Telecommuting has grown by more than 80% in the US in the past couple of decades. It allows companies to save office space and improve productivity.
However, telecommuting doesn’t come without its risks. Tracking employees and their progress is not as simple as when they are physically at the office. Also, people tend to take more breaks when working from home.
For this reason, we have prepared a list of professional apps for work telecommuting.
Features Of TeamViewer
As we have mentioned above, while telecommuting has benefits, there are potential issues, as well. The first app that we will be talking about is one that can be used by the employer to monitor whether the employees are completing their tasks. It is called TeamViewer.
The main feature of this app is that you will be able to access the computers of others from a distance. The fact that you will not need a password in order to get any tech issues settled for your employees makes this app really viable.
Among the most important features that TeamViewer allows is the ability to access the files and applications on the computer of your employee. This is not all, as you are also presented with the ability to hold online meetings and events, as well as sales presentations.
Most importantly, TeamViewer is compatible with Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices, which means that you will be able to get the most out of it even while on the road.
Features of Slack
While TeamViewer is extremely beneficial for employers who are focused on telecommuting, Slack can also be of great use. Again, working from home comes with a number of distractions, which is the reason why you may need an app that will keep you in check.
The benefits of this app are widely known, and much like the aforementioned app, it is available to users of both desktop and mobile devices. First and foremost, you will get to enjoy live communication through the instant messaging feature. This is of extreme importance, especially if you need to contact a certain team member individually.
Also, the features of screen sharing, as well as video and voice calls, should help you keep a check on tasks more easily. Not to mention, the status feature is there to let your colleagues and employees know whether you are currently available or not.
This app, along with Serene (for Mac) will allow you to block distracting websites and help you stay much more productive when it comes to remote work.
Who It’s Suited To
TeamViewer is great for employers who want to have a better idea of how their employees are doing from home, as well as whether there is an issue that they need to troubleshoot.
On the other hand, Slack and Serene are better used between colleagues both for improving communication, as well as reducing distractions that are common for remote work.
Cost Of the Apps
Most innovative telecommuting apps come at a certain cost. However, that is not the case with the aforementioned apps. You will be getting all the features without paying a single dime!
Pros of TeamViewer
Any product, including telecommuting apps, has its advantages and disadvantages. When it comes to TeamViewer, we were quite impressed at the following features.
- Completely free
- Allows screen sharing
- Allows access to employee computers without a password
- Helps in troubleshooting issues
- Great for monitoring
- Compatible with desktop and mobile devices
Cons of TeamViewer
However, there is one major concern.
- File transfer (neglected)
Pros of Slack
On the other hand, Slack has its set of advantages, as well, such as the following.
- Free of charge
- Allows live messaging and voice/video calls
- Great screen sharing
- Effective file transfer
- Great compatibility
Cons of Slack
Still, there is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to the following.
- Troubleshooting
How To Use It
Both TeamViewer and Slack are platforms that are extremely easy to install and use. If you are using a mobile device, all it takes is to find the app on the Google Play or App Store and install it in a couple of simple steps.
Once you have signed up with an account, you will be presented with a user-friendly interface and innovative features that should help you stay more productive.
Summary
The aforementioned telecommuting apps are there to help you keep the work flowing even while you are at home.
These are free and easy to use, and most importantly, they allow monitoring and live communication between employers and employees!