The first characteristic is that most of these tools are web based and are downloadable; they also have the ability to offer a text chat feature in real time, thereby allowing for the synchronous communication among various users. The platforms also has VoIP functionality, thereby giving them the ability to transmit sound over the laid down internet infrastructure. The virtual collaboration platform has the ability to allow screen sharing. This therefore allows the individual users to allow their partners to have a look at what they are working on their screens in an instant. The platform must have a presentation facility that allows for the presentation of Power point slides to the audience. The system also has Whiteboard-Live annotation tools which provides the users with a whiteboard type experience and look with the added ability to call up pictures, and diagrams on demand with real time annotation. The system should also be equipped with appropriate video facilities in order to allow for the real-time web conferencing through web cams. Finally, the system should be able to record the web conferencing sessions for future reference.

The common web conferencing software includes the following; iVocalize, Convoq, Spreed, InstantPresenter, Persony, Eblvd, HotConference, FlashMeeting, Convenos, MegaMeeting, Virtex C3 Communicator, e-Boardroom, Space2Meet, Collanos, Linktivity, CloudMeeting, Wave 3, aveComm, SmileTiger, WebHuddle, Elluminate vRoom, VSee, WebEx MeetMeNow, ooVoo, Zoho Meeting amomng many others.The hardware systems used also come from multiple vendors and include the following equipment:computer, which must equipped with very fast processors, webcams, projectors, speakers, microphones and headphones.

Virtual collaboration and the face of global economy

The use of virtual technology in the setting up of web conferences and in the facilitation of the running and maintaining of virtual teams across the globe has a great impact on the global economy. The transfer of knowledge across various borders as a result of collaboration has resulted to better skilled workforce and hence improved wages in various countries whose citizens are part of the virtual teams or the maintenance staff of the virtual collaboration infrastructure.

Citizens of countries with weak economic prowess have been able to acquire jobs online which allow them to earn better salaries and hence the strengthening of their economic might. Several common businesses, the majority of which are small and medium sized have been the backbones of their regional economies. The context of virtual collaboration has however changed the way they do business and hence has resulted in their increased level of revenue. This has been made possible partly due to the existence of virtual business networks.Ths virtual business network has enabled several small and medium sized businesses to succeed in th turbulent global economy.

The invention of the internet has therefore revolutionized the way business is conducted across various geographical regions. The small and medium sized businesses have been given a wonderful platform to participate in the global virtual networks on the basis of their domain of operation. The virtual collaboration technology has therefore improved the global economy by empowering the various corporations, small and medium sized businesses and individuals in virtual business networks that aids in improving their quality of products and services and hence leading to appropriate business growth

The major reasons why tem leaders need to be proficient with the virtual collaboration technologies are numerous. The very first reason is that it helps in the process of reaching out to the stakeholders. For most firms, the rate at which their projects become complex is very high. More people get involved, more resources are needed and involved and several points of coordination are needed to keep things running. Most stakeholders usually like to be in the loop regarding the progress of the projects of a given firm .Some project are also so complex that they demand the very active involvement of the major stakeholders. The use of collaborative technology therefore assists in the delivery of this information gap. Therefore the use of collaborative technology can help team leaders in expanding both their direct and indirect spheres of influence.

The second major reason for adopting virtual collaboration technology is the fact that the greater the number of people involved in a project, the more transparent and accountable they become to each other. This leads to an over increase of the rate of the project's success. The increased rate of visibility leads to even more accountability

The reasons why global leaders must be proficient in the use and availability...

The use of collaborative technology has been note to be one of the methods of ensuring that there is transparency in the running of an organization. Various stakeholders will be able to participate in the frequent video conference s in order to question key management issue that would be beneficial to the running of the organization. The executives can also have a moment to convey their message s in real time to their junior staff members who are located in various parts of the globe at an instance. This solves the problem of time and totally eliminates the need to embark in very costly journeys that are intended to educate their workforce on certain key issues regarding the organization. The issue of virtual collaboration therefore leads to great success to a corporation since it can help in the process of streamlining its key operations both within the country and abroad. The ability of the technology to link different teams across different nations and cultures helps in the process of promoting international understanding. It is amazing the power and convenience that the use of real time virtual collaboration exhibits especially on the company's bottom lines. The organizations who embark in the use of the virtual collaboration platform end up saving a lot of revenue which could otherwise be used as expenditure on food, allowances, travelling costs and accommodation.
The future of Virtual collaboration

The concept of virtual collaboration has been predicted to grow not only in the B2B arena but also in the B-2-E (business-to-employee) domain. This is corroborated by the result of research work carried out by Gartner Group which showed that at the moment close to over 80% of firms do utilize some form of virtual corroboration in their daily practices and about 50% of the employees will be involved in forms of telecommuting

Conclusion

Virtual collaboration is on of the technologies that should be embraced by team leaders such as executives in engaging their virtual teams across different parts of the globe. This is because of the benefits that it attracts. The rolling out of a virtual team is one way of ensuring that the global network of workers are inspired while at the same time promoting transparency in the running of an organization. Through virtual collaboration, the various stakeholders in a company get the chance to be sufficed with enough details regarding the nature, the status and the actual running of a corporation. Apart from increasing corporation's bottom lines, the rolling out of a virtual collaboration platform assists in the conservation of the environment by eliminating the need to travel either by road or by air. This in turn leads to a great reduction in the carbon footprint. Virtual collaboration is therefore one of the techniques that are yet to be fully implemented by organization in an effort to fully streamline the concept of business communications.

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