Tech Tools to Make Remote Working Easier

Now that remote working is a reality for a sizable chunk of the workforce, an increasing number of tools have become available to make this operational style more functional and efficient. Over the last few years, new and innovative ways to make working from home easier for employers and employees continue to come to light. With so many different programs, applications, and services, which ones are actually the most effective and worthwhile? We've dug deeper into the various tools geared toward remote staff to determine which are must-haves for off-site working.

Timer Apps

One of the biggest challenges facing many remote workers is time management. Outside of an office environment, staying on track and completing tasks in a timely manner comes much more naturally to some than others. If you struggle to complete your work promptly at home, there are plenty of timer apps that might help. Some, like Focus To-Do, use the Pomodoro Technique to keep you in check. This works by setting timers for 25 minutes of work, followed by 5-minute breaks. RescueTime is another time-focused app that tracks your habits and keeps you in the loop about how you use your time during the working day.

Habit Lists

For some, working remotely means working around the clock. With no definitive clock-out time, it's easy to get wrapped up in your job and spend most of your time glued to your desk. In some cases, this can lead you to neglect other parts of your life and routine. By utilizing habit-tracking tools, you'll have a better shot at keeping your non-work-related activities in check. Among the best apps for this is Streaks, which can record everything from meditation and active minutes to your Kindle sessions. A fantastic alternative is Habitica, which uses a videogame-style interface and task list to help build your habits.

Digital Planners

Some people are more old-school than others and prefer to write down their schedules and to-do lists. If this isn't your thing, a digital planner is a more tech-centered option. A digital planner keeps all your tasks, meetings, and must-dos in one place, and you can access them from the same device you use for work. This type of planner comes in several different forms. You'll have a choice between downloadable pages that you'll save and annotate or practical apps like Any.do. The latter is especially useful if you're on a time crunch, as it responds to voice commands and allows you to make entries this way rather than having to type.

Note-Taking Tools

Whether you're writing down key points during a meeting or creating reminders for your future self, an easy-to-use note-taking system is a must. Similar to how digital planners operate, the ways in which you make and keep notes are endless. OneNote is a super convenient way to quickly jot down your ideas on the go. It's also a great tool for anyone in the artistic field who wants to make a quick doodle or sketch and save it with the rest of their notes. If you're an avid note-taker, the likes of Kindle Scribe or ReMarkable might be worth investing in.

Video Conferencing Platforms

As in-person meetings become less common, sourcing a decent video conferencing platform is essential for communicating with colleagues and clients. Facilitating video sessions with others makes it much easier to develop a genuine rapport with coworkers than with audio calls. Although any service will occasionally have connectivity issues, many providers today boast excellent video call features. Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams are among the best in the business. Each has its own perks and drawbacks, but all are reliable and simple to navigate.

Collaboration Tools

Video calling is typically the first thing that springs to mind when we think about collaborating online with co-workers. While this is an essential means of staying in touch, it's not the only way to work with your team members from a distance. Google Workspace is an all-in-one software that allows you to share files, edit documents, chat, and much more without resorting to multiple platforms. Those of you on the project management side of things will also find the likes of Asana, Trello, and Slack helpful. Each of these makes setting deadlines, tracking progress, and assigning tasks straightforward and also provides fast communication services between staff.

Instant Messaging Services

In a world where real-time communication is more widespread than ever, it's no surprise that this has also rushed through the working environment. Many of the most popular platforms, such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Google Chats, have messaging functions that connect you with individual colleagues or with entire teams instantly. It may not be as valuable in some workplaces as it is in others, but being able to reach out directly to your fellow employees is imperative if you work from home. The flip side of this is that it makes you contactable outside of working hours, so be sure to mute any work-specific chats at the end each day.

Online Storage Services

Many people use online storage in their personal lives, but it's also essential for working professionals. There was a time when everything was stored as a hard copy or onto workplace computer systems, but this is much less functional now with so many remote workers and jobs. Uploading work documents to the cloud has become second nature to many, and now dozens of storage services make this doable in seconds. To keep your files safe and secure, check out facilities like Google Drive, Dropbox, Apple iCloud, and Microsoft OneDrive. Most offer a certain amount of storage space for free but require additional fees once you reach the limit.

Take the Stress Out of Remote Working With These Handy Tools

Many of the initial concerns raised about remote working have been squashed thanks to the impressive array of tools available nowadays. With the market for such services continuing to expand, we can expect working online to become even more streamlined in the coming years.