Distributed groups, including partner networks, can benefit from a secure place to put documents and forms and communicate and collaborate online without the need for a virtual private network and expensive intranet software.  GoLightly's online community and collaboration platform permits the constituent members of such groups and networks to:

• Share documents, files, and photographs
• Build a sense of shared purpose
• Ensure transparency of information

“The success of any collaboration is the openness of information,” says Rebecca Kelley of the YMCA. “People want to be included, and they want access to information at the same time as everyone else. It builds trust. Our GoLightly system makes people feel totally included.”*

A place to share documents: Anyone with access to the online community or group libraries can upload or download files of any kind whenever and wherever they want.  Colleagues can have access to these documents immediately, from any internet-connected computer, and the organization can ensure that the most up-to-date documents are available to all participants.

A place to build community: Community members can not only find the documents and forms they need, but also can interact easily with one another via the online discussion groups and member directory.   The Welcome Page and member directory help build community and create a shared vision.

A way to ensure transparency of information.  Transparency ensures a shared sense of ownership over the information. This encourages more participation. GoLightly's platform enables better communication among branches, franchisees, regional offices, volunteers, staff, suppliers, and other members of the larger organizational communit, by creating a workspace for all of those disparate groups where people can post comments, and others can respond to them.  In addition, GoLightly allows the management of email discussion lists, which also ensures that everyone is kept in the loop. Program administrators and staff can search for keywords, and find conversations that have occurred in the past on a topics of interest.  Open or closed workgroups, controlled by the organization are available so that the right people are plugged into the right conversations.

 * For a case study on the YMCA's use of GoLightly's platform to create a vibrant intranet, see YMCA Case Study.