Fast-growing US market operator IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) has launched an internal social networking site to enable staff to communicate with colleagues and find information. Using technology from Jive Software, ICESpace serves as the company's corporate intranet and collaboration platform.
Based on Jive's Clearspace platform it acts as a central repository for employees to find company information such as executive communications, human resource policies and legal notices.
In addition, staff can share project updates and technology advancements across organisations, spawning innovation, speedy resolution of issues and improved productivity, says Jive.
ICE approached Jive looking to improve employee communications after seeing its headcount grow rapidly.
After a string of seven acquisitions, the firm's headcount has soared from around 200 staff at the beginning of 2007 to nearly 800 today with staff based in New York, Chicago, Houston, London, Winnipeg, Calgary and Singapore.
"ICESpace has become a fixture on the desktops of our employees, providing access to shared documentation, real-time project updates and educational resources," says Edwin Marcial, CTO, ICE. "As a leading technology provider in the exchange space, we sought a solution for our internal needs that was innovative and more dynamic than a static intranet, and we found the right solution with Jive."
Finextra verdict: Seven acquisitions is a lot to digest. Communication is key if the company is to set a clear direction for the culture and processes of the emerging entity. If it achieves wide usage among all employees, ICESpace should help ensure this communication is two-way, and not just top-down.