Spiceworks adds collaboration and social networking to free IT management site

Meanwhile, the organisation has now launched web-based social networking features to help its growing community to communicate and share ideas. Scott Abel, co-founder and CEO of Spiceworks, says that it’s aimed at helping IT pros on projects to troubleshoot problems, and spread information on the best products and services available for their businesses. Justin Dorfman, systems administrator for Western Costumes, who has been using the system for some time, says: “Like most SMB IT administrators, my department only has one person managing the entire network…me. “Since adopting Spiceworks, I have found it’s not only a great tool for network monitoring and inventory management but the community is knowledgeable, diverse and dedicated to helping others solve a wide range of problems. I personally have found it easier and more efficient to ask the Spiceworks community than spend an hour on Google.” In fact, users have now organised themselves into more than 200 different groups based on location, industry, relevant network hardware and software; and areas of interest. Users can create their own groups on any topics that are not already established. “We’re demonstrating the power of coupling a software application that small business IT pros use daily with a social networking and collaboration platform that allows them to connect and communicate to do their jobs,” says Abel. “SMB IT managers used to be isolated islands in their companies. But they are now emerging as a powerful worldwide group of experts changing the role of IT in small- and medium-businesses everywhere.”