subject: Work Online through Collaboration platform [print this page] Work Online through Collaboration platform
An emerging category of computer software, collaboration platforms are unified electronic platforms that support synchronous and asynchronous communication through a variety of devices and channels.
Collaboration platforms offer a set of software components and software services that enable individuals to find each other and the information they need and to be able to communicate and work together to achieve common business goals.
Collaboration platforms could be proprietary or open source or free software, and used in wider information and communication environments.
Audiences
Another dimension of collaboration platforms and related tools are, they may be optimized for different types of users:
Enterprise class, for business purposes (B2B): meaning high usage volume, many simultaneous sessions, with large groups.
Small to medium sized businesses (SMB), (B2B): lower volume of usage, fewer simultaneous sessions and fewer attendees per session.
Consumers: who can be small businesses, social groups or individuals, for business or non-business use.
Major Vendors
A 2006 report by Forrester names primarily IBM and Microsoft as the market leaders, but a lot changes in 5 years. EMC is a contender along with Oracle Corp with its Oracle Beehive collaboration platform.
Business Models
Collaboration platforms started out as integrated software that is server-based requiring local clients, for example: Microsoft's SharePoint/Outlook, IBM's Lotus Domino and many others. Users purchase a license to use download the software, and may also pay fees according to the number of seats, the bandwidth used, or other attributes. The current model is to be on online service either entirely web-based or with a thin client.
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