Web Groupware-TCBWorks & Consensus @nyWARE

Li Chen

Kristen Swallows

Tianlun Wu

What is Web-Groupware?

• Groupware is a set of hardware, software, people, and procedures designed to help groups work together (Dennis, et al., 1988)

• Web-Groupware is software and architectures running over Internet to distribute information among participants.

Why do we need Web-Groupware

• It can break the bonds of time and space.

• Parallel communication --- participants can contribute information, ideas, and opinions simultaneously

• Comments can be anonymous --- separating personalities from the problem.

Continue...• An organizational memory is provided by

electronically recording all information so that participants can immediately see information entered by others.

• It can impose a structure on the work.

• Users on a variety of different systems (platforms) could now communicate freely with each other.

Continue...

• The standardization of the protocols and architectures (at least at the lowest level) makes for a universal client. the web provides universal access.

• No additional software is needed on the client. Maintenance is greatly reduced.

• TCBWorks is a first generation Web-Groupware System.

• TCBWorks was developed by Alan Dennis, Sridar Pootheri, and Vijaya Natarajan in 1994 at the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia

• The first version of TCBWorks (version 1.0) was released on October 10, 1995

• The second version (1.1) was released on April 1, 1996.

• The current version of TCBWorks can be used with both Netscape Navigator (v3.01 or higher) and Microsoft's Internet Explorer

• Most servers also can restrict access to only certain Internet addresses. a secure web server that encrypts packets can be used.

• Every time a user logs in with a correct userID and password, the user is assigned a randomly generated authentication code that is valid until the user logs out or after 12 hours has elapsed, whichever comes first. This code is used as the user’s access into the database. Without this code, no access is granted.

Consensus @nyWARE

• Consensus @nyWARE is the commercial version of TCBWorks marketed by The Soft Bicycle Company

• A series of integrated Web-based, Java-enabled tools that allows teams to conduct high performance meetings, planning, visioning and decision support sessions on-line, anytime, anywhere

GroupSystems.com

• GroupSystems OnLine uses the Internet to allow every member of your group to work effectively with other team members no matter where or when they are able to contribute.

• TeamCenter 3.0 - the first of a new breed of specialized corporate portal called the Enterprise Team Portal (ETP). An Enterprise Team Portal provides an Internet infrastructure for organizations that rely on Web-based teams to design, develop and deliver products and services.

• WebCT provides a set of educational tools to facilitate learning, communication and collaboration

TCB Works &

Consensus @nyWARE

TCBWorks and Consensus@nyWARE---basic information

• Web-based groupware system• From the same family• Netscape Navigator and MS IE

compatible• Similar functionalities• Used for knowledge management, idea

mapping • Object-oriented approach

TCBWorks• Developed by Alan Dennis et al. In 1994

at Terry college of Business at UGA

• Named from initials Terry College of Business at UGA

• First version was released on Oct.10, 1995

• Second version on April 1, 1996

TCBWorks functions

• Generate, read and organize information in a structured style

• Edit, move and structure information

• Information presentation

• Assist in analyzing information and knowledge evolving

TCBWorks functions

• Voting on topics, ranking and rating options

• Presentation of voting or rating outcome

Three levels of TCBWorks

• Project

• Topics

• Comment

TCBWorks

Projects

• Heart and soul of TCBWorks

• All of the information is here

• Hierarchical, allowing sub-projects, sub-sub

• Projects have certain options in terms of access to and actions on it

TCBWorksTopics

• Middle level in TCBWorks

• More specific

• Multi-topics are included in Project

• Hierarchical, allowing sub-topics and sub-sub

TCBWorks

Comments

• Lowest level of discussion

• User-entered remarks

• Multi-comments on a single topic

• Text, hyperlink are accepted

• Cut, paste functions

TCBWorksOthers Voting -done in a simple matrix -criteria defined by users -easily changed -various way for display of results -one vote each user

TCBWorksOthers Options -Options for Projects, Topics,

Comments and voting -Organizer decide options for user to access, participate and act

TCBWorks

Types of Users

• Administrator-control over all functions

• Organizer-create new projects and determine accessibility of other users

• Users-access those projects they have been granted rights to

Consensus@nyWARE

• A commercial version of TCBWorks marketed by The Soft Bicycle Company

• integrating Web-based, Java-enabled tool

Consensus@nyWAREFunctions• Generate solutions by quickly capturing

ideas and alternatives• reduce time and expense spent on

meetings• optimize meeting(regular, synchronous

and asynchronous meeting)• reach conclusion, arrive at consensus,

vote on critical issue, determine future goals

Consensus@nyWARE

Functions

• identify key issues

• express your expectation

• share honestly and anonymously your idea

Consensus@nyWAREKey features• unlimited number of participants• user friendly intuitive interface• works on an NT server enabled on Netscape

Brower• evaluate meeting process• support for threaded conversations• color coded comments to quickly identify your

comments• online context sensitive help

Consensus@nyWAREKey Features• graphical Vote results chart• ability to view project participant list• participants may edit their own comments• can be used with or without a facilitator• display of the number of people actually

participating in discussion or vote• ability to enter vote instruction and edit vote

range labels• Publicize your visions, goals, strategic plan,

and milestones in an accessible format

Consensus@nyWARETypes of users

• Administrator-command over all functions

• Organizer-control identity, project maintenance and access privileges

• Participant-user code and password

Graphical Vote Results chart with many

sorting options

Consensus @nyWARE

System Requirements

Client ServerHardware HardwareIBM PC 486 or higher 16mb of RAM,Macintosh 16mb of RAM

100mhz Pentium Processor or higher64 Meg of memory150+ MB of free disk space

OS OSMAC OS, Microsoft Windows 95, NT,UNIX Any platform that supports javaenabled Netscape Navigator or MicrosoftInternet Explorer

Microsoft NT 4.0Upgraded to NT 4.0 Service Pack 3

Software SoftwareNetscape Navigator 3.01+Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01+(Java Enabled 16bit or 32bit versions)

MS SQL Server 6.5SQL Service Pack 3Web server - Microsoft IIS v2.0 or higher

• 25 User License $ 895

• 50 User License 1,495

• Unlimited License 3,500

TCBWorks Demonstration

Demonstration

• Login as participant

• Projects Screen allows a participant to View or Open a project

• View: see all comments in discussion and a summary of votes

• Open: accesses the discussion

Discussion

• Buttons “Delete” – “Options” do not work for participants

• Discuss: select topic then hit Discuss button

• Type comments then hit “Insert” button

• View- same as view on previous screen without vote results

Vote

• Confusing Screen- must be an indication of what topics to vote on

• To vote enter an integer and hit “Submit Vote”

• “Show Group” gives a vote summary

• Limited functionality

• Not user friendly

Student Session

• Now the class will use TCBWorks• Topic: Politics• Limited computers:

– Pair up on computers that can access the Internet

– Each person will have time to log in and put their own opinions

• Order of session: Discuss, Add Topics, Vote

Accessing TCBWorks

• TCBWorks– http://tcbworks.terry.uga.edu– then click on Guest login

• Login– Folder name: clemson– Your name: First Last– Password: 8650

Getting Started

• Select “July 18 Discussion”

• Click “Open” button

• Select topic– Please comment on both topics

• Click “Discuss” button

• Type comments then hit “Insert” button

Review Discussion

• View the group discussion– What are the most common responses for

each topic?

• Combine common responses into subtopics

• Vote on subtopics

• View the group vote results

The End!