CONTACTS 
0201 - Actionbase
020101 - Mr. Michel Maeso; Senior Vice President of Sales
020102 - Sales Department

SUBJECTS
Actionbase Supports Action Item Management, 010705
Action Items Integrated with Capturing History Experience Organizatio
Collaboration Shared Meaning Create Common Alignment Maintain

2205 -
2205 -    ..
2206 - Summary/Objective
2207 -
220701 - Follow up ref SDS 20 PJ4M, ref SDS 19 K66N.
220702 -
220703 - Actionbase is a new capability that supports collaboration by
220704 - connecting businesses and improving work processes.  Use of XML and
220705 - Java, with security features has led to growing use by major
220706 - companies, and recognition by Microsoft as an outstanding program.
220707 - Discussion with Actionbase disclosed they use and ontology, and can
220708 - demonstrate work product showing implementation.  Doug Engelbart's
220709 - team meeting at SRI on creating an OHS/DKR would be interested in
220710 - hearing a presentation by Actionbase.  Any company seeking to improve
220711 - earnings offers a sales opportunity, because everybody is having a lot
220712 - of problems getting things done, which is what Actionbase addresses.
220714 -  ..
220715 - Submitted ref DIT 1 0001 to Michel linked to this record for
220716 - background on action items we discussed.
220717 -
220718 -
220719 -
220720 -
220721 -
220723 -  ..
2208 -
2209 -
2210 - Progress
221101 -  ..
221102 - Connectivity and Collaboration Improved by Actionbase
221103 - Actionbase Powerful XML and Java Program for Knowledge Management
221104 -
221105 - Received a letter from Matt Conover today that did not say anything.
221106 - However, it provided a link to a company that sells a program....
221107 -
221108 -
221109 -                         Actionbase
221110 -
221112 -         ..
221113 -        http://www.actionbase.com/frm_home.html
221115 -  ..
221116 - Actionbase is described as......
221117 -
221118 -     A combination of innovative architecture and software, this
221119 -     collaborative-process infrastructure....
221120 -
221121 -         A flexible, scalable platform combining powerful Web-based and
221122 -         server applications to create fast, secure and transparent
221123 -         intra- and inter-company connections.
221125 -          ..
221126 -         XML format for data transfer allows system programmers to
221127 -         interface with the Actionbase storage engine to extend its
221128 -         capabilities.
221129 -
221130 -             This aligns with Steve Balmer's plans for Microsoft to
221131 -             improve productivity using XML, reported on 010510.
221132 -             ref SDS 21 8Y8H
221134 -          ..
221135 -         Actionbase maximizes Java applet-based technology.
221136 -
221137 -     ....enables organizations to build virtual communities around
221138 -     meetings, decisions and mission-critical action items.  By
221139 -     connecting businesses and establishing a "single point" of
221140 -     collaboration and control, Actionbase not only establishes a forum
221141 -     for valuable knowledge sharing, but also greatly improves business
221142 -     processes and efficiencies.
221144 -          ..
221145 -         This is useful capability since communication is the biggest
221146 -         risk in enterprise, and meetings are not productive due to a
221147 -         lot of frailties endemic to human cognition, reported on
221148 -         940114. ref SDS 5 2290  Actionbase seems to provide a good
221149 -         solution, which provides a compelling application being sought
221150 -         by the PC industry, reported on 010703. ref SDS 23 GM4N
221152 -          ..
221153 -         What does "knowledge" mean, and how is it "shared," using
221154 -         Actionbase?
221156 -          ..
221157 -         Would like to see some work product for Actionbase.
221159 -          ..
221160 -         I tried the online demo, and it came up blank.
221161 -
221162 -            ...below, request Actionbase report on our call to
221163 -            demonstrate capability. ref SDS 0 OR7H
221164 -
221165 -     ....manage multi-directional communications inside and outside of
221166 -     the organization, since it provides a secure means of streamlining
221167 -     the flow of information, clarifying accountabilities, and focusing
221168 -     people on timely execution
221170 -          ..
221171 -         How does Actionbase overcome resistance to accountability
221172 -         reported on 980405? ref SDS 7 5065
221173 -
221175 -  ..
221176 - Vision says.....
221177 -
221178 -     Dedicated to maximizing intellectual capital and improving
221179 -     business processes through connectivity and collaboration,
221180 -     Actionbase will continue to extend the capabilities of both its
221181 -     architecture and application. Anticipating our customers' demands
221182 -     for features, and continuously integrating these into our scalable
221183 -     platform, the Actionbase solution will evolve with the needs of
221184 -     modern business.
221185 -
221186 -         Investing intellectual capital is a good business model, see
221187 -         POIMS, ref OF 1 1101.  Starting out with action items provides
221188 -         initial capability that folks can hopefully start using right
221189 -         away with limited training, that builds a base of users to
221190 -         grow into a larger support capability, as explained by
221191 -         Actionbase.
221192 -
221194 -  ..
221195 - Actionbase allows users to:
221196 -
221197 -     document and distribute meeting minutes and decisions.
221198 -
221199 -         What is the difference between "minutes" and "intelligence"
221200 -         derived from daily communication in meetings, calls, email,
221201 -         etc.
221203 -      ..
221204 -     distribute and delegate action items resulting from meetings or
221205 -     other initiatives.
221207 -      ..
221208 -     monitor the progress of action items throughout their life cycle
221209 -     including automatic notifications.
221211 -      ..
221212 -     securely and seamlessly collaborate on the execution of these
221213 -     action items with individuals both inside and outside of the host
221214 -     organization. view all of this information in a flexible and
221215 -     interactive interface. develop and output reports filtered by the
221216 -     user's requirements.
221217 -
221218 -         Would like to see an "ontology" or other means Actionbase uses
221219 -         for tracking organic subject structure, per explanation on
221220 -         890523. ref SDS 2 SQ5L
221221 -
221222 -         ...below, Michel advises that Actionbase uses an ontology
221223 -         capability. ref SDS 0 LA3K
221225 -  ..
221226 - Actionbase seems to be based on Israel.  There is an office in South
221227 - San Francisco, so....
221229 -  ..
221230 - Called and talked to Michel Maeso, Senior Vice President for Sales.
221232 -  ..
221233 - Michel only had a few minutes to talk, because he had to attend a
221234 - meeting.  He was generous in providing some details.
221236 -  ..
221237 - Since Actionbase tracks action items from calls and meetings,
221238 - ref SDS 0 XF4N,
221240 -  ..
221241 - It would be helpful to see Michel's work product from our call today,
221242 - and from the meeting he attended following our call, to demonstrate
221243 - how Actionbase tracks action items from calls and meetings, per
221244 - product scope cited above. ref SDS 0 XF4N,
221245 -
221247 -  ..
221248 - Actionbase Top Product Recognized by Microsoft
221249 -
221250 - Michel advised that Actionbase was recognized by Microsoft as the top
221251 - new program last year, or some similar high honor. Actionbase is used
221252 - at major companies like Intel, HP, Microsoft, etc.  He may have
221253 - indicated Actionbase was a top selling new product this past year.
221255 -  ..
221256 - Michel explained that a top official in the management department at
221257 - Stanford University is familiar with Actionbase, and may be using it,
221258 - and/or studying implementation through Stanford's education programs.
221259 -
221260 -       This is an important step of getting KM presented in formal
221261 -       education.
221263 -  ..
221264 - Michel asked for contacts where Actionbase might be applied?
221265 -
221266 -    1.  Actionbase appears to be a key part of Doug Engelbart's goal
221267 -        for an OHS/DKR, sponsored by SRI, so this could be a point of
221268 -        inquiry, as related in the telecon with Doug on 991222, who
221269 -        seeks to develop a capability for "collective IQ." ref SDS 10
221270 -        0897  Doug cited "action items" as a key issue in his 1972
221271 -        paper reviewed on 000327 concerning the definition of knowledge
221272 -        management. ref SDS 11 3971
221274 -         ..
221275 -        Actionbase is located in Israel, where Browseup is, also,
221276 -        located.  Browseup made a presentation at SRI on 010122, and
221277 -        demonstrated an important part of Doug's goals. ref SDS 17 0001
221279 -         ..
221280 -        As well, Traction was demonstrated during a meeting at SRI on
221281 -        000413, ref SDS 12 4209, and on 000829 Lotus Notes was cited
221282 -        during a world conference as a strong KM solution. ref SDS 13
221283 -        G69G
221285 -         ..
221286 -        Michel might consider making a presentation to SRI by
221287 -        contacting either....
221288 -
221289 -          a.  Doug Engelbart
221290 -              Bootstrap Institute
221291 -              510 713 3550
221292 -              doug@bootstrap.org
221294 -               ..
221295 -          b.  Pat Lincoln
221296 -              Director of Computer Science.
221297 -              SRI
221298 -              650 859 5454
221299 -              Lincoln@csl.sri.com
221301 -         ..
221302 -    2.  Many organizations are seeking ways to improve productivity,
221303 -        since this lifts earnings and stock prices, as reported on
221304 -        001207. ref SDS 16 V54M  The report earlier today, showed that
221305 -        problems have worsened over the past 6 months, so demand is
221306 -        growing fast for ways to increase productivity. ref SDS 24 0001
221307 -        Therefore, since management is the weakest link in the
221308 -        productivity chain, any company Actionbase contacts is a good
221309 -        candidate for Actionbase, which is a compelling application
221310 -        that should spur sales of PCs, cited in an article on 010703.
221311 -        ref SDS 23 GM4N
221312 -
221314 -  ..
221315 - Critical Mass of Integrated Tasks Needed to Improve Earnings
221316 -
221317 - Improving management is difficult because a critical mass of tasks
221318 - must be improved, called out in POIMS. ref OF 1 2688  Executives,
221319 - managers, engineers... everybody resists improvement, as explained on
221320 - 890324. ref SDS 1 6894  Andy Grove made a similar point in his book,
221321 - "Only the Paranoid Survive," released on 1996, and reviewed on 980307.
221322 - ref SDS 6 0502  More recently on 990525 there was a report that
221323 - engineers don't like to write. ref SDS 8 0966
221325 -  ..
221326 - In particular, it is necessary to integrate action items with the
221327 - context of performing actual daily work, and with scheduling tasks so
221328 - there is synergy between thinking and doing, called out in POIMS.
221329 - ref OF 1 2049
221331 -  ..
221332 - Improving one or two functions, for example, writing a letter,
221333 - tracking action items, by themselves, do not improve earnings.
221334 - Initial sales reported by Actionbase does not show management is
221335 - improved.  Everybody is looking for better productivity, but the
221336 - search is for technology that enables bad management to succeed (see
221337 - POIMS, ref OF 1 1114, and on 000908, ref SDS 14 8820), so that
221338 - executives can do what they want, rather than what needs to get done,
221339 - reported on 001012. ref SDS 15 PT5M  On 990625 executives are
221340 - prevented from using good management by personal psyche. ref SDS 9
221341 - 4914  As a result, if a product is presented with some credibility
221342 - (these days XML, Java, per above, ref SDS 0 PJ5I), there can be an
221343 - initial surge of sales, even though no improvement in productivity
221344 - actually occurs.  Eventually, sales dry up, as seen in the telecom
221345 - industry, reported on 010223. ref SDS 18 FM6J
221347 -  ..
221348 - Actionbase may provide an enabling step for transitioning from
221349 - information to a culture of knowledge, if it can learned quickly, and
221350 - yields sustainable benefits.
221352 -  ..
221353 - Michel said Actionbase uses an "ontology" and there is work product
221354 - available to demonstrate daily application for specific use cases.
221355 -
221356 -      This would be very helpful, per above. ref SDS 0 4A4K
221357 -
221359 -  ..
221360 - Michel will ask a colleague to call with additional information.
221362 -  ..
221363 - I asked how Actionbase is implemented; does everybody jump in, or is
221364 - there a mechanism for command and control to ensure a useful record,
221365 - called out in POIMS? ref OF 1 1113  For example, most action items are
221366 - not evident at the time events occur, because people are focused on
221367 - listening and talking, which require a lot of mental resources.  It is
221368 - during the process of creating alignment that action items becomes
221369 - apparent to avoid mistakes and exploit new opportunities, which
221370 - emerges from analysis, per Drucker reviewed on 931130. ref SDS 4 7911
221371 -
221373 -  ..
221374 - Actionbase Strengthens Collaboration by Confidence of Security
221375 -
221376 - Michel advised that Actionbase has strong security using intranets and
221377 - the Internet.  This might accomplish a critical part of Knowledge
221378 - Management by controlling access to the record.
221379 -
221380 -     This may solve concern Morris raised on 010614 about need for
221381 -     check out and check in to collaborate on preparing a contract at
221382 -     Intel, per telecon on 010623. ref SDS 22 LY9K  Possibly he is
221383 -     using Actionbase and can comment on utility.
221384 -
221386 -  ..
221387 - Need to see how Actionbase accomplishes security in practice.
221388 - ..
221389 - Sent email reply to Matt thanking him for notice of an important
221390 - new product.  Sent a copy of Jack Park, because Jack is working on XML
221391 - and Java to develop Nexist; there may be some synergy.
221392 -
221393 -
221394 -
221395 -
221396 -
221397 -
221398 -
221399 -
2214 -