Collaboration.

If you’ve heard the word, you’ve heard it a thousand times. I have lost count of the number of seminars and webinars I’ve watched and articles I’ve read covering the subject in recent years.

And there’s the crux; the subject. In truth, collaboration (from an A/V perspective) is many different things to many different people. Video conferencing is collaboration, as is, in essence, a basic group email. I guess even work conversations in corridors tick the collaboration box.

But here I want to address the software application-sharing aspect. There are many things to consider to ensure application-sharing and collaboration is a truly beneficial, time-saving practice in the workplace. For any business or organization that is looking to invest in this technology, here are a few essentials to consider:

• Writing to the source file — Annotating over a screen in a meeting, and then having to replicate those amendments on the source document when back at your desk is counter-productive. Good software can help you to edit direct to the source file. This saves valuable time in repeating any edits.
• Priorities management — Look for solutions that provide complete control over who does what. It may be that a large group need to view an application, but with only a select few allowed permissions to edit.
• Video wall compatibility — A major consideration for large organizations, where applications are needed to be shared and viewed on a command and control center video wall. This feature is also important for boardroom environments.
• IT infrastructure — Rather than operating on company networks, look at secure peer-to-peer solutions. Peer-to-peer sharing brings two key benefits. Firstly, it takes away the load from network servers – something that is warmly welcomed by IT departments! Secondly, it provides additional security as only those in the group have the ability to access.
• Share and annotate anything, in real time — Our definition of application sharing means sharing anything – regardless of whether the third party has the software or not. This means that any software window (accountancy software, CRM, pay rolls, medical documents, architectural plans — the list is endless) can be shared with a third party, as long as they are members of the same organization