Welcome to The No-Cost Office, a Business-Software.com exclusive series on how to build your business’ software suite for free. Every week we’ll tackle a new software segment and compare the best available free solutions to help you build up your arsenal of business tools without breaking the bank.
Last week we discussed free enterprise social network solutions intended to ease workplace communication and foster a tight-knit office environment. This week we’ve compiled a list of the top free social collaboration software products, which are the perfect solution for companies needing both a strong internal social network and a robust arsenal of task management tools.
Download the 2015 Top 10 Enterprise Social Report
Like enterprise social networks, social collaboration software streamlines communication among employees by offering a virtual space where workers can brainstorm, discuss and explore new ideas and projects. These virtual workspaces aren’t just for socializing, they exist to streamline collaboration and provide employees with tools that make working together simple and effective. Easy file hosting and sharing, virtual whiteboards, time management tools and the ability to track milestones all create a collaboration-rich work environment. Social tools such as messaging, profiles and chat rooms are the backbone of social collaboration software, based on the idea that to work efficiently, a team must first communicate well together.
Social collaboration software simplifies cooperation, whether between peers in the same office or among individuals from different parts of the world. These tools are often accessible from mobile applications, providing comprehensive support and instant access to virtual workspaces. Here are five of the highest-functioning free social collaboration software solutions.
Did we miss the collaboration tool you use in your office? Let us know on Twitter @BiznessSoftware or Google+.
What Now?
Check out our side-by-side comparison of enterprise social collaboration platforms in the Top 10 Enterprise Social Management Tools report. To find more information on enterprise social networks, check out our community forum resource page.