Though working remotely is not something new, the pandemic accelerated its adoption. Many companies that hadn’t implemented this style of work decided to keep it after Covid-19, or opted for a hybrid method.
In this context, the digital workplace has revolutionized the way we work. Thanks to the incredible variety of remote work tools, a huge amount of people around the globe can work from their homes in collaboration with others.
The digital workplace is so crucial that remote working wouldn’t be possible without it. To be able to work from home, you need to surround yourself with the right set of tools and applications to get your daily tasks done.
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However, there are so many options out there to choose from that it’s nearly impossible to know which one is the right one. For that reason, we’re about to tell you exactly what tools you absolutely need in order to make the most of your digital workplace.
Essential remote work tools
Let’s take a look at the 5 essential types of remote tools you need to excel at remote work.
1. Communication tools
The ability to communicate with your team is crucial, whether you’re in the same room or not. Communication remote work tools allow you to have real-time conversations, share files, and provide feedback easily.
These are some of their benefits:
Increase transparency and collaboration among team members.
Help reduce miscommunication.
Make it easier to give and receive feedback.
The best approach for this type of remote work tools is to select synchronous and asynchronous options, which means combining emails with live chats and virtual meetings.
Some good examples of tools focused on communication are Google Suite, Slack, Teams, and OneDrive. A pro-tip here is to check the list of apps these tools integrate with. If you need some additional support of time tracking, for instance, try Teams time tracking integration with TimeCamp.
2. Collaboration tools
Working remotely can be isolating, and can make simple processes quite complicated. It’s key to have at hand the best collaboration tools, so distance between teams is as fluid as it can be.
Here, you should search for remote work tools that allow you to work on projects together, share files, brainstorm, and share ideas. Options like Figma or Miro, for instance, are great examples of collaboration tools. The same goes for Google Drive or OneDrive, which allow users to work on documents simultaneously. Lastly, alternatives such as Zoom or Google Meet are ideal to get together (virtually).
3. Project management tools
Project management remote work tools help you keep track of deadlines, assigned tasks, and progress, and ensure your project stays within budget. This is important because it allows you to stay organized and on top of your projects.
Whether you’re working on your own or in a company, project management is helpful to optimize time and resources. If it’s just you, it lets you organize your different jobs and tasks, so you don’t fall behind. If you’re part of a team, besides organization it’ll positively impact the workflow. Plus, you’ll be able to see the big picture and identify potential problems early on.
The most common alternatives here are Trello and Asana. There are also several Asana Alternatives that you can try.
4. Cloud storage tools
Remember the days when, whenever you needed to store a large file and move it from one place to the next, all you had to do was hop on over to the IT sector and get a thumb drive or external hard drive from them?
Remote workers don’t have that quick and easy access to physical storage devices anymore, so the best way to go about storing data is through data storage tools. These things are lifesavers – imagine having to store every single file, including large video presentations, in your own hard drive. You’d run out of space almost immediately and be caught in that dreaded cat-and-mouse chase of freeing up hard drive space.
Thankfully, cloud storage tools such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon Drive, Nordlocker, and pCloud make easy work of storing large files and keeping them at easy, convenient access for users.
5. Support Tools
Working at home can be daunting. There are several things that can go wrong, and it might be overwhelming to feel like you’re in charge of every single aspect. That’s why it’s extremely important to know you have an IT team supporting you and keeping your equipment working safely and effectively.
Outsourced help desk solutions like InvGate Service Desk can accomplish this through a self-service portal that allows you to quickly and easily find the service you need, a ticketing system that will help you submit requests, a knowledge base that allows you to find the answers to your questions, and even automated workflows that make complex processes an absolute breeze. Not only that, but it can integrate with ITAM solutions like InvGate Insight and map all your organization’s assets for easy management.
If you don’t have an IT service management or help desk solution, ask your company to consider providing one. These days, they’re essential to improve employee experience.
Key takeaways
Choosing the right remote work tools is crucial to make the most of your digital workplace. Communication, collaboration, automation, project management, and integrations are five features you should look for when selecting your remote work tools.
And adding a self-service portal for small businesses and brands really improves the overall experience of workers.
Just remember, no matter which tool you use, make sure they’re fit for the purpose you or your organization needs.
