blog.wohlrapp.com

At Optaros, most retailers are asking us the following question:

“We’ve done product ratings and reviews, what social shopping features should we implement in 2009?”

The 2009 Social E-Commerce Guide answers the question:

• Suggested approach to plan for 2009
• 32 different options to consider with links to example websites
• Options categorized by adoption rate among retailers

Get it here.

Optaros has written a streamlined web client for Alfresco based entirely on REST (web scripts) and ExtJS. It is called DoCASU, which stands for Document Access for Casual Users, and we’re making it freely-available as an open source project on code.optaros.com.

DoCASU 1.0 leverages the understanding gained from corporate user requirements and utilizes Rich Internet Application technologies such as the ExtJS AJAX framework. DoCASU is not intended to replace the already existing Alfresco web user interface, but rather offer an alternative for users who require a limited set of features for them to profit from simplicity and ease of use. Already today thousands of users at NXP, a top 10 semiconductor company founded by Philips, are enjoying the user friendly front end solution.

DoCASU is a showcase of what can be done on top of Alfresco’s Web Script approach with state of the art RIA technologies. Developers can take DoCASU as a start for even more comprehensive (or simplistic) user interfaces, purpose built front ends or just as the base for learning on how to build Alfresco user interfaces and applications leveraging Web Scripts.

It requires Alfresco 2.1.1 or later. The future DoCASU releases will include a drop zone for dragging and dropping files also for desktop interaction, tabbed navigation, configurable skins, usability improvements and more.

Read about the project and download the AMP from code.optaros.com. If you see things that need fixing, create a bug report or fix it yourself and let us know.

Matthew Aslett from the 451 group has a little post on open source adoption, the Euro Cup and Optaros in Switzerland. Find it here.

Tonight is our little anniversary party in Zurich and we just received the delivery of our open source beer. Here are some pictures:

Optaros’ open source beer is not free as in free beer but as in free speech. Tonight it is also free as in free beer. Got it?

Check freebeer.ch for details.

Thank you Martin and the guys from heldenbar.ch to make this happen. Cheers.

Web 2.0 und Online-Trends verändern die Art und Weise, wie Konsumenten und „Corporate Buyers“ Produkte suchen, vergleichen und einkaufen, aber auch wie Beziehungen zu Kunden aufgebaut und gepflegt werden. Entsprechend ändern sich auch Umfeld und Herausforderungen für CRM-Anwendungen. Die veränderten CRM-Architekturen, -Technologien, und –Lösungen, die als serviceorientierte Architekturen zunehmend in Kombination von Web Services, assemblierten Lösungen, Social Networks, etc. auftreten, verleihen CRM eine neue Bedeutung. (more…)

We announced today, that we will provide a comprehensive Event Management System (EMS) for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA). The innovative EMS will be designed and assembled from open source components, and will fully support MCCA’s core business operations in the event management life cycle.

The MCCA owns and oversees the operation of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC), which was recognized by the 2007 Spotlight Awards as the “Convention Center of the Year”, the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, The MassMutual Center and the Boston Common Garage. Optaros’ Assembly Methodology (OptAM) will incorporate best-of-breed open source technologies and customized features to allow the MCCA to capitalize on the recent rapid increase in business and react efficiently to increasing demands on internal operations. (more…)

The larger telecom operators have been reinventing themselves over the last couple of years again and again. They constantly look to replace voice revenue and profit lost due to competition, they fight price declines, migration and substitution effects. It’s a fine line of introducing new products as needed and demanded and at the same time not to cannibalize the own existing offering. After unbundling and specialization in the 90ties, incumbent operators today go after service bundling and multiple screen plays to tie their customers into their product and services portfolio. With a strong focus on services and entertainment, media is still big for a lot of them.
(more…)

When: April 10 2008 - 11am EDT / 5pm CET

The collection of techniques and technologies known as Web 2.0 is only just beginning to have an affect on the enterprise. Join Dr. Ian Howells, Alfresco Chief Marketing Officer, and Jeff Potts, ECM Practice Lead for Optaros, as they explain the significance of these trends to the enterprise, what Web 2.0 really is and how to best leverage it to support content management strategies.

This web seminar will cover:

• The importance of Web 2.0 in the context of content management strategies and the competitive landscape.
• How to get beyond the hype and leverage Web 2.0 techniques and technologies to deliver dynamic and interactive content.
• How to tap into the fast-growing value of the Web 2.0 ecosystem to drive organizational productivity and competitive advantage, while still meeting the compliance and security needs of business.
• How these ideas have been put into practice by Optaros for companies like Endeca and Swisscom using Alfresco Enterprise as the technology platform for a Web 2.0 solution

Register now: http://www.alfresco.com/about/events/2008/04/optaros10apr08/register/

ZDNet is holding a live Webcast tomorrow about how your company can use the social world to improve product innovation. It’s free with registration.

Here are the details:

Date: 2/27/2008
Time: 8pm (GMT+1)
Participants: Josh Bernoff, Forrester Vice President, Principal Analyst and co-author of “Groundswell,” along with Colby Dyess, Product Manager from Endeca

This Webcast will address these important topics followed by interactive Q&A:

• ROI of Engaging with Your Customers for New Product Innovation
• What You Should Do to Tap Into Your Customers for Innovation
• Case Study: Building an Online Customer Community–Endeca’s Developer Network “EDeN”

The event is sponsored by Optaros, which was a finalist for a Forrester Groundswell award with its Swisscom Labs application and RedHat.

We announced today the design and assembly of a new online shopping concept for Wonderbox, a leading international Internet and retail company that sells the “Wonderbox”, which is a themed gift box containing vouchers for 6000 experiences from which the recipient can choose. We redesigned and re-platformed Wonderbox’s online store, creating a Web 2.0 experience that drives excitement, usability and conversion rates.

Innovation is exploding in e-commerce as the industry reaches the end of its first decade. New online shopping experiences, including Wonderbox’s unique retailing concept, are proving to be successful and making legacy storefronts appear old and tired. Wonderbox sells experiences in a box through a large network of partners and distributors, including Thomas Cook, Virgin and Cultura. Since its launch in 2004, Wonderbox continues to increase its influence in the rapidly growing e-commerce retail industry, boosting its sales.

• Read the full press release on Business Wire.
• Check out our Wonderbox online case study and video walk through on optaros.com.