Teamwork/Collaboration Tools

TEAMWORK OR COLLABORATION TOOLS/TECHNOLOGY There are various collaboration technologies available which enable team members to meet and work, both virtually and in real time. Collaboration technologies are often embedded in desktop applications allowing people to easily communicate via email, instant messaging, web conferencing, document management and internet. Organizations must choose the right collaborative technologies that fit their business goals. Organizations will decide on a particular collaboration technology depending on the size of the organization and the existing network infrastructure. Microsoft and IBM have both come up with collaboration technologies which help improve team productivity by building a collaborative environment where team members can communicate and stay connected regardless of distance and time. Sharepoint from Microsoft is a collaboration tool that facilitates the setting up of intranet sites and websites and also the creation of shared project portals or workspaces. It is in these workspaces that team members can store and organize documents, coordinate schedules, and participate in discussions. Sharepoint integrates with Microsoft Outlook to allow users to manage tasks, calendars and discussion boards. It also offers collaboration and document management functionality through the web where team members can create document libraries to properly manage and share information. Sharepoint provides security across workspaces and sites. The IBM/Lotus Workplace provides instant, anytime access to people and information through computers and other technological devices such as phones. It increases personal and team productivity by introducing various collaboration tools/software such as, Lotus Notes which provides email, calendaring and contact management capabilities. Lotus Sametime provides instant messaging and web conferencing capabilities while Lotus Quickr enables collaboration by providing online team spaces where users or team