Groupware, Workflow and Intranets: Reengineering the Enterprise with Collaborative Software
How groupware and workflow technologies can improve organizational efficiency.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Groupware, Workflow and Intranets: Reengineering the Enterprise with Collaborative Software
Chapter 3: Groupware Functions and Applications
Overview
Groupware is software for teamwork. Groupware works because it aids communication in a company and helps staff work together on joint tasks. It also equips them with the information needed to complete their work and can help decision making. Groupware has grown to cover a vast range of potential applications. This growth has occurred with the availability of lower cost networks such as intranets within and between businesses providing the infrastructure for improved communication.
Groupware assists teams of people to work together because it provides key group functions; the "three Cs" of communication, collaboration and coordination:
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Communication is the core groupware feature which allows information to be shared or sent to others using electronic mail. Groupware for conferencing is sometimes known as computer mediated communication (CMC) software.
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Collaboration is the act of joint co-operation in solving a business problem, or undertaking a task. Groupware may reduce some of the problems of traditional meetings such as: finding a place and a time to meet, a lack of available information or even dominance by one forceful individual in a meeting. Groupware improves the efficiency of decision making and its effectiveness by encouraging contributions from all group members.
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Coordination is the act of making sure that a team is working effectively and meeting its goals. This includes distributing tasks to team members, reviewing their performance or perhaps steering an electronic meeting.
So groupware helps communication, collaboration and coordination within a business, but which specific functions can it be...
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