Top 5 benefits of Slack file storage
| February 18, 2020
Slack is the most popular enterprise messaging tool but there’s a lesser-examined function that deserves mention: file storage. Slack hosts files similarly to other cloud storage systems. Even though this often goes overlooked and underutilized by Slack users, there are plenty of benefits to be had. Here are the top five dynamic ways it benefits your company.
1. Accelerated team projects
Companies thrive from uncluttered workflow – and this is the case when they use Slack for messaging and file storage. Files stored in Slack are shared quickly among team members and users don’t need secondary software to manage tasks. Additionally, Slack offers multiple different ways more members to share files. Because of these different options, team members are able to keep projects on-task and steady. The more ways there are to share files, the better chance for files to reach the right people on time.
Slack gives users extensive upload options, such as transferring files directly from their computer. This gives members leverage when they want to work on project features from home or out-of-office. They can also post a link directly from cloud storage. This creates uncluttered work projects, which in turn are finished quicker and more accurately. Furthermore, by allowing remote access, this adds the element of file sharing from mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets from team members on-the-go.
2. Further enhanced communication
To stay on topic and maximize conversational flow, you can share files in Slack and include their main ideas and comments. This boosts communication because applicable information is attached to each shared file, preventing confusion. These files are also able to reach a larger group of people when shared in Slack channels that are available to many. This also saves time as members don’t need to spend resources or sacrifice productivity explaining the shared file.
For example, let’s say a member posts a video about bees to provide background of a project. Instead of explaining this to prove relevance, the shared attachment will have the necessary information (“Bee in a flower photo, demonstrating the new project’s nature aspect”) included and can have attached explanations that are uncluttered. This is a big reason file storage within Slack is beneficial to projects.
3. Helpful integrations
The ultimate intention of storing a file in Slack is to share it in conversations and channels. However, Slack lacks the metadata management required to optimize file searches and sharing. Luckily, it resolved this issue by offering an integration with Canto digital asset management (DAM) – software that includes strong metadata management and more. This integration removes the potential downsides of Slack and ensures it’s users are ready to function immediately when starting a new project.
DAM syncs with Slack to instantly share stored images with other team members. It also uses metadata which allows users to search for specific images. This speeds up the sharing process and lets members quickly complete projects. As users familiarize themselves with the metadata feature, they’ll begin to share more relevant images and files with team members, making for more accurate projects.
4. Improved accuracy
Project accuracy improves immensely when files are shared timely within a meeting or conversation. For example, imagine team members are discussing a project which requires a few brand logos. One user shares a file in the conversation and adds important data about it. All other team members see this file and the valuable data, helping them stay on the same page when creating. This makes for a much more transparent project and meeting overall.
Files stored within Slack become searchable, which is crucial when in the middle of a team meeting or private conversation. Furthermore, once files are shared with a particular team member, those members have access to them in the future as well. The Slack search functions supplement attempts to recall a shared file. Ultimately, once a file is shared in conversation, the recipient always has access to recall and review it.
5. Stronger security
Slack as a company prides itself on security and this extends to file security as well. They offer data encryption to secure files and they partner with outside security firms and consultants to maximize effectiveness. Furthermore, they comply with standards across different safety modules, which they list on their website for transparency. Companies are always informed to new updates and standards set by Slack, ensuring no surprises come along in the security department.
Apart from file encryption, Slack keeps your files protected within team conversations. Files taken from your online storage and shared into messages are protected and privy to only intended users. These two protection methods ensure the entirety of your file storage is secure, no matter what you do with the files when using Slack. This helps members communicate more freely about sensitive company topics.
Businesses best utilize Slack file storage when its team members understand the important features and potential of the system. Unlock these capabilities for success by furthering the way your company utilizes Slack for its file storage.