Though semantic technology is ever more popular these days and is the new cool toy most organizations want to play with, there are some that are still afraid of what is to them, the unknown. Is that an understandable fear? Yes. Is it a well-informed fear? Maybe.

This topic was inspired by the blogpost, “Taking Risks with Semantic Technology”, on semanticweb.com.

The use of semantic technologies for automating manual tasks or for increasing access to previously out of reach knowledge seems to make most organizations comfortable. This is because they understand the power and strategic advantage. The aversion to taking risks is higher during economically strained times, and the fear that an automated solution may not be able to produce the same precise results as the manual process tends to outweigh the potential benefits.

Of course the risk are worth considering, but don’t forget to compare the benefits and rewards that may just negate any risks.

Melody K. Smith

Sponsored by Access Innovations, the world leader in thesaurus, ontology, and taxonomy creation and metadata application.