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Here here. Enterprise RSS as a plumbing mechanism has legs. However the traditional RSS reader as a consumption mechanism needs to go. Creates a fire hose of content and is tech gobbledygook for most.
I believe that the rumors about the death of RSS are highly exaggerated. I agree with Sameer that RSS as plumbing tool will become even more important. But I don’t think RSS readers will go away (I am sure they will improve though). If we don’t have an easy way to consume RSS feeds what’s the purpose of enabling RSS in Intranets, DMS, CRM and other enterprise systems? Will people really consume those updates in their email inbox or only with widgets? The content distributed via email and RSS is fundamentally different. RSS is all about awareness/social reading…email is something personal, that you need to act on / reply to.
There are really compelling use cases for Enterprise RSS and just because it’s in its infancy at the moment and has not been adopted as widely as predicted, it does not mean it’s stupid or dead.
I am sure you are aware of this discussion on the death of enteprise rss @ RWW: http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/rip_enterprise_rss.php
Aaron StroutSam – I’m with you. While I’m not sure I’d go as far as saying that enterprise RSS is dead, it certainly is extremely lacking in it’s non-conversational nature. Tools like Yammer along with enterprise communities like Jive delivers are much more powerful ways to disseminate news, foster collaboration and create true two-way dialogue within an organization.
As for externally facing RSS, it is growing tired but still has its place. I’d love to see some of the RSS 2.0 functionality like in-line commenting and greater intelligence like collaborative filtering make more of a splash.
Loving the graphic only posts btw.
Best,
Aaron | @aaronstrout
I love RSS. I use a RSS reader for all the blogs and feeds on the social web. It saves me time jumping from site to site.
Inside a massive company I still like RSS. I have a few windows inside Jive’s application that are RSS driven.
But the problem is that inside a big company, having the right feeds set up and then looking into those windows just isn’t smart enough.
No one said RSS was dead. At least on this post.
Hi Christoph
RE: “If we don’t have an easy way to consume RSS feeds what’s the purpose of enabling RSS in Intranets, DMS, CRM and other enterprise systems”
Agreed. Instead of a traditional reader, RSS needs to add color to a stated context. For instance, show me news on leads I’ve entered in Salesforce, or new customer suggestions popping up on blogs and GetSatisfaction in my CallCenter application, or in the context of employees collaborating in customer issue on my Intranet.
These are some consumption mechanisms (or if you like, toilet seats) that can actually leverage the value of RSS plumbing 
There are a lot of technologies that can be applied in ways that could be considered “stupid” including e-mail, discussion forums, workspaces, web conferencing and so on. Many tools could certainly be smarter (e.g., more contextual and situational). I could literally place a dunce hat on a graphic representing many technologies. So personally, I find the post incomplete, lacking analysis and overall disappointing. I have clients that have customized their implementation of feed syndication platforms to meet the needs of specific applications/processes.
If your point is specific to feed readers – sure – many don’t have the level of customization that users might need. But that’s only one facet of what some people refer to as “Enterprise RSS” (note: not a fan of this term).
I have clients doing some very interesting things with feeds… since Jive doesn’t play in this space, it could be that you’re not coming across them.
Sam, lets talk in terms of what it enables….. http://www.slideshare.net/cdexterd/sam-says
Saying Enterprise RSS is stupid is a bit like calling the electrical system for your house stupid because the light bulbs are burnt out in your kitchen and you can’t find what you need to make dinner. RSS, in the enterprise, hasn’t had its day yet; but it is, fundamentally, a tool to enable collaboration….sharing of knowledge, learning and (in the enterprise) it’s about building consensus. Like you said ‘…inside a big company, having the right feeds set up and then looking into those windows just isn’t smart enough.” The modern enterprise has a very well stocked pantry, could make you a gourmet meal, it just needs to have the kitchen lights screwed in. RSS will have its day in the enterprise, which means it’s not stupid
So things that aren’t smart yet aren’t stupid?
Not smart + no potential = stupid
RSS has potential in the enterprise; it will have it’s day. Enterprise RSS isn’t stupid but to your point, right now, isn’t smart.
The worst thing you can have is potential.
It’s the fiercest backhanded compliment ever.
I love RSS too and this is a great topic for debate. Yes, enterprise RSS is not being used intelligently nor to its full potential. However, as someone stated, its day in the sun is coming quickly thanks to solutions like ClearSpace and ahem cough cough SharePoint.
I love google reader but since I live in Outlook which accesses several different email accounts, calendars, task lists and address books, I decided the best way for me to digest my most important blog posts and news feeds is by using Outlook’s RSS reader. Thus, new posts pop up like new email messages forcing me to read, share and file/delete.
However, I keep wishing there was much more I could do with this incredible amount of information. I’m always playing with ways to integrate Outlook’s RSS feature with SharePoint for quicker/easier group sharing of useful data. Maybe they’re working on that? I hope so.
In the mean time, I’m hoping Enterprise RSS gets some IQ points and fast!
How do you think I found this post, Sam?
[...] Go Big Always – Enterprise RSS is stupid (tags: productivity) [...]
Sam is a freelance value generator and known for going big. Most recently, he was CEO of Blackbox Republic, CMO for Jive Software, SVP at McCann Erickson, VP for CNET, VP for 3Com, Director at Dell, and has nearly 20 years experience creating breakthroughs.
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