In the fast-paced world of digital collaboration, Microsoft offers a robust suite of tools designed to enhance teamwork, productivity, and communication. While many are familiar with popular tools like Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, there are several lesser-known collaboration tools within the Microsoft ecosystem that can significantly boost organizational efficiency. This article explores some of these hidden gems, including Planner, Power Automate, Forms, and Loop, just to name a few.
Microsoft Planner: Task Management - Simplified
Microsoft Planner is a task management tool designed to help teams organize and track their work efficiently. Integrated seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, Planner allows users to create plans, assign tasks, set due dates, and monitor progress through various views such as boards, charts, and schedules. Its intuitive interface and real-time updates make it an ideal choice for managing projects and daily tasks within a team setting.
Key Features
Microsoft Whiteboard: Collaborative Brainstorming
Microsoft Whiteboard is a digital canvas that facilitates real-time collaboration, making it perfect for brainstorming sessions, planning, and creative thinking. Users can draw, write, and add elements like images and sticky notes, all while collaborating with team members in real time, regardless of their location. Its infinite canvas and support for multiple input methods make it a versatile tool for visual collaboration.
Key Features
Microsoft Stream: Video Management for Business
Microsoft Stream is a full-fledged video platform that allows users to record, upload, share, and manage videos within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It is particularly useful for organizations that rely heavily on video content for training, communication, or documentation, but even if you only have a few videos to share, Stream has you covered. Additionally, Stream’s integration with other Microsoft apps and its accessibility features makes it a powerful tool for video-based collaboration.
Key Features
Viva Engage (Formerly Yammer): Social Networking for the Workplace
I hear you, “Not another social network!” you say? Okay, let’s take a step back. While there are numerous ways to scratch your social media itch outside of work, Viva Engage (previously known as Yammer), is a social networking platform designed for organizations. It enables employees to connect, share information, and collaborate across the entire company, fostering a sense of community and knowledge sharing. Its social media-like interface makes it easy for users to adopt and engage with colleagues, and stay informed about what is happening in the company. There’s also a case to be made for creating a company intranet in Viva. Is your social network interest piqued?
Key Features
Power Automate: Automating Workflows
Power Automate is a power-ful tool for automating workflows and integrating different applications and services. It allows users to create automated processes that save time and reduce manual effort, making it an essential tool for streamlining business operations. Gone are the days of needing to outsource automation between certain platforms and apps. With its extensive library of connectors, now YOU can leverage Power Automate to integrate with both Microsoft and third-party apps together.
Key Features
Microsoft Forms: Surveys and Quizzes Made Easy
Microsoft Forms is a simple, yet effective tool for creating surveys, quizzes, and polls. It is ideal for gathering feedback, conducting assessments, or collecting data from customers or team members (more on this later). Its user-friendly interface and focus on speed for creating your form, make it an indispensable tool for collecting information. And on the back end, the data loads into an Excel spreadsheet, for additional functionality, such as using Power Automate to act on data added as a response.
Key Features
Microsoft Loop: The Future of Co-Creation
The latest addition to the Microsoft 365 suite, and arguably my favorite of Microsoft’s tools to date, is Microsoft Loop. Designed to bring varied team members, content, and tasks together in a fluid, and collaborative workspace, Loop’s flexibility allows it to be a lot of what teams need, quickly. A platform to create and share interactive workspaces that can be dropped into different Microsoft apps, enabling seamless collaboration, right from emails or even Teams messages. Kanban project boards with sub-projects and task lists? Polls? Retrospectives? It’s all here, fast to set up, and faster to collaborate.
Key Features
Microsoft’s lesser-known collaboration tools offer a wealth of features that can enhance productivity, improve communication, and streamline workflows within organizations. From task management with Planner to video sharing with Stream, and from social networking with Viva Engage to workflow automation with Power Automate, these tools provide versatile solutions for various collaboration needs. Microsoft Forms simplifies data collection, while Microsoft Loop represents an innovative approach to co-creation with its flexible workspaces. By exploring and utilizing these hidden gems, teams can work more efficiently and effectively, ultimately driving better results for their organizations.
Are you interested in leveraging Microsoft's 365 suite for your Toledo area business? Please get in touch with us today and we will walk you through what's possible, and how DMC Technology Group can help scale your business with Microsoft 365.
President, DMC Technology Group
