Virtual collaboration has been a trending buzzword for a while now, and its importance certainly won't dwindle soon. Our previous blog article discussed the advantages of 2D and 3D collaboration tools.
In this article, I will get more specific and talk about the perks of three online collaboration tools in particular: Teams, Miro & VISPA. The aim is to help managers to make an informed decision about choosing the right tool for different purposes.-2.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=image%20(1)-2.png)
Teams – the one-shop-stop for our communication needs
Microsoft's messaging app Teams has found its way into many companies over recent years. Frankly, this is a little surprising, given its properties as an actual office allrounder.
Teams is a one-stop-shop for all your communication needs, including chat, voice and video calls, as well as file sharing. Microsoft Teams doesn't leave much to be desired for a basic remote office setup. It allows for seamless communication within and across teams and poses a valuable collaboration tool for remote and hybrid teams.
While Teams, or any similar application for that matter, is essential for any modern office setting, it does have its limits. As you have probably experienced, sometimes the camera stays off, leaving you talking to a black screen of profile pictures or initials, which does not fulfil our need for human connection.
Adding to the argument for meaningful visual connection is the fact that - much like physical teams rely on visual tools like whiteboards - virtual teams need visual support for their collaborative efforts. Somewhere to write down notes and ideas and brainstorm together.
Miro – the digital whiteboard
This is where 2D tools, such as Miro come into play. Miro is a digital whiteboard specifically designed to facilitate collaboration with others. The software allows its users to create sticky notes, designs, and move things around. The flexibility and ease with which you can navigate through Miro have made it a popular tool for ideation sessions, real-time collaboration, and workshops.
To make it even easier, Miro offers a bunch of templates, such as mind maps, scrum boards, brainwriting and many more. You simply must load them into your 2D virtual space and can start collaborating right away. This makes Miro a viable solution for remote meetings and workshops and project management, strategic planning and diagramming.
In addition, Miro offers a built-in text and video chat function. In reality, Miro often still relies on other apps, such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom, to communicate while collaborating in Miro. A reason for this could be that actively collaborating on the whiteboard might only be one part of a meeting, while the other parts might simply require verbal collaboration over video. Fortunately, collaborating in Miro works just as well when combining it with other communication apps.
An apparent drawback of 2D virtual collaboration tools is the lack of depth, which may result in a more limited ability to convey information and ideas effectively.
VISPA – the all-in-one 3D space
An exciting trend that started a few years back – remote collaboration moving towards 3D experience. VISPA is an all-in-one 3D online collaboration tool that allows its users to immerse themselves in a virtual world fully.
A rather popular caveat against the widespread use of 3D collaboration tools are the alleged entrance barriers. While some 3D software may require additional gadgets, such as VR glasses, VISPA is an exception to the rule. Like Miro, VISPA lets you create your own workspaces. You can make use of one of the many existing templates or create your own limitless space from scratch. VISPA offers many different themes and elements to let creativity run free. No collaboration session will feel like another. Whatever the purpose- meetings, brainstorming sessions or whole workshops – everything can be done fully in VISPA.
The 3D aspect allows its users to dive fully into the virtual world. Rather than just moving your mouse cursor over the screen, in VISPA you get to explore the space with your own avatar. As a result, users can move, work, and think more freely and creatively than they could in 2D applications.
To make the virtual experience even more like real-life collaboration, VISPA offers voice-over IP integration and breakout rooms. For one, this helps to bring the depth of face-to-face interactions into virtual collaboration. Moreover, it allows us to engage more profoundly with one another. After having concluded a workshop in VISPA, the participants will have gotten to know each other as well as they would have in a physical workshop. These are some factors that have long been missing from remote work.
Which tool to use for which occasion?
It's fair to say that all three tools have their perks and strengths for various use cases. Let's sum up what each tool is best at.
Teams is a viable communication and file-sharing tool for companies and remote teams within these companies. You can quickly jump on calls and talk to your co-workers, just as you could with your desk neighbour in a physical setting. Teams serve well as the foundation for any remote collaboration.
Miro complements Microsoft Teams by enabling remote teams to collaborate creatively, brainstorm and note down their ideas. Miro can be used for workshops, ideation, and planning sessions, but also serves during presentations instead of flipcharts or PowerPoint slides.
VISPA brings another layer to remote collaboration by fully immersing its users into a 3D virtual space. Use cases range from workshops to remote projects and agile ceremonies.
In the end, picking the right tool is also somewhat down to preference. It also must be said that one tool's usage doesn't automatically rule out the possibility of using another. Quite the contrary! Mixing it up for different purposes is a legit way to keep things interesting. After all, we all just can’t go with collaborating with each other. So let’s use the right tools for the right moment!