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How to Enhance Data Analysis Techniques with Collaborative Technology

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Click to learn more about author Simon Harris-Briggs.

In recent years, more and more companies are starting to realise the benefit enterprise collaboration tools can have on their workforce’s productivity. Through increased collaboration, you can also inspire more innovation in the company, and boost overall business performance.

It is clear that one of the most common Big Data challenges that companies are currently facing is managing the enormous amount of data we suddenly have at our disposal. So, can collaborative technology help us deal with this challenge?

The short answer is yes. Now, let’s take a closer look at how.

Sounds great. But First, What is Collaborative Technology?

Collaborative technology includes all the tech tools and platforms that enable those within a business to collaborate together more effectively and efficiently. These could range from simpler tools such as instant messaging systems to more complex data sharing tools. Collaborative technology has been around for a while now, but tools such as Trello and Slack that have come onto the market more recently have revived interest and demand in the sector.

So, how can collaborative technology help with Data Management and how can it improve Data Analysis techniques? Here are four ways:

  1. It becomes easier and safer to share Big Data using secure collaborative tech tools

As outsourcing becomes more popular, Data Analysis work is increasingly dispersed geographically. Remote working  is also much more common now, even if employees are simply working from home.  It is now a requirement for Big Data to be accessible by employees across the world, which is where collaborative technology such as file sharing tools can really come into play.

Studies have shown that security is a major concern when it comes to collaboration of confidential business data. So how do you ensure you are sharing data securely, and how do you integrate data in one place to get a world-view of trends and patterns?

The use of a secure central repository that offers employees from everywhere to easily access and share data is the answer. Many collaborative systems such as Joiqu now offer encryption so you can store your data with confidence. And tools such as Dropbox have taken measures to reassure businesses that your data is secure, such as implementing two-step verification at sign in.

  1. It is possible to become more customised with the way you manage and share data

For instance, open source collaborative technology platforms such as XWiki allow you to create a bespoke system for information sharing that your employees can dip into from anywhere. It can hold all types of data from information on your customer base to technical know-how, and data can be easily shared and analysed from anywhere.

  1. Collaborative technology makes it easier to organise and manage data

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you have streams of disparate data that you’d like to merge into one place?
  • Do you have data across multiple applications and systems that you need to integrate?
  • Are you or your employees struggling to manage the wealth of data you now have at your fingertips?

If the answer is yes to any or all the above, then you’re in need of a collaborative tech solution that can help you integrate and share your data with employees in one place. Using these tools will mean multidisciplinary Data Management can be more coordinated more and there can be a central place for all relevant teams to access the data they need. Team members can navigate to the data they need with more ease than ever before, using the latest collaborative tools such as Asana.

  1. It is less likely for shared data to become lost or out of date

With sharing software such as Google Drive being the most popular type of collaborative tool, it is easy for data managers to have access to the most up to date data. As things move so quickly, there can be a disastrous impact if employees are using old data that is no longer relevant. Collaborative technology makes it possible for companies to ensure that everyone is working off the same hymn sheet.

To sum up, it’s clear to see that collaborative technology has positively impacted data analysis by introducing a level of integration and sharing that was never possible before

With businesses now clearly realising the value of collaborative technology for productivity and innovation, hopefully they can also see how it can more efficiently help their teams manage and analyse the wealth of data we now have access to. More than anything, these tools can be used to streamline the Data Management process and ensure that wider teams have access to relevant and up to date data from anywhere.

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