Have you ever tried auditing how much time you spend searching for information, tracking down colleagues for approvals, or just coordinating projects? If you add up all those little inefficiencies, you may find that collaboration is one of the biggest drains on productivity in your workplace.
That’s why more and more companies are embracing modern collaboration tools to keep their teams aligned. With features like centralized document storage, task management, instant messaging, and more, these platforms make it simple for employees to work together seamlessly.
Let’s look at five of the best solutions on the market and how they can boost productivity for your business.
Microsoft SharePoint
As one of the most widely-used collaboration platforms, SharePoint helps teams store, organize, share, and access information from any device. It operates like an intranet, offering a centralized location for documents, web pages, task lists, calendars, discussions, and more.
With SharePoint, you can break down information silos, so everyone is on the same page. Teams can work on files simultaneously, while still maintaining total visibility and oversight. Its flexible permission settings also ensure that sensitive documents remain secure and accessible only to authorized personnel.
While SharePoint works right out of the box, it also supports extensive customization to match all your collaboration requirements. For example, you can build custom apps, workflows, and web parts using SharePoint Framework. Or easily integrate third-party programs like Dynamics 365, Power BI, and Power Apps with the help of SharePoint solutions.
As part of Microsoft 365, SharePoint will be a natural fit if you already use services like Exchange, Teams, OneDrive, and Office apps. And with robust admin tools, IT can manage the whole environment through a unified dashboard.
With all these capabilities for document sharing, project coordination, and cross-department unity, it’s no wonder SharePoint is a go-to enterprise solution.
Asana
If your top priority is task and project management, Asana is one of the most intuitive platforms available. It replaces those endless email chains trying to coordinate team projects with a visually compelling workspace.
You can assemble all the details for a project in one place, then assign tasks out to individuals or teams. Everyone has clarity on what they’re responsible for and all associated conversations, references, and attachments.
As tasks get completed, projects automatically update so you get real-time visibility into how work is progressing. You can celebrate milestones together and catch any bottlenecks early. Plus, powerful reporting provides insights so you can continually improve team coordination.
Beyond day-to-day work, Asana also facilitates strategic planning in its ‘Goals’ section. Leadership can outline objectives, map out key results, and cascade responsibilities down to departments and employees.
With a simple, intuitive interface, Asana makes it easy for anyone to jump in and collaborate effectively through tasks and projects. What’s more, centralized data and dashboards keep everyone aligned on broader company goals.
Slack
When instant communication is a priority, Slack leads the pack. It’s like having an always-on chat room for your whole company. Slack replaces inefficient emails with streamlined talk in customizable channels, direct messages, and group messages.
With Slack, anyone can tap into the right conversations and people quickly. You get immediacy along with transparency since conversations happen out in the open. Plus, important information gets documented in channels and threads instead of isolated emails.
For public updates, channels keep everyone informed without flooding inboxes. Want to reach a specific team or have a private dialogue? Slack accommodates that too.
And with Slack Connect, you extend channels to clients, vendors, and partners for better external collaboration as well. No more waiting on responses or having to switch between different platforms.
Of course, immediate communication is only helpful if people can find the information when they need it. That’s why Slack’s powerful search makes it easy to locate past conversations, files, people, and more in seconds.
For teams that just need a way to talk, share, and find information freely, Slack makes collaboration simple.
Wrike
What if you want the flexibility of popular project management tools along with a heavy emphasis on collaborating? That’s where Wrike comes in. It provides feature-packed work management complemented by extensive options for social collaboration.
At its core, Wrike empowers project managers with advanced scheduling, progress reports, and oversight into resourcing. But it distinctly focuses on real-time collaboration to keep team members connected as work happens.
The activity stream shows a Facebook-like feed of updates, comments, approvals, and more. It’s easy to discuss work in progress right in context. Team members also receive notifications when tagged on relevant tasks or projects so they stay informed.
With robust community features, Wrike balances structured workflows with the flexibility teams need to collaborate freely. And with unrelenting reporting, nothing falls through the cracks.
For project-driven teams that still want transparency and employee empowerment, Wrike delivers the total package.
Talkspirit
Rounding out the list is Talkspirit, a French software firm that’s risen to popularity across Europe for its take on social intranet platforms. Billed as a “digital workplace,” Talkspirit unifies internal communications, document management, networking profiles, and project management in a highly visual environment.
Like a social network for your company, Talkspirit taps into employees’ natural desire to communicate and form communities. Public news feeds get official messages out broadly while groups cater to specific teams or interests.
From company-wide transparency down to private project collaboration, Talkspirit fosters open communication and documentation critical for alignment. Plus, you gain insights into rising trends and employee sentiment that might otherwise stay hidden.
For companies that want to enable organic information sharing along with structured workflows, Talkspirit represents the next generation of digital workplaces.
Choose Solutions Tailored to Your Work Culture
Today’s teams don’t have to manually track down colleagues, play “document detective,” or rely on email chains to coordinate anymore. Purpose-built collaboration platforms like these streamline teamwork through open communication, centralized data, and structured coordination.
But with so many options available now, you have to align solutions to your actual work culture for adoption. Do you need extensive oversight into formal projects or more flexibility for dynamic work? Would structured communication channels or free-flowing social conversations be preferred?
Analyze how your teams best collaborate when together in offices. Then choose solutions that replicate (or enhance) those productive behaviors through technology. With the right digital workplace enabling your various teams, working apart can feel just like working together.