Simplify Work With These Online Collaboration Tools

Online collaboration is an essential component for many businesses and freelancers. Although email and chat clients are standards for every Web user these days, they don’t quite cut it for doing work. As any one who freelances or works from a mobile office knows, not all online tools are created the same, especially when it comes to the price. Below are a few online collaboration tools that can be used for free and may help save time, and make working from home or the road a little easier.

Google Docs

Google Docs is one of the best online collaboration tools available. In fact, this blog post was originally written in Google Docs. Available to anyone with a Google Account, Google Docs lets users create documents in a wide variety of formats, including DOC, XLS, ODT, ODS, RTF, CSV, and PPT. In addition, docs from your computer can be uploaded to Google Docs which will allow users to share them with anyone that you may be collaborating with. Users can also choose who can access your docs, giving instant access to any number of other users. Additionally, any edits that you make are also visible to other users that share your document in real time. With Google Docs, users can store their documents without worrying about loosing unsaved work, and they can be accessed from anywhere. It also gives even the most unorganized person the ability to organize their documents.

Box.net

There’s plenty of file storage websites out there, and one that offers plenty of flexibility for is is Box.net. Box enables large documents, photos, spreadsheets, videos, or zip files to to stored securely on the Web. Files that are stored online can be accessed by anyone that you want to share access with; clients, colleagues, or friends. OpenBox Services also enable documents to be edited easily online, without having to upload again from your desktop. As with many other online collaboration tools, the biggest benefit is that files can be accessed from anywhere, whether you’re at work, at home, or on the road. Box simplifies file management, maximized productivity, and gives plenty of security and control over your files. To see what Box can do, try it out for free.

Central Desktop

We’ve covered Central Desktop before, and we’ve seen first hand how this tool can save time and boost producitivity. For anyone who needs to collaborate with clients or coworkers, Central Desktop provides an array of services all in one online collaboration tool. Central Desktop makes it easy to share clients, manag projects, and bounce around ideas in a wiki-enabled, secure workspace. All Web meetings and information shared via Central Desktop is available in real-time, turning documents and spreadsheets into a real life office on the Web. What’s unique about central desktop is that its accessible via email, rather than requiring users to login to Central Desktop to that users who stick with the email clients their most comfortable with. Check out their completely free trial and start collaborating.

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Find more online collaboration tools right here.

Tagged as: box, central desktop, google docs, online collaboration tools, Productivity