ManageEngine ITPulse: Private Social Network for IT Teams
As Facebook prepares for a potential IPO (initial public offering) this week, niche social media offerings continue to pop up in the IT market. One recent example: 
ManageEngine, best-known for its IT management software, is beta testing a private social network designed specifically for IT teams. Called ITPulse, the private social media platform brings a Facebook-style, multi-threaded cascading wall to IT, ManageEngine says.
No doubt, IT-focused social media platforms are starting to pop up for specialized audiences. Somewhat like ITPulse, a social media platform called ChannelEyes supports IT service providers, VARs and MSPs that want to network and find channel partner program information. And Novell has been striving to promote Vibe, a corporate team collaboration platform.
ManageEngine sees ITPulse fulfilling four needs for corporate IT managers. The company says ITPulse offers:
- A single wall for all IT team members, which means that everybody “follows” everybody
- Exclusivity to IT, confining IT-related matters to IT team members
- A secure, critical line of communication during emergencies
- A venue for IT to have fun and blow off steam
ManageEngine says ITPulse available as both a standalone SaaS service as well as a module that will integrate with its portfolio of IT management tools, including OpManager (IT alarms) and ServiceDesk Plus. Those integrations, ManageEngine claims, can streamline IT collaboration and accelerate problem resolutions.
ITPulse, in beta now, will be free for up to two users, and $5 per user per month for each additional user. ITPulse is expected to officially launch in Q3 2012, ManageEngine indicated.
