[Typo3-typo3org] Groupware solution helping instrument

[Daniel Hinderink [TYPO3]]

Hi,

I wanted to get back to this, for a while now:

> But anyway, finaly we do not want to get rid of Exchange, but see the
> benefit of a webbased integrated solution with single-signon, so we combine
> both. There still is a LOT of work, and concept grows every day, for sure
> faster then development of it ;)

I have been always very reluctant to making any kind of CRM, Groupware or
PIM functionality as a webbased app. I just don't think it works for the
users. This functionality was often associated with the
ProjectManager-Extension, but that is a misconception of how projects work
in practice. There the users need full integration with desk-top tools and
intranet project hubs are serving a different purpose than primary
information and planning.
They also expect personal information to be local/client-side, they want to
use it when they are offline and they want it to be quicker than even an
intranet can be.

However, I think a perfect situation would be a server, that deploys
functions as portlets, that can be either in the portal on the
intranet/webbased, or tied into a rich client Eclipse-style. That would
require parts of the data to be replicated on the local box and synched when
connected (much like notes), but I am convinced that there is no other way
to bridge the gap between the "personal"-requirements of Groupware and the
webbased alternative.

After all i have never seen any one use an online calender, let alone a
mail-app instead of a local PIM, but only additionally.

The quicker way, would be to simply use the intranet to display data from a
groupwware server like Exchange, but MS already does that with Sharepoint
and there is not a chance in beating them in the field of integration.

There are some projects going in the first direction, like Haystack from
Harvard and also Workplaces by IBM.

Anyway, i wonder which concept will in the end manage to break down the
barrier between personal information management and team-organisation.

Another interesting attempt, would be to build an SyncML-Server into such a
T3-based hub, here is something to play with:
http://nicolas.bougues.net/syncml/
Horde has a SyncML-PHP class as well.

Cheeers

Daniel



-- 
Vice-Chairman
TYPO3 Association
http://association.typo3.org