IBM builds Connections with social-analytics push

IBM announced on Monday a series of analytics tools and services designed to better measure returns on the use of social media and networking tools by enterprises.

The software part of the equation is dubbed IBM Connections. A new release will combine analytics, real-time monitoring and social networks connecting employees and partners.

IBM is betting its social-analytics tools will find signals to highlight everything from employee sentiment to market trends via unstructured data, SAP applications and Facebook posts. Customers for IBM's new social enterprise software include Kraft, 3M, Prudential and Caterpillar.

For more on this ZDNet UK-selected story, see IBM rolls out new social analytics tools on ZDNet.com.