1 SEGMENT 5 Collaborative Computing Technologies: Group Support Systems

2 Collaborative Computing Technologies: Group Support Systems People  Perform groupwork  Need to collaborate  Need to communicate

3 Opening Vignette: Chrysler SCORES with Groupware  Chrysler used groupware to enhance collaboration and communication with suppliers  Identify waste in the Value Chain  Eliminate the waste

4 Solution  Lotus Notes Application  Extended Enterprise System  Incentives for suppliers to contribute  Vendor relationship system  Provides a competitive advantage

5 SCORE Benefits  Enhanced relationships with suppliers  Better-quality purchasing practices  Better quality product  Lower costs (in 2000: $2 billion)

6 Groupwork Characteristics  Group performs a task  Different places  Different times  Same or different organizations  Permanent or temporary

7 More Characteristics  Span managerial levels  Synergy or conflict  Productivity gains / losses  Quick response may be required  Hard to meet in one place  Multiple sources of knowledge  External expertise

8 Anytime / Anyplace Collaboration  Enabled by Web  Low cost PCs

9 Meetings  Joint activity  Equal or near equal status  Outcome depends on participant’s knowledge, etc.  Outcome depends on group composition  Outcome depends on decision-making process  Disagreement settled by rank or negotiation

10 Groupware  To support groupwork / meetings …  Computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW)  Software that provides collaborative support to groups

11 Communication Support  Vital  Needed for collaboration  Modern information technologies provide inexpensive, fast, capable, reliable means of supporting communication  Internet / Web

12 Supporting Communication  Word of mouth  Delivery persons  Horseback  Snailmail  Telegraph  Telephone  Radio  Television  Videoconferencing  Internet / Web

13 Nonverbal Communication  Important issue  Not captured by most communication systems

14 Supporting Collaboration (CSCW)  People work together  Group Support Systems (GSS)  Groupware:  Electronic meeting systems  Electronic conferencing systems

15 A Time/Place Framework n Same Time / Same Place Decision Room n Same Time / Different Place Video Conference n Different Time / Same Place via Internet n Different Time / Different Place

16 Time/Place Communication Framework Different Place Same Place Web-based GSS Whiteboard , Vmail Workflow management system Document sharing Computer conferencing with memory Web-based GSS Whiteboard Document sharing Videoconferencing Audioconferencing Computer conferencing , Vmail Different TimeSame Time GSS in a Decision Room Web-based GSS Workflow management system Document sharing , Vmail GSS in a Decision Room Web-based GSS Multimedia Presentation Systems Whiteboard Document sharing

17 Groupware  Lotus Notes / Domino Server Includes Learning Space  Netscape Collabra Server  Microsoft NetMeeting  Novell Groupwise  GroupSystems  TCBWorks  WebEx

18 Group Support Systems  Goal: to support groupwork  Increase benefits / decrease losses of collaboration  Based on  Nominal Group Technique  Delphi Method  Electronic Meeting System (EMS)

19 Important Features  Parallelism  Anonymity  Lead to process gains and task gains

20 GSS Process Gains  Parallel information processing / flow  Larger groups can participate  Rapid computer discussions  Quiet people can participate equally  Noisy people can’t strongly drive meeting  Saves travel time (millions $ / year)

21 GSS Process Losses  Free-riding  Flaming

22 GSS Technologies  Decision room  Multiple use facility  Web-based

23 The Decision (Electronic Meeting) Room  12 to 30 networked personal computers  Usually recessed  Server PC  Large-screen projection system  Breakout rooms  Need a Trained Facilitator for Success

24 Cool Rooms Source: Groupsystem.com, Tuscon, AZ, US Air Force

25 Cool Rooms IBM Corp. Source: Groupsystem.com, Tuscon, AZ,

26 Cool Rooms Murraysville School District Bus Source: Groupsystem.com, Tuscon, AZ,

27 Few Organizations Use Decision Rooms  High Cost  Need for a Trained Facilitator  Software Support for Cooperative Tasks, NOT Conflict Issues  Infrequent Use  Different Place / Different Time Needs  May Need More Than One

28 Other Technologies  Multiple Use Facility  Cheaper  Still need a facilitator  Web-based  Cheaper: no extra hardware needed  Still need facilitator

29 GroupSystems  From Groupsystems.com, Tucson, AZ  Comprehensive groupware  Windows & Web versions  Leading software

30 GroupSystems Activities  Agenda  Electronic Brainstorming  Group Outliner  Topic Commenter  Categorizer  Vote Others

31 GSS Meeting Process  Idea generation  Idea organization  Prioritizing  Idea generation Iterate until solution is reached

32 Why GSS?  Successful  Need  Organizational commitment  Executive sponsor  Operating sponsor  User-seductive interface  Dedicated well-trained facilitator  Good planning

33 Distance Learning (DL)  Nontraditional classroom  CSCW / GSS / Groupware  Requires technology  Not new  Effective  Growing fast  Corporate, too

34 DL Advantages  Just as effective or more  Flexible time  Student can keep job  Student can travel in job  Access anywhere / anytime  Can present new technology cheaply  Can focus on specific skills  Can cost less  Expand classroom size easily

35 More DL Advantages  Add breadth and depth to course  More one-on-one interaction with instructor ( )  Student/faculty contact time increases  For continuous learners  Attendance is flexible (Careful!)  Discussion technologies  Student attitudes evolve and improve  Impacts (scores) are higher

36 DL Disadvantages  Fewer social interactions  Less or no on-campus interaction  Communications problems  Students MUST be highly motivated  Students MUST be highly disciplined  Students MUST have effective time management skills  Students MUST be extremely dedicated

37 More DL Disadvantages  Takes more faculty and staff time  Learner must be more responsible  Students MUST work hard!  Others …

38 Distance Learning Courseware  Lotus Notes  Microsoft NetMeeting  Novell GroupWise  Learning Space (Lotus Notes)  WebCT  LearnLinc Virtual Classroom

39 Creativity and Idea Generation  Creativity: Generally a human trait  Creativity and innovation Can create tremendous impacts in organizations

40 Idea Generation  Electronic Brainstorming  Can be simulated  Can adjust methods  Create more ideas (information overload)  Cognitive maps - useful

41 Creativity Software that exhibits creativity  Intelligent agents (softbots)  Copycat (creates analogies)  AARON (creates painted art)  Genjam (writes jazz music)  Kurzweil’s Cybernetic Poet (writes poems)

42 Creativity Software Alternatives  CoBrain

43 Software that Facilitates Human Creativity  Project KickStart  ThoughtPath  Creative WhackPack  IdeaFisher

44 GSS and Collaborative Computing Issues and Research  GSS/EMS methods  Web groupware  Distance learning  Virtual organization