Improve Teamwork and File Collaboration with Microsoft Teams

a group of people standing next to each other

Team projects frequently require regular and sometimes even intensive communication between team members. It is often difficult, however, to find the time and the meeting space to bring everyone together. This is just one of the reasons why Microsoft developed their Microsoft Teams application. Their Teams application provides an easy mechanism for project members to improve file collaboration with each other; all from the convenience of their own desk or even while on the go.

Flexible Communication 

With the Microsoft Teams collaboration hub, members can easily connect with each other for group chats to review important project documents, or they can initiate a private conversation with another team member or an external user. Microsoft Teams offers flexible communication by offering team members the choice to communicate through voice, text, or video channels. Team members can sign in anywhere, anytime, using virtually every device on the market, since Microsoft Teams can be downloaded onto a variety of devices and operating systems, including:

  • Mac
  • Android
  • iPhone
  • Windows
  • Web

File Collaboration Made Easy

Group projects typically require the use of multiple applications, along with a multitude of different file types. Microsoft Teams makes it easy for team members to view, discuss, and edit a variety of different files from applications such as:

  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Visio 

If team members need to share project documents outside of their group project, Microsoft’s Teams application allows that as well. Of course, there may be times when team members need to bring in files for review from sources other than Microsoft’s line of applications. In that case, project members can make use of their underlying SharePoint library to view non-Office files within the Teams application. 

If you want to increase efficiency and productivity in your group projects, Microsoft can make it happen with their Teams app. Contact us for details.

5G is About to Change How We Do Business…Maybe

a man standing on top of a tall building

Technology is always moving forward, of course, but the roll-out of 5G mobile and data communication promises to introduce an exponential shift in how people live their lives, as well as how companies will operate their organizations.

Although in 2019 the roll-outs will be limited to some select larger cities, a more comprehensive roll-out is expected for 2020. Now is the ideal time for companies to learn more about this potentially exciting technology and consider how they might want to prepare for its eventual complete distribution.

Intranet Planning

5G technology promises to at least double the speed currently found in intranet communication. Rather than relying on large, distant cell towers for communication, 5G technology employs router-like nodes spread throughout an area. For large buildings, this means nodes strategically placed on all floors, transmitting high-frequency signals simply from floor to floor, thus greatly enhancing the rate of communication speeds within connected areas. 5G is also incredibly fast on its own. With its simultaneous upload and download capabilities, data movement goes far beyond old megabyte speeds, to ultrafast gigabyte speeds.

The Internet of Things

Interconnected devices and sensors will also be able to make good use of faster 5G speeds, potentially speeding up countless automated processes. For example, air travel will become safer and less prone to glitches that annoy passengers, as every system within the airframe will continually report its status, second by second.

Later Down the 5g Road

Delivery of goods that businesses use to make their own products will become more timely, as more and more traffic control and driving features are automated. 5G nodes will enhance your ability to route traffic more efficiently by quickly reporting on:

  • Traffic jams
  • Accidents
  • Weather Conditions
  • Traffic Signal Outages

Essentially all the unforeseen things slow down the movement of both products and people.

Top 5 Reasons to Try Office 365

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Originally launched October 2, 2015, Office 365 is Microsoft’s line of subscription-based Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. If you’re still on the fence about signing up, keep reading to learn the top 5 reasons why you should try it.

Try Office 365

#1) Powered by the Cloud

Unlike the traditional “desktop” version, Office 365 is powered by the cloud. This means you can access your account, as well as your associated documents and files, from any Internet-connected computer. And if you happen to lose your main computer, you can rest assured knowing that your files and documents are safely stored on the cloud.

#2) Collaboration

Office 365 features an app called Planner, which allows multiple individuals to collaborate on the same document. For instance, you and other members of your team can edit the same document, with changes happening in real-time (e.g. you don’t have to refresh the document).

#3) Subscription Cost

It’s also worth noting that many small businesses will save money by choosing Office 365. Being that it’s a subscription-based service, you’ll pay a small amount each month instead of one large payment.

For pricing details, check out the official Office 365 website here.

#4) Room to Grow

Users of the desktop version of Microsoft Office often complain about the software’s inability to scale as their business grows. The new software solves this conundrum by allowing users to easily add new services, features, storage space, and more.

#5) Use on Mobile Devices

While Microsoft Office on Android and iOS supports basic editing and document creation free for personal use, you’ll need an Office 365 subscription to use the mobile app for business purposes. Furthermore, the subscription allows you to use the mobile app on screens larger than 10.1 inches.

To learn more about the software and how to get started, contact us today.