Editing Collaboration tool (section)

=== Evolvement ===
==== From simple communication solutions to [[Unified communications|Unified Communications]] (UC) ====
The way we communicate with each other is constantly changing and disrupts our workplace environment. In 1971 programmer [[Ray Tomlinson]] sent the first message between two computers. Eight years later [[Usenet]], a multi-network online forum, changed the way how we exchange information. With [[Internet Relay Chat|IRC]] in 1986, instant-messaging and group chatting became accessible for non-technical users for the first time and after the launch of [[AOL/AIM]] in 1992 we already faced the first global community. The invention of [[Wikipedia]] in 2001 and various social networks ([[Myspace|MySpace]], [[LinkedIn|Linkedin]] and [[Facebook]]) forms a community that is connected to the digital world, globally oriented and willing to use collaboration tools not only for social interaction, but to enhance the efficiency at the workplace.<ref>{{Cite web|title = The Power of Business Collaboration Tools|url = https://halobi.com/2013/06/infographic-the-power-of-business-collaboration-tools/|website = halobi.com|access-date = 2015-10-31|last = Major|first = Ray|publisher = Halo Business Intelligence|date = 2013}}</ref>

==== From local to global - the needs of a global workforce ====
Apart from enhancing our efficiency, online collaboration tools face the change that organizations operate globally and the application of flexible working becomes even more important. Collaborative working environments are one of the drivers of the [[Economic globalization|corporate globalization]] as they offer new business opportunities through innovation and help to and allow to collect knowledge from all over the world. Especially [[Small and medium enterprise|SME’s]] and large organizations are capable to do business on a global scale by using them. Since 1950 the intensity of collaboration has extremely risen, the flow of information has become faster and the needed skills to carry out work has dramatically increased. Online collaboration tools therefore enable companies to survive in their globally oriented industries.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Collaboration tools and globalization: the global workforce|url = https://letstalk.globalservices.bt.com/en/uccdata/collaboration-tools-workforce-globalization/|website = BT Let's Talk|access-date = 2015-10-31|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303121329/https://letstalk.globalservices.bt.com/en/uccdata/collaboration-tools-workforce-globalization/|archive-date = 2016-03-03|url-status = dead}}</ref>

IBM conducted a study with CIO’s of organizations to find out which trends will most affect business in 2010, coming up with six main points:<ref>{{Cite book|title = CIO Outlook v2.0|last = Newbold|first = Dave|publisher = IBM|date = March 2007}}</ref>
# The participatory internet
# Changing workforce demographics
# The rise of software as a service
# The virtualization of data and devices
# Increasing of simplicity of technology’s design and use
All of these points are stressing the importance of collaboration and define certain requirements for the future of online collaboration tools in order to consistently enable a wide business collaboration. Online collaboration tools such as social networking websites and web conferencing are demonstrating how fast the environment is changing – “by 2010, the average salaried worker will actively participate in at least five different ad hoc teams simultaneously”.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Predicts 2008: Disruptive Shifts in the High Performance Workplace|last = David Mario|first = Smiths|publisher = Gartner Inc.|date = December 6, 2007|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

When asking participants of “The New Global Study”, a report done by the [[European Commission]] in 2009, about the benefits of online collaboration, the following three points were mentioned most:<ref>{{Cite book|title = The New Global Study|publisher = European Commission|year = 2009}}</ref>
# Supports coordination within a team (73% of respondents)
# Supports knowledge and learning (69%)
# Allows dispersed team-members to be a better part within the team