When a system must be all things to all people: the functions, components & costs of a multi-purpose group support system facility.

Potential uses for a GSS facility include using the facility as a Meeting Facility, a Research Laboratory, a Computer Laboratory, a Computer-Based Classroom, a Distance Learning Facility, a Software Training Facility, and/or as an Internet Training Facility.

The conflicting design choices that each of these facility uses are considered, including the look and feel of the facility, the power, newness, and reliability of the technology, the obtrusiveness of the technology, and configurability of the furniture. Components and costs of a multi-purpose GSS facility are also discussed.

Business leaders are learning that teams are powerful business tools and that team building is an important business process and skill set (Katzenbach and Smith, 1993). Unfortunately, the disadvantages and problems inherent in group work often outweigh any gains that come from people working together (Hackman, 1990).

Fortunately, it is now possible to use computer technologies and decision making methods to maximize the potential gains from teams while minimizing the potential losses (Nunamaker, Dennis, Valacich, Vogel, and George, 1993; Bostrom, Watson, and Kinney, 1992).

Automated meeting facilities present such an opportunity for organizations of all types. For example, in a university setting, such a facility would offer state of the art computer technologies in conjunction with audio/visual support and decision making methods to facilitate meetings for on-campus and off-campus groups. Such a facility could be used to facilitate a variety of meeting needs, including:

* A member of the College's Advisory Board and his/her executives use the facility to collaboratively craft a new mission statement, goals, and objectives for their business firm.

* Faculty members of the College use the facility to come to consensus on a series of curriculum renovations.