List and describe the various types of collaboration and communication systems.
In an increasingly globalized economy, more jobs are becoming “interaction” jobs. These kinds of jobs require face-to-face interaction with other employees, managers, vendors, and customers. They require systems that allow the interaction workers to communicate, collaborate and share ides. Enterprise-wide information systems businesses can use to for interaction jobs include:
• Internet-based collaboration environments like Lotus Notes, Groove, and WebEx provide online storage space for documents, team communications (separated from email), calendars, and audio-visual tools members can use to meet face-to-face.
• Email and Instant Messaging (IM) are still reliable methods for communicating whenever and wherever around the globe.
• Cell phones and wireless handhelds give professionals and other employees an easy way to talk with one another, with customers and vendors, and with managers. These devices have grown exponentially in sheer numbers and in applications available.
• Social networking is no longer just “social.” Businesses are realizing the value of providing easy ways for interaction workers to share ideas and collaborate with each other.
• Wikis are ideal tools for storing and sharing company knowledge and insights. They are often easier to use and cheaper than more proprietary knowledge management systems. They also provide a more dynamic and current repository of knowledge than other systems.