CEO Bans Email-Maybe Email Really Is Dead

Atos Headquarters Location at Lago Maggiore

A few weeks back I pointed out to DredLaw readers ways that new technology would be superior to email. (Link to article)  Now here is a European company, Atos, that is banning employees from using email to communicate with fellow employees (Link to article) and for precisely the same reasons mentioned.  They will be using new collaborative tools and instant and video messaging as alternatives.  While I applaud the effort, they will have to be very careful with their data retention and privacy programs.

Social Media Governance-5 Reasons New Technology Applications Are Better Than Email

Copyright © 2011 Cary J. Calderone

DredLaw readers know I have mentioned the trend towards using "New Technology" like social media and social enterprise applications, in business.  Rypple and Yammer were developed for business use and even Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google Plus, are a common consideration for any company looking to market on the internet.  Companies are using social style Wikis to manage internal projects.  To be sure, I have warned readers about the need to have policies and procedures as a safeguard so their companies can use these New Technology applications in accordance with good data management and DRED practices.  But, this post will focus on some of the positives and comparative benefits of using these newer applications.  Yes, there are still potential pitfalls to social applications in business.  However, when compared to old email policies and practices, social-style applications have the potential to be a tremendous improvement to your organization's computer communications practices, and here are 5 reasons why:

Facebook is now totally Ryppled! And, what that may mean for future eDiscovery

Copyright 2011 Cary J. Calderone

A few weeks after commenting on Facebook's latest big lawsuit and the email evidence involved, I mentioned how a product like Rypple, may effect a company's data retention practices (link to post).  Now that Facebook has announced they are using Rypple, I cannot help but wonder how future discovery requests in a lawsuit may have to differentiate between a "Like" designation and a "Thumbs Up" or, a Smiley Face?  You can just imagine a cross-examination in court:  "Isn't it true Mr. Boss, on this project you gave the former Disgruntled Employee, not one, but TWO Smiley Faces and a Thumbs Up!!!"   "Let's bring up the digital display so the jury can see the Smiley Faces."   Will the evidence of Smiley Faces be in native or some other format?  Do we care?  We should, and here's why.