Distributed component-based tailorability for CSCW applications

Tailorability is generally regarded as a key property of groupware systems due to the dynamics and diversity of cooperative work. This article investigates the use of software components as a generic architectural concept for designing tailorable groupware applications. First, the issues raised by this approach are discussed. The results of a first exploratory, experiment led us to concentrate on the support of distributed tailorable CSCW applications. We discuss the question of an appropriate component model and develop requirements for a platform for the flexible deployment of distributed component-based applications. As a consequence of these reflections, we have developed the FLEXIBEANS component model and the EVOLVE platform whose design principles are described. Furthermore, an application example using the approach to design a tailorable distributed coordination tool is given. Finally, we summarize and propose venues of further research