Working from home was previously thought of as an impermanent situation where employees with an overabundance of work brought tasks home over the weekend, or occasionally during the week.

Well, times have changed dramatically. Whether voluntarily or out of need, companies around the world are rapidly fostering negotiable remote work policies for their workers. As a result, communication tools and work-from-home tools have come to the fore to improve remote work efficiency.

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Remote Work and Unexpected Situations

Companies who foresaw the historic changes about to take place in the world of employment had already incorporated collaborative technology to connect with their remote employees.

Even an unexpected circumstance like the recent pandemic was nothing but a mere bump in the road for businesses that incidentally found themselves ahead of the new employment paradigm. Nevertheless, there are companies that may have felt ambushed by the sudden remote work avalanche.

The list of communication tools highlighted in this article will hopefully answer their questions on some of the best apps available that help to maintain productivity and keep remote workers in touch.

Related Stats: 68% of Workers in the Retail Sector Can Work From Home

The Right Work From Home Tools Will Make Your Team and Company More Productive

Remote work and hiring remote employees are becoming the mainstay of many businesses today. Much of the transition was unanticipated, but nevertheless, it was a calling that could not go unanswered.

If you’re somewhat undecided about how telecommuting can make your company more productive, read on.

• Less Cost

Remote workers cut down costs because there is less need for equipment and office space. Additionally, employees will save money as the daily commute becomes unnecessary, which is also more environmentally friendly.

• More Accommodating

Telecommuting boosts morale as workers feel more in control of their lives. There’s no one looking over their shoulder and no office politics to worry about. Workers can also create a more suitable environment with ergonomic furnishings and plants for example.

• Choice of Talent

Companies have a choice of global talents once difficult to access. For instance, if your company has a branch in another country and time zone, your remote worker in that region can continue with business transactions and probably speak the regional dialect as well.

• Total Access

Employees working from home are more flexible; ergo, more available. Also due to the many communication tools designed in the last few years, maintaining a productive working relationship from a distance is no longer an issue.

Related Research: The 2020 State of Remote Work | Buffer

5 Communication Tools To Help Your Team Work Remotely

Communication tools have a tremendous effect on whether workers are attentive and can skillfully perform tasks. Utilizing these tools will help to limit misconceptions that come with telecommuting like expectations and contact priorities.

1. Slack

Slack combines all your work from home tools for easy use and convenience. Remote teams can remain productive as companies ensure that deadlines are reached, documents are checked, and administer support.

Channels can be separated by tasks, customers, regions, or teams. Slack provides full native apps for Android and iOS for total performance including the capacity to share channels with suppliers and business associates.

2. Zoom

Zoom is a group-calling app with amazing video quality, a simple concept, and reasonable pricing. When conducting a remote meeting and video chat, participants can easily swipe left from the main speaker to switch to a gallery view for group conversations. Additional Zoom features include voice sharing, business IM, innovative phone system, platform messaging, file sharing, and more.

3. ProofHub

ProofHub is an online project management software used by masses of remote teams to help companies coordinate employee tasks all in one place. Remote workers can perform unlimited collaborations with teammates and other company associates.

ProofHub offers multiple features like remote project management, chat, and more. Because of its comprehensive remote administration software, it is very popular with teams that require advanced supervisory skills.

4. Google Drive

Google Drive is one of the most popular communication apps in the remote work industry. The app functions as a cloud storage platform to maintain files in one secure and centralized location. Telecommuters can save and share presentations, spreadsheets, and documents. Files can be synced across all devices enabling users to review and modify tasks from anywhere.

5. Dropbox

If you’re looking for a contemporary workspace that provides a variety of features for managing remote employees, this app may be just what you’re looking for. Remote workers can easily collaborate, share, and sync documents.

Along with a flawless cloud storage system, Dropbox includes API – application program interface – that’s very convenient for remote teammates. The software also has the capacity to share large files like Photoshop and PowerPoint.

Related News: ‘Get Digital’ Initiative by Facebook to Support Remote Workers and Kids

What’s In the Future?

All of the above communication tools are ideal for remote teams that need high-quality connectivity. However, as technology advances, work from home tools may include a hologram type feature via a three-dimensional light field where teammates are literally in the same room and vanish once the meeting has commenced.

Imagine sitting and speaking in a virtual reality setting with your remote employees from anywhere in the world within seconds. With the rapid advance of technology, who knows what the future will bring!