Implementing Groupware in an Organization - Essay Example

The name of the organization, where I work, is United States Air force. I work in the satellite communications department where my job is to supervise wireless radio and satellite systems and equipment maintenance activities. Some of my other core responsibilities include ensuring compliance with maintenance management publications and procedures, inspecting wireless radio/satellite communications activities, employing orbiting communication satellite, line-of-sight, and tropospheric scatter techniques, Installing ground radio, satellite, and telemetry communications equipment, and locating radio frequency interference sources. The organization has recently implemented groupware to help all departments collaboratively fulfill their responsibilities. “If designed and implemented properly, groupware systems are very useful when it comes to supporting knowledge management” (Frost, 2010).

The type of groupware, which has been implemented for use by the company, is a management information system. Let us discuss this groupware and its advantages and disadvantages for the company. Information is the key to the success of any organization. Management information system means management of the information, which is required to administer different business activities. MIS keeps a proper record of all information that is needed to run the business activities effectively. The main task of a management information system is to ensure the delivery of correct information to the intended receivers of the information. In our company, MIS helps us document the collected information, store the information in the appropriate locations, keep track of the information, and provide required information to the concerned departments. Completeness and relevance are also two of the key aspects of a management information system. The users are provided with complete and the most relevant information related to any specific matter.

Security of data is the biggest issue, which arises with the implementation of the management information system. Some other issues, which we have faced, include lack of executive support, end-user confusion, the proliferation of incompatible collaborative tools, hard disk failure, and collection of unrelated information. These issues hold great importance while deciding whether this groupware should be implemented or not. After analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of management information systems from all aspects, we have decided to continue using his groupware because we believe that the risks and challenges related to the use of this system can be reduced to acceptable levels by giving proper training to all concerned employees regarding its use. Therefore, I would say that although there exist some negative aspects of using groupware, those negative aspects are not able to overshadow the advantages that are associated with the use of groupware.