We present three cases studies that demonstrate how this
technology is being used in different organizations. The case
studies are: corporate training, distance learning, and telecommuting.
The cases present the benefits gained by different organizations
through effective utilization of collaborative technologies.
The case also discuss some of the challenges faced by these organizations
as well as recommendations for how the issues might be addressed.
After presenting these cases, we take a look into possible future
applications of collaborative technologies with the help of the network computer. We then introduce the
notion of collaborative
planning, the way of the future for working with suppliers and
customers, from the experiences of Heineken. Finally, we take a peek at
a world of ubiquitous collaboration between individuals, through shared virtual worlds that
stretch the imagination of what is possible through collaborative
technologies. These reviews reflect our projection for how
collaborative technologies will eventually evolve from a tool for
intra-firm process improvements to an enabler of ubiquitous
collaboration between organizations and individuals.
Our study concludes that collaborative technologies will successfully be incorporated into organizations, first for internal applications and then later as tools for broad-based collaborative activities. For this advance to occur, two primary things must happen. First, network technologies must continue to evolve towards supporting high-bandwidth traffic, and preferably in a symmetric manner if telecommuting is to be universally successful. Second, organizations must adapt their culture, processes, rewards systems, and structure to fit the new paradigms of collaborative environment. Click here for a sneak preview of our conclusions, and here for the complete report.