The Best Google Wave Gadgets, Extensions and Robots for the Enterprise

In large part Google Wave has been ignored by the enterprise due to many factors (I’ve listed them below). As you’ve probably read, Wave started as a huge splash but has been reduced to a ripple as of late due to the lack of a “killer app”.

Yet there are some enterprise-worthy applications for Wave that merit checking out. Also, there is a new, noteworthy app for Wave on the horizon that is due to be launched at Google I/O this year (disclosure: I am an investor). Google Wave Stats

There’s no there – there

For some reason, Wave hasn’t attracted the types of apps that really leverage the power of Wave. Wave is being treated like a consumer application when it’s actually an SMB or Enterprise level tool. Out of the 300 gadgets, extensions and robots I looked at, only a handful passed the enterprise sniff test. None are yet ‘killer apps’ or ‘must haves’.

The Google Wave Enterprise Field Guide

Gadget/ Extension	Enterprise Rating (1-5)*	In 8 words or less	Even Better if…
Conference Bot	3	Waves for conference attendees	It published back to conference site session information
Edit Google Docs	3	Edit & Share Google Docs in Wave	It had a better interface with Docs
MindWave	3	MindMapping and Brainstorming in Wave	It had Auto-Suggest
6 Rounds	3.5	Video chat collaboration	It had powerful whiteboarding capabilities
Novell Pulse	3.5	Pulse and Wave collaboration across platforms	It worked entirely in Wave
Checky	1.5	Very simple task manager and check off	Needs to leverage collaboration capabilities of Wave
WavePlan	2	coordinate multi-participant schedules and make decisions	It linked with Google Calendar
Scrummy	2.5	A task organizer for collaborative projects	Needs user reports and dashboards
Chart Gadget	2	lets you easily embed charts and diagrams into Wave	It integrated with Google Docs Spreadsheet
Charty	2.5	Form Driven interactive charts	It integrated with Google Docs Spreadsheet
Poll Gadget	3.5	Attractive polling with charting	Use as a info gathering tool like survey monkey
UnaWave	4.5	Secret	Secret**
* rating pertains to enterprise worthiness only. Not quality of app.			**Debut at Google I/O in May 2010

What Google Needs to Do

From my perspective, there isn’t a developer taking advantage of Wave’s powerful collaboration features, DVR capabilities, or extending Wave into external sites. They’re doing it at the superficial level, but not at the level they could. It’s like driving a Ferrari in first gear.

Google seems to be courting SMB and Enterprise developers as they realize the advantages Wave has on business. Yet they need to do more. They need to build Google Wave Extensions into the Google App store to allow monetization options for developers. They also need to provide users a better experience when trying to identify robots, extensions or gadgets to help them solve business problems. Currently, it’s too difficult.

What the Enterprise Needs to know

You’re not missing much yet on Wave. I do believe Wave will replace a lot of the email functionality and project management applications in the future. Still, for several reasons, developers haven’t flocked to Wave yet. As Google figures out how to develop applications for the Enterprise & SMB, Wave will become a much more important part of the Google arsenal.

For now, try some of the 3.5 or higher rated Google Wave Apps above, then be ready as Wave integrates with Buzz and Gmail in the future. You still have some time, but try not to r

ead too much into the pundits that are understating the potential of Wave.

P.S. If you’re looking for a potential killer application for Wave, follow Unawave for more details.

(Cross-posted @ Seek Omega )

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