**4. Proposing a collaborative virtual workspace framework**

The ROTATOR model describes seven stages of virtualization/augmentation that do or will characterize virtual workdspaces at varying different stages of development and capability. The model presumes fluidity and that actual business use may swing back and forth between different stages much the way a pendulum glides back and forth depending on the outside forces impacting the particular business need or use at any given time. The focus of the ROTATOR model is to provide businesses with a common framework for analyzing their needs for and processes related to implementing collaborative virtual workspaces. The purpose of the ROTATOR model is to:


ROTATOR Model:

**4.1 Stage Iar – Reinforcing Stage** 

Document share and exposure a focus.

and presented content for individual use.

the Obverse Stage (Stage IIar) of the model:

systematically negotiated rules is expected.

meetings and various levels of digital socializing.

present content specific to that group is a focus here.

**4.2 Stage IIar – Obverse** 

limited to central or corporate entity and end-user.

A Framework for Building Collaborative Virtual Workspaces 105

The Reinforcing Stage (Stage Iar) represents the initial infusion of digital content into a real world end-user presentation. The concept of augmenting reality involves superimposing digital graphics, audio and other sensory enhancements onto realtime environments. An evolving field in an of itself, augmented reality goes beyond the static graphics technology of television where the graphics imposed do not change with the perspective (Tech-Faq, 2011). At the Reinforcing Stage, the augmenting content is presented to a broad user base. For virtual workspaces at this stage the focus is on presenting business content to a broad audience with minimal end-user interaction. The following characteristics are anticipated

1. *Business Environment* – The environment created by virtual workspaces at Reinforcing Stage of the model is characterized by its ease of use. There is minimal to no persistence and most content would be static or streamed in real-time. Management structured environment. Management may use environment for activity and time tracking.

2. *Collaborative Tasks* – Basic collaborative tasks would include centralized distribution of preselected and relatively static content to a broad user base. Collaboration would be

3. *End-users* – At this stage, end-users at looking for basic business content and minimal to no direct collaboration with other end users. As this stage, presentation is to singular end-users. Interaction with mostly non-verbal content such as email, circulars,

4. *Encompassing Technologies* – At this stage, technologies beyond the basic use of televised augmented content would include smart phone applications that combine the use of global positioning data with online data with video streams. Management structured

The Obverse Stage (Stage IIar) infers a turning toward or facing to the end-user. At this stage, of the model virtual collaborative workspaces look to incorporate end-user input in the endusers presentation. Multiple end-users are expected at this level with an increasing degree of social interaction. The following characteristics are anticipated from virtual workspaces at

1. *Business Environment* - The environment created by virtual workspaces at Obverse Stage of the model is characterized by an influx of end-user content and ability of end-user to manipulate pre-defined environment. Auto-environment construction based on

2. *Collaborative Tasks* – Basic collaborative tasks would include group collaborations, presentation of multiple end-users in a singular presentation and interaction with presented business content are all a focus at this stage. Interactions include virtual

3. *End-users* – At this stage, end-users are looking for collaborative media to interact with others. Virtual teaming and the ability to create and manage specific groups and

from virtual workspaces at the Reinforcing Stage (Stage Iar) of the model:

team/corporate correspondence and documentation, and websites.

The ROTATOR model has seven distinct stages that extend from a purely virtual world communicative environment to a real world presentation with no augmentation or virtual world presentation. The operative characterisitcs of each stage of this model are divided into four areas: 1) Business Environment, 2) collaborative tasks, 3) end-users, and 4) other encompassing technologies. These areas are designed and described because they are the ones most likely to affect and represent the business needs, uses, and outcomes available. The ROTATOR framework is specifically designed to be used as a situational, needs analysis based tool for business and other industries to use to guage the best investment of their time and money if they choose to begin using virtual reailty or augmented reality environments. The use of the term ROTATOR is indicative of the fact that business can approach the integration of virtual workspaces from either end of the model. In its broadest sense, the concept of rotation involves having a clear central point that stays fixed and in this context that fixed point is the process of virtual workplace collaborations and like any palindrome it can be approached from either end. In the case of virtual workspace collaborations that movement is between the two extremes of real and virtual environments, with varying degrees of reality and virtualized processes and capabilities enmeshed in between.


Fig. 2. Stages in the ROTATOR Model

Stage numbering begins at boths ends as well using roman numerals I through IV with Stage IV being at the center point. Beginning from the real end of the spectrum, the first three stages are designated Stage Iar, Stage IIar, and Stage IIIar. Beginning from the virtual end of the spectrum, the first three stages are designated Stage Ivr, Stage IIvr, and Stage IIIvr. Note the the center has no subscript denoting a blend of both virtual reality and augmented reality at the center.
