Systems and methods are provided for controlling automated auctions and other collaborative tasks. In one exemplary implementation, a system is provided that includes an administrative server running software operative to coordinate an automated auction among a plurality of collaborative bidding entities. One or more collaborative bidding servers are also provided, each running software operative to coordinate collaborative bidding in the automated auction on behalf of a respective collaborative bidding entity. By providing collaborative bidding servers that are separate from the administrative server running the auction, individual users wishing to collaborate on a particular bid may do so using the software running on a respective collaborative server, which is specifically provided to facilitate and coordinate collaborative bidding. Generalized collaborative communication systems and methods are also set forth herein.