The COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses of all sizes to rapidly adapt their operations to a flexible and remote work model. For many, this transition has been a challenging one. In addition to ensuring that your team has the proper equipment and connectivity to work remotely, you also need the right tools to enable collaboration and communication. Here are the business tools that will be crucial as you adjust to a flexible and remote work setup.
Reliable Video Conferencing Solution
With so many employees working remotely, video conferencing has become essential for conducting meetings, presentations, and training sessions. Of course, conference calls play a significant role in effective communication and collaboration, so you must ensure that your video conferencing solution is reliable and secure.
Zoom is named the top video conferencing software for its user-friendly interface, secure chat and file-sharing options, and advanced collaboration features like breakout rooms. But there are several alternatives that could suit your team’s needs, such as Google Hangouts, Skype, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx.
Whichever platform you choose, ensure your team is comfortable with the hardware and software requirements before investing in a video conferencing solution. Additionally, ensure everyone knows how to use the platform—from setting up a meeting, inviting attendees, and more. By familiarizing your team with the platform, you can guarantee a successful remote conference.
Project Management Tool
Keeping track of tasks, deadlines, and assigned team members can be a challenge when everyone is working remotely. A project management tool like Asana or Trello can help you stay organized and ensure everyone is on the same page.
These software solutions allow you to assign tasks and deadlines, track progress on projects, share files and messages with team members, discuss ideas in forums or chat rooms and set up automated reminders and notifications.
A tool like this can streamline your workflow and maximize productivity remotely. In order to ensure your team can take full advantage of the tool’s features, have them attend a training session before putting it into use. This way, everyone can use the tool with confidence.
Password Manager
With so many different login credentials to keep track of, it’s easy to lose or use the same password for multiple accounts. A password manager like LastPass or Dashlane can help you generate strong passwords and keep them safe and secure.
With features like two-factor authentication and encrypted storage, a password manager can guarantee your team’s accounts are protected from cyber threats. Additionally, it has the potential to save time and frustration during the onboarding process for new team members.
An effective password manager is a must-have for any remote team. Consider investing in a password manager to keep your team’s data safe and secure.
Backup Solution
Working remotely doesn’t mean you’re immune from losing data due to hardware failure or accidental deletion. Backing up your data regularly is crucial to avoid losing important files or work progress. Experts recommend using an online backup solution like CrashPlan or Backblaze.
An online backup solution can help your team store and access essential files in an emergency. These services also offer additional features, like version control or user-level encryption, for added security.
By investing in an online backup solution, you can rest easy knowing that your team’s work is safe and secure.
Remote Desktop Access
Remote PC access tools can enable your team to work on their office computers from anywhere. These tools provide a secure connection between your team’s computers and the office network, allowing easy access to files and programs.
Remote PC access tools provide secure remote access to desktops, files, and applications from any device and location. Popular tools include TeamViewer, LogMeIn, and Splashtop. However, alternative solutions are available for different needs, so research and find the best tool for your team.
Using a remote PC access tool can help your team stay productive and connected even when working remotely. Investing in the right tool ensures your team has secure access to their office PCs while they’re away. In doing so, you can ensure that your team stays connected and productive even when working remotely.
Transitioning to remote work can be challenging for businesses of all sizes. But if you choose the right tools and create clear communication channels, you can ensure that your team is productive, efficient, and secure – even when they’re not in the office. The above are only a few available tools and solutions, so take the time to research, compare and find the best option for your team. With a bit of preparation and the right tools, your team can stay connected and productive no matter where they are.