This chapter answers the question "How do I choose the best solution for my needs?" Is it groupware, workflow, or neither? Which specific products should I choose? Is it best to implement as an intranet? How should I source the development of the system?

Our starting point is the completion of an initial feasibility study. We want to go ahead with the project and now need to match the business benefits we hope for against the features available in the software. For a large scale implementation a request for proposals is issued at this time.

We start by considering how to source the software is an off-the-shelf solution best or will we need to do some development work? We then look in turn at each of the main categories of e-mail, groupware and workflow. Different methods and criteria for choosing between the many different competing collaborative products will be reviewed. A brief comparison of the main products in each category will also be made.

The details of how to select the right hardware infrastructure for collaborative systems are in Chapter 8 which looks at the features of client/server systems. In this chapter we make the assumption that the selection of the software tools is driven by the business requirements and hardware selection is delayed until software is finalized. This is a logical approach since you should not embark on specifying your hardware architecture until your software solution has been selected. Then you will know the recommended kit required...