Chapter 1: Groupware - The Changing Environment

By David Coleman

ISBN# 0-13-727728-8, Copyright 1997, 720 pp.
Now available through Prentice Hall

Groupware - The Changing Environment

1.2 Definitions of Groupware

Groupware is a relatively new term, first coined in 1978. The following definitions, the most commonly used, are presented by industry leaders:

• Intentional group processes plus software to support them. Peter and Trudy Johnson-Lenz, 1978
• A co-evolving human-tool system. Doug Englebart, 1988
• Computer-mediated collaboration that increases the productivity or functionality of person-to-person processes. David Coleman, 1992

1.2.1 Groupware Taxonomy

The twelve functional categories listed below form a logical taxonomy which includes a separate category for groupware services, a new category for groupware applications and a special category for the emerging Internet-based collaborative applications and products.

1. Electronic Mail and Messaging
2. Group Calendaring and Scheduling
3. Electronic Meeting Systems
4. Desktop Video and Real-time Data Conferencing (Synchronous)
5. Non Real-time Data Conferencing (Asynchronous)
6. Group Document Handling
7. Workflow
8. Workgroup Utilities and Development Tools
9. Groupware Frameworks
10. Groupware Services
11. Groupware Applications
12. Collaborative - Internet-based Applications and Products