With all the debate over the credibility of wikis as an information source for journalists, the software’s potential as an internal communications tool seems to have been lost. Fortunately, the Globe and Mail has run an article touting the benefits of running a wiki behind the firewall.

The article explores the impact of internal wikis on software developer Xten Networks, whose development team is scattered across two continents. The company’s president, Eric Lagerway, says a wiki “was the best way not only to disseminate information but to allow developers to interact and provide input.” Consequently, the company was able to reduce product development time by 20%.

The company also used a wiki on the Web for beta testers to comment on the product.