Purchasing Resources for Groupware Software

Groupware and Collaboration Software and Sites

Your company might need groupware or collaborative software if:

1. You often work with contractors located in other regions or countries – particularly in different time zones.
2. Business is booming, making frequent sit-down meetings increasingly difficult.
3. Your work is largely project-based, requiring many phases and steps, calling for a central "hub" to track progress.
4. You frequently give presentations to several sources in various locations.

Install it on your PC

Some well-established programs come as software installed on your computer or laptop or integrated into existing software.
Try: Venerable IBM collaborative offering Lotus Notes is still going strong after many years, with a Lotus Notes 7 (including Lotus Notes for Collaboration) the latest edition. Microsoft Office 2007 features Groove collaboration software.

Run it online

Many companies offer groupware as an online, multi-user interface, sans download or installation. This seems to be the trend in collaboration, due to low cost and ease of setup and modification.
Try: 37 Signals offers innovative, secure, and user-friendly web-based collaborative tools, including the multi-functional Basecamp, for a monthly subscription. Central Desktop offers a similarly comprehensive interface, also for a monthly subscription fee based on the amount of storage space needed. For companies with simpler needs and smaller budgets, 37 Signals offers free, basic Web-based tools like its Writeboard and Ta-Da list.

Share with gadgets

Touch-screens, Webcams…there are more ways to bring groups together than the software experience.
Try: 3M offers its MicroTouchTM ClearTek IITM touch-screen add-on that converts your computer screen into a whiteboard that can be viewed by others outside your office during a phone conference. The white-hot popular Apple iSight Webcam combines user-friendliness with visual quality for online conferences.

• Think outside of the software box when contemplating collaboration – Weblogs, commonly known as "blogs" are a great tool for sharing ideas among many users who can either add content or comment on existing entries.
• Instant messaging software – often downloadable for free – allows for multi-user conversations from multiple computers.
• All reputable web-based groupware firms guarantee the security of their products – be sure to also ask about backup capabilities to prevent loss of data.
• Test drive any groupware you're interested in using – nearly all companies offer free trials of their software.