Mobile collaboration is a type of communication strategy that allows users to attend virtual meetings by using cellular technology. With this type of activity, users can attend audio conferences or even web conferences from any location, without the need to make use of a laptop or be near a desktop computer and wired telephone in order to actively participate or even conduct this type of meeting. The value of mobile collaboration in today’s world means that people all over the world can come together in one of these virtual meetings using wireless technology and still work together on tasks like conferring on projects, sharing documents, or even working together in the creation of sales proposals and other documents in real time, without the need to actually be gathered physically at a single location.
The concept of mobile collaboration takes the idea of multi-party conferencing to a new level by expanding the idea of audio conference calls that have been used for decades by many businesses. The first conference calls allowed attendees to verbally interact as long as they were near a wired telephone. This meant people could attend a meeting at the office, from a hotel room, or even at home with no problem. The advent of cell phones expanded this ability, in that participants no longer had to near a landline in order to participate.
As broadband technology has advanced, mobile devices that allow for the use of not only voice but also Internet access have made it possible to take mobile collaboration to the next level. Today, individuals may attend or even lead a web-based conference that includes both voice and visuals using their mobile devices. The technology makes it possible to engage in document sharing, taking the group on a demonstration based at a web site, and even sharing control of the meeting to different participants by passing authorization over to a different participant from time to time. With the application, the original leader or moderator always has the option to regain control of the meeting when and as desired, which helps to keep the meeting productive and on track.
Essentially, mobile collaboration allows busy people to conduct business no matter where they happen to be, and to participate fully in necessary activities without being tethered to a computer or laptop. This technological tool can go a long way toward increasing productivity within a company structure as well as reduce many of the costs associated with more traditional methods of assembling and conducting meetings. A true time saver, mobile collaboration allows meetings to take place without delays, a factor that can be especially important if the business is facing a sudden crisis that must be dealt with now rather than later.
