Groupware

1
Groupware

• Group 8
• Evan Huffty, Clay Dickerson, Nathan Rasmussen,
  Brent Washington

2
What is Groupware?

• Groupware is software designed to help groups
  work together by facilitating the exchange of
  information among group members who may or may
  not be located in the same place.
• A.k.a. Collaborative Software

3
Groupware

• Ideal Mechanism for Sharing Less-Structured
  Information
• Text, Diagrams, Pictures
• Defines Workflow

4
How Does it work?

• Client/Server
• Upload/Download Data
• Change Data
• Replicate Servers
• Push/Pull

5
Groupware Features

• Calendaring/Scheduling
• Discussion Databases
• Reference Libraries
• Email
• IM (Instant Messaging)

6
Calendaring/Scheduling

• Track Appointments
• Unavailability
• Colleagues Can Find Free Time
• Send Invites to Meetings
• Track Responses
• Reserve Meeting Room and Equipment

7
Discussion Databases

• Topic-Specific Databases
• Ideas
• Questions
• Suggestions
• Upcoming Event/Project
• Named or Anonymous

8
Reference Libraries

• Collections of Reference Materials
• Handbooks
• Procedure Manuals
• Variable Access
• Read Only
• Write Only

9
Email/IM

• Most Heavily used Groupware Feature
• Send/Receive Messages to Groups or Individuals
• In or Outside the Organization

10
Advantages

• Three Cs
• Communication
• Cooperation
• Coordination
• Helps to Solve Problems
• Negotiate
• Competitive Advantage

11
Disadvantages

• Cost of Software and Servers
• 500 - 4000
• Expense of Training Old and New Employees

12
Conclusion

• In todays business world group work is greatly
  encouraged.
• With Collaborative Software one can make group
  work more effective by eliminating the two major
  problems.
• Unstable Group Dynamics
• Lack of Structure