Groupware is software that allows people to work together on the same system or application, regardless of location. It includes communication, conferencing, and collaborative management tools. Groupware can be synchronous or asynchronous and used by collocated or distance workers. Companies use groupware to save costs, enable real-time communication, and facilitate group troubleshooting.
Groupware is software that facilitates a group of people working within the same system or application, no matter where they are. Such groupware applications are commonly email, newsgroups and chat. Common groupware applications that are easily recognized by today’s computer users include Lotus Notes, email server systems such as FirstClass and Microsoft Exchange, 24Seven Office, Livelink and Workspot.
Some experts divide groupware into three categories: communication tools, conferencing tools, and collaborative management tools. Communication tools include email, fax, and voicemail. Conferencing tools include data, voice, and video conferencing; and message boards and chat rooms. Collaborative management tools include electronic calendars, project management systems, and workflow systems.
Other experts divide groupware into two categories related to time and another two categories related to place. When employees use an application at the same time, it is synchronous groupware; workers who use the same application at different times, however, use asynchronous groupware. Location-related categories are collocated, groupware that is used by people in the same location; and distance, groupware that is used by people in different places.
Companies use groupware for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons is to get around the traditional problem of having employees in different locations working on the same application. By logging into a network or intranet server, employees in different locations can access the same application and benefit from each other’s different perspectives and opinions. This functionality is a fundamental aspect of teleworking. If you can access your company server from anywhere, you don’t need to be in the office to access certain groupware.
Teleworking can save travel costs for both companies and employees. It can also enable real-time communication when it would otherwise be impossible. This communication can foster a greater understanding of a company’s project goals and objectives, through group discussion of each step along the path toward achieving those goals and objectives.
Another use of groupware is group troubleshooting. Many times, some employees see things differently from other employees. If they all work within the same application framework, they can solve problems collectively, saving the company time and money. Without groupware, such real-time cooperation would not be possible.
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