Co-creation and Transparency are two concepts, that inspired me in 1999 and have constantly guided the development of metalayer since then. In a post industrial world with automation and computerization, the executives, managers and professionals are becoming knowledge workers. And their work means creation, innovation and idea generation rather than performing repetitive tasks.

Knowledge work is complex. We are able to ‘co-create’ solutions and 'co-solve' problems, but only if we work together collaboratively. Professionals today are only successful in networks. And enterprises need to connect their teams and create networks within and outside the firm. In the knowledge enterprise, we learn and grow together, synchronize and exchange constantly and share openly. Transparency is the fundamental driver for problem solving and learning.

Since 1999, metalayer has evolved into a growing team of professionals building on a unique vision, developing new ideas and concepts, forming a company and attracting a network of customers and partners. We have created a workspace for transparent co-creation and collaboration, a platform as open, simple and inspiring as Lego blocks.

This meta-layer of collaborative software fundamentally changes the way enterprises work. "eMail will be dead soon" was our provocative statement and the starting point for one simple fact: Knowledge workers will data travel in cyberspace. They will go to the information and events and not vice versa. Cyber relationship management takes place in comties (micro community places on the web) and not in eMail inboxes.

The management focus of major enterprises is shifting from the deployment of standardized and optimized processes towards an improved management of knowledge. In the 90s, competitive advantage was gained by redesigning standard industry processes (we called it re-engineering, remember). Now enterprise executives realize, that in the Knowledge Economy, success is driven by the way we capture, share and create knowledge as well as how internal and external knowledge is integrated and distributed within the enterprise.

The focus of information technology solutions is shifting from client server financials, production planning and ERP solutions towards Internet based knowledge management and knowledge exchange platforms that provide collaborative and 'co-creative' workplaces. The aim is to provide the "knowledge worker" in the networked enterprise with all the required tools to easily capture, share, retrieve and co-create knowledge.

In a few weeks, metalayer is launching a new, completely reworked platform. We have decided to name this platform metalayer 1.0, as it is not just a platform for comtyTM collaboration, but it incorporates all the main elements of the original vision:

To build a "meta-layer" of software technology for knowledge travelers, knowledge workers and creators. And to provide a highly transparent layer for co-creation and collaboration.

We are building an expanding network of customers and partners. We have attracted major knowledge-driven companies like Eli Lilly, Roche and Pfizer as our customers and are providing comties for major knowledge leaders like the E100 network of EntovationTM.

metalayer is privately financed; the management and employees own 97% of the shares. Since early 2001, metalayer has had no external investment and covers all costs and development investments through the sale of products and services.

The company was set up in the beginning of an economic downturn and we have gone through a tough year in 2001 and through many challenging phases. We sincerely thank our employees, shareholders and partners for supporting us in our visions, co-believing in our ideas and providing us constant feedback and knowledge.

Markus Hegi
President, Founder and CEO

Top