This report examines the impact of Social Collaboration Software (SCS) on communication and knowledge management in the workplace.

1. Software Advice IndustryView:
Social Collaboration Software Report
Trends and best practices from the industry

2. In March of 2015, we surveyed hundreds of employees from a variety of
disciplines in a variety of industries. We wanted to determine how many were
using social collaboration software (SCS), and how they were using this software.
Specifically, we wanted to know:
• How common is SCS used in workplace collaboration?
• How are employees using SCS to communicate in the workplace and
collaborate on documents?
• What specific benefits does SCS provide for companies seeking to enhance
internal communication and documentation?
Abstract

3. More employees say they use some form of social collaboration software (SCS) to
collaborate at work than email.
Top Methods for Workplace Collaboration
39%
SCS
Email
Office phone
In person
Mobile phone
Text messaging
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
44%
51%
61%
62%
71%
77%
Percent of sample
N = 640

4. Fifty-eight percent of workers use SCS to collaborate on documents at least daily.
Frequency of Using SCS for Document Collaboration
Multiple times per
day
29%
Once per day29%
Several times per
week
27%
Less than once per
week
12%
Never2%
N = 187

5. Private messaging is the most popular form of communication with SCS
applications. Sixty-four percent of employees send private messages daily.
Frequency of Private Messaging With SCS
Multiple times per
day
36%
At least once per day28%
Several times per
week
22%
Less than once per
week
13%
Never2%
N = 168

6. Frequency of Posting to Groups With SCS
Multiple times per
day
29%
Once per day29%
Several times per
week
27%
Less than once per
week
12%
Never2%
N = 187
Fifty eight percent of respondents report posting to groups at least daily.

7. A typical company information asset will travel a path from conception to execution
and maintenance, with collaboration along the way.
Typical Asset Journey
Create
Collaborate Maintain
Share Measure
Execute

8. Nineteen percent of respondents classify their business unit or department as IT,
while another 13 percent classify it as marketing.
Respondents by Business Unit
N = 191
IT19%
Marketing13%
Customer support12%
Human resources12%
Sales9%
Research & development8%
Production6%
Purchasing1%
Other10%
Accounting/finance10%

9. Fifteen percent of respondents classify their industry as “business services,” which
includes IT, software, consulting and consumer services.
Respondents by Industry
N = 191
Business services15%
Financial services/
insurance14%
Nonprofit/education10%
Health care/medicine9%
Marketing/advertising8%
Construction/engineering5%
Manufacturing5%
Government4%
Property management1%
Other21%
Customer service/retail8%

10. When considering number of employees, 52 percent of respondents are classified
as midsize businesses, while 13 percent are small businesses.
By Number of Employees: Respondents’ Business Size
N = 191
Small (<51)13%
Midsize (51 - 1,000)52%
Large (>1,000)35%

11. When considering revenue, 51 percent of respondents are classified as small
businesses.
By Revenue: Respondents’ Business Size
N = 191
Small (<$50M)51%
Midsize ($50 - $100M)8%
Large (>$100M)28%
Not sure13%

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