2.1 Group Productivity and Collaboration Tools

What is a Groupware??

Groupware is business software for the organization of an efficient collaboration of employees and team work inside a company.

The main advantage of using such business solutions is the creation of a one informational environment within one company. All employees now work using a business software solution and communicate in it. This helps you quicker assign tasks and control their fulfillment. All information about clients and suppliers are automatically systematized.

Groupware applications can be done at three basic levels :

• Communication
• Conferencing
• Collaboration

Communication

Allowing group members to stay in touch with each other. For example:

1. Email, Email lists
2. Voice mail
3. Phone and Voice Over IP (communication via Internet)
4. Text Chat
5. Video chat and Videoconferencing
6. Group blogs and
7. Web forums.

Conferencing

Allowing members to "meet" at the same time (synchronously) for active discussion. For example:

1. Online chat and instant messaging
2. Video conference
3. Conference call and
4. Web meeting.

Collaboration

Allowing group members to add, modify and re-shape each other's work.For example:

1. Shared calendars
2. Wikis and other shared writing/editing tools
3. Project management tools and
4. Online documents.