You may have already seen this but Microsoft recently acquired Groove Networks, a leading provider of groupware software. Groove allows workers who are physically separated to collaborate on a shared desktop platform and access common documents and applications. Other features such as IM are built into the program making it a powerful tool for enabling virtual teams to work productively.
I think that Microsoft is assembling a powerful suite of tools to enable collaboration among distance workers and eventually allow people to access virtually their entire corporate knowledge system from anywhere they can get a broadband connection — at home, down at the local Starbucks, anywhere. They already have Live Meeting, the web conferencing program so acquiring Groove is a natural fit.
While Apple continues to lead the way with elegant and simple tools for creating digital media, Microsoft is quietly moving to revolutionize the business computing market. Soon, you will find web conferencing and collaboration programs like Groove integrated seamlessly into the Windows environment. I predict these will be essential productivity tools, especially for small and medium-sized businesses that cannot afford expensive, proprietary systems. It will be interesting to watch this unfold.
Click on the link to read an article on the acquisition from Boston.com Business.
Link: Boston.com / Business / Technology / Gates gets Groove.