Chapter 1. Getting started with Groupware

Table of Contents

What is groupware?
Features and functions of Open-Xchange groupware
Requirements for using the groupware
System requirements
Demands on the user
Terminology
Design elements

What is groupware?

Groupware (group software, collaboration software) can be described with the following aspects.

Purpose of Groupware solutions

A groupware solution intends to support team work. This includes communication, co-operation, and co-ordination to achieve a goal through combined effort.

Features from the user's point of view

Typically, groupware offers the following functionality: E-Mail, appointment management, contact management, task management, and document exchange. Furthermore, there is functionality that supports the team's work. This includes resource and group management and automated information management such as appointment and task notifications.

Technical information

Groupware is a distributed system that enables users to work in common on data and documents. This is mostly accomplished through a client/server architecture. All participants (clients) are connected to the central management (server). The clients co-operate via the server.