The social media network , has, over the years gained importance in the business environment. Companies and enterprises today seek to leverage the social features popularized by Facebook (News - Alert) and Twitter to build their brands and attain a new level of productivity that crosses departments and organizational barriers.

Seesmic, which helps companies s monitor, engage and build their brands across social networks and mobile devices, received a $4 million investment from salesforce.com and a Softbank Group company managed by Softbank Holdings Inc. Both these companies join previous investors Atomico (News - Alert), Omidyar Network and Wellington Partners. Seesmic has received a total of $16 million, including the most recent investment round.

Users of Seesmic (News - Alert) range from individuals looking to interact with their following, to community managers engaging their clients, to big brands managing their social media initiative. It has such a large following because with Seesmic, customers can publish content to more than 50 social networks with just one click.

While the Seesmic Desktop provides a single console that lets companies view and respond, in real time, to comments being made about their brands in Twitter, Facebook and other social networks, a seamless integration between Seesmic Desktop and Salesforce Chatter, the industry's first enterprise social collaboration app and platform, users will get to immediately see comments that customers have posted on Facebook and Twitter.

In a press release, Loic Le Meur, CEO, Seesmic, said "Salesforce.com (News - Alert) has become a valued partner as we work together to bridge external and enterprise social communication with Chatter. These investments will enable us to reach more enterprise customers.”

Want to learn more about the latest in communications technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO East 2011, taking place Feb 2-4, 2011, in Miami. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.