Socialcast is a collaboration platform intended for enterprises. The application combines individuals and data to provide quick access to resources within a company. Activity streams allow users to stay updated on project and activity progress. Socialcast also allows users to add access for outside users who are not a part of the company. User roles let users give the right level of access to managers and others in their organization. Built in analytics provide real time stats and organization charts show relationships within the company. The town hall area provides a space for the company’s executives to communicate with employees. Socialcast can be embedded into other applications as well. Private messages let employees communicate without leaving the application. Additional features include polls and a desktop version.
Socialcast was founded in June of 2005 by Tim Young. The application is not hugely popular, but has turned a few heads. The mentions it receives are generally positive, boasting the application’s simplicity and user friendly design. Many appreciate the personal touches included in the features. Users can show their appreciation by thanking others with the ‘thanks’ note. Social networking style features, such as “likes,” also make Socialcast an appealing solution for many businesses.
Socialcast provides many features users expect out of an application like this. It also manages to fit in a few extras that make it appealing. Users can ‘thank’ other employees for their assistance. This simple feature isn’t related directly to productivity, but it certainly can boost morale and encourage employees to work together. Socialcast streamlines collaboration and social interactions within a company. It also provides a space for busy high ranking executives to share insight, updates and anything else with employees without scheduling a company-wide meeting.
Socialcast is intended for enterprises, so its appearance is important. The application lives up to the challenge by providing users with a clean, sleek and professional layout and color scheme. Users can appreciate the charts and graphs, which provide another way to digest data. The interface is user friendly, even for those who have little to no experience with social networks and other online tools. Socialcast combines professionalism with a personable, simple design.
A new use can begin the registration process right on the Socialcast homepage. The user can enter their email address in the field provided along the left side. After clicking the orange “Sign Up” button to the right, the user is advised that a confirmation message will be sent to their inbox. This must be accessed before the user can begin logging in to their Socialcast account.
Socialcast offers users two license options to choose from. The first is the basic free license. This includes standard SaaS, developer API access, basic integration, basic security, social networking features, microblogging features, mobile access groups and org charts. An enterprise license is available and includes private cloud and behind the firewall deployment options, enterprise integration, enterprise level security, social activity reports, advanced network analysis services, external contributors, thanks capability, custom theming, user polls and the ability to add the Town Hall area for a fee. Users interested in an enterprise license must contact Socialcast to receive a quote.
Socialcast is ideal for companies that need a simple way to bring everyone together. The application is ideal for medium to large size organizations that have to manage larger numbers of employees and resources. Users can collaborate online and work more efficiently through activity streams, private messages and other social features. Small companies may not find Socialcast as appealing unless their employees work in different locations or with different schedules.