Today, collaboration software’s use is widespread, no doubt as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the hands of businesses everywhere to implement them while operations were still remote. However, now that many workers are returning to the office environment, businesses are finding that these collaboration platforms still offer immense value. What features can you look for and expect from your collaboration platforms?


Most of the popular collaboration software solutions will have several features in common. Today, we would like to discuss what some of these features are and how they can benefit your business.

File Sharing

A cornerstone of any collaboration software should be file-sharing capabilities, as well as the ability to collaborate in real-time on them. Most collaboration tools out there will come with some type of file sharing features, whether it’s just storing them in a shared location or allowing you to work collaboratively on them at the same time. Regardless, file sharing is one feature that you absolutely need to have from any collaboration software.

Real-Time Collaboration and Communication

Most of the collaboration applications you will come across today have several built-in features that allow you and your staff to communicate throughout the workday. These features might include voice and video conferencing, instant messaging capabilities, scheduling for planning out meetings, and so much more. All of these combined make it easy for your team to stay in touch with each other as they go about their daily tasks.

Integration with Other Applications

The best collaboration platforms won’t just work exclusively for each other; they will also integrate well with other applications your company uses. A great example of this is Microsoft Teams. Because it is developed by the same company as Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office, it plays well with other Microsoft applications in a way that makes integrating it rather seamless if you are already using these other solutions. Integration like this is what helps businesses get the most value out of their collaboration platforms.

Mobility and Flexibility

Naturally, one of the biggest benefits of implementing a collaboration platform is that people can stay in touch, no matter where they are working or how. Your organization should be prioritizing a collaboration platform that is accessible on a number of different types of devices, including smartphones, laptops, and desktops, as well as through the cloud via an Internet browser. By focusing on accessibility, mobility, and flexibility in this way, you can make sure your employees have access to the tools they need to succeed.

If your business is ready to get started with enterprise-level collaboration solutions designed to enhance productivity, SMG Business Solutions can help. To learn more about which solutions work best for your company’s purposes, reach out to us at 020 7898 3500.