One of my key requirements for the task management apps that I use is that I can access my to-do list anywhere. That’s why I was keen to test SmallTask, an app for Mac and iOS that has built-in support for popular file sync service Dropbox. Read more »
CrunchConnect, a web-based sales presentation and web conferencing platform that’s currently in private beta, has added some new features that provide managers with systems for sharing presentations among workgroups for evaluation and training purposes, and with new tools for tracking the effectiveness of presentations. Read more »
QuickFox Notes is a great little note-taking add-on for Firefox, packed with an array of features. Its notes can be synced between different machines, and it also works with Simplenote. But by using an extension, you can modify QuickFox Notes to save notes to Google Docs. Read more »
Support’s a crucial function, whether you’re supporting customers who buy from your company or you need to provide internal support within your organization. TeamSupport is a web app that aims to improve internal and external support processes by serving as a centralized help desk. Read more »
As most web workers know, successfully coordinating meetings over email can be tricky. Meetin.gs is a collaborative tool that is hoping to make organizing meetings easier. It handles meeting invitations and also provides an online space where attendees can share notes, materials and the agenda. Read more »
Everyone knows what an intranet is: a website that’s internal to an organization and helps workers be more productive. But though well understood, the term “intranet” isn’t exactly sexy. Is it time to replace it with “digital workplace,” as some are arguing? Read more »
Are virtual worlds really viable environments for work? According to a survey by Unisfair, usage of virtual environments is growing for marketing, training and collaboration. Surveying 550 marketers nationwide, the study revealed that 60 percent of respondents plan to increase spending on virtual events this year. Read more »
Video conferencing company Polycom is moving upmarket by agreeing to buy the assets of HP’s Visual Collaboration business, including its Halo Products and Managed Services division, in a $90 million deal that will put Polycom in more direct competition with Cisco Read more »
Flowr, the enterprise-oriented social communication web application that I wrote about, and Simon demonstrated, a few months ago, has simplified its interface and added some new features, including a beta of an HTML5-based mobile version. Flowr has also changed its pricing structure. Read more »
Minutes.io is a simple, well-designed web app that makes taking and distributing meeting minutes quick and painless — no more transcribing handwritten meeting notes, or cobbling together a minutes email from typed notes. It’s free, and no sign up is required in order to use it. Read more »
Mavenir Systems, a company providing high-end telecommunications gear, has raised $40 million and acquired Airwide Solutions, a company that provides messaging software. The funding will help Mavenir with the acquisition as well as expand as its operator customers deploy faster 4G networks. Read more »
For several years at least, experts have predicted that so-called “YouTube for the Enterprise” will be the next big thing in corporate communications. There are plenty of offerings in the space, but what do actual workers think of the idea? Read more »
File sharing and collaboration company Box.net’s SimpleShare is a great little desktop app for Windows and Mac that makes taking and sharing screenshots and screencasts seamless. Take a screenshot, or record a screencast, using the app and it will automatically be uploaded to your Box.net account. Read more »
Not long after starting an online marketing company with his partner, California-based David Chan realized that his growing business demanded more manpower and set about engaging a team of remote workers. WebWorkerDaily spoke to Chan to find out what’s worked for him and what hasn’t. Read more »
KnowledgeTree, a service that lets businesses collaborate on and manage documents in the cloud, is now offering an app for Android phones and tablets, and automatic synchronization between mobile and desktop devices. KnowledgeTree lets organizations manage documents, and it specializes in collaboration within Microsoft Office. Read more »
“If you’re bolding the bullet points in your email” said a friend of mine recently, “your email’s too long.” Few web workers would disagree. But that comment made me wonder whether the tools we’re using to communicate are becoming more important than the communications we’re having. Read more »
Hosted business collaboration suite PBworks has received a major update, aimed at improving the scalability and security of the app while also delivering a more intuitive interface. The new version takes advantage of newer web technologies like HTML5 to deliver a faster, more streamlined collaborative experience. Read more »
The proliferation of cloud storage providers has led to many of us storing our documents in a variety of different locations: Google Docs, Zoho, Dropbox, Box.net, etc. Primadesk is an app that wants to be a desktop file manager for the cloud. Read more »
So far, tablet computers have been more useful as “data consuming” tools, rather than genuine work devices. One stumbling block is the inability to easily edit documents stored in the cloud. Soonr is the first service to offer integrated editing of Office documents for the iPad. Read more »
Moxie Software’s Employee Spaces is a hosted application, developed in cooperation with design consultancy IDEO, that provides integrated social and collaboration tools for the enterprise. The company has announced several major enhancements to the product, including new search, mobile and video features. Read more »
As much as I like apps like Evernote, I still take a lot of hand-written notes, which is why I was interested in the new interactive “pencasts” available for the Livescribe Echo Smartpen, a digital pen that can record notes on paper and audio. Read more »
Fyels is an ultra-minimal drag-and-drop file sharing app that makes sharing large files with colleagues or clients a breeze. Head to the website, and then drag and drop your file onto the dropzone. Once the file is uploaded, you’ll be provided with a ready-shortened link. Read more »
Cloud document storage app OfficeDrop has become known for bringing filing into the modern era, helping users to get away from those pesky manila folders. The company is hoping to make traditional scanning software equally outdated with an upgraded version of its scanning app ScanDrop. Read more »
Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Skype is the largest the company has ever made, and it’s raised many questions in the process. This research note examines Skype’s overall value and where it fits strategically into the world of Microsoft. From Office 365 and Bing to Xbox Kinect and Windows Phone, there are numerous ways in which Microsoft can leverage the functionality of its newest addition — and numerous risks it could incur in the process. Additional companies mentioned in this report include Cisco, Panasonic and Google. For a full list of companies and to read the full report, sign up for a free trial. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Social networking may be an omnipresent trend these days in the consumer sphere, but not every boss is thrilled when someone suggests bringing it into the enterprise. Yammer Co-Founder and CTO Adam Pisoni has an argument to convince any skeptic. Read more »
Chatbox is an OSX app that adds simple collaboration features to popular cloud file sharing and storage service Dropbox. It allows you to post status updates and comment on the files stored within your Dropbox account, and even chat in real-time with other Chatbox users. Read more »
I’ve increased my usage of video and multimedia presentations and conferencing, both for collaboration with external business contacts and for internal product development. I decided I needed a better and more permanent setup in order to remain productive and comfortable, without constantly rearranging my workspace. Read more »
SpiderScribe is an online tool that helps with brainstorming through the creation of mind maps. There are already quite a few similar web-based tools out there, but SpiderScribe is very easy to use and has a few neat features that make it useful for collaborative brainstorming. Read more »
Mindjet Catalyst brings mind mapping features and functionality to the cloud. Using Catalyst, dispersed teams can co-edit mind maps in real-time, which not only lets team members share information, but can also boost understanding and stimulate more creative and critical thinking. Read more »
Although popular cloud file sync service Dropbox does encrypt files that are uploaded using it, if you want to be completely sure that your files are secure, you should encrypt them yourself. SecretSync is a transparent client-side encryption tool that works on the fly. Read more »
One of the problems with collaborating with people in multiple time zones is figuring out suitable times to hold meetings. There are apps that can help, but they’re often clunky and tricky to use. Enter Word Time Buddy, an app that makes selecting meeting times easy. Read more »
Gone are the days when creative work was always done by teams operating from the same location. Yet there’s a a great deal of creative collaboration that still relies on our being able to “workshop” concepts together. What does remote work mean for creative collaboration? Read more »
HomePipe is a service that allows you to securely access and share files remotely to Windows, Mac, and Linux machines, through a web app, and through free mobile apps. The service has announced several features that will make it more attractive for business collaboration. Read more »
Adobe’s file transfer tool SendNow, which helps users send large files without FTP, is getting a few updates, including compatibility with audio and video files, a desktop client and, perhaps most usefully, the ability for users to customize the SendNow site with their own branding, Read more »
Minus is a drag-and-drop online file-sharing app that’s well-designed and dead simple to use: Head to the site, drag the files you want to share onto the browser window and it will be added to an online gallery. Read more »
Managing human resources can be very labor intensive. For example, when you post a job listing online, you’re practically begging to wind up with a large stack of files to wade through. TribeHR attempts to automate and streamline as many human resources tasks as it can. Read more »
Solo is a project management app with a difference: It’s beautiful. Designed and built by U.K-based company Thrive with solo creative freelancers in mind (hence the name), Solo’s clean, attractive design means that it’s much nicer to look at than most clunky project management apps. Read more »
How can you prepare your business for a forced closure? In recent weeks in my home state of Louisiana there’s been a threat of severe flooding. When you’re anticipating a natural disaster, you can’t help but get a little nervous. Read more »
Want to share a file with colleagues or clients, but aren’t sure whether they have the necessary software to open it? Dropdo is a simple online file sharing service that has built-in viewing tools for many different file formats, including video, images, audio and documents. Read more »
Panorama Software has announced the release of a socially-enabled business intelligence platform, Necto, to more effectively connect team members with company data. Think of Necto as way of putting reports and insights at the heart of a company’s social interactions. Read more »
