Working remotely offers all kinds of opportunities and certainly a lot more freedom than being confined to an office. And thanks to technology, you have an attractive set of digital tools. Here's our pick of the best options to get you started.
Productivity power
Although many people think that a Microsoft Office suite of tools will answer their prayers, there are plenty of other options for general remote work productivity as well. A simple search online will reveal a host of alternative office suites, many of which are free. You can produce written documents, spreadsheets, and provide all sorts of other digital output without signing up with the mighty Microsoft. Google, for example, is obviously a major player, but the collection of online collaboration tools is invaluable, especially since they're accessible online and from anywhere. Just having something like Google Drive at your disposal is useful for storage of, well, just about anything. At the same time, there are many other cloud storage options that will prove essential as you become more productive and accumulate many digital files. Many are free, though some paid options offer more flexibility and much more storage space if you grow at node speed.
Safe and secure
If you're working remotely, one of the first things to consider is setting up a VPN or virtual personal network. In addition to conventional online security options like antivirus software (which you should also have), the humble VPN can come in handy, effectively masking your computer in a way that makes it virtually invisible. In addition to adding another layer of anonymity to procedures, which is useful if you're using random Wi-Fi networks, it's also useful for accessing websites that might otherwise be banned due to geo-restrictions. If you have to do a lot of research online and stay safe while doing it, a VPN is essential.
Internet lifeline
Then you'll want to connect to others remotely, which has never been easier. Video conferencing has come a long way in recent years and it is now possible to enjoy regular communications with colleagues, clients and colleagues without hassle or hassle. Connecting to a meeting online was once fraught with minor irritations, including connectivity issues, the vagaries of audio quality, and, on a purely practical level, not knowing who was going to say what and when. Yes, collaborating on the Internet was chaos.
Video conference
Now though there are some great software tools to get the most out of online conference calls, both voice and video. Zoom is an obvious example, especially when you have to talk to multiple people and have them present with virtually no white noise in the meeting. Zoom offers intelligent call management, with many reasonable mediation options, the ability to chat with video conferencing, and convenient scheduling that brings order and peace of mind to virtual meetings.
Office collaboration
Slack is another tool that works perfectly for remote workers, providing almost office-style communication in any location. Of course, there are others, but Slack is one of the best, simply because it has been refined over time and now offers a fairly comprehensive collection of features and functions. You'll get organized in no time using the power of this software, just like your colleagues, wherever they are. There is a free trial version, then the paid version is more affordable than some of its competitors.
Project management
Working remotely is easy enough, but staying organized and having a basic plan of action is essential. Trello is one of those tools that, once you've been using it for a while, will make you wonder how you ever got on without it. Simply put, Trello is a cloud-based project management platform that allows you and other members of your team to manage projects with ease. It comes with a full range of tools and options that allow anyone with access to it to keep up with what's going on. Remote work can often cause communication issues, crossed threads, and uncertainty, so it's essential to have a project management tool like Trello and/or others like it that provides clarity and precise timelines for deadlines, assigned tasks, and more.
Text call
WhatsApp is an extremely popular tool for keeping in touch with people, on a professional or personal level. Setting up a WhatsApp group if you need to network with a collection of people can be a very convenient way to share facts, figures, and schedules with others. WhatsApp is also useful to add a sense of pleasure to the procedure if you are looking for a slight relief from the daily grind. Naturally, if WhatsApp is not attractive, there is a wide range of alternatives to WhatsApp, from Viber and Signal to WeChat and others.
Language barrier
If you are a telecommuter planning to stay productive abroad, there are also tools that can help you get around minor things, like the local language for example. Duolingo is a great app for tackling many different languages while adding a bit of fun to the mix. Meanwhile, Google Translate, as an alternate example, is another powerful tool for overcoming language barriers and proves once again that there are no real barriers to productivity in remote work. For more serious projects, there are several translation software options.
In the zone
Similarly, if you work in time zones with colleagues who might be in other parts of the world, then something like Solve It is worth studying. Available as an extension for the Google Chrome browser and also in a web version, this handy plugin is a useful way to keep an eye on who can be accessible at the office (at home or otherwise), or even anywhere, by showing their time. zone in an instant. More useful than you think if you are willing to travel the world with your professional duties.