Groupware refers to software applications that allow multiple users to collaborate on tasks from remote locations. It facilitates sharing of knowledge and information between dispersed groups working toward a common goal. Groupware provides centralized data storage and version control, as well as communication tools like messaging, calendars, and conferencing. It supports both synchronous collaboration where users work together in real-time, as well as asynchronous collaboration where users contribute at different times. Common groupware applications include document sharing, calendars, wikis, and project management software.

1. Chito N. Angeles
Web Technologies Training

2.  Also known as Groupware
 The term used to describe a range of
software applications designed to allow
multiple users to collaborate on related tasks
on either local or remote servers

3.  Facilitates the sharing of knowledge and
information between geographically
dispersed groups of people, allowing them to
work together towards the attainment of a
single goal

4.  Centralized Data Storage
◦ Management of master copy
◦ Access to latest version of data
◦ Version control

5.  Enables Communication
◦ Shared message board
◦ Instant messaging service
◦ Web conferencing
◦ Group Calendars for task scheduling
◦ Workflow management (e.g., Document Tracking
System)

6.  Problem solving capabilities
◦ Provision of identical data allowing enhanced
problem-solving capabilities
◦ Access to the most recent modification

7.  Software development – version control
 Project Management
 Creation of collaborative media knowledge
bases (e.g., wikis)

8.  Communication systems (Video conferencing,
Chat and Instant messaging)
 File sharing and document management

9.  Synchronous or “Realtime”
◦ Users of the groupware are working together at the
same time
 Asynchronous
◦ Users of the groupware are working together at
different times

10.  Asynchronous Groupware
◦ Email
◦ Newsgroups and Mailing Lists
◦ Workflow systems (e.g., Document Tracking
Systems)
◦ Hypertext Systems (e.g., Wikis)
◦ Group Calendars
◦ Collaborative writing systems (Web Office)
◦ Knowledge-based systems (Wikis, Blogs)
◦ File-sharing systems & Document mgt. systems

11.  Synchronous Groupware
◦ Shared whiteboards
◦ Video communication systems (video conferencing)
◦ Chat systems (Instant messaging)
◦ Multi-player games

12.  File Sharing
◦ Windows Live Sync (formerly FolderShare)
(www.foldershare.com)
 Online Calendar
◦ Google Calendar (www.google.com/calendar)
◦ Yahoo! Calendar (calendar.yahoo.com)
 Web Office
◦ Google Docs (docs.google.com) – now Google Drive
(drive.google.com)
◦ Slideshare (www.slideshare.net)

13.  Knowledge-based systems
◦ Wikis (Wikipages, Wikepedia, Mediawiki, wikisource)
◦ Multi-user Blogs (mu.wordpress.org)
 Document Management Systems
◦ KnowledgeTree
◦ OpenKM
◦ Documentum by EMC

14.  Groupware Suites
◦ PhpGroupWare – calendar, address book, project
manager, Todo List, Email, File manager.
◦ Zoho- mail, word processor, spreadsheet, DMS,
note taker, Wiki, Organizer, Chat, etc.

15.  Groupware Suites
◦ Tikiwiki – wiki, CMS, collaboration platform, bug
tracking, blogging, forum.

16.  Group problem-solving using Groupware
 Web application: Google Docs / Google Drive
◦ http://docs.google.com or
◦ http://drive.google.com

17.  Goals:
◦ Create new Google docs spreadsheet by uploading
existing file.
◦ Share document with groupmate
◦ Solve the problem together
◦ Use the “Chat facility” to communicate with each
other
◦ When done, export solution to PDF