IGLOO Ices Corporate Social Networking

Kitchener, Ontario based IGLOO’s foundation began with a not-for-profit research centre called the Centre for International Governance(CIGI) founded by Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO of Research In Motion (RIM)

In 2003, CIGI, created a free online research network called IGLOO (International Governance Leaders and Organizations Online) that connected researchers, practitioners and educators around the world.

By 2008 Igloo.org had further evolved into a for profit firm with a focus on creating On Demand Corporate Social Networking software with Web 2.0 tools for content management, collaboration, social networking and administration.

IGlOO offers 3 versions of it’s Corporate Social Networking (CSN) software:

• Lite Edition
• Pro Edition
• Enterprise Edition

IGLOO’s Lite Edition contains IGLOO’s content management platform and social networking tools and is optimized for corporate pilots, or group work spaces for teams. Priced at $4,999 USD annually or 449 USD per month, the Lite edition comes with a basic self service support portal.

IGLOO’s Pro Edition is designed for company-wide networking and knowledge sharing. Pro Edition adds Corporate Social Networking tools, Blogs, Wiki’s and forums. Data Storage and Data Transfer are increased to 50 GB in the Pro Edition. Pro Edition is priced at $9,999 USD annually or $999 USD per month.

Available add on support packages for both the Lite and Pro Editions include a Silver level of Support for $1,000 USD per year and a Gold Level of Support for $2,500 USD per year.

IGLOO’s Enterprise Edition is designed for use outside of the corporate firewall and adds multiple domains, up to ten online communities, multinational deployment support and free silver level support. Data storage and data transfer clock increase to 100 GB in the Enterprise Edition. Pricing for the Enterprise Edition is based on a number of factors and is not disclosed on the IGLOO website.

IGLOO offers a Wizard based Setup for each of its edition’s. The Setup Wizard allows a user to choose what WEB 2.0 features will be used in the CSN, look and feel of the CSN in addition to administrator tasks such as permission setup and reporting.

IGLOO Web 2.0 tools are similar to tools in competing CSN offerings with the IGLOO differentiator being that the tools are a bit more polished than some of the newer entrants in the CSN Space.

IGLOO is utilized by 150,000 end users at customers including Amnesty International, Arizona State University, Deloitte, Motorola and the Royal Bank of Canada. Future updates of IGLOO will include features like social graphing, Microsoft Outlook integration, additional mobile device support and connectors to Enterprise Apps and Microsoft SharePoint.

IGLOO offers a very comprehensive Corporate Social Network solution that can fit any size non-profit or corporate site.  Smaller companies and non-profits may have a hard time digesting the pricing of the Lite Edition but the pricing of IGLOO’s offerings is in line with most of its competitors.

1. Social Networking Software , August 6, 2008:

   Hi,

   Can Igloo be white labeled?

   Jeff

   [Reply To This Comment]

   Ameed Taylor reply on August 6th, 2008 :

   Jeff,

   Yes, it appears that IGLOO can be white labeled. Check out the IGLOO partner pages if you want info.

   [Reply To This Comment]

   Stephen Rouse reply on August 7th, 2008 :

   Hi Jeff,

   Yes IGLOO Software is absolutely designed to be white-labelled. We just completed Build 15, and by the end of the year we will have multi-language support, which will be critical global networking requirements for larger organizations.

   As Ameed pointed out, we have launched a partner program, so feel free to check out the info and contact us.

   Stephen Rouse
   VP Marketing IGLOO Software

2. Torsten Karl , August 6, 2008:

   I dont see the difference between Igloo and other corporate social network software like Onesite.com, Hivelive.com, SocialCast.com or Mzinga.com. Spartasocialnetworks.com is a better solution than the pure ondemand plays because customers can host the software in their own datacenter.

   But their is way too much competition in this space for any of these guys to turn a profit and more than likely most of these companies (the ones that survive shakeout) will be acquired in a years time.

   [Reply To This Comment]

   Ameed Taylor reply on August 6th, 2008 :

   You are right Torsten about the competition. Not sure if the market has space for so many Corporate Social Network providers.

   [Reply To This Comment]

   Stephen Rouse reply on August 7th, 2008 :

   Agreed Torsten. There’s been a low barrier to entry. But we’re confident that our mature integrated platform helps us differentiate our product and with a mobile client in development we feel we’re well positioned as the industry consolidates.

   Stephen

3. peter woodford , August 8, 2008:

   brandstation is an excellent HR social network platfom, contact information:

   viewmy.tv
   326 Kensal Road,
   London, W10 5BZ, UK
   +44(0)208 964 3759
   http://www.brandstation.tv – corporate social networks

   viewmy.tv is about to release an easy to use and feature rich on-demand brandstation platform with monthly subscription options!

   [Reply To This Comment]