Web-based groupware support for knowledge creation and competitive advantage

Companies that operate in extremely volatile markets are often confronted with the challenge of a very narrow window of opportunity for developing and commercializing new products. Not only must these companies have a very short time-to-market, but they must also utilize all available information to create and maintain a competitive advantage. Today, success in gaining and maintaining a competitive advantage increasingly results from having the right knowledge, in the right place, and at the right time. Knowledge management is recognized as the single most important factor in differentiating one company from another. The emerging technologies called "groupware" combined with the power of current computers and networks provide the technical foundation for knowledge management. The paper discusses a next generation, Web based knowledge management system designed by RWD Technologies, Inc. to help a Fortune 100 company face the challenges of dynamic markets. The system ties product development processes with communication, database, and knowledge management technology to provide the client with an infrastructure for the deployment of better products into the market faster than its competitors.