Gartner defines B2B customer community platforms as software that enables organizations to offer and manage a branded online community. These communities permit visitors and members to learn how to use products, connect with peers and advance their skills and careers. Platforms offer self-service and collaboration capabilities such as discussion forums, knowledge base access and user groups. In addition, platforms include gamification features to motivate and reward member engagement. B2B customer community platforms help organizations provide a branded online community for visitors and members who typically work for companies that have purchased or are evaluating products and solutions.
Gartner defines event technology platforms as tools that enable B2B marketers to execute virtual and/or in-person events for external audiences. These platforms provide native capabilities to engage and communicate with prospective attendees, registrants and sponsors, manage logistics, deliver content and enable attendees to engage with other participants. Out-of-the-box integrations with sales force automation and marketing automation platforms are provided to track engagement. Features and capabilities are provided in a self-service model, with some offering managed service support to run the technology when preferred.