Software Information

Groupware: Avoid the Ad Hoc Shuffle


Groupware

Efforts are continually made to manage the unavoidable ad hoc business process, but ad hoc processes do not necessarily mean a pile of messy, shuffled documents, at least not anymore. Groupware is software which tracks and manages the ad hoc business collaboration.

Look at the search engines to see just how many solutions similar to groupware are available to help businesses organize collaboration efforts. In most cases, collaboration and document tracking software are built around organized and established drafting processes. They enable filing and tracking of collaborative efforts in a structured collaboration environment.

Ad Hoc Business

The reality is that the collaborative environment cannot always be structured. Flexibility is a necessity and ad hoc is a reality. Often, collaboration has to take place very quickly to meet deadlines. When that happens, what is left is a scattered set of emails, drafts, Word and Excel documents, and other changes saved in multiple locations. Groupware is software that manages ad hoc collaboration while working the way businesses do.

Simple Installation

Businesses are budget-sensitive when it comes to new technologies. Often new technologies require an expensive IT infrastructure with an installation fee and service fees. Groupware provides simple software installation that eliminates those costs and saves time.

Accessibility

Business concerns about new technologies are valid, especially regarding questions of accessibility. For example, installing or downloading new software within a company network is cost-efficient and beneficial to the entire company. But, because companies are not a self-sustaining entity, they need to know if new software will also benefit clients and investors.

Groupware is software that works with any person or company with which your business works. Clients, partners, and other businesses may not yet have the same teamware, but once the technology is adopted by your company, it works for them too.

Familiarity

Another concern businesses may have in incorporating new technology is whether or not the new technology is compatible with current technology. Businesses do not need to worry about interfacing or learning new technology. Groupware utilizes technology with which businesses are already familiar. Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook are applications through which the technology works.

Technology

Groupware utilizes a variety of technologies which enable effective tracking and managing of ad hoc documents. Digital Thread technology tags the meta data of an electronic document, tracking the who, what, when, where, and how of any changes made in the text or the location of the document. This tracking takes place over email and hard drives, stringing together all of the document drafts.

Digital Signature displays the tracking information in a signature at the bottom of each email. Version History ties it all together by displaying a flowchart of the various document versions. Groupware tracks and manages all document versions, no matter how much of a hurry you are in during collaboration.

When searching for the document management and collaboration technology for your business, remember that document management will most often require tracking ad hoc processes of fast-paced business. Groupware solutions work the way your business works.

Joe Miller is a specialist in online advertising. Groupware information is available at NextPage.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Earthtimes (press release)

Elliott Terminates Tender Offer to Acquire Epicor Software Corporation
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
... LP and Elliott International, LP (collectively, "Elliott" or "we"), a major shareholder of Epicor Software Corporation (the "Company" or "Epicor"), ...
Epicor drops after hedge fund ends hostile bid Forbes
Hedge Fund Elliott Associates Withdraws Offer for Epicor Software Orange County Business Journal
UPDATE 1-Hedge Fund ends offer for Epicor Reuters
RTT News - Barron's Blogs
all 45 news articles


TopNews

The best thing about the 2.2 iPhone software update
CNET News, CA - Nov 21, 2008
When it some to iPhone software updates, I'm all about the basics. Apple could enable the iPhone to cook my dinner every night, but if it added multimedia ...
First Look: Apple's iPhone 2.2 Software Hits The Street (And ... CRN
Lots to like about new iPhone 2.2 software update Ars Technica
Apple releases iPhone Software v2.2 Apple Insider
G4 TV - infoSync World
all 144 news articles


Canada.com

Microsoft to offer free security software to attract beginners
eTaiwan News, Taiwan - Nov 21, 2008
19 to stop selling personal computer security software and to use free personal anti-virus software instead. The new software called Morro can support seven ...
Microsoft: New software not Symantec, McAfee rival Reuters
Microsoft Plans to Introduce Free PC Security Software Wall Street Journal
Spamhaus: Microsoft Now 5th Most Spam Friendly ISP Washington Post
NetworkWorld.com - Bizjournals.com
all 304 news articles


Vertical Releases Feature-Rich Software Update for Wave
MarketWatch - 19 hours ago
... today announced the release of the Wave 1.5 software upgrade to it's award winning Wave IP 2500(TM) Business Communications Solution, the industry's ...


Hann’s On Software bouht by Mediware
Bizjournals.com, NC - Nov 21, 2008
Mediware Information Systems Inc. has bought the assets of Hann’s On Software, a pharmacy-management software provider based in Santa Rosa, for $3.5 million ...
Mediware Acquisition Adds 320 Pharmacy Facilities MarketWatch
Mediware Information buys assets of Hann's On Software - Quick Facts RTT News
Mediware Acquisition Adds 320 Pharmacy Facilities International Business Times
all 19 news articles


AVG Sees Uphill Battle for Microsoft in Its Launch of Free Anti ...
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
AVG, which for eight years has offered free anti-virus software to users worldwide, noted the multiple challenges Microsoft faces in supporting a free ...
AVG sees 'uphill battle' for Microsoft Morro TechRadar UK
Microsoft Announces Upcoming Events for the Financial Community NewsBlaze
Microsoft Announces Upcoming Events for the Financial Community MarketWatch
all 30 news articles


Microsoft’s Mike Neil Keynotes at SYS-CON's 4th International ...
SYS-CON Media, NJ - 19 hours ago
... Black Duck Software, Blackbaud, Blade Network Technologies, Blue Coat, Blue Lane, BlueArc, BlueNote Networks, BluePheonix Solutions, BMC Software, ...
Teaching Everyone to Speak Big Blue New York Times
IBM To Acquire Virtualization Specialist Transitive InformationWeek
IBM To Buy Virtualization-Software Company Transitive NewsFactor Network
eWeek - SearchDataCenter.com
all 95 news articles


Frankly speaking, speech software better but still not great
Seattle Times, United States - 11 hours ago
Getting a computer to turn your speech into words on the screen requires buying expensive, resource-intensive software and mastering a sometimes confusing ...


Microsoft purges phony security software from 1 million PCs
Computerworld, MA - 22 hours ago
Windows users have been plagued with a flood of worthless security software in recent months as criminals have discovered that they're money-makers. ...


Authoria Appoints New President and CEO
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
Prior to joining Authoria, Mr. McDevitt was most recently Chief Operating Officer of CDC Software, a $360 million division of CDC Corporation and a global ...

Software - Google News

home | site map
© 2006