In recent years there has been a major change to how millions of businesses function on a daily basis. The first major signs of this change started in 2020, when the covid-19 virus became a true pandemic. At short notice, organizations needed to adapt and allow their workforce to work remotely to comply with government movement restrictions and regional or national lockdowns.
For many employees, remote working became a preferable option and as the pandemic restrictions were lifted staff wished to continue with remote or hybrid forms of work. Today, these models of working are now widespread across all types of commerce and industry.
The main challenge with remote and hybrid models of work is to ensure that productivity levels remain high. Thankfully, this can be achieved by the intelligent use of technology, and this article will outline three specific types of tech that help businesses to achieve high levels of productivity with a remote workforce.
Cloud computing solutions
Modern cloud computing in the form that is known today has a history that stretches back to the 2000s—when Amazon and Google became key players in this sector of technology. Cloud computing technology is a vital part of the IT infrastructure of any company that wishes to effectively support a remote workforce. By storing key commercial applications and programs in cloud-based locations they become easily accessible for any staff member if they have suitable access levels and a reliable internet connection.
Today, a remote workforce can log onto corporate systems from virtually any location that has internet access. The information in cloud-based applications are updated in real time, which ensures that the most current form of each project or task is available for all staff members, so work is not duplicated. Put simply, cloud-based IT systems are an integral part of any firm that wishes to maintain a productive remote workforce.
Project management applications
In remote or hybrid models of work, there is the expectation that teams of staff will need to collaborate on tasks and projects, often without meeting in a shared physical location. In such circumstances project management applications can be vital in planning out and allocating work to team members.
All stakeholders can access this application and are instantly able to see the progress that has been made on each sub-task and who is responsible for it. Many project management applications allow live updates to be added and alerts can be sent when deadlines for specific tasks are upcoming or when a specific part of the project has been completed.
Video conferencing platforms
Video conferencing platforms are a final key example of tech that promotes productive remote working. These are accessible from internet-based locations and allow teams to meet in a virtual space to discuss projects or hold meetings.
Modern video conferencing platforms also include features such as virtual whiteboards and voting functions that allow idea sharing and discussions to take place in real time when the meeting is running. This type of technology is vital in a remote workforce as it helps to keep effective communication taking place in dispersed teams whilst ensuring that every staff member is aware of their roles and responsibilities.
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