Ad hoc teams are those which form spontaneously to achieve some task.  This could develop into a full project, but at the early stages of team formation no standards have been chosen, making early communications difficult.  One strategy is to test access to two or three applications which are already known to one or other of the team members as a starting point.

The choice of applications is wide and should be made to meet technical, organisational and budget constraints.  Here are my personal prioritised preferences for ad hoc teams.  Other types of team, for example within a company, may prioritise this list differently or prefer other applications:

1 st Choice: Skype Version 4

This version includes screen share as well as the voice and chat functions of previous versions.  It is free but may not be allowed in corporate environments for reasons of commercial or technical security.

Verdict: quick, free and reliable for moderate group sizes.

2nd Choice: Yuuguu

The main functionality of this application is the screensharing, for which the originator must install an application.  For readers however, NO installations are required, only a browser.  This is ideal for supporting instant discussions e.g. with prospects as the link can be sent by messenger or e-mail and can be used immediately.  There is a monthly limit of 100 minutes for the free version, but this limit does not apply between people who have signed up.

The voice communication is integrated with Skype and uses its list of contacts.  If however you want telephone contact (for better, more reliable voice support), then Yuuguu provides dial up numbers (via a service called PowWowNow, although it is not necessary to set up a separate log-in) in several countries, which uses the same PIN code as the screen meeting. The cost is moderate for the host, however callers pay for access, unless in the USA where the access is free. Depending on your telephone subscription, it may be cheaper to dial into the USA number, even if you are located somewhere else.

You can also give over control of your application to another person in the conference, whose mouse and keyboard will then work on the computer of the person originating the screen share.

The Plus version has a meeting participation limit of 30.

Verdict: Useful screenshare functions, linked in with both VoIP and Telephone for voice. Screeshare originator must load application, but basic version is free.

3rd Choice: LotusLiveMeetings

This provides full screen share functionality, including chat and hand raising.  The link can be sent to readers who only need a browser, but originators must install a substantial add-on. There is also an Event Management option for controlling invitations, registration etc.  Subscription service.

Verdict: Offers the security required for corporate environments associated with rich functionality for the ad hoc team environment.

4th Choice: Webex

This is a comprehensive and stable environment for web meetings.  It supports screen sharing, chat and hands up, as well as both VoIP and Telephone access. The meeting host can also control the audio environment, eg mute microphones.  Participants can be offered a toll-free access and these costs are carried by the host.  It is widely used in corporate environments and has a corresponding monthly subscription in addition to the call costs of the participants.

Verdict: Reliable and comprehensive for the corporate environment, where the costs are borne by the host.