Collaborative software enables multiple computers to share data, allowing users to work together on team documents and projects. It offers benefits such as centralized data storage and is useful in software development. Some solutions require complex IT infrastructure and can be accessed via the internet or intranet. Collaborative software can increase productivity and may evolve to include more seamless collaboration solutions in the future.
Also known as groupware, collaborative software is a type of computer program that facilitates the sharing of data between multiple computers. The main goal it strives to achieve is to enable users to work collectively on the same team documents and projects. This can usually be done on local and remote computer networks. Some of the features provided by the collaborative software are the sharing of email communications, instant messaging, calendar data and conferences.
Collaborative software offers many benefits. These include the ability to integrate various planning, scheduling, and monitoring capabilities into a single package. With the luxury of collaborating via the intranet or the Internet, groups can enjoy the coordinated and seamless execution of essential tasks needed to achieve team-oriented goals.
Perhaps the most notable benefit of collaborative software is centralized data storage. Since such an application requires multiple users to have simultaneous access to the same data, centralized storage is required to manage the master dataset. With most software, users have access to the latest version of the data contained in the application via a login ID and password. The master dataset is controlled by a top-level administrator. Centralized storage gives group users the access they need to be productive, while helping ensure data integrity.
Collaborative software can be useful in a number of situations, such as in software development. In most cases, software applications are created by a team of developers, as the task is usually too large for a single individual to handle. If communication between the development team is not clear, even the simplest of mistakes can lead to a final product that has serious flaws. The version control features offered by collaborative software can provide development teams with complete project history so they can fix any errors that may have been identified.
Some collaborative software solutions are more numerous and require a complex IT infrastructure. This type of software is usually offered through an outsourced service where a company hosts the program on its own server and provides access to users in the group. Some of the best known examples of these solutions are Microsoft Exchange® and Microsoft Sharepoint®. Variations of such programs are also commonly classified based on whether the application is designed for Internet or intranet access.
Collaborative software can be beneficial to organizations and teams of various sizes. It offers a way to increase productivity and complete successful projects regardless of physical boundaries. With the rapid evolution of computer technology and the Internet, this type of software could advance to include even more seamless collaboration solutions in the future.
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