Email has been evolving since its birth as a network messaging system way back in the 1960’s.[1] Today most people rely on it as a primary communication tool. It is not going away. It has many uses. But advancing Internet technology is opening the way for new tools that just might change how people work together in what some say is the future of work.
The virtual workplace is fast becoming a reality where globally dispersed teams work online in Secure Virtual Office’s (SVO’s) and Collaborative Working Environments (CWE) [2]. It started with web conferencing where online meetings are conducted via audio-video whiteboard events. But web conferencing events by themselves do not provide the workflow tools that sustain productive team work. According to a May 2007 report by Stanford, California based research firm Frost & Sullivan, “The worldwide web conferencing market is expected to grow significantly as the market migrates from point products and online meetings to an integrated suite of collaborative communications. “ It is the integrated suite of collaborative communications and workflow tools that forms the architecture of the virtual workplace. But technology by itself is not enough.
“While the benefits of Web conferencing and its impact on ROI are visible and tangible, it is critical to not ignore the human element," notes the Frost & Sullivan analyst. “The success of Web conferencing and its adoption as a grassroots communication tool hinges on changing established work behaviors." It is one thing for people to work with computer based tools online; it is an entirely different thing for people to work with each other using online tools. Team work offline is hard enough. Team work online will require organizations to change they way they work.
What kind of changes will this mean? In the hybrid SVO, teams are formed around facilitated process models where new workflow tools can be introduced in context with collaborative objectives. In these systems, business coaches provide assistance to team members so that people learn on demand how to use the right tool at the appropriate time. Examples of online teams include,
· Team-based learning
· Project teams
· Cross organizational teamwork
· Globally dispersed teams
· Strategic pilots for organizational change management
· Research teams
· Marketing teams
· Customer/team interaction
· Product development teams
Technology companies like Cisco, IBM, H-P, Microsoft, and SAP are all trying to introduce new technology tools that will help with the transition. But few companies are able to provide technology tools tightly integrated with business coaching and facilitation services.
One such company is Cedar Rapids, Iowa based iPrismGlobal, www.iPrismGlobal.com. It was formed by people experienced with both the technology and the human dynamics of team based online collaboration. iPrismGlobal version 3.0 includes infrastructure partner Fastek International and Sweden based Marratech. It is built around technology from iPrismGlobal which includes an integrated suite of online workflow tools contained in a 3-D “virtual workplace,” the iOffice™.
This virtual workplace has objects and artifacts online that mirror their offline counterparts. For example, files are created, shared and stored in online books or iBinders™ that are stored on shelves in online workrooms. This sense of “place” with familiar objects helps reduce technology hurdles that have made online team work an elusive objective.
For more information email: sales@iprismglobal.com
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[1] See WIKIpedia search email.
[2] Ibid: search Collaborative Working Environment
2 comments:
For those of you who have coaching clients at board level there is a site with 600+ coaching resources related to boards and corporate governance. CEO Coaching It’s a handy resource to have around for client questions like – How do I get on a board? What are the best board conference to go to? What are the top board trainings? There is even a page with board movies!
Overall its all win with video conferencing on the ground…We have Web Conferencing software…and its a great alternative for small business along with Cisco. A user could set up a skype and conferencing session to get around the audio and video sessions simultaneously. Ok, they are not integrated but not bad at all for free or a low monthly - especially when you compare it to the cost of a Webex and microsoft implementations.
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