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IBM Software Cruises Web and Blogs to Capture Noise About Businesses

IBM on Monday introduced software that enables businesses to find out what their reps are like on the social networks, blogs and other sources on the Web.

The proliferation of blogs, news feeds, consumer review sites, newsgroups and articles published daily on the Web has created a phenomenon where public opinion about an organization spreads worldwide, faster than ever before, IBM says. These sources are filled with insight from consumers, experts and competitors that can be analyzed and used by businesses to make better decisions on products, services and business strategies. This creates a tremendous opportunity for organizations to carefully monitor their image and more quickly address business opportunities, threats, quality concerns or changing public perception.

IBM’s Public Image Monitoring Solution, designed with Nstein Technologies and Factiva, permits orgs to analyze and understand the scuttlebutt that affects their brands. For example, a consumer goods manufacturer could use this software to track response to new product introductions by examining consumer product reviews and blog discussions about the new product, drill down into information from regions of the world where public sentiment about the product was less than positive, and identify hot topics or trends associated with the product.

The Public Image Monitoring Solution is based on IBM WebSphere Information Integrator OmniFind Edition, which features intelligent search capabilities. By extending customers' ability to gain real-time insight into their business information, it enables them to make more effective decisions and be more competitive in the marketplace, IBM says.

The Public Image Monitoring Solution is available from IBM and Nstein Technologies. IBM WebSphere Information Integrator OmniFind Edition version 8.3 is slated to be available during fourth quarter 2005.