Collaboration software does not reinvent the wheel. No, collaboration software merely streamlines the grooves and lightens the material. In the advent of the World Wide Web, files were stored as hard copies in cabinets and shared using copy machines and courier services. This, in turn, meant communication came with a delay... comparable to a bad satellite feed from some remote locale not yet touched by modern technology. Project management was, at least by today's standards, a joke.

Projects get tackled tactically. Each member of the team is responsible for a fraction of the whole project. Everyone is given the same time frame in which to complete their respective task. Ideally, when the deadline comes and goes, the pieces are assembled to form a completed product. Whether the goal was reached satisfactorily is another ordeal unto itself. Although the aforementioned was worded to make the process of task management to appear as easy as following a few steps, the reality is far from picking up a 'Project Management For Stooges' book.

Humans are not perfect so why should anyone expect the task master to be also. Collaboration software has been developed to boost certain weaknesses and oversights in organization. Because of these innovations introduced over the past two years, the efficiency of project management has reached new heights.

• MOBILE ACCESS. Blackberry's, Treo's and iPhone's ...the introduction of internet accessible mobile devices has wedged a need for collaboration software to allow its users to access its intranet network and the information stored on it from anywhere. No more being anchored to a hard line connection.

• FILE SHARING. Upload documents and files via email to a shared online workspace easily accessible to fellow members of the team. Comments, questions and prioritizations are amongst the many details you can note on posted documents for the rest of the group to see.

• COMMUNICATION. Interacting with co-workers via the World Wide Web not only eradicates the overhead of having to lease office space, but it also leaves you with a virtual paper trail of every communiqué you have within the organization and with clients. Servers back up every email and are accessible from anything connected to the internet. Additionally, you can make an announcement to a group of however many without disturbing their work flow. Simply point and click the box next to the people you wish to notify.

• EASY-TO-USE. Collaboration software is template based so computer literacy is not too demanding. Plug and play is the norm.

Because of recent advancements in collaboration software, project management is one less hassle. Companies, corporate or mom & pop status, now have a level playing ground. The infrastructure necessary to keep your team running on all cylinders towards that finish line is available to all.