SHASTRA — AN ARCHITECTURE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COLLABORATIVE APPLICATIONS

Abstract

We address the issue of architectures and abstractions to implement multimedia scientific manipulation systems in a Concurrent Engineering setting, where experts in a cooperating group communicate and interact to solve problems. We propose a model for the integration of software tools into a multi-user distributed and collaborative environment on the multimedia desktop, and describe a prototype CSCW infrastructure which we have used to implement scientific problem solving tools. Finally, we briefly describe a prototype CE system built on this infrastructure. Shastra presents a unified prototype for some crucial enabling technologies for Concurrent Engineering — Multimedia Communication, Framework Integration, Coordination, and Enterprise Integration.