Whether you’re using them for your work at home setup, or supporting distance learning—there’s no denying the prevalence of online collaboration tools in today’s digitally powered society. And today they have become even more important as people are encouraged to work from home. Indeed, the New York Times claims that collaboration tools have seen a drastic rise in usage now that employees need them for daily operations. In fact, they could very well sustain these high numbers of remote working even after the world returns to normal.
From video conferencing software, to cloud storage solutions—here are five of the best online collaboration tools that every user should look into.
BlueJeans
Every worker needs a reliable video conferencing tool if they want to communicate with their colleagues, instructors, or clients remotely. And while Zoom remains a popular option due to its user-friendly UI and free use, Wired reports that it’s not entirely safe from cyber threats. Since businesses share a lot of confidential information, you’re better off with a more secure app, like BlueJeans. It’s not free, but it does encrypt all your calls—making it one of the safest video calling platforms to date.
Yammer
You may not have access to a physical office now, but it still helps to have all your work centralized in one place. This is exactly what Yammer does. Think of it as a virtual office building, where every name in the company can be found on the platform. Officially though, it’s an enterprise social network. Remote companies often implement it to enable faster communication between employees. Users can create (and join) groups and directly message other people on the platform. Plus, upper management can post updates on their “profile” for company-wide announcements.
Box
When it comes to sharing files like high-resolution images or large videos, file transfer can be a slow and tedious process over e-mail. Not to mention that security has also become a huge concern. Now that more people are using their personal computers to work, the CNBC Technology Executive Council revealed that malicious hackers have been targeting remote business accounts. This is why many businesses are turning to dedicated file sharing platforms for extra protection. Box lets users safely transfer files to anyone through a shared link, even if they don’t have an account on the platform. This cloud storage solution has seven permission levels for every file, as well as link expirations and download restrictions, to ensure your files’ utmost safety. When it comes to sharing sensitive data it is best to use a trusted platform that puts security first.
To Do
Wunderlist may be dead, but the productivity solutions it created remain alive in its official successor—To Do. To Do is a cloud-based personal task management tool that you can use to stay organized. It allows you to create tasks, schedule deadlines and even set up reminders on a very easy-to-use interface. Task lists can even be shared between colleagues, so they can be used as a task tracker in small teams. The best part about it is how it’s completely free—all you have to do is use your Microsoft account.
Google Calendar
A task manager may be good for keeping track of personal tasks, but it always helps to have a shared calendar tool so all team members are aware of incoming deadlines and events. Google Calendar has all the basics of your typical calendaring app—from syncing with your device’s calendar to sharing it with other people. However, it has the additional benefit of Google app integration. Therefore, it works with other Google programs like Gmail, Drive, and Contacts. It’s even synced to Hangouts, Google’s on-site video conferencing software, so it’s easier to join meetings and meet with clients.
Times are tough, but work doesn’t have to be. Depending on your home setup and needs, the right collaboration tool can make your tasks easier.
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