Productivity is a key attribute of a successful business. With the rise of technology and cloud computing, we’ve made collaboration not only easier but essential. The IBM Global CIO Study, found that 49 percent of an individuals’ work is the result of “network contribution” by fellow employees and partners. Yet 80 percent of employees are ineffective at collaboration, according to a CEB survey. There are many technology solutions available but Microsoft’s Office 365 is one tool that can help improve productivity and engagement in your business through employee collaboration.
1. Real-Time co-authoring inside Word
With Office 365, shared document workspaces help teams build files collaboratively, thus eliminating multiple copies of files on individual computers. Users can simultaneously edit documents with their colleagues and can “see” each other in the document and see the changes made real-time to avoid conflict. Some of the features include:
– Users can chat directly inside the document.
– Users get notification when new users make an edit/join the document.
– Users can reply to comments/edits.
2. Social integration with Yammer enhances cross-department communication
Yammer is a private social network for you and your department that can help your team brainstorm, chat and share ideas and thoughts on a common platform. Using Yammer, you can crowdsource answers or draw on the knowledge of the whole team—thus improving speed and accuracy with which you can respond to a customer or complete a proposal.
3. Cloud Based File Storage
OneDrive for Business is a personal, enterprise trade, file storage and sync solution for collaboration. OneDrive for Business is a personal document storage unit within Sharepoint that can easily be taken offline and mobile using a whole host of official apps. Office 365 subscription come with a full terabyte of OneDrive storage, where users can store and share individual files as large as 10 gigabytes.
Microsoft is changing the way people connect through its Office 365 products. Through integration across Word, CRM, Skype, OneDrive, Yammer and email, Microsoft is encouraging employees to work collaboratively to increase efficiency and productivity.
