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5 Android Apps to Support Collaboration Software

By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

What can your organization do with the right collaboration tools in place? Can you speed time to market on your latest innovations? Can you optimize the viewing experience on your latest video brochure? Could you leverage key insight from partners overseas? What if the collaboration software you needed was available in an app on the Android (News - Alert) platform? Did your world suddenly expand?

This InformationWeek report examines the new potential in collaboration software found on the Android platform. These apps have easily become vital weapons for enterprise collaboration and address a variety of business functions. While the iPad and the BlackBerry (News - Alert) may still have a firm hold in the enterprise, these apps are proving that Android has something to offer.

Soonr Workplace
Collaboration software has something to learn from this app as it combines project collaboration and document management with online backup and file syncing. A free app, the integrated editing on Honeycomb-based tablets for Excel, Microsoft (News - Alert) Office and PowerPoint files is readily accessible. With a cloud approach, this app offers virtual device interoperability, benefitting those organizations dealing with consumerization or intentionally supporting hardware and operating systems.

Fuze Meeting
Another free Android app, Fuze Meeting enables users to drive collaboration software through video conferencing taking place via their Android tablet or phone. This app is ideal for those with devices offering front-facing cameras. With a Fuze In function, attendees are automatically dialed and on-time starts are assured. The Pro package enables Webinar and branding tools for presentations on Xoom or other tablets.

Citrix Receiver
Organizations relying heavily on their collaboration software will love the Citrix Receiver as it offers true mobility by enabling teams to accomplish nearly everything they can do on the desktop on the tablet or other mobile device. This app allows users to access the virtualized Windows applications or virtual desktop from the Android device to simplify the collaboration process.

Seesmic
This app contributes to the value of collaboration software, offering a desktop, Web and mobile interface for managing a number of different social media platforms, including Foursquare, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (News - Alert), Chatter and more. This app also supports most popular video and photo sites as well.

Chatter
All you need to benefit from the collaboration software in Chatter is a website. Set up your own private social network within this app from salesforce.com. It actually works like an internal Facebook (News - Alert) for your company. A native Android app, it extends desktop social collaboration to Android devices to enable mobile access and collaboration.

With the right tools in place, it’s hard not to benefit from collaboration software and the impact it can have on your team and your company. These key apps for the Android platform expand the opportunity.

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Stefanie Mosca