Running a small business is no piece of cake; you have to wear a million hats, communicate and collaborate with a lot of people, delegate tasks, manage projects, and get things done. However, the essence of a successful business lies in teamwork, as no business thrives on one man's show.
A successful business requires processes to be streamlined and everything to be organized, where everybody understands their task and has an open communication system in which everyone can collaborate easily. Collaboration not only aids teams in their work but also fosters a healthy work environment and employee engagement.
Within the last few years, especially in the post-covid era, the dynamics of the workplace have entirely changed from physical workspaces to remote or hybrid workspaces. The shift of workspaces has enhanced the need for collaboration software that lets you take your office with you wherever you are.
In this article, we'll be mentioning the top collaboration software in the market which are best suited for small and medium enterprises.
1. Webex by Cisco
Webex is one of the best collaboration software for businesses out there, regardless of their size. It basically is a web-conferencing tool that allows you to conduct audio and video meetings. Not only that, but you can also send out messages, share files, make groups, use whiteboards and do so much more.
Webex also offers a broader suite of tools, including numerous app integrations for enhanced experience and collaboration. It also offers VoIP integration for making calls which are perfect for hybrid (read: futuristic) workplaces. Last but not least, Webex is a very secure platform powered by Cisco's multilayered systems security.
2. Google Workspace
Google workspace, formerly known as G suite, is a great productivity and cloud collaboration tool. You can host audio and video meetings, send messages, work on documents simultaneously, send and receive emails, and whatnot. You can even stay up to date by syncing your calendars with your teammates. With google drive, you can store all your files in one place and share them with the ease of a click. Google workplace allows you to work on any device, in any location you want.
Google Workspace brings all the productivity and collaboration apps under one umbrella, so you don't have to worry about getting each service separately.
3. Microsoft Teams
Need to collaborate in real-time? No worries, because Teams got you covered! Microsoft Teams is an online communication and collaboration platform that lets you send messages, conduct audio and video meetings, and share screens, files, and apps. Teams are designed for hybrid workplaces and are perfect for teams of all sizes to keep them connected, informed, and organized - no matter where they are.
Microsoft Teams also supports Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), allowing you to call anyone. So with Teams Calling, you can make voice calls to the Teams app, mobile phones, and even landlines.
4. Slack
Slack is another instant messaging platform that is loved and used by a number of businesses. It is a secure, fast, and much organized platform for team collaboration. You can have separate channels depending on the need and functions of your business. It has an intuitive UI/UX that is customizable and user-friendly. Slack also offers in-app integration with different software such as Salesforce, etc. It is perfect for keeping your team productive and organized to get things done by bringing the conversations and communication in one place, which might have been scattered in multiple places.
5. Zoom
Zoom is one of the most popular platforms to keep your teams connected. It aims to support your teams as they move from a traditional physical workspace to a more flexible hybrid workspace. It is an easy-to-use platform that includes video and audio meetings, team chat, file sharing, email, calendar, whiteboarding, and VoIP phone system. Zoom is a wonderful tool for cross-platform communication.
These collaboration platforms aim to unify business communication and bring them to one place. These platforms operate on Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) model, which combines six primary communication functions over the cloud to keep the teams connected on the go, regardless of where they are. These functions include Enterprise Telephony, Unified Instant Messaging, Audio, Video, and Web conferencing.
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