The majority of collaboration applications are server-based. Team members either download a small application to their computer, or access the workspace completely online. All of the data - the documents, conversations, logging - are maintained on a central server.
The advantages are many:
- Information is centralized - team members are dealing with one set of data
- Servers can handle large numbers of team members
- Servers allow almost unlimited numbers of workspaces
- Many applications offer server use as part of their software package - you don't need to maintain your own server.
- Editing of documents by multiple users is easier.
- If the hosting company (application provider) goes out of business your data may be lost.
- If using a hosted application, monthly fees can be steep.
- If hosting your own server, quite a bit of technical knowledge is necessary - even for businesses with a tech department.
Advantages to P2P include:
- Ability to work offline (do not need to be connected to a server to do work)
- Data is backed up in many places.
- Data is independant of a single server - there is no host to go out of business.
- Usually only a one-time software license purchase - no monthly fees.
- Simultaneous editing of the same document is much more difficult (and impossible if working offline)
- Data on team member's computer may not be up-to-date if the computer is not connected to the internet regularly.
- What are your monetary resources? Can you afford your own server? Afford a monthly fee?
- What kind of team do you have? Is it small, 2-3 people only? Is it very large?
With the back ground we've established, I'll next start looking at some collaboration applications.
