Real-Time Document Sharing Platforms

Microsoft has launched a “multiplayer AI collaboration” feature for Copilot called Copilot Pages. The new feature allows users to collaborate in real-time by pulling responses from the Copilot chatbot into a shared page that can be edited collaboratively, enabling teams (of people and an AI partner) to simultaneously iterate on content using data, files, and web sources. Copilot Pages starts rolling out to Microsoft 365 Copilot customers today with general availability expected later this month. More than 400 million users with a business Microsoft Entra account will soon have access to Copilot Pages through the free version of the Copilot chatbot. An Overwhelming Amount of Ways to Interact with Copilot Pages Copilot Pages builds upon Microsoft’s work with Loop (its very serious Notion competitor), which was designed for collaborative document creation. Similar to shared Word documents, Copilot Pages can be distributed via links, which allows colleagues to jump in and start editing immediately. Pages can also be embedded into other documents as components, making it easier to integrate them into broader workflows. Microsoft has also integrated Copilot Pages with its BizChat hub, allowing users to pull data from the web or work files to create project plans, meeting notes, business pitches, etc. In addition to Copilot Pages, Microsoft is introducing Copilot agents for all businesses, initially announced at Build 2024. These agents are designed to automate tasks like monitoring inboxes and data entry. Unlike traditional chatbots that wait for queries, Copilot agents can actively perform tasks in the background. Subscribers to Microsoft 365 Copilot will also gain access to Copilot Studio, where they can create custom Copilot agents within BizChat or SharePoint, leveraging the knowledge stored in SharePoint files. These agents can be used as virtual colleagues, accessible through platforms like Teams or Outlook, enabling users to interact with them via @ mentions for task management and queries. The Important Part It is clear that Microsoft views Copilot Pages as part of a new work paradigm, where groups of humans and AI collaborate on a single canvas. Is this the future? No. It’s the present. -s

Day 2 of my IT Support Skills training with #DigitalWitch was all about Google Drive, and it was eye-opening! I have been using Google Drive, but this training opened my eyes to more wonders this tool can work, and I would like to share it with you. Google Drive is great for storing files, but did you know it’s also a powerhouse for collaboration and access management? Here’s a quick dive into what I learned and why mastering Google Drive is essential for IT support professionals, and for all who are career oriented. What Is Google Drive? Simply put, Google Drive is cloud storage where you can save, access, and organize files from anywhere. But it’s not just a filing cabinet, it’s also a collaborative workspace where people can work together in real time. Key Features and Their Uses ✅ File Storage: Store everything—docs, spreadsheets, images, videos, you name it. With 15GB of free storage, it’s your go-to digital locker. ✅ File Sharing: Share files with specific people or groups. There are 3 types of access you can grant people you are sharing files with. 1. Viewer Access: For those who only need to see the content 2. Commenter Access: Perfect for feedback without editing permissions. 3. Editor Access: For team members actively working on the file. PLEASE NOTE👇👇👇 Always think about who needs what level of access. For example, sensitive documents should only be editable by a select few, while general info can be shared widely as view-only. ✅ Real-Time Collaboration: With Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, multiple people can work on the same file simultaneously. No more messy versioning! ✅ Offline Access: Traveling or working in a low-connectivity zone? Enable offline access to keep working without a hitch. ✅ Search Like a Pro: Google Drive’s search bar can locate files by name, keywords, or even content within a document. ✅ Backup and Sync: Install Drive on your computer for automatic file backups. Have you been using Google Drive, what is your best feature? #ITSUPPORT #GoogleDrive #DigitalSkills #AccessManagement #Collaboration #CloudStorage

Still emailing document versions back and forth? Or still find yourself saying, “Sorry, I’ll send the document when I get access to my laptop”? If yes, this post is for you. For many of you, this might be something you're already doing—but if you’re not using Google Workspace apps yet, this post might just convince you to start. I used to manage documents the “old way,” saving a new version every time I updated a sentence, sending files over email, and losing track of which version was final. A few years ago, I switched to Google Workspace, and honestly, I never looked back. Here’s why I think every team should use it: - One source of truth – Create shared drives and keep all your documents in one place. - Control access – Decide who can view, comment, or edit each file. - Real-time collaboration – No more “final_v2_revised_FINAL.pdf”. Just co-edit documents live with your teammates. - Smart search – Find any file instantly by typing in keywords. - Instant feedback – Tag colleagues in comments to resolve issues quickly. - Access from anywhere – Whether you’re on your laptop, phone, or borrowing a friend’s computer, all you need is your Google login to access your work. More and more organizations are adopting Google Workspace—and for good reason. If your company deals with hundreds (or thousands) of documents and you’re still struggling to keep them organized, this is your sign to give Google Drive a try. My amazing colleague Chloe Cupid led a project to organize our shared drive at Amala, and we quickly realized just how many documents were scattered all over the place. (At least they were in one cloud—imagine if they were stored on dozens of individual devices!) After a few months of focused effort, we were finally able to organize everything into one shared drive, complete with clear folder structures and customized access permissions. ✅ Already using it? What’s your favorite feature? ❓ Not using it yet? What tools are you currently using—and are they meeting your needs? Let me know in the comments. Would you be interested in a short series of posts where I cover different Google Workspace apps in more detail? #productivity #digitaltools #remotework #googleworkspace #cloudstorage #techtips #workflow #collaboration #worksmarternotharder #googledrive #organization #teamwork #digitalworkspace #worktools #knowledgework