Working remotely requires constant communication and an increased level of cooperation between members. It can be quite challenging to achieve this, especially with a geographical difference in the picture. Fortunately, there is plenty of software remote teams can use to make their workflow more efficient.
Below are examples of software that virtual teams can use to get their work done effectively and efficiently, regardless of how many miles there are between them.
Communication Software
Slack
Slack is one of the best communication tools in the industry today. It’s relied upon daily by millions of remote workers. It’s excellent for remote teams in large part thanks to its intricately designed features. The platform provides teams with:
- Channels where teams can communicate and share files
- Voice and Video call function
- App Integration with other platforms such as Google Suite
- A workflow builder which automates processes such as communication.
Slack offers remote teams better and faster communication, more efficient organization and decreases the reliance on email.
Microsoft Teams
Teams is the core communication product of Microsoft, specifically developed to streamline communication between remote teams. It allows you to chat with team members, video call, and even collaborate on projects through Excel and Powerpoint.
Users can share files, easily arrange online meetings and host webinars. It also offers a workforce management feature that makes work more seamless. Managers and employers can also use Teams to monitor their teams’ performance and optimize productivity.
Zoom
Zoom is a popular video-sharing application used by both virtual and in-house teams. The application became quite popular during the Covid-19 lockdown because it efficiently facilitated communication between people in different locations.
Zoom has revolutionized the way we communicate, connecting people across different locations. Today, remote teams use it to host online meetings and webinars. It’s user-friendly with a simple yet elegant design and is available on desktop and mobile.
Productivity and Time Management Software
Workpuls
Workpuls is an employee productivity tracking software designed to optimize and streamline employee performance by monitoring productivity and time efficiency. Employers enjoy features such as:
- Screenshots and real-time monitoring that provide insights into how employees use their time
- Automated time and attendance that eliminates timesheets
- Productivity metrics and benchmarking
- Time tracking for individual employees, projects and tasks
Workpuls allows managers and team leaders to more effectively manage, improve performance and support greater productivity.
Hubstaff
Hubstaff is a productivity and time tracking tool used by employers to monitor virtual employees’ performance. The platform equips users with features such as:
- Automated time tracking
- A dashboard where you can monitor the entire team
- Inbuilt to-do list where users can schedule pending tasks
- Employee timesheets.
Hubstaff offers clients a desktop and mobile version allowing them to track performance from any location. Hubstaff integrates seamlessly with Quickbooks so you can sync the time tracked in Hubstaff as well as pay rates and pay periods to Quickbooks. This makes it easier for you to run your payroll in Quickbooks Online.
ActivTrak
ActivTrak is a notable productivity tracking software used by employers to monitor and evaluate performance insight. It features a dashboard where users can view trends in performance and workflow efficiency.
What’s more, you get access to productivity reviews which help identify and resolve bottlenecks. Lastly, ActivTrak provides employers with real-time activity reports, which allow you to keep tabs on your remote team without disrupting their workflow.
Collaboration tools
Google Suite
Google Suite, now known as Google Workspace, is a collection of Google products designed to optimize workflow and collaboration. It’s a perfect addition to any remote team’s selection of software. It comprises:
- Gmail – for communication through email
- Docs – to create and edit documents
- Sheets – for making and editing spreadsheets
- Slides – for PowerPoint presentations
- Drive – for document sharing and storage
- Meet – for videoconferences
- Chats – for communication
- Calendar – for scheduling events and tasks.
These features make Google Suite a mainstay for remote teams. The functionality Google Suite offers can act as the foundation for effective remote work.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365 is another noteworthy collaboration tool. It allows remote teams to collaborate across various file formats, take and share notes, communicate, and store files in the cloud. Users can also share files and integrate other apps available in the Microsoft store. The most popular Microsoft 365 collaboration tools include:
- Excel
- Word
- OneNote
- Outlook and,
- OneDrive.
Teams can also use the Microsoft suite to schedule tasks and keep track of their performance. The all-encompassing functionality of Microsoft 365 makes it the backbone of many remote teams.
Onboarding tools
Remote
For a remote employee, the initial onboarding process can often feel tedious and time-consuming, with various HR necessities to be ticked off and training-related tasks to be completed. That’s particularly true if you’re a remote employee working for an employer based in another country — as there are additional complexities to consider — but that’s where the employer of record provider Remote comes in, streamlining remote onboarding and taking care of essential compliance requirements.
Remote enables businesses to:
- Hire full-time remote workers legally in other countries
- Run payroll for international employees in their local currencies
- Handle benefits for global workers
- Comply with international tax laws and regulations
- Manage international contractors
Project Management tools
There are so many different kinds of project management solutions available online, which can make it difficult to find the one that suits your business the best. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Here are 5 great project management tools that you need to include in your workflow.
Jira
Over 65,000 companies use Jira. It’s an efficient project management software that pioneered the project management software movement. Today, Jira is used by thousands of agile remote teams to:
- Plan and organize tasks
- Keep track of performance
- Create and execute workflows
Jira’s scrum and kanban boards allow team managers to monitor and evaluate staff productivity based on the insights generated in real-time. Another defining feature is its automation capabilities which enable users to automate work functions.
Trello
Trello is a kanban-based project management software popular with remote teams for its efficiency in planning and managing projects. It’s available on desktop and mobile (iOS and Android). The platform’s drag and drop project and task cards make it incredibly user-friendly.
Trello allows users to collaborate on tasks, monitor performance, and integrate with other apps. It has an automation tool that makes completing tasks much more accessible. Users can even customize tasks, adding a personal touch to their work.
Asana
Asana allows remote teams to organize their projects while collaborating on tasks through its fantastic range of features. Team members can plan and assign tasks amongst themselves and also automate repetitive workflows.
Asana has over 100 integrations that remote teams can use to communicate and collaborate on tasks. It also offers real-time reports where you can check to estimate your team’s progress.
Comindware Tracker
Comindware Tracker is a drag-and-drop workflow management software that allows teams to speed up the creation and automation of workflows and forms without the need for a tech team. It also includes a number of workflow management capabilities and tools that make it a solid choice for teams looking to create high-impact business apps that support their needs. The software can be deployed on-premise or in the cloud.
Xebrio
Xebrio is a project management tool with a complete requirements management ecosystem that can manage your whole project or product development process from start to finish. Instead of using different tools, Xebrio has everything you need in one place.
Xebrio has a vital collaboration feature. It involves all stakeholders in the requirements approval process. This ensures everyone is updated on the project’s progress and can work together regardless of the team’s location.
Xebrio’s real-time collaboration feature is intended to increase remote teams’ productivity and keep all project-related discussions structured and open.
It also integrates seamlessly with GitHub and Jira to ensure your projects get completed without missing a beat.
Xebrio offers a free trial for 14 days so you can test out all the features.
Wrapping Up
There has to be communication and a sense of fellowship for remote work to be seamless without any hitches. What better way to facilitate these qualities than with efficient software and apps designed to automate and optimize functions? With constant use, you will notice significant improvements not only in communication but time management and productivity.
