Placeware also let users display Excel spreadsheets and other types of documents, whereas Evoke is limited to PowerPoint slides and .jpeg and .gif images. In addition to synchronous, real-time collaboration over the Web, a few services are concentrating on the asynchronous side of collaboration, which includes the ability to share documents and create message boards for team participants. NetAge has partnered with Centra in Lexington, Mass., and Caucus Systems in Arlington, Va., to offer synchronous and asynchronous Web-collaboration tools. Voice over IP, the sharing of live applications over the Web and other real-time communications functions are handled by CentraNow, while a service called Caucus helps maintain team activities over time. Aquent's Bloom says ease of use was a major factor in her company choosing Evoke's Web-conferencing service.
Convenience is the most important thing.
Authentication issues, links into directories these are legitimate concerns from a security administration point of view, and products for the most part are pretty immature with regards to that, he says. Security isn t the only undeveloped aspect of Web conferencing. Companies offering these services have generally been in existence for less than three years, and only in the past year have they seen strong customer growth. Feedback Tell us your thoughts on this article or the issues raised in it. When you click Submit, you'll be taken back to this article.