Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
content can be added in real time. Taking the name of the popular white
drawing board used in organizational and educational settings, electronic
whiteboards can be used by participants to present text, images, and
hand-drawn details exactly as if all were physically present at the same
location and able to access a physical drawing board shared by all. By
color-coding each participant's input, managers can more easily identify
individual contributions and assess project engagement by all members,
even though the team members may not share geolocality or even a stan-
dard language across all participants.
Shared whiteboards can be used to allow participant interaction, or as
a means for shared presentations using functionality similar to slide shows
and overhead projectors, so that the moderator can control who may make
notations or amplifications in the display space. When integrated with
shared desktop applications, technology and software demonstrations can
be conducted remotely in real time without requiring special equipment.
Participants may also make use of VoIP or PSTN connections, or cha-
troom systems, to ask questions and interact with the presenter. Some
of these systems allow remote users to take control of the keyboard and
mouse input to the remote display desktop, allowing a virtual “test drive”
without needing equipment, software installation, or even personnel to be
present at the client's site.
Telepresence
By looking for opportunities to leverage remote access technologies,
architects can extend opportunities for remote participation, demonstra-
tion, and engagement. These synchronous solutions do not come with-
out a cost, because participants must still coordinate time, and network
capacity must be adequate. However, the benefits in terms of participa-
tion, engagement, and accessibility can provide tremendous value in an
increasingly global arena of consumption.
As network bandwidth increases, so too does the volume of information
shared among remote locations. The progress of synchronous communi-
cations is just starting to reach the level of sophistication necessary for true
remote participation. Two-way communications combining voice, data,
video, whiteboards, desktops, and other types of information can create
a virtual engagement among remote sites in which all participants gain
similar advantages to being physically present. This form of electronically
