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Looking for a Sideways 6 alternative? Sideways 6 takes a unique approach by embedding idea management natively inside Microsoft Teams. For organizations deeply invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, this removes the barrier of introducing a new platform. But that Teams-native approach also creates limitations. Here is what to consider if you need more.
Why Do Teams Look for Sideways 6 Alternatives?
Sideways 6 has genuine appeal. AstraZeneca, Nestle, British Airways, Marks and Spencer, and Vodafone use it. The GBP 5 million savings from a single idea at Centrica is a powerful proof point. And the "no new platform" value proposition resonates with IT teams who resist adding another tool.
Common reasons teams look elsewhere:
Teams dependency. If your organization does not universally use Microsoft Teams (or is considering switching), Sideways 6's core value proposition disappears. You need a platform that works independently of any single communication tool.
Frontline worker access. Factory floor workers, retail associates, and warehouse staff often do not have Microsoft Teams accounts. Sideways 6's Teams-native approach can exclude the people with the most operational improvement ideas.
Evaluation depth. Embedding inside Teams means working within Teams' UI constraints. Structured multi-stage evaluation workflows, custom scoring criteria, and detailed analytics dashboards need more real estate than a Teams app provides.
Cross-platform needs. Organizations using Slack, Google Workspace, or multiple communication tools need an idea management platform that is tool-agnostic.
How Hives.co Compares
Where Hives.co wins:
- Platform independence. Works as a standalone platform with Microsoft Teams integration available. Not locked to any single ecosystem.
- Frontline accessibility. QR codes, anonymous submissions, mobile web access. No Teams account required. Designed for deskless workers first.
- Evaluation depth. Full-screen evaluation workflows with custom scoring, weighted assessments, and multi-stage review. Not constrained by Teams UI.
- Transparent pricing. €695/month (Core). Published openly.
- Innovation intelligence. Findest merger creates unique internal plus external innovation capabilities.
Where Sideways 6 might be better:
- All-Teams organizations where every employee has a Teams account and you want zero adoption friction.
- IT teams that block new platforms but approve Teams apps.
- Quick deployment within an existing Teams environment without any infrastructure changes.
Other Alternatives
Ideanote offers quick self-service setup with AI features. Brightidea has the broadest feature set. HYPE Innovation provides enterprise depth. Wazoku acquired InnoCentive's 500K+ solver network for open innovation.
For a full comparison: Hives.co vs Sideways 6: Full Comparison.
Want to see how Hives.co works? Book a 20-minute demo.
