Ecosystem of collaborative tools

If you're looking for a "collaborative tool" on the Internet, you're sure to be overwhelmed by the flood of proposals: several hundred, each with their own unbeatable features.

Some services do just one thing, such as screen sharing, 3D presentation or videoconferencing, while others integrate several different functions ranging from communication to project management to document repository.

By integrating several complementary services, giants like Google and Facebook have literally wiped out most small-scale services. Who still uses a dedicated chat or instant messaging application? Some services, like shared browsing or bookmarking, have found niches, but most, even excellent ones like EditGrid, have disappeared.

New players like Slack or AirTable are using the same tactic: integrate several services into a single, versatile application. The advantage of being able to use several complementary functions in a single application outweighs user loyalty scattered across several applications. And because the functions are so similar, the effort to adapt is reduced, so the best ones get it all.

Choose

Here are a few simple criteria to help you determine your needs.

The activity

What kind of collaborative activities will be performed?

• mostly communication, such as exchanging files or messages, or hosting a webinar;
• mostly organization, such as for an event or project;
• mostly production, such as the production of documents, artwork or plans.

The flow

What kind of collaboration are we talking about?

• one-to-one, like a salesperson, tutor or designer with a client;
• one-to-many, like a lecturer or teacher with a group;
• or many-to-many, as in a group.

Duration

How does collaboration unfold over time?

• one-off, with a beginning and an end, like a single event or project;
• continuous, constantly renewed, like the operations of a company or a class;
• live, as in a screen-share or live presentation;
• off-line, as with teams in different time zones,

The field of collaboration tools is booming. Below you'll find a typology and an illustrative example, as well as references for further reading.

Communication

• Computer control sharing(GoToAssist)
• Video conferencing(Zoom)
• Web conferencing(WebEx)
• Webinars(Wisiq)
• Audio-video conferencing - VoIP(Skype)
• Chat(ZohoChat)
• Shared browsing(join.me)
• Instant messaging(Messenger)
• Group communication(Slack )
• 3D immersive collaboration(Second Life)
• Private social networking platforms(Spruz)
• Social platforms (FaceBook, Twitter)
• Web presentations (SlideShare, Prezi)
• Image sharing(Instagram)
• Surveys(Survey Monkey)
• Screen sharing(BeamYourScreen)

Organization

• Calendars and events(Doodle, EventBrite)
• Project management(Trello)
• Bookmark sharing(Diigo)

Production

• Collaborative writing (Google Docs, EtherPad)
• Visual collaboration - Ideation(Creately)
• Shared whiteboard(Twiddla)
• Document sharing - Wikis(Google Docs)
• Database editing(TrackVia)
• Folder sharing(DropBox)
• Mind maps(Mindmeister)
• Brainstorming - Multimedia sharing(Padlet, GroupZap)

References

Collaborative tools - https://outilscollaboratifs.com/

The Best Online Collaboration Software - PCMag
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2489110,00.asp

64 Online Collaboration Tools to Help Your Team Be More Productive - Time Doctor
https://biz30.timedoctor.com/online-collaboration-tools/

Map of collaborative tools (from 2015, but gives a good overview of the evolution) - Robin Good
https://www.mindmeister.com/fr/12213323/best-online-collaboration-tools-2012-robin-good-s-collaborative-map (Tools updated on ZEEF)

Compare Project Management Software - Softtailed
https://softailed.com/comparison/project-management-software