Analyzing Web-Based Collaboration Tools: Advantages & Disadvantages

This report analyzes web-based collaboration tools, focusing on their advantages and disadvantages in a business context. It highlights the benefits of online collaboration, such as improved project management and cost savings, while also addressing challenges like the absence of face-to-face interaction and potential equipment failures. The report further compares Google Apps and Microsoft SharePoint, evaluating their features, ease of use, and licensing requirements. The comparison highlights the strengths of each platform, with Google Apps emphasizing user-friendliness and cloud-based accessibility, and Microsoft SharePoint offering a wider range of features suitable for larger enterprises. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of strategic analysis and overcoming potential challenges when implementing online collaboration tools. This document is available on Desklib, a platform offering study resources for students.

Information System for Managers
Student Name: Student ID:
Unit Name: Unit ID:
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Week 5 Objectives- Enhancing Organizational Communication and
Collaboration Using social Media.
Evaluate the advantage and disadvantages of popular Web-based collaboration tools.
Discussion Item 5.1: Research, analyze, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
Web-based collaboration tools? Compare and contrast Google Apps and Microsoft
SharePoint.
Answer: In the workplace cross-team collaboration is critical for productivity and performance
on a project (eztalks, Retrieved on 7th February 2018). It provides innovative approach to the
project allowing quick decision making. There are various advantages and disadvantages of
Web-based collaboration tool. Some of its advantages are;
1. Providing convenience in organizing meetings: Online collaboration allows two people
located at different places to work together. Branches of companies in varied cities and
countries can easily engage individuals using collaboration tools.
2. Allow easy management of projects: Online collaboration allows converging meetings
at any time for easier management of projects.
3. Allowing faster project completion: Different stakeholders involved in a project can
provide valuable inputs by extending their expertise. Collaboration allows formation of
viable solutions by synergies with quick response and decision time.
4. Providing cost saving advantages: Participating in meeting can involve significant costs
for wanting to accommodate everyone. Online meeting hosting allows holding meeting
with hundreds of participants simultaneously.
Some of its major disadvantages are;
1. Absence of face-to-face interaction: Online collaboration is done through video
conferencing avoiding real-time communication between people involved.
2. Probability of network failure and equipment breakdown: Online meeting can be
efficient and convenient but equipment failure of network breakdown can create a hurdle.
3. Cultural and linguistic difference: While through collaboration companies can bring
together employees from different countries on a given project. Such efforts can improve
performance but can limit engagement in case of language and cultural differences.
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4. Incidence of Group Think: Online collaboration can easily inspire stakeholders from
varied department on a particular project. There can always be possibility regarding
group thinking patterns where stronger personalities might overtake discussions.
While there are various benefits of online collaborations, there are certain disadvantages as well.
Companies needs to aim at overcoming possible challenges of adopting online collaboration, by
identification of software application. effective usage of online collaboration depends on ways
business analyses strategies and analyses ways to overcome possible challenges.
Microsoft SharePoint versus Google Apps
Microsoft SharePoint has overflowing features. There are separate evaluation streams for
SharePoint as they are complex in feature and users need training for operating on them. Google
Apps on the other hand are developed for its customers as against other tools that are delivered in
the market for enterprise market (Group, Retrieved on 7th February 2018). Their Apps focus on
ease-of-use, sparseness of features and ease of customization is available. Microsoft has a highly
complicated licensing requirement. On the other hand Google provides easy pricing feature that
is easily intractable with user. Microsoft has public, private and hybrid option with sizable on-
premise offering whereas Google has a cloud-purist model, which is public multi-tenancy. Large
enterprises often prefers purchasing Microsoft products. Smaller organizations prefers Google
features.
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Reference Lists
eztalks. (Retrieved on 7th February 2018). Advantages and Disadvantages of Online
Collaboration. https://www.eztalks.com/video-conference/advantages-and-disadvantages-
of-online-collaboration.html.
Group, R. S. (Retrieved on 7th February 2018). Microsoft SharePoint versus Google Apps for
Work. https://www.realstorygroup.com/Blog/2955-Microsoft-SharePoint-versus-Google-
Apps-for-Work.
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