The past decade has seen New Zealand add technology as a growing export of global interest. We are now entering an era of collaboration that promises to revolutionise the way we work across different countries, time zones and applications. In 2023, Microsoft and other tech companies will introduce advanced collaboration software, which will allow teams to collaborate in new ways, regardless of their location or what specific application they are using.

These collaboration tools will enable teams to brainstorm ideas together, co-create projects in real-time, share documents securely and access resources quickly and easily. Furthermore, collaboration tools such as these can help foster creativity among team members by encouraging collaboration through virtual whiteboards, chat rooms and video conferencing capabilities.

Workplaces around the world have been forced to rethink how they approach collaboration due to the current pandemic. As we head into 2023, communication and collaboration tools are becoming commonplace, enabling teams to work efficiently and effectively together from the comfort of their own homes or offices. They will also help to bridge language and cultural gaps that can otherwise make collaboration difficult.

The Future of collaboration is here, and it promises to revolutionise the way we work across different countries, applications and time zones. These collaboration tools are set to become ubiquitous in 2023 and beyond as companies seek new ways of working together in a rapidly changing world.

What does this mean for businesses in Hawke’s Bay?

We have several local companies representing Hawke’s Bay that are making a major mark in the international marketplace, among them, Re-Leased, Xero, and Fingermark. But having a global presence means having 24/7 support across several timezones. This includes employing contractors in other countries, which demands advanced communications and collaborative tools. With new collaboration tools coming to the market, companies in Hawke’s Bay can leverage these solutions to work smarter and faster. By using collaboration tools from Microsoft or similar tech giants, teams can share ideas, documents, videos, audio files and other content with ease across different platforms. This will also help foster collaboration and creativity between teams without having to be together physically.

These collaboration tools will allow companies in Hawke’s Bay to reach out and find the right talent they need, regardless of location. The collaboration tools will enable them to work with contractors and employees from all over the world, allowing them to tap into a global talent pool while breaking down barriers of time zones, language, and culture.

The collaboration tools coming on the market in 2023 will be an invaluable asset for businesses located in Hawke’s Bay that are looking to expand their presence internationally. With these collaboration tools, teams can stay connected despite physical distance and continue building strong relationships within their organisations as well as beyond their borders.

Flexibility with Microsoft Loop

Microsoft is bringing several collaborative tech products to the industry. Among them are Microsoft Groups and Loop. Loop is expected to be a collaborative tool on steroids. There isn’t anything that Microsoft hasn’t looked at when they considered the needs of businesses and clients, and the applications they already had.

Loop takes collaboration to the next level. It will allow users to work across multiple applications and platforms, at the same time, with ease. This will make collaboration easier than ever before and increase productivity in teams that span different countries, cultures and even time zones.

The application allows users to take their collaboration further by allowing them to engage more with virtual meetings, whiteboards and file organisation. Loop provides a complete suite of collaboration tools designed for businesses that want an effective collaboration platform as they move into the digital future.

Microsoft is equipping its customers with everything they need through Loop – from basic collaboration needs such as document sharing, task management and group chat, to more advanced features like 3D modelling, video conferencing and digital whiteboarding. Loop is set to revolutionise collaboration in 2023, helping businesses work together more efficiently, no matter the distance or time zone.

With Microsoft Loop, collaboration technologies becomes easier than ever before – making it possible for teams across different countries and cultures to come together and create something amazing. By taking collaboration to the next level, businesses of all sizes can benefit from an effective collaboration platform that helps them remain productive even as they transition to a more digital future.

According to its website, “Microsoft Loop is a new app that combines a powerful and flexible canvas with the portable components that stay in sync and move freely across Microsoft 365 apps.”

Security with Apple’s Advanced Data Protection

Apple has always been a leader in creating a product ecosystem that allowed users to start working on one device and carry on with another. The advantage of end-to-end connectivity afforded by iCloud is now protected with added security in iOS 16. This new version of Apple’s operating system will provide users with Data Protection for collaboration. All data shared between team members and across applications is stored locally in the user’s device, encrypted and accessible only by the user and their team. This provides collaboration without compromising on security. The new security and privacy features in iOS 16 that Apple users can take advantage of include:

Copy and Paste Permissions

Apple’s iOS 16 for phones prevents apps from automatically reading sensitive data copied into the clipboard or uploading data without your permission.

Network Security

iOS 16 now has a network security feature that will alert users of any malicious network activity. The feature monitors all incoming and outgoing network traffic provides users with warnings if any malicious activities are detected and gives users the option to block traffic from any potentially dangerous IP addresses.

Passkeys

This new feature makes it easier to share confidential collaboration documents between devices or members of a team securely. Every member is assigned their own passkey, which will encrypt the collaboration document that is shared between devices. Data encryption will ensure collaboration documents are kept secure from any potential cyber-attacks. Users will also be able to authenticate collaboration documents with their personal passkey, allowing collaboration without compromising data security.

Safety Check

Safety Check acts as an emergency panic button for your data and accounts. Useful if the user thinks that they have been compromised, the feature allows you to cut access to all of your accounts and data immediately. It includes an “emergency reset” feature that resets all access that anybody has to your messages, real-time location data, apps, and other sensitive information.

Rapid Security Response (RSR)

Another advantage to protecting your iPhone and other mobile devices, RSR lets your iPhone install security hotfixes as Apple releases them. This allows secure hotfixes to be applied without waiting for a full OS update to be released.

Google Workspaces Continues to Evolve

Google Workspaces continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of collaboration. With features like Docs, Sheets, and Slides, users have a comprehensive suite of tools to collaborate with colleagues working remotely without worrying about version control or different collaboration styles. In addition, Google Workspaces provides tools for team collaboration like Hangouts Meet and Chat that help teams stay connected no matter where they are in the world. With these powerful collaboration tools and more, Google Workspaces is an indispensable tool for businesses looking to streamline their collaboration efforts.

Conclusion

The international business landscape is changing rapidly, and companies that are able to change with it will be the ones that will transform the way they work in the years to come. Collaboration and communication are key for businesses looking to expand their services or support fast-paced industries. The good news is that there are plenty of tools available to help you work more efficiently, such as Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace and Apple Business Chat. If your business is considering expanding its services or supply chain operations, now is the time to start investigating in which collaboration tool would be the best fit for you.