It’s quite hard to work with a team, especially if you are the leader of the group. As the head of the team, you need to make sure that every part is working according to the plan. Otherwise, it will affect the finished product of the project.
Nowadays, many companies are now doing outsourcing. It’s because of the potential benefits that it gives. For one, outsourcing helps to save more money. Since they don’t need to hire employees locally, they can save a lot of money from insurance and bonuses. Hence, you get more revenues from it.
Furthermore, your business runs 24/7. Most of your employees are on the other side of the world. Hence, your business is still operating, even if you are sleeping.
However, there are disadvantages associated with outsourcing. One is the time difference. You can’t talk to them even if you want to. Next, is the accent. Some countries in Asia can speak our language. However, their accent is very different from us, making it a bit harder to understand what they’re saying.
Nonetheless, the biggest disadvantage of outsourcing is tracking your employees’ activities. Since they don’t live in your area, it’s quite difficult to monitor the progress of your project – but not anymore. Nowadays, it’s easy to track the development of the project, despite geographical locations. They just need to use a collaboration software and web conferencing.
Many people think that they are the same thing. Yes, they may have similarities, but they still differ from one another. This article will discuss their purposes and their differences.
Everything You Need to Know about Collaboration Software
A collaboration software is an online application that allows cooperation between several people using their computers. Moreover, this tool enables unification and merging of the changes in documents, as well as versions.
There are two types of collaboration tools: IT-centered and low-IT platforms. The first type requires the latest collaboration software design, support, maintenance, and training. Hence, you need to be an IT expert to operate the system.
The second type doesn’t need the latest IT architecture. Moreover, it doesn’t require proper training and support, making it a more distinct and cheaper option. Furthermore, the low-IT software operates ad hoc processes, despite the hectic and unorganized schedule.
You may be wondering how a collaboration software tool works. Surely, you know that the primary purpose of this application is to enable each team member to work together. However, it does much more than that. This tool improves the workflow and the productivity of the company. Lastly, it makes business collaboration a lot easier.
When you upload a document to the platform, the people who have access to the software will receive a notification. Hence, they’ll know in an instant if you have an announcement. Moreover, the documents are integrated. Meaning, if you make some changes to the file, those who have access to your account will see the change. In other words, everyone can track the development of the project.
Apart from that, there are other features provided by the collaborative software. First: Digital Signature. It’s a mark affixed to the emails you send and receive. The purpose of this feature is to tell the user about the type and location of the draft. Hence, finding the document will be easy.
Next: Version History. As the name suggests, this feature presents the past versions of a particular document. It has a flowchart that outlines the lineage of the file. This chart answers the questions who, what, when, and why. Hence, you’ll know whether or not it is necessary to revert the file back to its previous version.
Merge is often the last and the hardest stage of the document collaboration. However, with the best collaboration software, you can join the files without a problem. The merging process involves comparing the changes in a particular document. When merging a file, it doesn’t consider where the changes have happened. What they only acknowledge are the changes made to the document.
Merging documents are similar to sorting files’ chaos. It fixes what needs to be fixed and arranged them accordingly. However, collaboration tool does more than just sifting. With this application, you can manage ad hoc processes and track the progression of the project at the same time. No wonder why many companies are now using this tool.
The Purpose of Web Conferencing
Web conferencing is a seminar, conference, or meeting held via the Internet. It can refer to any form of conversation. It can be a video or audio conversation, or a text-based communication.
Web conferencing is a useful application for anyone who works in a global industry. It enables users to be in two places at once. With this tool, you can conduct a meeting with someone who lives on the other side of the world.
The basic form of this software is free. An example of this type of web conferencing is Skype. With this tool, you can chat with your colleagues, send an invite, and video and audio calls.
A more sophisticated web conferencing software does more than chatting and calling. With this tool, you can do presentations and seminars to hundreds of people. Meetings are interactive, enabling Q&A sessions. Lastly, it allows you to broadcast your shared files and documents.
Many people are wondering what they can do with web conferencing, apart from constant communication. The answer lies in your line of work. A webinar is like a real seminar. The only difference is the setting of the class, which is online. Webinars let you deliver training and talks, as well as performance reviews.
A web meeting is different from a webinar. It allows full interaction between the user and the viewer. Moreover, it enables the audience to see shared documents and files online.
Web conferencing offers numerous benefits, especially when it comes to time and money. For one, it allows your employees to be more productive. They don’t need to count the hours or days before the meeting. Hence, they can do more things than just waiting.
As for money, you don’t need to spend a lot to attend a meeting. You don’t need to book a flight and accommodation before going there. You just need to inform your employees to be online at a specific time to conduct a meeting.
Enhanced communication is also an advantage. Before smartphones and web conferencing tools came into the picture, it was impossible to talk with your clients regularly. However, with the latest innovation in communication, you can communicate with your employees almost every day. Hence, you can monitor your employees and track their progress with ease.
The cost of the software lies in the complexity of the software. If it’s just a one-on-one system, you can get this software for free. However, you need to spend more money if the features are sophisticated.
Breaking Down the Differences Between These Platforms
You may see some similarities between these platforms, particularly with collaboration. However, there are still differences between these two solutions.
One of the distinct differences is the concentration. Collaboration task management software focuses on documents. Apart from the software, its primary mediums are spreadsheets and documents, which can be edited by authorized users. Web conferencing focuses on meetings and seminars. It uses a webcam so the leader can communicate with the team well.
Another distinct difference is the purpose. The collaboration project software allows members to work together to achieve something. Web conferencing – on the other hand – allows the leader to hold a meeting or seminar via the Internet.
Their features are different too. Collaboration tools use web conferencing. However, it’s just a part of the software. Collaboration tools use emails, discussion threads, and chat support to let users talk to their team.
Web conferencing features chat support, group conversation, audio, and video calls to enhance communication.
Lastly, they provide different benefits. Both of these platforms can save time and money. However, collaboration software solutions improve productivity and performance of the company. It updates fast, and the documents are in one place.
Web conferencing enhances communication. With this tool, you can talk to your employees on a regular basis.
Many people do outsourcing because of the benefits it provides to the company. However, it also has some disadvantages. With the use of the best collaboration software and web conferencing tools, you can eliminate those setbacks.
Many people think that collaboration solutions and web conferencing applications are the same. However, they have distinct differences. They are different in their purposes, concentration, features, and benefits. Still, they have similarities, and that is to make the world smaller.
When choosing a solution, you have to consider the field of your work. Second, you need to regard the features of the software. Lastly, you need to check the reliability of the product.
There are many websites dedicated to providing web conferencing and collaboration software reviews. However, if you want to get honest reviews and opinions of customers, then you should go to CrowdReviews. With this website, you can choose the right software for your business.
Jeev Trika
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