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F E A T U R E

Review: Sharing is Daring

February 18, 2002
By Ron Anderson

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How We Tested Collaboration Tools


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We required each vendor to provide a Web-based package designed for corporate users in the asynchronous collaboration space that could be hosted on Microsoft Windows NT/2000, Sun Microsystems Solaris or Linux, or could be hosted off-site by an ASP (application service provider). Three vendors, eRoom Technology, Intraspect Software and SiteScape delivered packages for Microsoft Windows NT/2000, and Bungo-ShareHQ provided access via its ASP service, ShareHQ Secure Workspaces.

We tested these products in our Real-World Labs® at Syracuse University. While we concentrated on these packages' asynchronous features, many vendors also include real-time features, such as chat, voice conferencing, whiteboarding and application sharing. Real-time features weren't required for inclusion in this review but were considered when evaluating features. Vendors were permitted to include real-time services even if those services are sold as separate offerings that plug into their asynchronous offering. In this situation, price/value was evaluated based on the combined price of the packages.

Four members of Network Computing's editorial staff rated the packages' features in five weighted categories. (Category weights are expressed as percentages.)

The asynchronous features category (30 percent) includes threaded discussions, document collaboration/version control, shared task lists, shared calendars, electronic polling, searching and indexing, e-mail integration, change notification, browser support, database, routing/approval, and offline features.

The real-time features category (10 percent) includes instant messaging, application sharing, whiteboarding and remote control.

Ease of use (30 percent) was evaluated based on administrative, management and end-user interfaces as well as the quality of online help.

The price/value category (10 percent) was evaluated based on the price of the software for 200 users plus $10,000 for server hardware. In the case of Bungo-ShareHQ's ASP solution, we evaluated per-user costs over a three-year period.

Finally, the enterprise fit category (20 percent) included ratings on platform support and security features.