Working with Application Sharing

Use

SAP provides a collaboration tool and framework (called Real-Time Collaboration application sharing) with the portal that enables you to share any Windows-based desktop application running on your machine with other portal users in real time.

Integration

The RTC application sharing tool runs in the portal. Users must be logged on to the portal to use it.

You can enhance the interactivity of a sharing session with third-party tele- or video-conferencing equipment. You can also use the instant messaging tool in the portal to send text-based messages to participants in the application sharing session. See Using the Instant Messenger.

Prerequisites

  • Clients require either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.
  • To participate in an application sharing session, participants must be logged on to the portal and be online (see Personalizing the Availability Status).

Features

When hosting an application sharing session, you can choose to share a specific application or your entire desktop. When you share a specific application, the session guests see only activity you perform on the selected application. When you share your entire desktop, the session guests view all activity you perform on your desktop.

A session host can grant control of his or her cursor to any participant in the session. This enables other users to interact directly with the shared application or desktop as if they were sitting at the host's machine.

Activities

  • Scheduling an application sharing session
  • Starting an application sharing session
  • Accepting and rejecting an invitation to an ad hoc application sharing session
  • Sending instant messages in an application sharing session
  • Adding participants to an ongoing an application sharing session
  • Controlling the session host's cursor
  • Ending your participation in an application sharing session

Example

Through application sharing you can perform numerous tasks with portal users interactively, no matter what geographical boundaries separate you. Examples include:

  • Conducting a remote presentation
  • Demonstrating software
  • Editing documents and forms interactively
  • Viewing relevant information while discussing issues
  • Usage with a support helpdesk (providing IT support for employees through the portal)
  • Conducting interactive online training classes