Chapter 9
Reviewing Communication Methods
In This Chapter
Understanding the difference between asynchronous and synchronous communications
Exploring various electronic communication mechanisms
Taking advantage of blogs, forums, and wikis
Determining the appropriate use of communications technology in the enterprise
The days when using e-mail provided a business advantage are long gone; it is simply an expected element of business communication. Similarly, new forms of communication emerge regularly, and the enterprise architect must contend with an ever-increasing selection of communication services and technologies. These technologies may provide a business advantage to your enterprise if appropriately integrated and properly managed. Both asynchronous and synchronous forms of communication may benefit your organization, its employees, and its clients. As such, you should consider their appropriate use when planning, paying attention to factors such as availability, security, and convenience.
This chapter looks at appropriate uses of various communication mechanisms, many of which can be integrated into groupware solutions or enterprise portals as discussed in Chapter 8.
Identifying Classes of Communication
There are two main classifications of communication: asynchronous and synchronous. In asynchronous communications, people can communicate over a period of time without worrying about schedules or meeting attendance because real-time interaction is not required. Like older ...
