Cloud technology is quickly becoming a must-have for many
companies.
The cloud is agile, flexible, and
scalable, meaning that businesses of all shapes and sizes can use it to
make the most out their digital transformation strategy. However, there’s a lot
more to the cloud today than simple storage solutions and VoIP communication.
Collaboration software is quickly emerging as one of the
most valuable tools in the modern business environment, offering access to more
secure and cost-effective ways to upgrade daily teamwork. Collaboration tools
equipped with everything from instant-messaging features to video conferencing
systems allow employees to work more effectively together online.
According to GlobeNewsWire,
the market for collaborative tools is set to be worth around $53.83 billion, or
£42.82 billion converted, by 2023.
So what are the benefits of cloud collaboration?
1.
Improved organisation
These days, there’s a lot of information flowing through
most businesses at any given time. Keeping track of all those files and
documents can be a nightmare – particularly if they’re being shared with
colleagues through things like email and fax. However, with a cloud
collaboration tool, you can create a central environment for all the most-have
content in your knowledge base.
What’s more, today’s business collaboration tools will
usually come with security and encryption solutions built-in. This means that
you don’t have to worry about the privacy issues that arise when emails are
lost or hacked. A long as you choose a collaborative service that encrypts
conversations at rest and in transit, your company is protected.
2.
Better business productivity
Today’s collaborative tools come with everything your
employees need to stay connected, whether that’s video conferencing functionality
or instant messaging. This is a great way to boot productivity in your
workforce, even if you have remote workers joining you from across the globe.
By 2020, 50%
of the UK workforce is set to be working remotely. With the benefits of
cloud collaboration, your workers can tune into video conferencing calls,
instant messaging, and file sharing features wherever they are – regardless of
what device they’re using. Additionally, they’ll be able to check the present
status of their colleagues and launch conversations instantly. There’s far less
waiting around than there is with things like email and calls.
3.
Enhanced workplace efficiency
Cloud collaboration tools also make the standard workplace
more efficient. Thanks to integrations with calendar sharing, task management,
and even CRM tools, today’s employees can access everything they need to be
productive within the same unified environment. For instance, they can share a
file with a coworker, connect over a voice call, and check on details about a
customer, without having to switch to another app. It’s no wonder that some
studies suggest that collaboration tools can improve
efficiency by 20%.
When you can access information quickly and launch
conversations in a matter of seconds, it’s easier to reduce the amount of time
spent switching between apps and searching for documents. What’s more, with
collaboration tools, teams have the freedom to work just as well on projects,
regardless of whether they’re in the same room or miles apart.
4.
New opportunities for creativity
There is a wide range of business collaboration tools on the
market today, ranging from those that focus on video conferencing to those that
can replace your standard on-premise PBX system with something that combines
back and front-end communication. Some of the most immersive tools also come
with the ability to access additional features that make your teams more
innovative too.
For instance, many modern collaboration apps come with
virtual whiteboarding features where people can brainstorm and share ideas in
real-time. There are also integrations available for many leading tools like
Slack and Microsoft Teams that add virtual assistants and AI to the
collaborative journey. These solutions combine to inspire and motivate your
teams, helping them to achieve more each day.
5.
Greater flexibility
Finally, one of the most significant benefits of cloud
collaboration tools is also one of the main advantages of investing in tools on
the cloud. You get more freedom to access the tools you need from any
environment. The cloud is an ideal medium for scalability and business growth.
Companies can tap into new features and functionality as the demands of the
workforce change or keep costs low when working on a budget.
All the while, the innovation available with things like
instant messaging and video conferencing means that team members can spend less
time searching through cluttered inboxes or wasting time with inefficient
meetings. You get the freedom and flexibility to work in a way that’s more
immersive and effective.
Cloud collaboration tools are crucial to the future of any
company’s evolution. What kind of software are you using?