Akiva Launch to Offer Idea Management for the Enterprise
Akiva, a new enterprise resulting from the merger of ChatSpace and MindCruiser, was officially launched today as a
supplier of Idea Management software and related services for corporate enterprise
clients. Eric Olinger, formerly ChatSpace CEO, will head the new company. Akiva
integrates MindCruiser’s knowledge management software with ChatSpace’s award-winning
community and conferencing software and consulting services. This unique combination
of consulting, software, service, and support provides enterprises, both large
and small, a cost effective and reliable way to gather, evaluate, and act on
new ideas for faster growth and improved profitability.
"This merger brings together two of the leaders in community and knowledge
management to create a player who is truly poised to supply companies with the
Idea Management solutions that they need," noted Jonathan B. Spira, Chief
Analyst at research firm Basex. "Akiva provides a system that allows what
I call ‘knowledge accidents’ to occur across the enterprise; creating the many
innovations that build successful companies."
Existing customers of ChatSpace and MindCruiser will continue to be served
under the new company through its respective divisions. Akiva’s Community Products
Division will offer ChatSpace® and WebBoard™, the number-one selling
chat and message board products. The Enterprise Solutions Division will offer
MindCruiser’s Idea Exchange Platform (IEP); software for constructing Idea Management
systems. Akiva’s newly formed Professional Services Division will provide integration,
customization, and support services for all products to maximize the benefits
of Idea Management systems in client organizations.
"New ideas are plentiful, but research has shown that few companies have
well defined Idea Management processes," said Eric Olinger, president of
Akiva. "New ideas fuel innovation, which, in today’s economic environment,
is a strategic imperative. We are in a unique position to be able to offer the
tools needed by organizations to capture new ideas, develop them and quickly
put them to work. This methodology fosters innovation throughout the organization."
Akiva’s products and services build upon a robust technology platform that
facilitates idea generation and creates a process that moves innovative concepts
rapidly into the enterprise. Based on the way people interact, and on proven
idea generation tool kits, the technology encourages communication and incorporates
features such as real-time collaboration, document and process management, community
networking and knowledge sharing.
"At IEEE, we are trying to create extraordinary learning experiences for
our members and customers that allows them to create, develop, integrate, share,
and apply knowledge about electrical and information technologies and sciences
for the benefit of humanity and the profession," said Matt Loeb, staff
director of Corporate Strategy and Communications. "Akiva
is helping us accomplish this through the development of virtual learning communities
which facilitate idea creation, exchange and collaboration. This effort has
the potential to dramatically change the way we have traditionally operated
our organization and the way our members and customers learn."
About Akiva
Akiva is an innovator of idea management software and services that help organizations
connect ideas for results. Akiva’s technology and services enable enterprises
to collect ideas from employees, customers, partners and suppliers to dramatically
improve business performance through rapid innovation and reduced expenses.
The company publishes the number-one selling WebBoard™ and ChatSpace®
products and provides professional services and enterprise solutions for the
financial, educational and the online community marketplaces. For more information,
visit http://www.akiva.com.
Akiva Press Contact:
Sarah Ray
760-710-3210