Because the collaboration often occurs in a conference-like situation, technologies that promote collaboration are often called conferencing technologies. Because all of the people working together need to be online at the same time, the collaboration is said to be synchronous. A special type of software called groupware is designed to promote synchronous and asynchronous online collaboration. Many organizations use the most basic forms of collaboration, especially when employees work in several locations. For example, firms that develop training courses often have a small central office, and employees developing training courses at their client sites.
Employees exchange project reports, time sheets, and specific questions about projects online.
For example, the marketing executive of a small consulting firm is working with an outside consultant to develop a sales strategy. The client works in Minneapolis, the consultant works in Boston. They use e-mail to exchange drafts of the strategy and review comments on it. In the process, the marketing executive comments that she is learning how to correctly prepare a sales strategy. Universities have often led the way in online collaboration.