Groupware Advantage and Disadvantage
Mclendon Blue Jr.
American InterContinental University

Abstract
The objective of this paper is to explain what is Groupware? How Groupware can be an advantage to your business, it also explains how it can be a disadvantage to your business. Understanding Groupware applications and functions will enable to make an informed decision about the purchase of Groupware.

Groupware Advantage and Disadvantage

What is Groupware? Groupware is network software that allows users to work together

and communicate effectively Groupware or you can say business collaboration it refers to the

process which people access and coordinate calling another contact for the purpose of

developing or working on a project or other aspects of the business What are the advantages of groupware software?

Groupware advantage is it allows users to work together and communicate effectively.

Business Groupware will help colleges communicate and collaborate with each other at any time

without necessary being in the same location.

It helps to control who can access information.

It is a great way of sharing information that is less structure such as the diagrams are texting that

made otherwise be easy access to other members of the group.

It can work as workflows where I can automatic notify other members when particular task has

been done by other members

What are Groupware disadvantages?

Groupware Software is no doubt it is very useful but it does not mean it is perfect. Groupware

can decrease productivity simply put a lot of tasks can be done more productively outside of

groupware then inside of it for example let's look at the calendar. It takes a lot of time to

synchronize the schedule for a participants and when there's a change in the schedule of one

person this can lead to chaos for the rest.

With decrease efficiency it is less reliable with group collaboration software. If server

goes down nobody can work unless they work separately which is not the idea of groupware. So

management becomes a hot potato don't know which way to go.

Groupware is not cheap it is very costly when you add the other costs you need to make it in

order to deploy and maintain it and you draw the line the results could be pretty shocking but

Groupware software to be can consider cheaper than business trips. Maintenance costs

associated it may push the price even higher.

Groupware software you also depend on the vendor so if you create a document and other files in the property format then an s4 of the data to an ultra-platform might be virtually impossible so you would have to leave the data behind because you will get locked into Groupware.
Security is serious problems with groupware unauthorized use access risk of data while in transit are the two most known security issues.
Groupware will not allow for the non-verbal communication business communication always relied on the non-verbal communication for example the facial expression, body movement, gestures ,etc.., it makes business communication more difficult and misunderstood.
Ok let’s look at the final disadvantage of Groupware. Inadequate feature set can mean that you have too many even worse not enough. You can buy the custom made groupware software with the features that you need but you still can't be for sure that you solve the problem. The chance that you forgot one not needed today but you may need it tomorrow by the time you figure out it is impossible to include in this is a very real scenario you should bear in mind.
Let’s take at some features that are common to Groupware software.
1. Calendar and scheduling this features allows you in his shoes you that the users can maintain online calendar that can be due by other colleagues to assist them with arranging of meetings project planning etc.
2. Discussion database this feature and hey was the users to engage in conversation with other colleagues of the group which will enhance business collaboration. It gives colleagues the opportunity to post ideas questions or suggestions on a given topic.
3. Reference libraries normally these are a collection of reference material like policies and procedure manuals as well as employees handbook. Users are able to assess the reference library but only a few may be authorized to make changes to a reference database.
4. Email this feature enables the user to send messages to other members of the group it is also possible to send email outside of the organization.
Keep in mind that Groupware is great but don't forget about the weakness and think it is perfect then you will have many problems this is why you need to know about the disadvantages of Groupware so that you can make any wise and informed choice if it's a good fit or not for your business situation.

Groupware made rationally improve your business function and productivity when it is used the correct way in many organizations can benefit by investing into groupware since it will streamline the project tasks and communication between team members.
There are types of Groupware software out there so you should take the time to talk to your IT representative or consulting agency about the many possibilities of Groupware software.

References
Laudon, K. C., Laudon, J. P. (2013). Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm
13th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781269197403/ http://www.brighub.com/office/collaboration/articles/7866.aspx
http://www.computernetworksit.com.au/blog/business-groupware-software-for-complete-off...