GroupSystems’ ThinkTank maximizes collaboration

BROOMFIELD – While some great ideas may be the result of a sudden epiphany, most involve time and effort. GroupSystems’ ThinkTank is designed to deliver better ideas in less time.

ThinkTank is the newest version of GroupSystems’ collaboration software. It provides a structured process for groups to brainstorm, organize, prioritize, evaluate, identify and document their ideas.

“Groups are going to be innovative, but in an era of short shelf life and global competition the key is how quickly you can be innovative,´ said Luis Solis, president and chief executive officer.

GroupSystems is the recipient of the 2006 IQ Award for Internet products and services.

The traditional method of collaboration might involve gathering a bunch of people in a room or on a Web conference to collect ideas. Several barriers, however, can inhibit collaboration. A domineering personality may take over the meeting, or the new employee with the really great idea might be too shy to speak up. If some members are participating by phone they might not hear everything being said. The result is a slow and inefficient process.

In a meeting using ThinkTank, each participant sits at a computer and participates through the computer. Because the software is browser accessible, anyone from anywhere can participate. Groups can meet face-to-face, virtually or both.

A key element of ThinkTank is all input is anonymous. “Anonymity achieves very fast trust,” Solis said. “The willingness to let go permits creativity and innovation.”

With simultaneous and anonymous input, ideas can be generated and built upon very quickly.

“We are the missing link between Web conferencing, IMing and the way people traditionally work in meetings,” Solis said. “ThinkTank provides a structured collaboration team space with a unique set of tools that have proven to accelerate innovation.”

GroupSystems focused on group collaboration from its beginning 20 years ago as a joint effort between the University of Arizona and IBM. Each generation of the product has enabled greater and easier collaboration, Solis said.

With ThinkTank, Solis believes the company has met its goal in expediting innovation.

That’s largely because the latest Web 2.0 technology has brought GroupSystems’ product to where Solis has wanted it to be. Web 2.0 uses open-source technology to emulate the user experience of a Windows application, but purely through a browser.

According to Solis, the fact that the product can be accessed over the Internet means that the necessary people can easily be involved in a ThinkTank session. Previous products required a heavy investment in time and technology. The new version is so easy to use that the time needed to learn the program has decreased from four days to two hours.

According to Solis, the keys to innovation at GroupSystems is listening to customers and having a keen respect for technology and competitive trends. The more people and markets GroupSystems can reach, the more impact it can have on the collaborative process.

GroupSystems is continually gathering feedback from its customers, from the features they use to what features they would prefer to have.

Being willing to take risks is also important to the evolution of its products. In the next year or two, Solis expects people will be able to participate in a ThinkTank session using a hand-held device such as a BlackBerry. He also hopes to make the software  applicable to graphics, allowing architects or graphic designers to collaborate on graphical elements, such as a logo or building design.  

Not only does Solis want to have an innovative product, he also wants the company to be at the heart of innovative events. Earlier this year, he helped San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to use ThinkTank to conduct a town-hall meeting to get a broad range of opinions on new policies in the city, including citywide health care.

“The richer your collaboration, the stronger your commitment,” Solis said.

In addition to participating in ground-breaking events, Solis also wants to fit the GroupSystems model into products today’s workers are already using, such as Microsoft Project or Mindjet MindManager.

A big step in that direction is ThinkTank’s integration into IBM’s Lotus Sametime 7.5, a platform designed for real-time collaboration, expected to be released in fall 2006. GroupSystems currently has 9,000 users; Solis believes that number can grow significantly through the partnership with IBM.

According to Solis, the company is cash-flow positive year to date. If it stays on course, he expects the company will be significantly profitable for the year.

Solis anticipates the company’s revenues will grow at least 100 percent this year over last year, more likely 130 percent. Depending on the launch date of Sametime, the company could see 200 to 300 percent growth, he said.

“Our overall purpose is to help folks create a better world, and we can do so if we listen better and if more people can participate at a lower cost,” Solis said.

GroupSystems

520 Zang St., Suite 211, Broomfield, CO 80021

303-468-8680

www.groupsystems.com

Luis Solis, president and

chief executive officer

Employees: 19

Primary service: group intelligence technology

Founded: 1989

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