Global teams could benefit from evolving web conferencing tools that allow individuals to jointly use browser-based apps. How it works: Tools that allow people to share a browser and applications are evolving from Web conferencing tools, says Richard Edwards, an Ovum principal research analyst. For example, IBM is developing Blue Spruce, a tool that lets linked-up users browse the Internet and run Web applications. Two people could jointly use a service like Google Docs. Or they could put webcam feeds in one corner of their screens, a list of constantly updating stock prices in another and, in the leftover space, put an app that calls up recent news when one of them clicks on a listed stock. Who is doing it: Reuters used Blue Spruce to send market data to Asia-based traders as U.S. days ended. Arizona State University (ASU) plans to use it with medical students to practice treatment consultations. The tool could also facilitate projects in which researchers and their data sets are scattered around the country or world, says Robert Greenes, chair of the biomedical informatics department at ASU. “This can be a very powerful technique to bring in the live sources of data wherever they are,” he says. It could also be used to treat patients remotely. Growth Potential: More Web-based collaboration tools that enable composite apps are likely to appear within the next 18 months, says Edwards. Some browser plug-ins may provide similar capabilities. Ted Schadler, a principal analyst with Forrester Research, says such tools will be most useful for small teams working on a single project, like a sales proposal or a presentation that all members can mark up and edit. He adds, however, that organizations could be slow to leave behind current document authoring and collaboration tools. Related content brandpost Sponsored by SAP When natural disasters strike Japan, Ōita University’s EDiSON is ready to act With the technology and assistance of SAP and Zynas Corporation, Ōita University built an emergency-response collaboration tool named EDiSON that helps the Japanese island of Kyushu detect and mitigate natural disasters. By Michael Kure, SAP Contributor Dec 07, 2023 5 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by BMC BMC on BMC: How the company enables IT observability with BMC Helix and AIOps The goals: transform an ocean of data and ultimately provide a stellar user experience and maximum value. By Jeff Miller Dec 07, 2023 3 mins IT Leadership brandpost Sponsored by BMC The data deluge: The need for IT Operations observability and strategies for achieving it BMC Helix brings thousands of data points together to create a holistic view of the health of a service. By Jeff Miller Dec 07, 2023 4 mins IT Leadership how-to How to create an effective business continuity plan A business continuity plan outlines procedures and instructions an organization must follow in the face of disaster, whether fire, flood, or cyberattack. Here’s how to create a plan that gives your business the best chance of surviving such an By Mary K. Pratt, Ed Tittel, Kim Lindros Dec 07, 2023 11 mins Small and Medium Business IT Skills Backup and Recovery Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe