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When choosing a collaborative platform, consider your needs and expectations, including communication, data storage, and problem-solving tools. Speed, ease of use, extra features, and cost are also important. Open source software is a budget-friendly option, but paid software may offer more functionality. Training for team members is recommended.
When looking for the best collaborative platform, evaluate your needs and expectations of the software. Most collaborative platforms offer basic communication features, data storage, file sharing, troubleshooting tools, and conferencing facilities. Speed, ease of use, extra features, and cost should also be taken into consideration.
The three basic and most important features of any collaborative platform are: centralized data storage, communication tools, and troubleshooting tools. Centralized data storage eliminates the need for each employee to store data on their own computer and helps data stay consistent and up-to-date. Live file sharing is another useful feature and allows collaborators to easily share documents or spreadsheets within the group.
Communication tools can include features such as web conferencing, group or private meetings, Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), email or instant messaging systems. Live streaming video is very effective for online conferences or meetings, and some collaborative platforms offer the functionality of a virtual whiteboard for demonstrations. You may also need to ban a collaborator from a meeting, and some platforms will allow you to do this.
Problem solving tools are important when it comes to ensuring that all collaborators resolve problems quickly and easily. Some platforms have a built-in help section, which any contributor in the group can access. This feature helps reduce the use of outside professionals or services and can save time and money.
Collaborative platforms can take various forms and can be software installed on a local computer or an installation performed from a remote server. Some platforms are Internet-based and contributors can access the platform with a username and password. The installation or type of platform you choose can affect the speed and performance of the platform. Speed is an important consideration as delays or slow performance can create problems when web conferencing or using VOIP.
In some cases, it may be necessary for a professional to create or configure the collaborative platform for you. In this case it’s wise to see if the provider also offers training for team members using the collaborative platform, as this will help the team understand how the platform works and ensure optimal productivity from the outset. Most of the platforms are easy enough to use, but the features and functions differ greatly from one platform to another, so it may take some time for contributors to fully understand the system.
A final consideration would be whether you prefer to use open source software or proprietary software. If you’re on a budget, open source software is the best option, as these packages can be free. Most of these packages offer the basic functions you need, but if you require additional functionality it may be in your best interest to choose a paid software package.
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