SEGMENT 5

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SEGMENT 5

• Collaborative Computing Technologies
• Group Support Systems

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Collaborative Computing Technologies Group
Support Systems

• People
• Perform groupwork
• Need to collaborate
• Need to communicate

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Opening Vignette Chrysler SCORES with Groupware

• Chrysler used groupware to enhance collaboration
  and communication with suppliers
• Identify waste in the Value Chain
• Eliminate the waste

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Solution

• Lotus Notes Application
• Extended Enterprise System
• Incentives for suppliers to contribute
• Vendor relationship system
• Provides a competitive advantage

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SCORE Benefits

• Enhanced relationships with suppliers
• Better-quality purchasing practices
• Better quality product
• Lower costs (in 2000 2 billion)

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Groupwork Characteristics

• Group performs a task
• Different places
• Different times
• Same or different organizations
• Permanent or temporary

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More Characteristics

• Span managerial levels
• Synergy or conflict
• Productivity gains / losses
• Quick response may be required
• Hard to meet in one place
• Multiple sources of knowledge
• External expertise

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Anytime / Anyplace Collaboration

• Enabled by Web
• Low cost PCs

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Meetings

• Joint activity
• Equal or near equal status
• Outcome depends on participants knowledge, etc.
• Outcome depends on group composition
• Outcome depends on decision-making process
• Disagreement settled by rank or negotiation

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Groupware

• To support groupwork / meetings
• Computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW)
• Software that provides collaborative support to
  groups

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Communication Support

• Vital
• Needed for collaboration
• Modern information technologies provide
  inexpensive, fast, capable, reliable means of
  supporting communication
• Internet / Web

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Supporting Communication

• Word of mouth
• Delivery persons
• Horseback
• Snailmail
• Telegraph
• Telephone
• Radio
• Television
• Videoconferencing
• Internet / Web

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Nonverbal Communication

• Important issue
• Not captured by most communication systems

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Supporting Collaboration (CSCW)

• People work together
• Group Support Systems (GSS)
• Groupware
• Electronic meeting systems
• Electronic conferencing systems

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A Time/Place Framework

• Same Time / Same Place
• Decision Room
• Same Time / Different Place
• Video Conference
• Different Time / Same Place
• via Internet
• Different Time / Different Place

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Time/Place Communication Framework
Different Time
Same Time
GSS in a Decision Room Web-based GSS Workflow
management system Document sharing Email, Vmail
GSS in a Decision Room Web-based GSS Multimedia
Presentation Systems Whiteboard Document sharing
Same Place
Web-based GSS Whiteboard Email, Vmail Workflow
management system Document sharing Computer
conferencing with memory
Web-based GSS Whiteboard Document
sharing Videoconferencing Audioconferencing Comput
er conferencing Email, Vmail
Different Place
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Groupware

• Lotus Notes / Domino Server
• Includes Learning Space
• Netscape Collabra Server
• Microsoft NetMeeting
• Novell Groupwise
• GroupSystems
• TCBWorks
• WebEx

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Group Support Systems

• Goal to support groupwork
• Increase benefits / decrease losses of
  collaboration
• Based on
• Nominal Group Technique
• Delphi Method
• Electronic Meeting System (EMS)

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Important Features

• Parallelism
• Anonymity
• Lead to process gains and task gains

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GSS Process Gains

• Parallel information processing / flow
• Larger groups can participate
• Rapid computer discussions
• Quiet people can participate equally
• Noisy people cant strongly drive meeting
• Saves travel time (millions / year)

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GSS Process Losses

• Free-riding
• Flaming

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GSS Technologies

• Decision room
• Multiple use facility
• Web-based

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The Decision (Electronic Meeting) Room

• 12 to 30 networked personal computers
• Usually recessed
• Server PC
• Large-screen projection system
• Breakout rooms
• Need a Trained Facilitator for Success

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Cool Rooms
US Air Force
Source Groupsystem.com, Tuscon, AZ,
www.groupsystems.com
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Cool Rooms
IBM Corp.
Source Groupsystem.com, Tuscon, AZ,
www.groupsystems.com
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Cool Rooms
Murraysville School District Bus
Source Groupsystem.com, Tuscon, AZ,
www.groupsystems.com
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Few OrganizationsUse Decision Rooms

• High Cost
• Need for a Trained Facilitator
• Software Support for Cooperative Tasks, NOT
  Conflict Issues
• Infrequent Use
• Different Place / Different Time Needs
• May Need More Than One

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Other Technologies

• Multiple Use Facility
• Cheaper
• Still need a facilitator
• Web-based
• Cheaper no extra hardware needed
• Still need facilitator

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GroupSystems

• From Groupsystems.com, Tucson, AZ
• Comprehensive groupware
• Windows Web versions
• Leading software

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GroupSystems Activities

• Agenda
• Electronic Brainstorming
• Group Outliner
• Topic Commenter
• Categorizer
• Vote
• Others

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GSS Meeting Process

• Idea generation
• Idea organization
• Prioritizing
• Idea generation
• Iterate until solution is reached

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Why GSS?

• Successful
• Need
• Organizational commitment
• Executive sponsor
• Operating sponsor
• User-seductive interface
• Dedicated well-trained facilitator
• Good planning

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Distance Learning (DL)

• Nontraditional classroom
• CSCW / GSS / Groupware
• Requires technology
• Not new
• Effective
• Growing fast
• Corporate, too

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DL Advantages

• Just as effective or more
• Flexible time
• Student can keep job
• Student can travel in job
• Access anywhere / anytime
• Can present new technology cheaply
• Can focus on specific skills
• Can cost less
• Expand classroom size easily

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More DL Advantages

• Add breadth and depth to course
• More one-on-one interaction with instructor
  (e-mail)
• Student/faculty contact time increases
• For continuous learners
• Attendance is flexible (Careful!)
• Discussion technologies
• Student attitudes evolve and improve
• Impacts (scores) are higher

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DL Disadvantages

• Fewer social interactions
• Less or no on-campus interaction
• Communications problems
• Students MUST be highly motivated
• Students MUST be highly disciplined
• Students MUST have effective time management
  skills
• Students MUST be extremely dedicated

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More DL Disadvantages

• Takes more faculty and staff time
• Learner must be more responsible
• Students MUST work hard!
• Others

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Distance Learning Courseware

• Lotus Notes
• Microsoft NetMeeting
• Novell GroupWise
• Learning Space (Lotus Notes)
• WebCT
• LearnLinc Virtual Classroom

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Creativity and Idea Generation

• Creativity Generally a human trait
• Creativity and innovation
• Can create tremendous impacts in organizations

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Idea Generation

• Electronic Brainstorming
• Can be simulated
• Can adjust methods
• Create more ideas (information overload)
• Cognitive maps - useful

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Creativity

• Software that exhibits creativity
• Intelligent agents (softbots)
• Copycat (creates analogies)
• AARON (creates painted art)
• Genjam (writes jazz music)
• Kurzweils Cybernetic Poet (writes poems)

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Creativity Software Alternatives

• CoBrain

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Software that Facilitates Human Creativity

• Project KickStart
• ThoughtPath
• Creative WhackPack
• IdeaFisher

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GSS and Collaborative Computing Issues and
Research

• GSS/EMS methods
• Web groupware
• Distance learning
• Virtual organization