Microsoft 365 provides users with a variety of tools for collaborating on documents, projects, and meetings. This article will explore some of the most popular Microsoft apps for document revision and sharing, video and audio conferencing, project management, and remote collaboration.
Microsoft Apps for Remote Collaboration
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for effective, efficient collaboration options become more important than ever, since many workplaces were forced to transition into the remote working environment. The Microsoft 365 family of services provides several helpful applications that facilitate collaboration with those near and far.
Teams
Microsoft Teams is a communication platform used by both businesses as well as individuals to stay connected. Teams provides users with a means for collaborating with one another using chat boxes, file sharing, as well as video and voice connections. This platform has grown hugely popular in the past several years. As of April 2021, there were nearly 150 million daily Teams users. This number has expanded to 250 million in 2022.
Teams provides its users with an array of helpful tools for collaboration such as:
- It has an easy-to-learn interface that makes collaboration easy. This single interface is also used to manage documents and communication channels.
- Those who wish to meet with just one other person can do so using Teams. In addition, for events that require a larger attendance, Teams can facilitate communications with up to 10,000 people.
- Content can be stored in Teams such as meeting transcripts, files, and chat threads. This enables those who were unable to attend a meeting to still have access to the materials.
Skype
Microsoft Skype is an application designed to facilitate group conversations and one-on-one chats. There are currently millions of Skype users around the globe who use this platform to connect with others via video and voice. This application provides options for one-on-one chats, as well as group conversations. In the nearly two decades since it has been on the market, Skype has become one of the most-used VoIP (voice over internet Protocol) solutions. This app provides a variety of useful features designed to facilitate collaboration, like group video calling options, instant messaging, file sending, and caller ID, among others.
The following are some additional ways Skype facilitates collaborative endeavors:
- Skype users can record the content of meetings.
- Video conferences on Skype are protected by security measures to ensure privacy. This app also provides end-to-end encryption for conversations.
- Tools such as live subtitles are available on Skype. In addition, users can make their own surveys and post photos on this app.
- When connecting with audience members who speak other languages than English, Skype provides users with real-time translation options in dozens of languages.
- In addition to integrating with Microsoft apps like Teams or OnePage, Skype can also integrate with third-party apps like Slack as well.
- Those wishing to share their screen on Skype can do so, which makes it easier to share images, presentation documents, and other important information.
- For those who need to connect with others around the world, Skype makes it affordable to place international calls to both landlines as well as mobile devices.
OneDrive
Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud service that enables users in remote settings to share files with one another. OneDrive’s client app includes various helpful features like file synchronization and cloud backup. Those using OneDrive are able to access files from any location. This app provides 5GB of free storage space for users, and those who wish to purchase more can do so as well. A storage plan is included for users with a Microsoft 365 subscription; users can choose between 100GB, 1TB, and 6TB of storage options.
Here are just a few of the ways OneDrive helps facilitate collaboration:
- It provides a means for users from various fields to store or share videos, images, and files. Files are stored by organization type so that retrieval is easy and straightforward. These files are accessible from any mobile device or PC.
- Since it is part of the Microsoft suite, other Office applications can directly integrate with OneDrive. This means that those who work with Excel, PowerPoint, or Word can integrate them into this file-hosting platform.
- The web version of OneDrive enables users to link to social networks to facilitate file sharing with coworkers.
- It’s possible to retrieve accidentally deleted files in OneDrive.
- OneDrive for business is a free download for iPhones or Android devices. This app provides a convenient way for users to upload, revise, or share information to the cloud.
Microsoft Apps for Project Management
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project is a tool designed to help Project Managers better handle projects. Project provides many helpful tools for portfolio and project planning and management, as well as delegating tasks, managing resources, and reporting. Most Project users consider these features to be easy to use and flexible enough to handle a variety of projects, as well as both small and large-scale endeavors. Its intuitive interface provides a clear and easy way for users to move between grids, boards, and Gantt charts to keep track of a project’s progress.
Those who need to collaborate on projects can utilize a variety of Microsoft Project features to do so:
- Project Guide helps users streamline the entire project, from creation to completion. This tool allows users to monitor tasks and report on results.
- Project can be used to delegate tasks and assign resources, as well as to ensure that proper budgets are proposed.
- The customizable Wizard feature is on-call to provide Project users with assistance on their entire project.
- Because Project is customizable, it can be used on both small, straightforward projects, as well as large and complicated ones.
- Project was designed to integrate with other Microsoft 365 apps such as Power BI, Sharepoint, Teams, and Skype.
- Project provides users with real-time task updates that alert team members when a task has been completed so work overlap can be avoided.
- Automated scheduling options help users to make sure projects are completed by deadlines.
Microsoft Apps for Revising Documents in Real Time
Microsoft SharePoint
SharePoint is a Microsoft app that was designed to help businesses design websites. In addition, this application provides a secure location that can store, sort, and share information to devices. All that’s required to access stored content is a web browser like internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, or Microsoft Edge. Organizations can opt to deploy a SharePoint server onsite, the stand-alone online service, or subscribe to SharePoint as part of a Microsoft 365 plan.
For those interested in collaborating using SharePoint, here are a few of the benefits of working with this platform:
- Those using with SharePoint can design their own sites through which information and files can be share with others such as coworkers, business partners, and customers.
- Content on SharePoint sites can be customized with web parts.
- News and visual components can be displayed and shared via SharePoint sites.
- SharePoint is a powerful tool that helps users regulate their daily work tasks with the help of features such as lists, forms, and workflows.
As the above lists demonstrate, Microsoft 365 provides many helpful applications, features, and tools that make collaboration easy, even for users who are in remote locations, speak different languages, or work at different times.
Get Started Learning Microsoft 365 with Hands-on Classes
For those looking to learn the skills needed to better manage large projects, look no further than Noble Desktop’s Microsoft Project classes. If you are in the Manhattan area, there are several in-person Project courses available from Noble Desktop and its affiliate schools.
In addition, if you want to learn more about which of these courses are available near where you live, Noble’s Microsoft Project Classes Near Me Tool is designed to help prospective students explore all nearby Project courses. Currently, there are over 40 class listings available, running between three hours and three days in duration.
If you’re looking to work with the entire Microsoft 365 suite, you can also browse approximately 400 in-person and live online Microsoft Office classes in a city near you to find local and remote study options.