Preface for the Third Edition - Read

7. Systems 369
ICT platforms. Corporate Intranet infrastructures or Groupware platforms such as
Lotus Notes can be designed “with knowledge management in mind” 567 .
Specialized KM tools. Some KM tools have roots in the AI field and perform specific
functions necessary for KM. Other KM tools are necessary to integrate several
of these functions or several of the more traditional ICT 568 .
KMS in a narrower sense. These comprehensive, integrated KMS solutions are
also called KM suites and integrate a large set of technologies for knowledge sharing
under a common platform.
In the following, the focus will be on ICT bundle solutions or platforms and
therefore KMS in a narrower sense as a detailed description of each of the other
bundles could fill bookshelves of literature.
7.6.2 Classes
In addition to the theory-driven classifications in the literature (see Table B-19), the
theory-driven approaches can be based e.g., on the dimensions
contents of the systems with respect to the types of knowledge focused,
roles of the users, e.g., participants, knowledge broker, knowledge manager,
members of the organization vs. externals,
organizational level, individual, collective, e.g., group, team, community, entire
organization as well as
the technologies used.
The market-driven classifications vary basically with respect to how narrow or
wide the focus on KM-related technology is.
In the following, a market-driven classification with a narrow focus on specialized
tools for KM, or KMS, is presented which is based on bundles of functions of
KMS 569 . The classification of KMS results from a detailed market survey of KM
tools and systems conducted by the author (Maier/Klosa 1999c). Then a pragmatic
theory-driven classification will be presented which will be used in part D to support
different KM scenarios.
The KMS or KM suites are operated on the basis of an (organization-wide)
information and communication infrastructure, in most cases an Intranet platform
or Lotus Notes environment, on which information sharing between (virtual)
teams, both within the organization and across organizational boundaries with
allies, suppliers and customers is possible. The basic functionality of such an ICT
platform designed “with knowledge management in mind” would comprise an
integrated set of the following bundles of functions:
567. See section 4.3 - “Knowledge management systems” on page 82.
568. For a brief description of some examples of this category see section 4.3 - “Knowledge
management systems” on page 82, a detailed description can be found in the AI literature.
569. See also section 7.3.3 - “Integrating architectures for KMS” on page 311.