Question

Write an introductary paragraph about how groupware is an important part of knowledge management and coolaborative systems.

Answer 1

In order to facilitate the group works, there has been a technology that is so designed that can facilitation of communication within the work of groups, establish more cooperation and coordination among them and help to resolve issues by either competing with them or negotiating with the same. This technology is known as Groupware. In good old days, the Groupware technology was usually synonymous to a Landline phone that would facilitate the communication and other significant processes among the groups. However, the telephones have rather now largely given way to the mobile phones and all such internet network such as online video-conferences, intranet conversations and chats, e-mails, etc. that has considerably supported the work of groups in a given set up, more efficiently. With two broad primary dimensions, the Groupware technologies are classified as under:

• The work groups utilizing the Groupware working at two different locations or at the same locations
• The work groups utilizing the Groupware working at different times zones but on real-time or at different times.

Therefore, irrespective of the time and place characteristics, the Groupware programs help in making the work groups come together and work collectively even if remotely located or operating. It is often known as ‘Computer-Supported Cooperative Work or CSCW’.