As businesses move towards developing a global workforce and embracing technology, many companies are looking for ways to make today’s work environment more flexible.
A recent survey found that 67% of employed Australians are working remotely all or part of the time, compared to 42% pre-COVID. To help businesses embrace the rising normality of hybrid working, Microsoft developed its collaborative tools so people can work efficiently together from any location. These tools are used by employees to create networks, share files, and work together easily.
They allow you to be more productive while also collaborating with your team in a different way than before.
What are Microsoft’s collaborative apps and tools?
Microsoft has many tools and apps to help you collaborate with your team, wherever you are working. In the cloud-based platform, employees can chat interactively through text, voice, or video with each other without interruptions on any device.
Utilising the power of the cloud, Microsoft’s tools allow users to share files across their networks and easily collaborate in real time. The platforms and apps include security features like biometric authentication, which makes it easier than ever for businesses to keep their private and sensitive information safe.
The new nature of work means that companies have to be flexible with how they work together as a team and how they embrace technology. This requires more collaboration between different departments and employees across the world in order to succeed in today’s business environment.
With Microsoft’s collaborative tools, it’s easier than ever for companies to achieve this goal and make productivity at work stress-free.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration tool for Microsoft 365. It’s a hub for teams to create, share, and work together.
Teams is designed to help improve productivity and cross-team collaboration. This tool can be used with group chat, file sharing, video chat, and screen sharing all on the one platform that is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Teams makes it easier for individuals or groups of people to collaborate on projects.
The app is extremely versatile and can be accessed across any user device. From mobile phones and laptops, to tablets and desktops, Teams helps remote workers communicate and collaborate with each other in any location.
SharePoint
SharePoint allows workers to create networks, share files, and work together easily.
Incorporating SharePoint into your current business can be beneficial to your company in many ways. For example, SharePoint integrates with other systems that are used by your employees, like the Microsoft 365 suite or Skype for Business. This integration makes it easy for you to manage your teams from within the same platform. By using this tool, you can ensure that all of your information is secure and easily accessible without constantly switching from one system to another.
Additionally, SharePoint allows your employees to collaborate on projects with different clients, customers, and team members, which will result in increased productivity for everyone involved.
OneDrive
OneDrive allows employees and customers to share files, calendars, and other information in a simple and organised manner. It also allows workers to collaborate with their team by sharing documents across other Microsoft apps, like Teams.
OneDrive has additional features that allow users to search for and find important files, project-based workspaces, and management tools.
One of the most popular features of OneDrive is the ability to share documents. This feature gives you a way to work on a document at the same time as your colleague, instead of waiting for them to complete their section or comments, and send it to you for your input.
Another option is sharing an entire folder of documents with co-workers. This collaboration feature encourages more teamwork among employees who can all contribute ideas to a project, regardless of their location. As a result, you’ll be able to have an easier time getting something done; everyone will be on the same page in terms of what needs to happen next.
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook is an email, calendar, and contact management application.
The app not only allows you to share files and folders; it can also be used to create networks, track your calendar, and schedule a meeting with multiple people at the click of a button.
When scheduling meetings, Outlook takes into account the time zone of all individuals and changes the appointed time to reflect their location, removing any confusion and the possibility of missing an important meeting.
Talk to the Microsoft experts
In order for your business to make the transition into a hybrid work environment, it can help if you find the right collaboration tools for your company.
Microsoft Gold Partner INTELLIWORX can help your workplace smoothly transition to a hybrid work environment by utilising the Microsoft collaborative tools that your business needs.