Huddle integrates collaboration tools with Office

Huddle offers a range of collaborative web applications

UK collaboration firm Huddle has announced integration with Microsoft Office, along with new features including web conferencing and an iPhone application.

The company, which was founded three years ago, offers web applications covering document management, meetings, discussion boards, tasks and project management.

The new tools launched today have been on Huddle's product roadmap since February, when chief executive Alastair Mitchell told V3.co.uk about his plans for the coming year.

The integration with Office will be available through a new plug-in tool that will let Huddle users access documents stored in their desktop applications.

Users will then be able to view and edit the Office files, add new versions, request approvals and send notifications, all without opening a browser window, the company said.

Huddle, a member of Microsoft's BizSpark programme, said that it will also supply a plug-in for SharePoint and other Microsoft products in the near future.

The firm claimed that its new web conferencing features will allow users to set up instantaneous meetings and share desktop content with other members of their workspace. The conferencing solution will be integrated with Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar.

Users receive free conferencing minutes as a part of a monthly package, and can upgrade to unlimited conferencing and multiple concurrent rooms at the lowest price currently available on the market, according to Huddle.

The new iPhone application, meanwhile, will give Apple users full access to Huddle's products.

"Enterprise collaboration doesn't have to be expensive to be secure and reliable. It doesn't require 20 different tools from five different vendors to deliver on its promise," said Mitchell.

"These new features will help Huddle users get things done quicker, work better with people inside and outside their organisations, and without incurring a massive bill as a result."