The pandemic has set the course of digital transformation on a specific trajectory for businesses.
Communication Vs. Collaboration Technologies: What’s the Difference?
With many businesses continuing to operate on a remote or hybrid basis, communication and collaboration technologies are in high demand. It’s important to note, though, that “communication” and “collaboration” aren’t terms that can be used interchangeably.
So what’s the difference, and why does it matter? Here’s a simple breakdown:
Communication Even before the advent of chat and SMS messaging, communication technologies have been a staple of the workforce. If you’re sharing knowledge – whether with a colleague or a customer – you’re communicating. Examples of communication technologies include:
Email
Voice calls/voicemails
Instant messages
Social media
Video chat
Collaboration While communication is necessary for collaboration, the two are not one and the same. By definition, collaboration is working with another person (or people) to achieve a goal. This requires alignment of your tasks, actions, and technology. Collaboration might look like:
Using a digital surface during a video conference to work on the same project at the same time
Working on a document as a group in a shared drive in real time
Holding a session via video conference where participants share their input in the creation of a document or project
In today’s digitally-driven world, both communication and collaboration technologies are necessary for productivity and business growth. If you need guidance on the solutions that will best promote both at your business, get in touch with us today.
What to Expect From Your Business Phone System Upgrade
You’ve decided it’s time to upgrade your business phone system, and the options are far different from the last time you considered a phone system. From feature-rich solutions to cloud-based communications, there’s a lot to sort through, but it’s all good news.
Whether your company is upgrading to a virtual network, transitioning to a cloud-based communications solution, or migrating to data storage in the cloud, it’s easy to get beyond your in-house expertise on a technology investment. That’s why many companies are turning to IT staff augmentation to get the skills they need for advancing technology.
