Frequently Asked Questions

What is Network Grader?

Network Grader is a suite of business network diagnostics. Network Grader furnishes a score of your network effectiveness. Network Grader allows you to see your business networks and improve them.

What are business networks and why are they important?

All organizations and businesses are networks. Business networks have nodes, links and exchanges. Nodes are the people or organizations in the network. The links and exchanges are the business relationships. Together they form networks patterns that define the business. Comprehension of network patterns improves performance, impact and outcomes of business networks.

How does Network Grader work?

Network Grader calculates a network grade from parameters such as a Website address, keywords and location. The network grade is a weighted, multivariate calculation. Social network analysis (SNA) properties determine network grade. The network effectiveness of the graded node is offered on a relative scale of 1 to 100. A node can be a person, a firm, enterprise, Website, product, market or ecosystem. The higher the grade the better the network is performing.

What type of networks does Network Grader diagnose?

Network Grader diagnoses business and marketplace networks. For example, customers, prospects or markets all inhabit networks. Diagnosing these networks helps them perform better for your business. Network Grader allows you to select the type of network you wish to examine and grade. Network Grader diagnostics are for individual business networks through entire business ecosystems.

 

Are some networks better suited to Network Grader diagnosis than others are?

Yes. Network Grader is for business, marketplace and institutional networks. These networks have a specific purpose and mission. For example, Network Grader aids creating improvements in revenue growth by uncovering new customer prospects.

What are the benefits of Network Grader?

Network Grader allows you to grade, see and improve your networks. This allows you to lower cost and improve productivity. Your network grade allows continuous monitoring of network effectiveness. This aids mastery of business and institutional networks. Optimal networks deliver benefits and positive outcomes from activities and operations.

Who is the target user of Network Grader?

Network Grader is used by everyone. Networks propel prosperity. It is very important for all people to have basic network comprehension. Network Grader allows users to improve their networks. Everyone needs better networks.

Why are there four versions of Network Grader?

Network Grader helps people with different needs and network knowledge. Networks are new for many people. For starters, Network Grader provides a simple and free approach to network understanding. Deeper network diagnosis and analysis helps as comprehension improves. Four different levels of Network Grader ease learning and understanding. They are as follows:

 

Input	Basic	Personal	Professional	Enterprise
URL	ü	ü	ü	ü
Geographic region		ü	ü	ü
Keyword Tags		ü	ü	ü
SIC Code		ü	ü	ü
Public Data like LinkedIn			ü	ü
Private Data like Email			ü	ü
Commercial Data like Hoovers				ü
Analysis & Recommendations
Network Grade	ü	ü	ü	ü
Network Map	ü	ü	ü	ü
Basic Recommendations		ü	ü	ü
Specific Recommendations			ü	ü
Comprehensive Recommendations				ü
Output
Save to PDF, email		ü	ü	ü
Save to Visio, PowerPoint			ü	ü
Competitive Benchmarks			ü	ü
Enterprise Integration and Mashups				ü
Service & Support
Online Knowledgebase	ü	ü	ü	ü
Email Support		ü	ü	ü
Phone Support			ü	ü
Dedicated Support				ü
Price	FREE!	TBD	TBD	TBD

 

Does Network Grader require a specific data format?

No. Network Grader uses standard, everyday data formats. Network Grader technology uses vast galaxies of existing data. Network Grader uses the Extensible Markup Language (XML) and other standard formats to ease data management.

Does Network Grader require complicated data conversation?

No. Network Grader depends on conventional data formats. Internally Network Grader structures and uses data for diagnosis and analysis. These data are then made available for other purposes.

Does Network Grader have standard data formats for other social network analysis (SNA) tools?

Yes. Network Grader is an application and platform. Network data are structured for input/export to other applications. Network Grader is software-as-a-service (SaaS). This improves data management and integration.

May Network Grader be integrated into our current business intelligence solutions?

Yes. Network Grader examines networks in complex, whole-systems. Business intelligence fit within these networks. Network Grader is the umbrella for other business intelligence tools and techniques.

What is the technical architecture of Network Grader?

Network Grader is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) component architecture. Functions such as User Management are separate from the Analysis Engine. This allows better functionality and faster improvements. Network Grader building blocks improve user experience. Network Grader use Agile Software Development and Extreme Programming.

Why is the Network Grader solution different from other network analytics?

The difference is Network Grader is easy to use. It is for everyone. Technology for network analysis has existed for decades. It is complicated and difficult to use. Network Grader simplifies network analysis. It provides a network diagnostic too.

Is the Network Grader technology protected?

Yes. The Network Grader algorithms, interfaces and data structures are proprietary. They are protected by copyright and license. They are patent pending. The diagnostic, predictions and benchmarks are protected. Some components of Network Grader are open source. This combination of proprietary and open source assure users of the best solution overall.

Who created Network Grader?

The Network Grader leadership team offers over five decades of practical business network experience. Our networks include all the top network scientists and business practitioners. We have conceived and executed large-scale network improvement projects. We deliver for the largest companies, institutions and governments worldwide. Network Grader was created by us to solve problems for customers. We needed a user-friendly SNA solution so created it.

Does Network Grader have a technology development roadmap?

Yes. The Network Grader roadmap includes vertical business network diagnostics. Grades and benchmarks in financial services, life sciences, energy and manufacturing will be delivered. The horizon is three years for the current roadmap.

What is required for Network Grader vertical applications?

Vertical businesses have different network patterns and structures. Network Grader collects these differences. They are authored into large benchmark networks. Users compare these Network Grader industry benchmarks to their networks. This helps Network Graders to improve relative to their industry.

Why is Network Grader pursuing microformats and the Semantic Web?

The focus of Network Grader is on networks and ecosystems. Concepts of microformats and the Semantic Web hold great promise for future networks. They allow frictionless interoperability of diverse networks. Networks that interoperate easily achieve better outcomes. Network Grader aids business interoperability through network comprehension and mastery.

How does Network Grader predict business network capabilities?

Business networks follow certain mathematical laws. Network Grader applies these laws to large network datasets. This produces probabilities of future patterns and structures. These probabilities show future capabilities. They are translated for the user for actionable network foresight.

What customer and technical support is provided for Network Grader?

Network Grader users determine their own customer support levels. Support depends on their needs. Users may choose levels starting with the basic network grade. This expands through comprehensive enterprise-class installation, support and engineering.