• Teamware's solution provides associations and trade unions with a modern and efficient way of improving their internal information flow both at the office and among active members.
• The association's or trade union's own service employs personalization to provide each functional committee, workgroup and user with individual views and workspaces, combined with a global environment available to everyone.

Enhancing active association work

Associations and trade unions must meet new challenges in collaboration, communication and information management. Different groups, such as the board, council, regional organizations and various workgroups must be able to communicate and obtain information easily and efficiently regardless of their location or the time of day. At the same time, it must be possible to facilitate the work done by personnel at the central or regional offices.

Internet-based web community is the solution

An association's or trade union's intranet service is an entity that displays the most relevant information and tools for an individual user in a single view. It is an extensive web work environment on the Internet. The virtual workspace contains access to relevant information and the most important tools, for example: member bulletins, discussions, membership information updates, events, training and group-specific messages.

It is possible to use the services and systems from any computer, workstation or terminal that has a browser and a network connection. Therefore, active association members can use the service at home, at work or from any Internet terminal.

The service, built on the Teamware Pl@za platform, is personalized according to the needs and tasks of each user group. The service allows each user to easily access the material they need, including protocols, bulletins, instructions and statements.

The association's or trade union's intranet service, can be expanded easily to an Internet service that covers all members and can be viewed publicly over the Internet.

Modernized and efficient communication

In the association's and trade union's work, the Internet service improves internal work and information flow as well as improves interaction with the members.

The e-mail and calendar functions make internal information flow and use of time more efficient Easy-to-use and reliable e-mail renders personal communication effortless. Information security and virus prevention are a natural and integrated part of the e-mail system. An electronic calendar allows for efficient and timely management of personal time, arranging of meetings and management of resources, such as meeting facilities and AV devices.

The publishing tool facilitates information production and sharing while making the process faster

When a publishing tool is used, one can rest assured that up-to-date information can be found in the right place and that it is presented consistently. The publishing tool can be used in a distributed environment: an association's or trade union's officials and experts can produce content without middlemen. If necessary, an approval procedure can be utilized to ensure information reliability.

Document folders reduce document copying and mailing

The association's officials can store internal documents in the document archive, which are organized into groups, or make the documents available to the members by storing them in public folders. Even large distributions can be managed with a short message and a link to the document. Therefore, fewer documents need to be mailed on paper or in e-mail.

The user directory shifts membership information management toward self-service

Each member has an interactive business card that the members themselves update. When the interactive business card is updated, the members' address information and other changes are stored in the member register.

The event calendar facilitates the arranging of events

The event calendar makes it easy to inform people about events, receive registrations and manage the list of participants. Additional questions and substitute sign-ups can also be handled from the event page.

Virtual workspaces improve the preparation of workgroup issues

The association's workgroups are provided with their own closed virtual workspaces, which are only available to the members of a particular group. The documents, tools and other content in the Internet service are available to the officials at work, home or when travelling. In addition, discussions and comments that occur in the workspace's discussion groups make the preparation of items faster.

Information security solutions guarantee the confidential use of the Internet service

Information confidentiality must be secured in workstations, servers and telecommunication. Data traffic is protected between the end user and the server with SSL encryption. Correspondingly, traffic between several servers is tunnelled using VPN technology. The information security in the Internet service prevents access by unauthorized people to services intended for use by the association's officials.

Implementation

The association's Internet solution is based on Teamware Pl@za® software tools and services and, if necessary, Teamware Office™ collaborative application software.

Services offered

- E-mail and calendars
- Publishing tools for distributing news and other content updates
- Form-based content update
- Document folders
- Event calendar
- Address book and Interactive Business Cards
- Virtual workspaces for workgroups and projects
- Discussion groups
- Surveys
- Notifications
- Search
- Information security solutions

Supplementing services

- Integration with back office systems

Consultation services

- Internet service requirement specification
- Functional design of the Internet service

Teamware Pl@za, Teamware Office and Teamware consultation services are each described on their own fact sheets.