Synchronous Co-Authoring: Ready for Prime Time?

Abstract

Synchronous co-authoring is only one kind of collaborative authoring. Improving the asynchronous authoring process is required to address collaborative authoring as a whole. With new solutions such as Microsoft Office 2010, it might seem that technology has finally solved a complex challenge, but synchronous co-authoring cannot address many common collaborative authoring issues. Synchronous co-authoring benefits will not be reaped by simply deploying the technology. Organizations should consider collaborative authoring in general, including other collaboration methods (e.g., asynchronous ones), cultural barriers, and process changes and training.

Links to documents within this file might require secure access to restricted websites.

Burton Group (www.burtongroup.com) provides technically in-depth research and advisory services for colleges and universities, government agencies, and commercial enterprises. Burton Group's practical and unbiased research and advice helps technologists make smart IT infrastructure decisions in increasingly complex environments. Burton Group covers directories, identity management, application platforms, architecture, and network and telecom infrastructure topics. Like ECAR, Burton Group is an unbiased advocate for the user and more than 80% of Burton Group's clients are user organizations rather than suppliers. EDUCAUSE member institutions can become users of Burton Group research services through EDUCAUSE pricing. Burton Group is an ECAR partner and can be contacted by email at [email protected] or by telephone (801-523-6023).