Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in 2020, companies and offices have effectively implemented remote working styles to deal with the pandemic. With thousands of companies economically affected, many have strategized methods and applied tech tools to make this new transition effective. In turn, it will keep their heads above water in this most challenging time of the decade.
Thanks to technology development and innovations, numerous tools act as support for employees working from a distance. Without physically reporting to the office, staff can get things done, work on their specific roles, and save themselves from being bankrupt. Nevertheless, business operations today are reliant on technology.
In fact, here are some must-have tech tools that your company needs to allow for a seamless work experience:
Digital Workplace Platforms
The start of remote working culture in many industries has resulted in companies figuring out ways to access their systems and files without having to undergo internetprivatsphare and other technical requirements. To make content available from anywhere, on any device, to any person, companies must simplify it to the maximum extent possible. One way to do so is to incorporate a digital workplace platform intended for all the company staff.
Today’s employees expect a workplace with modern tools that enable them to do their jobs effectively. This has been tough for companies to figure out which platform to use. In the same vein, a significant segment of people remains resistant to change. With proper training and ease of transition, your company can successfully develop the right strategies that will be effective on remote work.
Having a digital workplace platform will enable all staff to get engaged in a single workspace to manage content, office apps, and communication tools. They can also use this tool as a virtual team building medium, where they can continue to collaborate and share ideas and concepts, similar to working in a physical office.
Communication And Collaboration Software
A successful remote working strategy depends on virtual collaboration and communication tools. It’s no surprise that remote work suffers a lot of hiccups from miscommunication and misunderstandings. Some people take more comfort in reading body language than relying on email or chat messages. But, with the right communication tools, your staff can be able to adapt. Make use of email tools and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) tools. These are inexpensive but handy tools for all your employees to collaborate and update each other consistently.
More technological innovations are being developed, and the demand for such is ever increasing. You can now find chat rooms and video conferencing software that allow staff meetings to be conducted more efficiently. When staff members collaborate while using video conferencing technology, they feel like it’s very close to working together physically, so this becomes a practical alternative.
Cybersecurity
Cyberattacks and malicious hacking have grown more threatening, as remote working and the use of public Internet connections have become increasingly common. Security can be achieved either by locking down the network or using a hermetically sealed enclosure. Ensure that your company doesn’t overlook the importance of cybersecurity. As your staff work remotely, they could be targeted by hackers and spammers worldwide. If you fail to protect them, your business will lose data and valuable resources, too.
Therefore, keep your company’s data safe with cybersecurity. The utilization of virtual private networks (VPNs) and multiple backups of network data could somehow alleviate these malicious actions.
Project Management Tools
Management and coordination of remote projects can be a stressful situation when the right tools are lacking. Now that a lot of people work from their respective locations, they must know how to work together smoothly, ensuring that successful outcomes will be generated. Project management and coordination can be achieved entirely online with the right tools, eliminating the need for time-consuming, face-to-face meetings, as well as stifling micromanagement.
A virtual project management application often integrates its own or third-party collaboration tools. This tool’s roles usually include updating teams and the members about the project, updates, action plans, strategies, and following timelines.
Cloud Software
Stay competitive by using the cloud tech tool. It’s currently being applied by many companies worldwide. With cloud computing technology, everyone can work safely while accessing a remote work environment. Cloud software provides lots of benefits for the company, making it a sound investment. With cloud computing, your business can save on money for devices and relieve the stress for your internal IT team. It’s also scalable, so you can flexibly add or remove services accordingly.
And, the best part of cloud software is that your employees can gain easy access to files and documents. Cloud-based offices are popular among remote employees as these allow them to access any system via a single sign-on from anywhere, and it’s currently perceived as the backbone of remote work.
Conclusion
Modern technology and tech tools mentioned above have somehow made it easier to build and facilitate remote teams.
Over the past year, vast innovations in remote work technology have transformed the workforce. While the efficacy and productivity of remote work vary from a different company and working cultures, one thing can’t be denied—remote work is here to stay.
