Groove 2007 vs MOSS 2007 vs WSS 3.0 vs Communicator 2007 (Part 2)

This post follows on from Post 1 and is part of a 6 part series of posts.

Collaborative Functionality

The matrix below aims to succinctly compare Communicator 2007, Groove 2007, WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007 in terms of collaborative functionality.

Functionality	Communicator 2007 / OCS 2007	Groove 2007 / Groove Server 2007	WSS 3.0	MOSS 2007
Application sharing	ü (For example, several users can edit the same document at the same time)
Blog			ü	ü
Browser-based forms		ü (It is possible to store browser based forms in a workspace and synchronise this with MOSS 2007 using the Groove SharePoint Files Tool)		ü
Collaboration area		ü	ü	ü
Collaboration area access requests		ü (Users can use Invite Files to request their own access to a workspace)	ü (Users can request access to sites, document libraries, lists and other collaboration areas)	ü (Users can request access to sites, document libraries, lists and other collaboration areas)
Document auditing				ü
Document Check-in and Check-out		ü (Using the Groove SharePoint Files Tool, it is possible to Check-in and Check-out documents from a WSS 3.0 or MOSS 2007 document library)	ü	ü
Document policies		ü (Including adhering to Information Rights Management (IRM) policies applied to files)		ü (Including document retention, expiration and IRM policies)
Document version history			ü	ü
Form import wizard				ü (Forms designed in Excel and Word can be easily converted into rich InfoPath 2007 forms)
Group discussion		ü	ü	ü
Instant messaging	ü	ü (Using a chat window. Alternatively, IM sessions can occur when integrated with Communicator 2005/2007 and LCS 2005/OCS2007)
Key performance indicators				ü (KPI List and Web Part)
Mobile device support	ü		ü	ü
Presence	ü	ü	ü (When Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 is installed as well as (i) Communicator 2007 and OCS 2007, or (ii) Communicator 2005 and LCS 2005 is integrated)	ü (When Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 is installed as well as (i) Communicator 2007 and OCS 2007, or (ii) Communicator 2005 and LCS is integrated)
Really Simple Syndication (RSS)			ü (Can automatically receive notification of content posted to blogs, document libraries and other SharePoint lists. RSS Viewer Web Part can also be added)	ü (Can automatically receive notification of content posted to blogs, document libraries and other SharePoint lists. RSS Viewer Web Part can also be added)
Rich client forms		ü (Can use either Groove Forms or import InfoPath forms using the Groove InfoPath Forms tool)		ü (Can use InfoPath Forms)
Search		ü (Can search for contacts, discussion topics, messages, text in chat windows and records in custom tools. However, this search can only be conducted from within the workspace)	ü (Can search for content based on arbitrary content properties such as URL, type, and author)	ü (Can search for content based on arbitrary content properties such as URL, type, and author)
Search of enterprise content stores				ü (Including files shares, Web sites, SharePoint sites, Exchange Public Folders, and Lotus Notes databases)
Server-based spreadsheets				ü
Shared calendar		ü	ü	ü
Shared contacts		ü	ü	ü
Shared task list			ü	ü
Site directory				ü
Slide library				ü
Survey			ü	ü
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)	ü	ü (When Communicator 2007 and OCS 2007, or Communicator 2005 and LCS 2005 is integrated)
Wiki			ü	ü
Workflow			ü	ü

The matrix helps illustrate how the products overlap, with all four having a number of capabilities in common. Groove sits in the middle area, sharing some instant communication features with Communicator and some document collaborative features with WSS 3.0 and MOSS 2007.

In my next post, a unique comparison of how the products are implemented will be made available.

Comments

• Anonymous
  January 18, 2008
  Good overview. Tenz. Please visit my UC weblog. Bye.

• Anonymous
  January 21, 2008
  A very useful, succint comparison.

• Anonymous
  January 21, 2008
  Thanks! This is exactly the type of information that I've been trying to find - a side by side comparison of the various collaboration and communication products.

• Anonymous
  February 05, 2008
  Cool!