1. Groupware Suite and Its Use in Decision Making
COLLABORATIVE COMPUTER-SUPPORTED TECHNOLOGIES AND GROUP SUPPORT SYSTEMS

2. Learning Objectives Understand the integrated groupware suite
Explore GDSS/GSS with a focus on ThinkTank
Familiar with the process of setting up an online session in GDSS (e.g. ThinkTank)
Discuss emerging collaboration tools
Discuss creativity in the context of GDSS

3. Integrated Groupware Suites
A software suite is created when several products are integrated into one system
Integrating several technologies can save time and money for users
Electronic brainstorming
A computer-supported methodology of idea generation by association. This group process uses analogy and synergy

4. Integrated Groupware Suites
Lotus Notes/Domino and Lotusphere
Microsoft Netmeeting and Live Meeting
Groove Networks
WeBex Meeting Center and PlaceWare Conference Center
ThinkTank from GroupSystems, Inc.

5. Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS
Group decision support systems (GDSS) /Group support system (GSS)
An interactive computer-based system that facilitates the solution of semistructured and unstructured problems by a group of decision makers. It supports the work of groups (communication, decision making).

6. Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS
Electronic meeting systems (EMS)
An information technology-based environment that supports group meetings (groupware), which may be distributed geographically and temporally

7. Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS
How GDSS (or GSS) improves groupwork
Parallelism
In a group-support system, a process gain in which everyone in a group can work simultaneously (in brainstorming, voting, ranking, etc.)

8. Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS
GDSS (or GSS):
Supports parallel processing of information and idea generation (parallelism).
Enables the participation of larger groups with more complete information, knowledge, and skills.
Permits the group to use structured or unstructured techniques and methods.

9. Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS
GDSS (or GSS):
Offers rapid, easy access to external information
Allows parallel computer discussions.
Helps participants frame the big picture.
Anonymity allows shy people to contribute to the meeting
Anonymity helps prevent aggressive individuals from driving a meeting

10. Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS
GDSS (or GSS):
Provides for multiple ways to participate in instant, anonymous voting
Enables several users to interact simultaneously
Records all information presented at a meeting

11. Direct Computerized Support for Decision Making: From GDSS to GSS
Facilities for GDSS
Decision room
An arrangement for a group support system in which PCs are available to some or all participants. The objective is to enhance groupwork
Multiuse facilities
Internet/intranet-based systems

12. Products and Tools for GDSS/GSS and Successful Implementation
Organizing a GSS session—Face-to-face, same time/same place electronic meetings generally follow a common progression
The group leader meets with the facilitator to plan the meeting—select the software tools and develop an agenda
The participants meet in the decision room, the leader poses a question or problem to the group
The participants type their ideas or comments (i.e., brainstorm), and the results are displayed publicly

13. Products and Tools for GDSS/GSS and Successful Implementation
Organizing a GSS session
The facilitator, using idea organization software, searches for common themes, topics, and ideas and organizes them into rough categories, the results are publicly displayed
The leader starts a discussion, the participants prioritize the ideas
The top 5 or 10 topics are sent to idea-generation software following a discussion; the process can be repeated or a final vote can be taken

14. Products and Tools for GDSS/GSS and Successful Implementation

15. Emerging Collaboration Tools: From VoIP to Wikis
Voice over IP (VoIP) (Internet telephony)
Communication systems that transmit voice calls over Internet Protocol-based networks

16. Emerging Collaboration Tools: From VoIP to Wikis
Voice over IP (VoIP)
Benefits of VoIP for business
Allows CIOs to explore different deployment options for company’s communications needs
Lowers total cost of ownership
Lowers operational costs
Reduces hardware requirements on the server side for certain applications
Provides a holistic approach to security
Helps streamline workflows
Enables optimized conferencing tools to replace business travel

17. Emerging Collaboration Tools: From VoIP to Wikis
Voice over IP (VoIP)
Benefits of VoIP for users
Eliminates unwanted interruptions and unproductive actions by intelligently filtering communications
Speed decision making by providing access to real-time presence information,
Initiates ad hoc conferencing/collaboration sessions
Enables participation in conferencing sessions quickly and easily via a variety of mobile devices

18. Emerging Collaboration Tools: From VoIP to Wikis
Collaborative workflow
Wiki
A piece of server software available in a Web site that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser
Wikilog
A blog that allows everyone to participate as a peer; any one may add, delete, or change content

19. Emerging Collaboration Tools: From VoIP to Wikis
Collaborative networks
In a collaborative network, partners at any point in the network can interact with each other, bypassing traditional partners
Corporate (enterprise) portal
A gateway for entering a corporate Web site, enabling communication, collaboration, and access to company information

20. Creativity, Idea Generation, and Computerized Support
Personality-related creativity traits include:
Inventiveness
Independence
Individuality
Enthusiasm
Flexibility

21. Creativity, Idea Generation, and Computerized Support
Creativity can be learned and improved”
Some specific creativity measures in brainstorming:
The quantitative (number of ideas)
The qualitative (quality of ideas) components
Stimulation by other creative people in the environment can push a group forward
Stimulation can come directly from exciting ideas developed as a consequence of association among creative people
Stimulation may even come from friction among employees

22. Creativity, Idea Generation, and Computerized Support
Idea generation through electronic brainstorming
Idea generation
The process by which people generate ideas, usually supported by software; for example, developing alternative solutions to a problem
With collaborative computing-support tools, the individuals do all the thinking, and the software system encourages them to proceed

23. Creativity, Idea Generation, and Computerized Support
Creativity-enhancing software
Computer programs that exhibit creative behavior
Electronic idea generation for problem solving
Software that facilitates human creativity