Read our analysis about Plek Learn more To Plek product page
Paid version from €5.00 /month
Boost collaboration and productivity with this Enterprise Social Network software. Connect and engage with colleagues, share files and knowledge, and streamline communication.
With this software, you can create groups and communities, schedule events and meetings, and easily access company news and updates. The platform also offers advanced security features and customizable branding options.
Read our analysis about Jamespot Learn more To Jamespot product page
Paid version from €2.30 /month
Boost productivity with a collaborative platform that connects your team. Share files, ideas, and updates in real-time to streamline communication and increase efficiency.
With this ESN software, your team can communicate and collaborate seamlessly. Yammer allows you to create groups, share files, and discuss ideas in a centralized location, eliminating the need for scattered emails and disjointed conversations. Stay up-to-date on project progress and work together towards common goals.
Read our analysis about Yammer Learn more To Yammer product page
Paid version from $3.00 /month
Boost team collaboration and productivity with this Enterprise Social Network (ESN) software. Streamline communication and project management with a user-friendly interface.
With Workplace from Meta, teams can easily share files, chat, and manage tasks in one platform. The software's intuitive design allows for seamless collaboration, while advanced security features ensure data privacy. Say goodbye to scattered emails and meetings and hello to a more efficient workflow.
Read our analysis about Workplace from Meta Learn more To Workplace from Meta product page
Enterprise Social Network (ESN) software: purchase guide
What is an Enterprise Social Network?
Definition
An Enterprise Social Network (ESN) is a digital collaboration platform that allows employees and partners of a company to form communities to communicate and collaborate effectively.
Enterprise social networking opens up channels of access to individuals and information adapted to it. More than a simple working tool, the ESN is an internal communication tool for organizations with a collaborative dimension. Today, it is a cornerstone of digital transformation.
The ESN is often perceived as a Social Intranet that replaces the Intranet and the Enterprise Extranet 1.0 such as Sharepoint or Drupal. However, it should not be confused with a "professional network" such as Linkedin, which is a networking platform only (ESN is a corporate communication tool above all). Almost 80% of large companies have implemented a ESN.
How do Enterprise Social Networks work?
An Enterprise Social Network is a computer program hosted in a public cloud (datacenter) or a private cloud (internal managed servers) and accessible via a web browser. It is made up of an applicative ecosystem that includes the internal communication features that are found in social networks such as Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter (content sharing, likes, comments, user profile, instant messaging) with collaborative tools (document sharing, skills research, task management, project management, ideation, knowledge management).
The deployment of a ESN in a company is a cultural upheaval because this tool modifies interactions between individuals. This is why companies use external consultants to facilitate the adoption of the collaborative platform. Deploying a ESN also involves a phase of customization of the platform to adapt it to the information system and business processes (e.g. validation procedures) like any other web project of this type.
What are the features of an enterprise social network?
The features of an Enterprise Social Network are designed to develop collaborative work and digital communication in a unified and strategic way:
Collaboration tools
- Document Management (DMS): document hierarchy, archiving, document sharing
- Idea management: fostering the emergence of collaborative projects
- Task and project management
- Knowledge management
- Collaborative monitoring: increasing the knowledge of a working group
- CMS (content management): blogging for corporate reputation and e-marketing
- Customer relationship: Social CRM, CRM, lead management, customer experience
Communication tools
- Sharing content, likes, comments
- Instant messaging for chatting with colleagues
- Conversational digital marketing with customers
Organizational function
- Simplification of the managerial organization (more cross-functionality)
- Participatory management of the company (Decision-making shared between management and operational teams)
What companies use Enterprise Social Networking?
There are usually two types of companies that use ESN. Among them, you may find companies that use agile project management and companies that are looking to remodel their organization.
- Business Schools
- Startups
- Large companies
3 groups of individuals are involved in an ESN project:
- Leadership: CIO, HRD, Works Council, Communication Manager, Decision-makers
- The ambassador: Project manager, early adoption
- The user: the employee who uses the new tool
What are the benefits of using an Enterprise Social Network?
Setting up an ESN is often part of an HR strategy also called HR marketing, which aims to stimulate social interactions in the company in order to enhance Human Capital:
Advantages
- Strengthen the sense of belonging and unite employees around the corporate culture
- Promote teleworking thanks to the mobile workstation (always accessible via the Internet)
- Innovate more quickly thanks to the creativity of our employees
- Improve the employer brand (E-reputation)
- Employee retention
- Valuation of knowledge and collective intelligence
- Improve team productivity and responsiveness
- Be in line with the new digital practices of Generation Y
- Support the development of new technologies in companies. The ESN is an accelerator of digital transformation.
- Break down barriers between departments in silos. Encourage interaction and communication between teams from different spheres
- Facilitate teamwork
- Facilitate speaking in the company
- Bringing transparency to employees
Disadvantages
- A change management phase by a third-party consulting firm is almost essential to obtain approval, disseminate good practices and enable employees to adopt the tool.
- The cost of a service provider to adapt (possibly) the software solution
- Impacts on the role of the HR function (bilateral relationship with employees instead of the classic top-to-bottom)
- Companies have concerns about data confidentiality
- The involvement of each user is difficult to obtain
- Requires a more transversal rethinking of work organization
- Non-compliance of certain practices with the Labour Code (working time, etc.)
- Emergence of distractions
How to choose an ESN?
To ensure a successful digital transition with a collaborative ESN Intranet, it is necessary to enhance the criteria in accordance with its digital strategy:
Criteria
- Choose between proprietary or Open Source solution
- Choose between SaaS (Cloud Computing) or On-Premise (Information at your expense) mode
- Cybersecurity: opt for a very secure solution (AES256, Blockchain, double authentication, etc.)
- Product innovation in relation to another (using Big Data, Mooc, artificial intelligence, etc.)
- Ergonomics: user experience, ease of use and adoption of CSR
- Social responsibility
- Integrations: Google Apps, IBM connection, Docker, etc.
- Mobility: mobile application, responsive design, the desktop version
Popular ESN and better collaborative solutions
A collaborative and social software solution such as Jamespot Intranet Social, Yammer (combined with Skype),Facebook for Business, allows employees of companies to connect with each other to communicate and share data, often in a public forum. In social network software, users are represented by a profile.
Discover our guides on Enterprise Social Networks (ESN).
Enterprise Social Network (ESN) softwares: Q&A
Look for features such as user profiles, activity feeds, instant messaging, video conferencing, document collaboration, and analytics. It should also have robust security measures, customization options, and integrations with other business software.
ESN software can improve collaboration, knowledge sharing, and communication within an organization, leading to increased productivity and innovation. It can also foster a sense of community among employees, enhance employee engagement, and reduce email overload.
Some of the best ESN software options are Microsoft Teams, Slack, Yammer, Chatter, and Jive. Each has unique features and benefits, so it's important to evaluate which one best fits your organization's needs.
Some free ESN software alternatives include Zoho Connect, Bitrix24, Asana, Trello, and Workplace by Facebook. These options may have limited features or user restrictions, so it's important to assess their suitability for your organization.
