How To Overcome Configuration Challenges with Collaboration Tools in Higher Ed

Many collaboration tools offer various features to help teams stay connected. Configurations that help simplify employee interactions when joining meetings and having quick daily interactions are the most impactful, according to Nerney. “I try to make sure that the tools are configured to reduce friction,” he says. “You can make it more seamless getting into meetings by removing the waiting room feature, for example. Trouble getting into a meeting can create a stressful situation when it’s an important meeting.”

Another common friction point includes the difficulty users have scanning through prior conversations and collaborations in search of specific information, according to Stanger.

“The ability to search for and find artifacts from previous sessions is woefully lacking,” he says. “Sometimes, this is a problem in configuration. Other times, organizations offer searchability as a value-add or upsell. Nevertheless, this is a major issue.”

It is important for colleges and universities to implement tools that assist faculty and staff however they work, says Wayne Kurtzman, research vice president for social, communities and collaboration at the tech research firm IDC: “Some collaboration tools handle low-bandwidth video better than others, which is helpful in some remote locations. A culture of collaboration becomes a key enabler that brings people to the same place with the same expectations.”

DISCOVER: Collaboration solutions can keep your team connected.

How to Integrate AI Into Collaboration Tools

IT should bring all departments to the table to ensure interoperability of collaborative tools, Kurtzman says. He adds that all departments should advocate for their evolving needs and have a say in application procurement, with IT managing governance and implementation.

“Integrating key applications to the collaborative stack of applications enables more seamless and integrated flow of conversations, data and ideas,” Kurtzman says.

Nerney adds that collaborative tools that offer artificial intelligence features such as real-time note-taking and video captioning can increase teamwork and connection between departments.

“A team site or online internet group could easily store all meeting notes. Then, employees can mine that data over time to review what’s been done in the past and what’s been discussed. If you get all of that information in one place, you really could have some value to it,” Nerney says.