Technology

          With technology evolving over the years it has allowed for people to collaborate on projects without having to meet face-to-face. Although meetings are best done face-to-face, using these new technologies have allowed for people to work together when they can't be together. It allows for people all over the world to work on projects or communicate, without having to leave. With new advances in today's technology it has now become faster, more convenient, less costly to collaborate and communicate with one another. 

Collaboration tools that are now being used are...

• Video Conferencing - A combination of "video, audio, and communication networking technologies for real time interaction. Participants generally meet in specific conference rooms that are equipped with cameras and screens for transmitting images and documents." (Guffey, Rhodes & Rogin, 2010, p. 57) This device allows for participants to not have to travel distance to meetings and also reduces travel expenses and time. 
• Voice Conferencing - "One or more people in a work area use an enhanced speakerphone to confer with others by telephone." (Guffey, Rhodes & Rogin, 2010, p.56) It allows people at both ends to speak and be heard simultaneously. Now with cellphones it can even allow teleconferences from an airplane or the beach. 
• Web Conferencing - "Enables collaborators to use their computers in sharing documents, data, and slide shows." (Guffey, Rhodes & Rogin, 2010, p. 57) It allows real time meetings to be held over the internet through an online virtual meeting room on your computer. Participants can be active in conversation as well, by using an instant messaging chat at the side of the screen. An example of a free web conferencing tool would be Skype. 
• Instant Messaging - It has now become one of most used and accepted communication tool in the workplace. It allows for immediate and direct messages to be sent to the receivers phone or computer. 
• Blogs - "Interactive online journals with information that team members can see and comment on." (Guffey, Rhodes & Rogin, 2010, p. 58) It allows for a central location for anyone to go to gather information, although they can write comments they can not change any of the information on the blog. (one to many form of collboration)
• Wikis - "Easy to use collaborative Web sites where people can add, change, or delete information." (Guffey, Rhodes & Rogin, 2010, p. 59) It allows for a central location for people to gather information. (many to many form of collaboration)
• Email - The oldest form of communication that has been used in the workplace. Allows individuals to send messages, files, etc. to the receiver. 

** Guffey, M. E., Rhodes, K.,& Rogin, P. (2011). Business Communication process and product (6th ed.). Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd.