TREND
New Software Technology Enhances Teamwork    
18th October 2004

Email has changed the way we work, making it possible to communicate with far-flung workers virtually instantaneously, allowing project members to have a running dialogue and store related files. Email has worked well as a communications tool, but not well enough as a collaborative technology. Major techno-logy players and many startups are cranking out software offering email’s benefits without the drawbacks.

The software, called “collaborative suites,” consists of several programs and functions which together enable people to work in teams in real-time over electronic networks. How they work varies by company, but the core products are the same, featuring: shared diaries for scheduling; white boarding, which enables users to draw freehand and write with a pen-like device on handhelds; instant messaging; email; the ability to see if other project members are available; web conferencing; document and knowledge management; and digital asset management, which supports the storage, retrieval and reuse of all digital files, including documents, video, pictures and audio files.

The potential market for collaborative tools is limitless and will evolve into a multi-billion dollar business over the next decade.  The impetus is about better customer satisfaction.

Collaboration tools can help customers comply with regulatory requirements, including storage and retrieval of communications related to business-changing decisions, and save money on travel and related expenses. Also, project members in disparate locations can share PowerPoint presentations, have conferences where one member leads the discussion and others participate and share drafts of documents and diagrams.