Best Digital Collaboration Platforms

 Collaboration is nothing new to the workplace. However, the way we collaborate in the 21st century is ever-changing. Digital collaboration is the way of the future and can improve your workflow, especially when managing remote teams. Whether you need better project management or real-time document collaboration, here are the best digital collaboration platforms available.

• Microsoft Teams
• Asana
• Monday.com
• Slack
• G Suite
• Podio
• Ryver
• Trello
• Flock

But first, what is a digital collaboration platform?

A digital collaboration platform is an online service that helps workplace teams collaborate remotely. With so much of the modern workplace navigating remote work for the first time, digital collaboration platforms are now a major part of the workflow of many businesses.

Instead of brainstorm meetings in the conference room or water cooler chats that lead to your next big idea, digital collaboration platforms are a way for colleagues to get work done together, no matter how far apart they may be.

Let’s get started.

Office 365

Office 365 is a digital collaboration tool by Microsoft. It includes the Microsoft Office suite of programs like Word and Excel, which still the leaders in their field. So, Office 365 brings the functionality of these popular platforms in a collaborative way.

Coworkers can share documents and spreadsheets with ease, working together remotely. Now, Microsoft Teams has been added to Office 365 program as well – a video conferencing option that offers even more collaborative simplicity.

Features:

• Familiar programs
• Collaborative editing
• Video chat capabilities

Asana

Asana is all about organisation and project management. Used by major companies like Uber and Pinterest, Asana can help you track workflow and meet deadlines.

Especially helpful for teams with freelancers that you might never meet face to face, create on-going to-do lists, stay on top of your calendar, comment on progress, set reminders for due dates, and make task requests.

You can communicate through Asana although these capabilities aren’t as advanced in either instant messaging or video chat. However, the organsational functions can’t be beat.

Features:

• Powerful project management
• Helpful organisation
• App integrations

Source: Asana.com

Monday.com

Monday.com is another project management tool for remote teams. It includes drag-and-drop functionality for flexible workflow and a simple visual interface for ease-of-use.

However, what makes Monday.com stand out is that it allows for extreme integration with other digital collaboration platforms. You can think of Monday.com as a framework for a kind of “build your own” remote working tool.

For example, you can blend Monday.com’s functions with Slack, Trello, Google Drive, Dropbox, and more. Therefore, you can take what works and leave out what doesn’t. So, if DIY is your style, Monday.com could be the best digital collaboration platform for you.

Features:

• Drag and drop
• Amazing app integrations
  

Slack

Slack is probably the most popular digital collaboration tool worldwide. With millions of users, Slack is available both in mobile and desktop versions.

On Slack, you can send instant messages to individual team members or create custom groups within your team. And not only that, but Slack’s powerful search tool can help you find that one message about that one thing you sent that one time but can’t fully remember.

Complete with video chat options and integration with other amazing tools like Google Docs and Dropbox, there’s not much Slack can’t do.

Features:

• Searchable instant messaging
• Video chat capabilities
• Integration with other helpful tools

Source: Slack.com

Google Drive

Google Drive’s range of collaboration tools are more simplistic than the others on our list. Still, it’s not to be ignored.

Using Google Drive’s content tools like Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, along with their cloud storage services, you can share and collaborate on projects in real-time. When both you and your coworker on logged onto the same document or spreadsheet, you can see what the other is typing as if you were sharing a screen.

You can also leave comments and track changes so that colleagues can collaborate. Not to mention, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides saves changes automatically and stores files in Google Drive itself. Never lose your work again!

Integrated with the rest of Google’s incredible digital tools like Google Calendar and Gmail, it’s an easy (and free!) way to work remotely on a team.

Features:

• Free to use
• Google integrations
• Real-time collaboration

Podio

Another digital collaboration platform that focuses on project management and team organization, Podio includes both a desktop and mobile version that can be used anywhere, anytime.

Track progress, share files, and comment with pressing feedback on an easy-to-use interface. Another perk is that Podio integrates smoothly with tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, Evernote, and Zendesk.

Features:

• Simple interface
• Seamless integrations
• Mobile version available

Ryver

Similar to Slack, Ryver is another valuable option that helps teams communicate effectively and get things done. Set up group and individual chats in every iteration you need and use filters to organise your communication in a social media-esque newsfeed style.

The main downside is that there isn’t a free version to start off with. However, under the right circumstances, Ryver could be the best digital collaboration platform for you and your team.

Features:

• Filters for organsation
• Newsfeed interface

Trello

Another digital project management tool, Trello is collaboration mixed with extreme organisation. Use project boards and to-do lists to track progress. Delegate tasks with ease and update your colleagues with feedback in real-time.

Trello also has easy integration with other powerful collaboration tools like Evernote, Google Drive, and Slack. It also has a free version (always a plus) and is cost-effective as you move up the ranks.

Features:

• Clean interface
• Streamlined app integrations
• Free version

Source: Trello

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few other digital collaboration platforms to check out.

• Basecamp: Project management tool that includes chat, message boards, to-do lists, scheduling options, and check-in capabilities.
• Flock: Communication tool including instant messaging, powerful search tool, polls, note-sharing, and reminders.
• Visme: Collaborative online report sharing with analytics reports.
• Wrike: Project management and scheduling all in one including integrations with Google Drive, Dropbox, Salesforce, Adobe, and more.
• Quip: Collaborative online file sharing with real-time co-editing usability including chat, comment, and checklist functions.

If you haven’t gone remote at some point this year, chances are the time is coming soon. With these powerful digital collaboration platforms, teams can work together no matter where in the world they are.

Whether you decide to blend in-person and digital collaboration in your business or go totally online with the help of these incredible tools, teamwork is always possible.

Additional Resources

Interested in reading more about business tools? Check out our other blogs:

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• Soft and Transferable skills: Why are they Important?
• Why you should focus on happiness as a Leading Business Indicator