What Are The Benefits Of Cloud Collaboration?

It’s hard to find something bad to say about cloud computing in general. All cloud solutions aren’t the same, but generally speaking, they tend to be much cheaper, more secure, and easier to use than their more-traditional counterparts. Not surprisingly, over 94% of businesses use at least one cloud service.

But cloud collaboration is even more beneficial for businesses large and small. If you’ve got a tricky goal for 2024, like improving innovation or shifting the culture of your organization, this blog’s for you! 

What Is Cloud Collaboration? 

Cloud collaboration is a method of collaboration where multiple individuals may access, review and edit a document in real time. With the document housed in the cloud, it is always versioning, so everyone with access sees changes as they are made. 

With cloud collaboration, the days of combining multiple documents and wrestling with outdated versions becomes a thing of the past. 

While it can be especially beneficial to businesses with multiple locations or remote employees, cloud collaboration is also an excellent way to work with others in close proximity. Whether they're working on meeting notes or a proposal document, cloud collaboration allows all team members to work together in real time.  

What Is Cloud Collaboration? 

A cloud collaboration tool is one that allows multiple individuals to access, review, and edit a document in real-time. With the document stored safely in the cloud, it is always versioning, so everyone with access sees changes as they are made. 

While it can be especially beneficial to businesses with multiple locations or remote employees, cloud collaboration is also an excellent way to work with others in close proximity. Whether they're working on meeting notes or a proposal document, cloud collaboration allows all team members to work together in real-time.  

Why Do You Need Cloud Collaboration?

This advancement in the way we store and share data has led to a number of benefits that allow us to connect and work collectively as a team, and in an efficient and productive manner. Here are six benefits of cloud collaboration.

1. Better Organization

With documents kept in a central, cloud-accessible location, employees can work on a document without having to send an updated version (not to mention trying to keep track of the latest version) to all the necessary team members. 

2. Higher Participation Levels

Allowing access to projects can lead to higher levels of employee participation. With cloud collaboration, all team members have an equal opportunity to provide input. Investing in more inclusive and respectful collaboration is just one way to build trust throughout your organization, but it’s a powerful one. 

3. Easier Access to Large Files

Most email servers cannot handle documents larger than a few MB, like large audio and video files. Cloud computing solutions, however, can eliminate this problem as there’s no longer a need to send files back and forth in order to collaborate. As an added bonus, you can also eliminate delays in receipt along with distribution issues. 

4. Work From Anywhere

Teams can work on projects without having to be in the same room, or the same country, for that matter. Not only do cloud computing tools empower remote or hybrid workplaces, these tools can still be highly beneficial for in-person work. For example, important projects won’t have to be put on hold every time a key collaborator is attending an important conference, meeting with a potential client in another state, or home with a sick child. 

5. Work on Any Device

Laptops are wonderful, but when you’re on the go, it’s much easier to stay in touch with a smartphone or tablet. With cloud collaboration tools, it’s easier than ever for team members to answer a quick question or review a document from any smart device, so work can keep moving forward.

6. More Productive, More Enjoyable Brainstorming

Ever notice how many good ideas are lost during in-person meetings? Some people are quicker to share their thoughts than others, and it’s sometimes difficult for more reserved staff members to get the same air time as their louder or more confident peers.

The cloud can make for an ideal brainstorming forum, allowing all ideas to be heard, tracked, and attributed to the correct team member. 

Popular Cloud Collaboration Services

When we talk about cloud collaboration services, here are just a few examples of what we mean. Some of these names are probably not unfamiliar to you:

1. Dropbox
2. M-Files
3. Microsoft OneDrive
4. Google Drive
5. Box

Getting the Most ROI From Your Cloud Tools

Hands down, the cloud makes collaborating much faster and easier. For companies that have made the move, it’s inconceivable that they would ever go back to doing business the “old fashioned” way. 

New cloud collaboration tools are popping up left and right, but that can also make it difficult to pinpoint the solutions that will bring you the most value. That’s just one reason why our cloud experts put together an e-book exploring the three main types of cloud computer services, how they benefit businesses, and more. Click the link below to download it!