Glasscubes - Detailed Review
Customer Service Tools
Glasscubes - Product Overview
Overview
Glasscubes is a user-friendly, web-based project management and collaboration software that is versatile and suitable for businesses of all sizes. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
Glasscubes serves as a comprehensive platform for team collaboration, project management, and information sharing. It helps teams collaborate effectively, share files, manage tasks, and store information securely in the cloud.
Target Audience
Glasscubes is targeted at a wide range of businesses, including small, medium, and large enterprises. It is particularly useful for organizations that need to enhance intranet and extranet communication, such as those involving multiple teams, external resources, and various stakeholders like customers, associates, or suppliers.
Key Features
File Sharing and Document Management
Glasscubes allows unlimited file sharing with no restrictions on file types or sizes. It also retains version history for shared files, ensuring that all changes are tracked.
Task Management
The platform includes tools for managing tasks, enabling teams to track and complete tasks efficiently.
Collaboration Tools
Glasscubes offers features like discussion threads, comments, and summaries to enhance team communication. It also includes workspace activity feeds to keep everyone updated on what’s happening within the team.
Reporting and Budget Management
The software provides reporting capabilities and budget management tools to help teams monitor and control project finances.
Custom Workspaces
Users can create custom workspaces and invite various stakeholders to communicate and share information, which helps in maintaining a professional image and credibility.
Forms and Workflow Automation
Glasscubes allows users to create forms for various purposes, such as customer orders or feedback, and automate follow-up actions to streamline workflows.
Conference Calls
The platform offers unlimited conference calls with up to fifty participants per call, making remote collaboration easier and more efficient.
Security
Glasscubes uses SSL encryption to ensure data security, making it a trusted choice for many organizations, including government entities.
Conclusion
Overall, Glasscubes is a versatile tool that simplifies collaboration, project management, and information sharing, making it an essential asset for any business looking to improve teamwork and productivity.
Glasscubes - User Interface and Experience
User Interface Overview
The user interface of Glasscubes is notable for its simplicity and intuitiveness, making it an attractive option for those seeking a user-friendly collaboration platform.Ease of Use
Glasscubes boasts an interface that is easy to use, requiring no training to get started. The platform is designed with a simple and intuitive layout, allowing users to quickly set up workspaces, invite people, and upload files with minimal effort. Users can create a new workspace with just a click of a button and add the features they need by selecting checkboxes, eliminating the need for IT involvement.User Experience
The overall user experience is positive, with many users praising the platform’s reliability and minimal downtime. The interface is structured to centralize work, creating a focal point for companies and enhancing collaboration among teams. Features such as social discussion feeds, @mentioning, tasks, and workflows help users communicate and work together more effectively.Key Features
File Sharing and Management
Glasscubes offers a powerful file and document management system with automatic version control, file approval, and simple permission management. This makes it easy to share files securely and manage data access.Communication
The platform includes social discussion feeds that keep communication organized and easy to locate. Users can start discussions, post announcements, and collaborate as a group effortlessly.Customization
Users can brand the interface and notifications, which is particularly useful when exchanging information with external parties such as clients or partners.Support
Glasscubes is known for its excellent support and onboarding process. The customer success team is readily available through chat or call to provide guidance, answer questions, or address any concerns. This support ensures that users can quickly resolve any issues they encounter.Minor Drawbacks
While the interface is generally praised, some users have noted a few minor drawbacks. For instance, the online editing feature can be inefficient, with unclear saving processes and potential distortion of document elements, particularly in spreadsheets. Additionally, some users find the visual appeal of Glasscubes lacking, and the platform can be challenging to use on smaller screens.Conclusion
Overall, Glasscubes offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to use and set up, making it a valuable tool for enhancing collaboration and productivity within teams. Glasscubes - Key Features and Functionality
Overview
While Glasscubes is primarily a team collaboration and project management tool, it does not fall directly under the category of AI-driven customer service tools. However, it does offer several features that can indirectly support customer service operations within an organization. Here are the main features of Glasscubes and how they can be beneficial:Team Collaboration
Glasscubes enhances team communication by providing a centralized platform where team members can share information, discuss topics, and collaborate on projects. This ensures that all relevant information is accessible to everyone, reducing the reliance on email and minimizing the risk of important updates being missed.Workspace Activity Feeds
The platform uses workspace activity feeds to keep everyone updated on what is happening within the team. This feature provides a single summary of discussions, questions, and comments, making it easy for team members to stay informed and contribute when necessary.Announcements
Glasscubes allows for workspace announcements, which ensure that important updates are visible to all team members until they acknowledge them. This feature helps in keeping the team informed and aligned with critical updates.Polls and Feedback
The platform enables easy collection of group feedback through polls. This feature is useful for making group decisions quickly and efficiently, which can be beneficial in customer service teams needing to make swift decisions based on consensus.Conference Calls
Glasscubes facilitates unlimited conference calls with up to fifty participants per call, which can be set up without any booking or billing hassle. This feature helps in conducting meetings and discussions efficiently, even for distributed teams.Knowledge Base
The platform allows team members to combine and share their knowledge, creating a valuable knowledge base over time. This can be particularly useful for employee training, teamwork, and succession planning, ensuring that customer service teams have access to the information they need to handle customer inquiries effectively.Key Benefits
Improved Communication
Centralized communication reduces misunderstandings and ensures all team members are on the same page.Efficient Collaboration
Features like workspace activity feeds and announcements keep the team updated and aligned.Decision Making
Polls and feedback mechanisms facilitate quick decision-making.Knowledge Sharing
A shared knowledge base helps in maintaining and transferring critical information within the team.Conclusion
While Glasscubes does not integrate AI specifically for customer service, its collaboration features can significantly support the efficiency and effectiveness of customer service teams by enhancing internal communication and knowledge sharing. However, for AI-driven customer service tools, you might want to consider platforms like Glassix, InvestGlass, or Genesys Cloud AI, which are specifically designed for automating customer service tasks and enhancing customer interactions with AI. Glasscubes - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating Glasscubes in Customer Service and Collaboration Tools
Performance
Glasscubes is widely praised for its ease of use and user-friendly interface. Users from various industries, including non-profit organizations, legal services, and accounting firms, have highlighted that the platform is easy to get to grips with, even for those with limited technical expertise. The platform’s functionality is highly regarded, with features such as intuitively placed modules, effective tagging, global search, and customizable workrooms that facilitate organized collaboration. It also offers seamless integration with other commonly used platforms, which addresses a common issue with cloud collaboration tools. Glasscubes enhances project management by providing a centralized hub for all collaboration activities, allowing real-time visibility, and enabling the monitoring of progress without the need for constant updates. This centralization makes teams more efficient and accelerates results by reducing rework and unnecessary meetings.Accuracy
In terms of accuracy, Glasscubes ensures that documents and files are stored securely with automatic version control, which helps in tracking changes and maintaining the integrity of the documents. The platform also supports approval workflows and provides clear audit trails of user actions, ensuring transparency and accuracy in document management. Users have appreciated the ability to collect, process, and approve information through customizable, automated forms and workflows, which include user assignees, follow-ups, and completion alerts. This feature helps in maintaining accuracy by ensuring that all necessary steps are followed and documented.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Despite its strengths, there are a few areas where Glasscubes could improve:- Notification Settings: Some users have found the notification settings to be fiddly, and it can be challenging to find the right levels for personal notifications.
- Direct Chat Functionality: The lack of direct chat functionality within the platform can be restrictive, sometimes forcing users to take conversations outside of Glasscubes.
- Multiple Editors: There is a limitation in allowing multiple people to edit a document simultaneously, which can hinder cross-collaboration efforts.
- Add-on Features: Some users have noted that many features are available as add-on software, which might not be ideal for all users.
- Search Function: The search function could be improved, particularly in scenarios where users need to search by client names rather than email addresses.
Customer Support
Glasscubes is consistently praised for its excellent customer support. Users have highlighted the support team’s responsiveness, helpfulness, and ability to provide quick and beneficial solutions to any issues that arise. In summary, Glasscubes performs well in terms of ease of use, functionality, and customer support, but there are some areas, such as notification settings, direct chat functionality, and the handling of multiple editors, where improvements could enhance the user experience. Glasscubes - Pricing and Plans
Glasscubes Pricing Plans
Glasscubes, a cloud-based project management and collaboration software, offers several pricing plans to cater to different needs and sizes of organizations. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing structure and the features associated with each plan:
Team Plan
- Monthly Fee: Approximately $35-$36 per month (or £30 per month).
- Included Users: 5 users.
- Additional User Fees: $3.75 per additional user per month if billed annually, or $5 per additional user per month if billed monthly.
- Features: File sharing, collaboration, document management, task tracking, and secure online workspaces. This plan is quick to deploy and suitable for small project teams.
Workgroup Plan
- Monthly Fee: Approximately $70-$73 per month (or £60 per month).
- Included Users: 5 users.
- Additional User Fees: $3.75 per additional user per month if billed annually, or $5 per additional user per month if billed monthly.
- Features: In addition to the Team Plan features, this plan offers more advanced collaboration and content management capabilities, making it secure and scalable.
Enterprise Plan
- Monthly Fee: Approximately $140-$145 per month (or from £120 per month, subject to plan).
- Included Users: The number of users is subject to the specific plan requirements.
- Additional User Fees: Fees are subject to the plan and need to be discussed with Glasscubes directly.
- Features: This plan provides bespoke solutions customized to the organization’s requirements. It includes all the features from the lower plans plus additional customized solutions for larger or more complex organizations.
Additional Notes
- Billing: Glasscubes offers both monthly and annual payment options. Annual prepayments can result in discounted user fees.
- Discounts: There are discounts available for ‘Not for Profit’ organizations and for accounts with over 100 users that prepay annually.
- Free Trial: Glasscubes does offer a free trial, allowing users to try out the software before making a purchase decision.
There is no free or freemium version of Glasscubes available; users must subscribe to one of the paid plans to use the software.
Glasscubes - Integration and Compatibility
Integrations with Third-Party Applications
Glasscubes integrates with several third-party applications to enhance its functionality. Here are some of the key integrations:
- Microsoft SharePoint: Glasscubes can be integrated with Microsoft SharePoint, allowing users to leverage the strengths of both platforms for document management and collaboration.
- Zoom: Integration with Zoom enables users to set up and manage conference calls directly from the Glasscubes platform, facilitating seamless communication and collaboration.
- Google Apps: Although the current status is not specified, historically, Glasscubes has been integrated with Google Apps, including Google Calendar and had plans for integration with Google Docs, with Zoho Docs serving as an alternative for online document editing.
API Integration
Glasscubes provides a powerful web REST API that allows customers and third parties to integrate the platform with existing systems or other applications. This API requires technical knowledge and previous API experience but offers extensive flexibility for customization and integration.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Glasscubes is accessible across various devices and platforms:
- Mobile Devices: The platform is mobile-friendly, allowing users to access and use Glasscubes on their mobile devices, ensuring continuous collaboration and access to information on the go.
- Web-Based Access: Being a cloud-based solution, Glasscubes can be accessed from any web browser, making it compatible with different operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Calendar Integrations
In addition to its core features, Glasscubes supports calendar integrations:
- Google Calendar: Historical integration with Google Calendar has been noted, and iCal feeds are available for integration with other calendar apps like Outlook.
Security and Compliance
Glasscubes ensures data security through SSL encryption and is accredited by UKAS with the ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security standard and the IASME Consortium, making it a trusted choice for organizations, including government entities.
Conclusion
In summary, Glasscubes offers a range of integrations with popular business tools, is compatible across multiple devices and platforms, and provides a secure environment for collaboration and data management. This makes it a versatile and reliable solution for businesses looking to streamline their operations and enhance team collaboration.
Glasscubes - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
Glasscubes offers a range of customer support options and resources to ensure users can effectively utilize their platform without significant hurdles.Customer Help Center
Glasscubes provides a comprehensive Customer Help Center, which is accessible directly from your account. To access it, simply click on your profile image in the top navigation bar and select ‘Support Pages’ from the dropdown menu. This help center contains a wealth of support articles that address frequently asked questions and common issues.Online Support
For immediate assistance, users can utilize the online chat facility located at the bottom of the page or within their account. This feature allows for quick and direct communication with the support team.Contacting Customer Services Team
If you need more personalized help, you can contact the Customer Services Team via telephone or email. They are available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm (GMT). Any support requests received outside these hours will be addressed as a priority on the next working day.Contact Information
- Telephone: 44 (0)20 3174 2310
- Email: support@glasscubes.com
User Tutorials
When new users are invited to Glasscubes, they are greeted with online tutorial tips. These tips appear as the user explores new areas of the platform, providing information exactly when it is needed. This approach helps new users get familiar with the platform quickly and efficiently.Conclusion
While Glasscubes does not currently integrate AI-driven customer service tools into their support options, their existing resources are designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, ensuring that users can find help easily without needing extensive training or expertise. Glasscubes - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Exceptional Customer Support
Glasscubes is renowned for its outstanding customer support. The platform offers telephone, email, and real-time chat support, with a maximum 3-hour response time for online tickets. This ensures that users receive prompt and professional assistance.
Dedicated Customer Success Manager
Each customer is assigned a dedicated Customer Success Manager, ensuring continuous support and accountability throughout their use of the platform.
Enhanced Collaboration
Glasscubes centralizes work, making teams more collaborative and efficient. It provides a focal point for companies, facilitating better communication and project management.
Secure File Sharing and Document Management
The platform offers secure file sharing and document management capabilities, allowing users to control access permissions and track document versions. This ensures that information is organized, accessible, and secure.
Task and Project Management
Glasscubes enables users to manage projects effectively by sharing files, assigning tasks, and organizing schedules from a central online workspace. This helps in maintaining clear communication and accountability among team members.
User-Friendly and Reliable
The platform is praised for its reliability, minimal downtime, and ease of use. It also has a straightforward onboarding process, making it easy for new users to get started.
Disadvantages
Inefficient Online Editing
Some users have reported issues with the online editing feature, including unclear saving processes and distortion of certain document elements, particularly in spreadsheets.
Limited Aesthetics
The visual appeal of Glasscubes has been criticized by some users, which can impact the overall user experience.
Difficulty with Small Screens
The software can be challenging to use on smaller laptop screens, potentially limiting its usability for those without access to larger monitors.
Poor Versioning and Basic Desktop UI
Some users have found the versioning capabilities and the desktop user interface to be basic and lacking, which can limit the platform’s functionality.
Confusing Document Editing for Less Tech-Savvy Users
The flexibility of the document editing functionality can be confusing for users who are less familiar with technology, creating a barrier to effective use.
While Glasscubes does not specifically integrate AI-driven customer support tools like some other platforms (e.g., Glassix), its strong focus on traditional customer support, collaboration, and document management makes it a valuable tool for teams needing a reliable and user-friendly platform.
Glasscubes - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of Glasscubes
Glasscubes is particularly strong in the accounting and document management sector. Here are some of its standout features:- Automated File Requests: Glasscubes allows you to automatically request financial files from clients, reducing the need for manual emails and follow-ups.
- Approval Workflows: The platform offers built-in workflows for getting important documents signed off by designated team members, ensuring a smooth and efficient approval process.
- Real-Time Collaboration: Glasscubes enables real-time communication and collaboration both internally and externally, eliminating delays associated with email threads.
- Version Control: It ensures that all users are working on the latest version of documents, mitigating the risk of using outdated information.
- Audit Trails and Access Control: The system automatically records and tracks all accounting activities, providing an audit trail for accountability and compliance. It also allows for controlled access permissions to documents.
Potential Alternatives
If you are considering alternatives to Glasscubes, here are a few options:Slack
Slack is a popular communication and collaboration tool that, while not specifically focused on document management, can be used to enhance team communication and project organization. It lacks the specialized document management and approval workflows of Glasscubes but is strong in real-time messaging and integrations with other tools.Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft SharePoint is a versatile platform that offers tools for securely storing, organizing, sharing, and accessing information. It provides more comprehensive features for creating websites and managing content but may not be as streamlined for specific accounting and client engagement needs as Glasscubes.Tidio
Tidio, particularly its Lyro AI bot, is more focused on customer service automation. It can detect frequently asked questions, automate replies, and recognize user behavior to make sales recommendations. While it offers 24/7 customer service capabilities, it does not have the same level of document management and approval workflow features as Glasscubes.Key Differences
- Document Management: Glasscubes is highly specialized in document management, especially for accounting firms, with features like automated file requests and version control. In contrast, Slack and Microsoft SharePoint are more general-purpose collaboration tools, and Tidio is focused on customer service automation.
- Approval Workflows: Glasscubes’ built-in approval workflows are a significant advantage for firms that need to manage document approvals efficiently. This feature is not as prominent in the other alternatives mentioned.
- Industry Focus: Glasscubes is tailored for accounting firms, making it a strong choice for those in this sector. Other tools may require more customization to meet the specific needs of accounting client engagements.
Glasscubes - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Glasscubes
Do I need a credit card to sign up for Glasscubes?
No, you do not need a credit card to sign up for Glasscubes. You will only be asked for your credit card details if you decide to upgrade to a paid account.
How long do I have to sign up for Glasscubes?
Signing up for Glasscubes is straightforward, and there are no contracts to sign. You can pay monthly and cancel your account by giving just 30 days written notice, or you can sign up for a year and benefit from a discount.
What methods of payment do you accept?
Glasscubes accepts most major credit and debit cards for payment. They can also arrange a Direct Debit mandate for customers with a UK-based bank. For longer periods (6, 12, or 24 months), they will invoice you on receipt of your purchase order; you should contact them in advance to arrange this.
Is my data secure on Glasscubes?
Yes, your data is secure. As the owner of the file, you have full control over who has access to it. You can remove access rights at any time, and the link will no longer work.
How do I get support from Glasscubes?
If you need help, you can contact the Customer Services Team from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm (GMT). You can reach them via telephone ( 44 (0)20 3174 2310), email (support@glasscubes.com), or the online chat facility at the bottom of the page or within your account. Any support request received outside of these hours will be addressed as a priority on the next working day.
Can I customize my Glasscubes account?
Yes, you can customize your Glasscubes account. You can add your logo, change your account’s colors, and totally customize your Dashboard. You can also change the system notifications, add custom links, and your own disclaimer. Additionally, custom URLs are available for a small setup fee.
How do I create folders within the document section of a workspace?
You can create folders within the document section of a workspace, or you can upload folders and their contents straight from your hard drive.
What are the pricing plans for Glasscubes?
Glasscubes offers three different plans:
- Team: $35 per month (includes 5 users), with additional users billed at $3.75 per month (annually) or $5 per month (monthly).
- Workgroup: $70 per month (includes 5 users), with additional users billed at $3.75 per month (annually) or $5 per month (monthly).
- Enterprise: Starting at $140 per month, with user fees subject to the plan and bespoke solutions available.
How does Glasscubes compare to having a server in the office?
Glasscubes is more convenient than having a server in the office because it eliminates the need for expensive IT equipment that requires maintenance and support. With Glasscubes, you can securely store, share, discuss, and edit files and documents in a single, central hub, accessible from anywhere with an Internet connection.
Can I receive notifications from Glasscubes?
Yes, you can choose to receive summary notifications detailing your account and workspace activity either daily or once a week. Individual notifications are sent out via email whenever someone actions them.
What kind of support can I expect during the migration process?
The Glasscubes team provides technical assistance with the migration of content from your existing provider, ensuring a smooth transition. They offer a maximum 3-hour online ticket response time, which helps in quickly resolving even complex queries.