Startup Introduces Professional-Services Software

Silicon Valley startup Niku Corp. yesterday unveiled a suite of business software aimed at professional services firms as well as individual IT consultants. The company's first product, called Niku, is a Web application designed to help professional services firms capture intellectual assets, manage client engagements, and market and sell services. The package, available now, includes modules for sales and marketing, resource management, engagement management, service line management, practice management, and knowledge management.

Essentially, the software helps consultants at large professional services organizations move seamlessly from one engagement to another, and pass along knowledge to new consultants when they leave the organization.

Niku is also launching a product for independent consultants who work on their own or for small firms. Called iNiku, the product is a Web application that lets these workers collaborate with clients and team members, use market research services, and market themselves to potential clients over the Web. The product is being tested by about 100 independent consultants and should be generally available later this year.