This IDC study profiles 10 relatively small Canadian-based companies offering Web 2.0 solutions that IDC believes are worthy of highlighting to the broader industry and have the potential to make an impact in the information and communication technology (ICT) market. This study provides a review of each company's technology and go-to-market strategy and a customer example. It concludes with some of the overarching trends IDC is seeing in this market, the strategies and characteristics these 10 companies share, and essential guidance and analysis. This study also provides valuable input for ICT vendors large and small, investors, government, and service providers to identify success factors employed by emerging Canadian vendors with Web 2.0 solutions.

"To succeed in the long term, Web 2.0 companies will need to transition from providing 'cool' Web-based solutions that users want to try to 'critical' tools they need to have," says Krista Collins, analyst, Canadian ICT Innovation and Export at IDC Canada. "To make this transition, companies need to clearly differentiate themselves from the myriad of other Web 2.0 solutions in the market, guide users through the adoption stage to help them immediately understand how the various features and functions relate to them, and develop strategies that give users compelling reasons to stay engaged over time."