Not so long ago, Salesforce users were made aware of the Salesforce product release called Chatter, a social network of sorts that allows users to operate as they would on other online social spaces, but with their network of licensed users.  The release was fine and dandy, but did not do much to compel businesses to stop using tools like Skype, Yahoo! or MSN chat applications, to communicate thoughts internally.  It was probably this that compelled Salesforce to work on an extension of Chatter, which they released today, and it has been appropriately named Chatter Free.  The premise behind Chatter Free is that licensed Salesforce users can now invite others to join their Chatter network and conversations, even if those being invited are not licensed, and with this, we now see value.

If businesses adapt the Chatter or Chatter Free model into their operations, we could see it replace other applications that manage projects, or even wiki like knowledge bases.  It’s application could further be extended: imagine having a vertical of customers who all share an interest in a particular topic, automotive for auto dealers, recruitment for recruiters and real estate for agents.  Sales organizations could invite like clients to Chatter Free, with accessibility to relevant content shared in specific groups.

Now, as great as this all sounds, we do not see Chatter as something having further utilitarian uses, as a free account is limited, with the only hope of unlocking the full sweet of tools if one upgrades for $15 per month.  Regardless, this is an interesting play on integrating social relevance in the workplace.