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Best tools for remote work

What is the Best Technology for Working Remotely in 2024?

Key Takeaways

1.  Supporting a distributed workforce means having the best software for working remotely. 

2.  Choosing the right video-conferencing software ensures that your remote team can connect with each other virtually, as seamlessly as possible. 

3.  With the right messaging apps, you have everything in place to ensure that your business can thrive, whether synchronously or asynchronously. 

4.  Good project management practice means software that can keep track of workflows,  and ensure that any timing issues are dealt with promptly. 

5.  Keeping necessary records and insuring against data loss means having the right document storage software in place for your specific business needs. 

As remote work becomes the norm, teams are increasingly dispersed across various geographical locations.

This article explores the essential technological tools, software, and applications critical for effectively managing a team that spans cities, countries, or continents. Our emphasis is particularly on sophisticated technologies that significantly improve collaboration in a remote work environment.

Selecting the right combination of these tools is vital for addressing remote management challenges and promoting a cohesive and collaborative team culture, even from a distance.

What are the most popular tools for remote teams?

Video calls are a pivotal aspect of remote work, making video conferencing tools essential. Zoom and Skype are two popular options.

Zoom has gained popularity for its ease of use, capacity for large meetings (up to 1,000 participants), and reliability with minimal lag and disconnections. However, its free version has a 40-minute time limit and participant restrictions, and it has faced criticism over privacy and security which it’s been addressing.

Skype, similar in features to Zoom, also offers robust integration with Microsoft products through its paid business version, now part of Microsoft Teams, facilitating collaboration within the Microsoft ecosystem.

1. Project Management Tools: Project management tools are popular for systematically tracking the progress of business projects. Asana is popular, allowing task assignment, deadline setting, and detailed task insights, including sub-tasks. Its interface organizes tasks by due date.

Monday.com is user-friendly and offers extensive customization and various chart views for project tracking, though it lacks sub-task creation and has limited storage compared to Asana. It’s also known for robust third-party app integration.

Trello, known for its intuitive interface, allows easy movement of tasks across different lists based on their status, enhancing task management efficiency.

2. Messaging Apps: For efficient team communication, messaging often trumps calls. Slack is a leading remote work tool, organizing communication in project or client-specific ‘channels,’ known for ease of use and extensive app integration. However, tracking messages across multiple channels can be challenging, and the free version has limitations.

Microsoft Teams, a part of the Office 365 suite, competes with Slack, offering cost benefits for existing Office users and supporting up to 250 people in video calls, compared to Slack’s/ However, it’s generally considered less user-friendly and more complex to set up.

Google Chat offers full integration with G-Suite, making it a solid option for teams embedded in Google’s ecosystem.

Video and audio messaging platforms like Loom and Yac are becoming popular for asynchronous work, particularly in global teams.

Ultimately, the best messaging platform varies per business needs, and experimenting with different options can help identify the ideal fit.

3. Video Presentation Tools: Use video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, VEED, or Final Cut Pro to create professional-quality video presentations. These tools offer advanced editing features, including AI Avatar, background remover, and eye tracking software.

Clear and crisp audio is also essential for remote presentations. Audio editor tools like Audacity or Adobe Audition allow you to edit and refine audio recordings, ensuring high-quality presentation sound. Online converters, e.g., M4A to MP3 converters, can also help you make your audio files compatible with various platforms.

4. Storage Tools: Dropbox and Google Drive are popular cloud-based document storage platforms known for user-friendliness and security. They allow smooth uploads and easy team collaboration and offer free storage, with Google Drive providing more.

For businesses embedded in the Office 365 ecosystem, Microsoft OneDrive offers seamless integration with Microsoft tools but lacks third-party app compatibility.

Google Drive facilitates comprehensive file sharing and collaboration, accessible from anywhere, and its Business version caters to large-scale data management with robust privacy settings and integration capabilities.

What Is the Future of Remote Work?

Remote work’s structure may shift, but its presence is enduring. As technology, particularly AI, continues to advance, it will increasingly facilitate the management of remote teams.

Adapting to managing remote employees might seem challenging, but it can become smooth with suitable technology and dedicated staff. Given employees’ growing expectations of remote work options, embracing this work mode is crucial for future readiness.

What Strategies Are Effective For Remote Work?

  1. Businesses are encouraged to refine their remote work strategies rather than resist the shifting landscape.
  2. Establishing clear key performance indicators (KPIs) for management and staff is advisable for companies concerned about maintaining productivity and performance with remote teams.
  3. By doing so, remote workers understand their expectations, and their performance remains measurable. It’s about replicating the accountability of in-office work, just over a distance.

How Has Remote Work Evolved?

Remote work has transformed from a non-existent concept due to technological limitations to a widespread practice embraced globally. In the past, remote work was synonymous with low-paying telemarketing jobs, but today, advancements in technology like video conferencing and broadband internet have revolutionized how and where we work. Samantha Lambert notes that these advancements have made remote work synonymous with many full-time careers, allowing constant contact with teams or clients.

Now, companies are increasingly ditching traditional offices for coworking spaces to suit their remote workforce, and remote work hubs are popping up in cities worldwide. This shift has been particularly vital during crises like pandemics, allowing for business continuity and public health safety.

Teleworking has become normalized in many professional environments, extending beyond the home to coffee shops or while travelling globally. Stacey Epstein points out the modern workforce’s dynamic nature and the importance of connectivity across various sectors.

Despite its growing popularity, some businesses hesitate to adopt remote work, citing productivity concerns or lack of proper technology. However, companies are gradually recognizing the need to support remote work; Buffer’s 2023 report shows an increase in companies covering costs for remote work essentials.

Remote work caters to employees’ desire for flexibility and can significantly reduce operational costs for businesses by eliminating the need for physical office spaces. As remote work continues gaining traction, it represents a mutually beneficial arrangement for employers and employees.

Horizons Helps With the Best Technology for Remote Working

Selecting the right tools for your remote team depends on your business needs, especially when expanding internationally or establishing a new remote team. To find the best fit, consider experimenting with various video conferencing, messaging, project management, and document storage tools. Key factors include:

  1. Ease-of-use: Ensure the tools are user-friendly for an international team.

  2. Integration: Check if the tools integrate well with your existing systems.

  3. Cost: Understand the cost implications, especially if you use related products from providers like Microsoft or Google.

As international hiring specialists, Horizons supports businesses in global expansion, ensuring compliant and cost-effective operations. We provide expertise in selecting optimal remote work tech tools and offer advanced HR and payroll software solutions.

Frequently asked questions

All remote workers will need a stable and fast home internet connection, preferably with backup (e.g., mobile) connectivity. 

Hardware specs will depend on the job in question: Work with high processing needs (such as software development or video editing) will need more powerful equipment. In some cases, it may be appropriate for the employer to provide equipment or a remote work allowance to pay for it. 

Every business will need to have some version of the following remote work tech tools in place: Video, messaging, project management and document storage tools.

The precise software or app depends on the needs of the specific business and their budget. 

Every business with a remote workforce should consider having a remote work policy in place, setting out how remote work is to occur.

Studies have shown that remote working is effective and can increase employee productivity and boost engagement.

Yes, various tools help employees work from anywhere without hindering their work.

What is the Best Technology for Working Remotely in 2024?

Best tools for remote work