The Buzz Bin

QikCom is a free business communication tool that combines micro-blogging and an online store to purchase work-related applications. The Austin-based start-up company launched the QikCom beta last week and the website is already compared to sites such as Twitter.

QikCom offers:

• Micro-blogging home tab: You can send updates to your co-workers, review what the people you’re following micro-blogged, save micro-blogs and messages sent.
• People tab: You can create an organizational chart of your company and delegate administrators. Look at the people you’re following and search for others.
• Tags
• TabStore: Currently offers To-Do lists, a Competition tab to monitor your competitors through an aggregated news feed, and a Frequent Numbers tab to help manage your frequent flier numbers and hotel rewards numbers.
• Custom design options.
• Administrators can invite users with non-company email addresses.
• Free security layers including SSL through Verisign, company email verification and advanced IP range settings.

Buzz Meter Ranking: 4 out of 4 Buzz Bees

Positive: Although QikCom is essentially another micro-blogging site, its TabStore is reason enough for people to try this tool. Geared towards enterprises, employees learn how to communicate with their fellow colleagues in 140 characters. Other cool features include the ability to manage all your rewards numbers in the Frequent Flier tab and search other company networks/people using the People tab. QikCom provides a free platform for companies to start engaging in social media.

Negative: QikCom’s TabStore is still being developed, even though they currently have three tab offerings. In a playing field with other top micro-blogging competitors such as Twitter, Yammer, and Present.ly, it’s hard to persuade people to switch or even try new things.

Conclusion: Modeled after the Apple App Store, it’s no wonder QikCom reminds me of an iPhone. An iPhone’s main purpose is for users to place call and receive calls from friends and colleagues. QikCom provides businesses easier ways to communicate (via micro-blogging) beyond the phone. Both the iPhone and QikCom stores offer applications and tabs for a better user experience. Based on my comparisons, if the iPhone is the hotness of the cellular device market, QikCom will become one of the top micro-blogging tools for enterprises.