Collaboration tools are important in the digitalization of online team collaboration. The possibilities in the tools range from the simplest note-taking functions to a comprehensive organization tool. Social collaboration tools ensure joint and networked collaboration. Collaboration tools have five important advantages:

• Independence in terms of time and location - everyone can access the system and document the progress of the project
• Real-time information - thanks to online collaboration tools, everyone knows in good time about changes to deadlines, results, technical changes, new specifications, etc. Information clearly displayed on one interface
• Increased productivity - especially for interdisciplinary teams, it creates a high level of knowledge transfer without misunderstandings and with decisions made quickly
• Easy to search and find - documents can be searched for online in collaboration tools using full-text search or several keywords, important documents can be clearly displayed in the dashboard by clustering information
• Interfaces for connecting to other systems

The aim of e-collaboration for knowledge and information management is to connect people with projects and tasks. In this way, collaboration from the home office or with colleagues at other locations can be promoted. A collaboration tool whiteboard is particularly useful if a company works a lot with graphics and collections of ideas. Thanks to the Witheboard collaboration tool, these can be developed together step by step. Social collaboration tools help to optimize the digital workplace of the future.

Collaboration Tools Microsoft Office 365 offers a wide range of features - including video, planning and presentation functions. The group function or Collaboration Tools Teams offers a common interface for sharing emails, documents and planned events. This functions as a hub for all work activities within a company. The core of the Teams collaboration tool is formed by workspaces in which up to 999 people can exchange information via file storage, group chat, planning tools or notebooks. Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and Skype for Business, including screen sharing, have already been available for some time. With newer features such as Office 365 Video, the collaboration tool Microsoft offers a video hosting service that allows relevant videos to be uploaded and shared in SharePoint. The Office 365 Planner helps to organize teamwork by creating plans, organizing and assigning tasks, sharing files or chatting with other team members. With the digital presentation application Sway, Microsoft website content can be compiled from texts, images and content from other media or platforms in the collaboration tool. OneDrive for Business acts as a storage service with selective synchronization and support for larger data.

The definition of Collaboration Tools is: Tools for collaboration. This concept is intended to promote cooperative collaboration between employees of one or more organizations towards a common goal. According to the Collaboration Tools definition, it promotes cooperation between individuals, units, teams, departments, divisions, cooperations or partnerships. The purpose can be both the development of a solution and the marketing of a product. Anyone looking for an explanation of collaboration tools needs to look at the digital workplace. Collaboration tools ensure the development of a common understanding. According to the Collaboration Tools Statement, this is what makes truly effective and efficient collaboration possible. Knowledge of the meaning and purpose, common goals, mutual support through information and the sharing of knowledge and successes, appreciation as well as positive experiences and adventures can contribute to productive interactive collaboration.

Important content and features of Collaboration Tools software for the Collaboration Tools business are:

• Mind mapping to share your own ideas with each other
• File sharing, so that important files are always accessible from anywhere
• Real-time communication to exchange information via video telephony, instant messaging or e-mail
• Shared calendar with standard calendar functions
• Management features to optimally allocate available resources and organize teams as well as document and evaluate work processes and progress

Collaboration Tools Project Management via Collaboration Tools software focuses in particular on team collaboration, task management, planning and scheduling, workload and resource management, document management as well as monitoring and reporting. Collaboration Tools Project Management takes into account the different qualification levels of team members and their backgrounds from different specialist areas. In some cases, even external partners, contractors, suppliers or customers are integrated.

A collaboration tools comparison shows which are the best collaboration tools:

• Microsoft 365: Office standard and offers many (mobile) apps, web application, PC version - but may be too extensive for some teams
• Nextcloud: Collaboration tools open source with complete office suite, synchronization, mobile apps and as two different versions - however, expert knowledge is required for the setup according to Collaboration Tools Comparison
• Google Workspace: Comprehensive office suite, many apps from a single source and platform-independent - probably too extensive for some teams
• Ansana: own messaging system with the option of setting up e-mail notifications, mobile apps (iOS & Android), free of charge for up to 15 users - but data is stored on an American server and Ansana does not offer a desktop application according to the Collaboration Tools comparison
• Trello: intuitive operation, mobile apps (iOS & Android), various options for designing and categorizing tasks - unfortunately, the position and structure of the cards in the board cannot be changed, the archive is confusing and the data is stored on American servers
• Slack: offers simple sharing of documents, code snippets and other data, apps (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux) and various interfaces to third-party software - it lacks the option to create different teams and the data is stored on American servers.
• Lifesize: user and meeting directory, desktop apps (macOS, Windows), mobile apps (iOS, Android) and encrypted transmission - but the web application only supports Chrome and Edge and there is no pay-per-use pricing model according to the collaboration tools comparison
• Basecamp: offers first-class options for shared document processing and management, automated status queries can be set up and costs remain the same even with an increasing number of users - however, getting started is tedious and the data is stored on American servers
• Wrike: Copy function for recurring tasks / projects, apps (Windows, macOS, iOS & Android), visual task timelines (from Professional) - but the tool is comparatively expensive, data storage on American servers and complex user interface
• Spike: offers an innovative e-mail client, apps, platform-independent web app as well as voice and video telephony - but it is not one of the extensive collaboration tools

When deciding on a collaboration tool, the languages, costs, server location and app availability should also be taken into account for the collaboration tool comparison and then the choice. German collaboration tools include Google Workspace, Lifesize Cloud, Nextcloud, Microsoft 365, Spike, Trello and Wrike.

Collaboration tools Examples of web conferencing and collaboration tools with free entry-level license packages are as follows:

• Teamviewer
• Zoho Meeting
• Skype Standard
• Skype for Business
• Webex
• GotoMeeting
• Zoom
• Vitero
• Google Meet

Zoom is also considered a free collaboration tool. Collaboration Tools Zoom positions itself as the leading provider of video conferencing. The success of Collaboration Tools Zoom lies in its ease of use and the attractive offer of an unlimited number of video conferences with up to 100 participants - but a maximum of 40 minutes. Interesting collaboration functions include breakout rooms, private or group chat, screen sharing and whiteboarding. Dial in to Zoom Meetings via the corresponding link.