eSolve Blog
The Advantages of Web 2.0 Collaboration Tools Over Email
Nov. 04, 2008 00:08
Workers today are more dispersed and mobile than ever. Conventional tools such as email and voicemail overwhelm users and are no longer effective. These tools lack project focus, make it difficult to keep track of information, and provide no permanent history of communication. Organizing information and communicating with workers at multiple locations becomes a burdensome task. However, organizations continue to provide and use more traditional tools such as email, fax, phones/cellphones, and file sharing. New collaboration tools are necessary to provide better solutions.
New tools, referred to as Web 2.0 Collaboration, are beginning to become available, but there are generational gaps among users and they are being used for socializing – not business. For example, youth has readily adapted text messaging, instant messaging, and collaboration tools such as Facebook and MySpace for social networking. However, collaboration tools are not yet part of business mainstream.
So, what can you do? Instead of emailing MS Office documents, consider simplifying and share only text in a central location. To get started, try these free web-based applications:
MediaWiki - Get this Open Source (free) application; used for Wikipedia; and install it on your local server. Develop and share your documents and information online, just like Wikipedia, but in your own workplace and organization. Learn about "Wiki's" here.
Writeboard - Don't have a server or the technical knowledge to setup MediaWiki? Try this free Wiki-like service; hosted by 37Signals. This will get you started with basic on-line document sharing and collaboration.
Google Docs - Want to create and share MS Office-formatted documents? Try this free document sharing service for GMail Users; hosted by Google.
Don't have the technical expertise, have questions, or need help getting started? Contact eSolve Solutions for your complete collaboration needs. Take control of your information and cut back that email!
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Dr. Guy J. Cortesi
Director of Technology and Chief Information Officer
eSolve Solutions, Inc.
Nov. 04, 2008 00:08
Workers today are more dispersed and mobile than ever. Conventional tools such as email and voicemail overwhelm users and are no longer effective. These tools lack project focus, make it difficult to keep track of information, and provide no permanent history of communication. Organizing information and communicating with workers at multiple locations becomes a burdensome task. However, organizations continue to provide and use more traditional tools such as email, fax, phones/cellphones, and file sharing. New collaboration tools are necessary to provide better solutions.
New tools, referred to as Web 2.0 Collaboration, are beginning to become available, but there are generational gaps among users and they are being used for socializing – not business. For example, youth has readily adapted text messaging, instant messaging, and collaboration tools such as Facebook and MySpace for social networking. However, collaboration tools are not yet part of business mainstream.
So, what can you do? Instead of emailing MS Office documents, consider simplifying and share only text in a central location. To get started, try these free web-based applications:
MediaWiki - Get this Open Source (free) application; used for Wikipedia; and install it on your local server. Develop and share your documents and information online, just like Wikipedia, but in your own workplace and organization. Learn about "Wiki's" here.
Writeboard - Don't have a server or the technical knowledge to setup MediaWiki? Try this free Wiki-like service; hosted by 37Signals. This will get you started with basic on-line document sharing and collaboration.
Google Docs - Want to create and share MS Office-formatted documents? Try this free document sharing service for GMail Users; hosted by Google.
Don't have the technical expertise, have questions, or need help getting started? Contact eSolve Solutions for your complete collaboration needs. Take control of your information and cut back that email!
----------------
Dr. Guy J. Cortesi
Director of Technology and Chief Information Officer
eSolve Solutions, Inc.
