Synchronous Groupware

What Does Synchronous Groupware Mean?

Synchronous groupware is a class of applications that enables geographically separate group members to collaborate in real time. Examples of such groupware include chat systems, shared whiteboards, video conferencing, group decision support systems and collaborative editors.

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The fundamental requirement of synchronous groupware is real-time coordination among group members. As such, the user interface is designed to promote a feeling of togetherness and shared audio channels for communication.

Techopedia Explains Synchronous Groupware

Desktop conferencing and electronic meeting rooms are examples of synchronous groupware. In desktop conferencing, the computers that make up the system maintain a persistent shared presentation, while still allowing individual users some measure of control over their view. Electronic meeting rooms were initially developed in business schools and were later generalized as synchronous groupware.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…