As virtual worlds are making inroads into enterprise programs, their use is shifting from relatively simple programs, accompanied by multiple announcements, blog discussions, and other media buzz to more sophisticated, internal, more productive and unannounced programs. The first generation of virtual worlds' adopters was eager to share their experience with the world. The second generation is putting this experience to use creating more targeted and sophisticated programs.
This trend is accompanied and helped by the creation of new generation of tools. The buildings for corporate meetings give way to instruments that allow you to conduct the meetings effectively and receive tangible results. Lectures and conversations with students near a virtual campfire give way to simulations that facilitate learning by doing - something that you cannot achieve by other e-learning methods. Excitement about 3D-world gives way to 3D models helping trainees to understand complex concepts, processes and procedures. Some of most interesting tools are listed at http://work.secondlife.com/en-US/worksolutions/
Collaborative Knowledge Management (cKM) is one of the newest productivity tools. It is built to facilitate synchronous collaborative work with any type of information by visualization and providing shared team access. Using cKM, a team of employees can create and/or review flow or deployment chart, mind map, and just about any diagram of a business processes, procedure, or structure.
Unique technology allows employees to access cKM both in Second Life and on the web. Both interfaces are completely compatible. Second Life part works best for synchronous collaborative work. This effect cannot be achieved by using competing entirely web-based knowledge management and collaborative software and platforms. At the same time, web interface can be used by individuals without Second Life access to review information and make quick updates.
More information and real life examples of cKM use can be found at http://www.ahg.com/Second_Life/knowledge_management/Enterprise_Knowledge_Management_and_Collaboration_Solution.htm