Gartner, the world’s leading analyst firm, has just published its “MarketScope for Web Content Management” report, one of the most influential analyst reports on the Web Content Management market.

Out of 17 CMS software providers evaluated, Gartner has given a “Strong Positive” rating to only 2 companies, Interwoven and Ektron. Interwoven is a worldwide leader specializing in large Fortune 500 Enterprise Content Management solutions, and Ektron is the leading provider of CMS solutions for small or midsize businesses and many educational/ government needs.

According to Gartner, they have rated a vendor as “Strong Positive,” the highest possible rating, only when they have found that:

• It dominates the market as a whole.
• Is a default choice for many buyers’ shortlists.
• Has a strategic direction that’s clear, stable and well-communicated.
• Has an unquestioned ability to execute on that vision.

Web Spiders is in a unique position of being partners with both these industry leaders. It has been certified as a Gold Partner by Ektron and has recently announced its partnership with Interwoven.

Regarding the outlook for Web Content Management (WCM), the report states that “The prospects for WCM are overwhelmingly positive. A fresh cultural shift now focuses on the myriad possibilities of using the Web as a medium for rich interaction with well-targeted audiences and market segments. The Web is an excellent medium with which to innovate, measure, analyze, and improve.”

Web Spiders has been providing solutions across Enterprise Content Management and Web Content Management for several years. It also deploys Open Source Content Management Systems like Joomla! and Drupal.

The “MarketScope for Web Content Management” report is available on the Gartner website here.

* All company names, brand names, trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners.

Web Spiders, Inc., the premier global Web 2.0 Rich Internet and Rich Mobile Application (RIA) product development company for entrepreneurs and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) will be exhibiting (Booth no. 1021) its latest Silverlight, Windows Mobile and Flex solutions at the Microsoft Partner Conference, July 7-10, in Houston, TX. Web Spiders will also be serving as a bronze level sponsor of this event.

Continuing its leadership in the RIA & RMA space, Web Spiders is expanding its enterprise scale RIA development offerings, adding Microsoft’s new Silverlight application platform. In addition, as demand continues to build for improved rich applications in the mobile space, Web Spiders has launched a center of excellence for Rich Apps for mobile phone platforms such as Windows Mobile, Blackberry and iPhone.

“Our customers are leading-edge product companies and entrepreneurs who are looking at launching the next “Rich” version of their Web or Mobile Apps,” said Siddharth “Sid” Jhunjhunwala, Web Spiders’ CEO. “We are extremely pleased to add Silverlight to our portfolio along with Adobe Flex, as this offers a compelling value proposition to the ISV and entrepreneurial community.”

Web Spiders’ RIA and RMA development services, which are delivered using a dual-shore model between US and India, have been receiving outstanding praise from clients including that of Tim Hamilton, CEO of Astonish Design who observed: “Web Spiders has provided a highly engaging and functional Web Application for one of our major clients. Leveraging Rich Internet (RIA) Web 2.0 development services, Web Spiders delivered with quality, on time and with a real sense of partnership with my business and clients.”

Another leading ISV, Daniel Saaty, Vice President of Decision Lens noted: “We look toward Web Spiders to provide an extremely innovative GUI and usability for our specialized and highly complex web application. Their approach to development and quality processes has been a strong benefit to our business and investors.”

At the conference, Web Spiders will demonstrate examples of its Rich Internet and Rich Mobile offerings on Silverlight and Flex, including examples of a Car Configurator developed for Mitsubishi Motors, a Rich Mobile App developed for Samsung and several other applications developed for leading ISVs, Entrepreneurs and Corporations.

Web Spiders’ Sr. Account Director for North America, Stephen Harris was interviewed while exhibiting at the Interop/Software 2008 conference in Las Vegas. Stephen explains how Web Spiders, the premier product development company, can provide Rich Internet Applications for ISVs and corporations seeking a competitive advantage online:

Internet World is UK’s largest digital business show, and the 17th Internet World event in London, held this time from 29th April to 1st May, was yet again a showstopper. This event features industry leaders like BBC Worldwide and Google amongst its speakers, and it has consistently been able to attract heavyweight keynote speakers like ITV, MySpace and Nokia. Web Spiders was once again a bright star in such a luminous constellation.

In addition to showcasing our expertise in eCommerce, Social Networking, “No Refresh” Technology and Mobile Applications, our primary focus was on customised Web 2.0/ RIA (Rich Internet Applications) development and Snockles (Social Software for Businesses). Our 1-Page Checkout and Desktop Widgets also attracted a lot of interest. Web Spiders CEO Sid (Siddharth Jhunjhunwala) presented on the subject “Enterprise 2.0 – Social is good for Business” in the Web 2.0 theatre.

Internet World, true to tradition, attracted a serious business audience interested in the key issues relating to online strategy. Over the 3 day period, we interacted with thousands of attendees and had the opportunity to educate business decision makers on the latest developments in the market and future trends. 

To know more about our offerings, visit Web Spiders online and learn how we can radically change your business with the help of the latest Web technology.

Stephen Harris, VP/ Sr. Acct Director (North America) explains how Rich Internet Applications (RIA) Flex can be used on a B2C web site, featuring Web Spiders’ “No Refresh Technology”. Stephen was interviewed while exhibiting at the Web 2.0 conference in San Francisco:

At the Technology for Marketing & Advertising (TFM&A 2008) exhibition, UK’s only dedicated event delivering digital, data and CRM solutions for marketing, media and advertising professionals, Web Spiders again made its presence felt strongly in the international arena.

During the 2-day event (12th-13th February, 2008) at Earls Court 2, London, Web Spiders exhibited its expertise in eCommerce, Social Networking, Desktop Widgets, Mobile Applications and Web 2.0/ Rich Internet Application development in front of thousands of visitors.

This year at TFM&A, the number of visitors increased by more than 50% to witness the fantastic line-up of keynote speakers, two-tier Google University, CIM Marketing Experience sessions and the many reputed international suppliers demonstrating the latest and most cutting-edge solutions. The free case-study led seminars covering data, CRM and digital, and the excellent industry networking were added attractions.

Web Spiders showcased the following:

• Why Social Networking is good for Business

Web Spiders’ Snockles for Enterprises provides a scalable (no user limit), on-demand (no maintenance overhead and quick go-live) and mobile phone integrated social software for businesses to achieve the same level of collaboration and networking as with consumer social networking sites.

• Reducing customer abandonment of shopping carts with single page checkout and “no refresh”

According to figures from Marketing Sherpa, the average abandonment rate for shopping carts is 60%, of which 12% give up before hitting the checkout. Web Spiders can help reduce abandonment by making the shopping process easy, informative and responsive.

• Desktop Widgets (Gadgets) - create a 24/7 bond with your customers

By providing bespoke development of Widgets, Web Spiders can produce a customized opt-in marketing solution that helps to generate customer loyalty and repeat business.

Web Spiders has been focused on delivering responsive digital solutions for more than 10 years. To know more about how such cutting-edge digital solutions can help your business, visit our website at www.webspiders.com.

Web Spiders completed this years UK exhibition circuit at the World of Learning Conference and Exhibition (14^th – 15^th November 2007) in the NEC, Birmingham as the final leg of the “Say no to refresh” tour.

This event provided the ideal showcase on how Web Spiders’ full range of skills can provide a complete elearning solution; from researching/ writing training course material and assessments through to providing an appropriate on-line learning platform for easy administration by the tutor, and interactive responsive experience for the student (using Rich Internet Applications).

Neil Burton, Web Spiders UK & Europe Business Development Manager commented: “We had a good couple of days meeting organisations from various sectors, not just from education establishments, and the specific areas of interest from visitors was varied. Web Spiders Nalanda LMS, eBooks, Web Recruiter, eGames demonstrations were well received and interest in Web Spiders translation services was also pleasing.”

However the real buzz on the stand was around Web Spiders soon to be released social networking platform ‘Snockles’. Snockles Enterprise will be a social networking platform specifically aimed for business use; whether you are logged into Snockles on your desktop, or are offline with mobile phone access, this will keep the communication channels open.

Visitors grasped the concept very quickly and were dreaming up their own uses for Snockles. A few comments below -

“… lecturers could connect with other lecturers when researching or writing a course module for their comments or ideas.”

“… students will use this as a way to quickly find out answers to questions.”

“This could be good for project work; stakeholders are kept aware of any dramatic changes…”

During our three days at the O’Reilly Web 2.0 Leadership Conference we had some great conversations with big and small - and new business owners. They asked us good questions, and we’d like to share some of these. We hope that Web Spiders will be partnering with many of these very interesting people and companies - however we wish each and everyone the best of success. And to the people who will benefit from these innovators and entrepreneurs, we say - wait till you see what is coming you way! Some of the questions we heard: How do I ensure protection of Intellectual Property? We heard this question a few times and we appreciate that this is a legitimate concern, specially for product companies. Our response was clear. First and foremost, we are not a product marketing company - but in the ‘OEM’ business.  The basis of our business is in long term client servicing and IP protection.  We are only going to be successful if you are successful and our 10th anniversary this year is a testament to a time-tested commitment.

What are the advantage of outsourcing with Web Spiders? Simply put, taking advantage of an onsite-offshore delivery model to deliver niche web 2.0 solutions e.g. Adobe Flex, AJAX etc. Our client list includes big names and very often we have won contracts against competition from the likes of IBM , Accenture , TCS and others.

When the conference came to a close, the energy of Web 2.0 remained strong. As the facility team began tearing down booths and rolling up carpet (exactly at the 1:00 close!), we were still in conversation with attendee’s. And we were not alone. Clearly the Web 2.0 conversation continues on, stronger.

View from the Web Spiders booth

In conversation… Our Flex/AJAX services and demo stirred the imagination of all and sundry.

The O’Reilly Web 2.0 conference opened with excitement in the air, with a reported over 9,000 attendees. Your writer has attended many conferences, and there was genuine excitement in the air today. Web 2.0 is exciting, so this feeling at Moscone (SF) is not entirely unexpected. Tim O’Reilly and Jeff Bezos (Amazon) opened the event with the keynote.

The messages from Tim and Jeff were clear - that web 2.0 is not another “bubble” and that this concept is designed to link people. To empower people. “Something is happening here and it is just starting” Tom O’Reilly

We also felt that Tim’s additional sound byte that Web 2.0 “harnesses collective intelligence” resonates so well. As Web 2.0 is design to allow for social interaction and behavior online.

The keynote opened with an exceptional and powerful video produced by a Kansas City University professor, Michael West. View this Digital Ethnography on YouTube. Click and view this video, it is exceptional.

Web Spiders is an exibitor (booth 341), where Siddharth and your writer were in attendance (watch for pictures of our booth and the exhibitor scene). The doors opened and we have to admit, we were surprised by both the sheer volume of people in attendance.. and the tremendous interest in Web Spiders outsource product development services, featuring RIA and Flex. Please view the demo we are showcasing at this event.

The first day is done, and we will have more valuable and interesting conversations on day #2. We will report on some of the questions and comments we are hearing, plus additional sound bytes from the conference. And if you are reading this blog and are in attendance, please come by and let us know.