If you’re like us, you’re always seeking out technology and applications that will make you more efficient at work, enabling you to accomplish more. The hunt is always on for digital transformation tools that allow you to “work smarter, not harder”.
While there are plenty of ways in which we have been able to make in-roads to working more effectively, these advances have also presented a new set of problems. We find ourselves working across multiple applications, leading to time spent inefficiently switching between various windows, trying to co-ordinate projects with colleagues – usually leading to more work and wasted time.
However, we have come across yet another platform that has re-invented itself by becoming a ‘workspace’. We present to you: the new Dropbox for business, described as “the Dropbox you love, but better”.
Dropbox has now become a desktop app that organises content, integrates and connects tools, and brings users together, all making collaboration far easier.
We present to you a list of reasons as to why we think you might love this version, too.
Organising your content
Dropbox’s legacy offering is the organisation and storage of content. They have now taken this to the next level, bringing together cloud-based and traditional files, which can be stored in the same location.
Users can create, access and share cloud documents like Microsoft Office files, as well as opening them in Office Online. The same process applies to Google Docs, Sheets and Slides.
Website or external cloud document shortcuts can be created and stored alongside content and organised within folders. This makes it easy to document websites and pages that have been used for research purposes or have easy access to online project management and productivity tools that are being used in relation to the content.
Search functionality has been streamlined to one search box. This works across all of your content including traditional files, cloud-based files and shortcuts. Thanks to the selective sync feature, it also works across files that have been viewed but not downloaded.
For users who prefer to access and organise their content via the Dropbox folder, found in Windows File Explorer and macOS Finder, this functionality will still be available.
Bringing tools together through integrations
As well as bringing all of your content together, Dropbox is bringing tools together through a wave of new integrations.
Joining existing integrations such as Salesforce, Adobe and Autodesk are three new applications that will work seamlessly – Slack, Zoom and Atlassian.
The integration between Slack and Dropbox will close the gap when it comes to content and communication, enabling collaboration on shared content. Users will be able to start Slack conversations and upload content into Slack channels directly from Dropbox.
The introduction of Zoom means that through connecting calendars with Zoom and Dropbox, you’ll be able to share your work in video conferences. Users can add and join Zoom video meetings and share files directly from Dropbox.
The pending integration with Atlassian will help teams to manage projects and content more effectively.
New features improve team communication and collaboration
Dropbox is going beyond content and tools. Instead, it is looking at the heart of all that work – people. They have built new features that help teams to stay in sync. What were once folders have become workspaces with user-centric offerings
Folders can now have descriptions added to them to help the team understand more about the work being undertaken. Key content can be pinned to the top of a workspace, users can be tagged using @ and to-dos can be assigned to keep instructions and workload clear.
Visibility has been increased when it comes to the progress being made on shared work. Users can see file activity including viewer information, along with team collaboration on Dropbox content in Slack and Zoom. The new team activity feed makes it easy to keep tabs on progress and movement.
The same feedback features are now available across every Dropbox workspace. Users can create comments alongside content across desktop, web and mobile.
You can also do all of this while keeping your data secure – if required, links can be revoked instantly and you can also set a password and expiry date.
Try Dropbox for business today
If the latest version of Dropbox for business sounds like something your company would like to trial, existing Dropbox users can opt in to the new desktop app through the early access program. Alongside everything listed in this post, new features will be rolled out over the next few weeks.
Alternatively, if you would like to further explore new solutions, technology and cloud infrastructure that can improve your business efficiency, communication and collaboration, there is a 30-day free trial to take advantage of – speak to a member of the Chalkline team today.
Image courtesy of Dropbox
[Editor’s note: This blog post has been updated with new content as of 28/08/2020])
