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Office Tech: Communication For In-Office & Remote Working

office computer Over the years, the advancements in technology and the internet has made it possible for businesses to manage the transition to remote working. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly, has forced many organisations across the world to shift to remote working. During such circumstances, online communication and collaboration tools have helped both in-office and remote teams to stay connected. Needless to say, there has been a lot of thought and discussion within the business industry regarding how Covid-19 could change the future of office design. Possible changes for office workspaces are highlighted in this useful article by Southern Office Furniture.

Notably, the telecommunication industry has grown tremendously, with its value projected to rise significantly for the next decade. In such a massively growing sector, how can businesses identify the best tools for internal and external communication? This article highlights the best communication tools and systems for in-office and remote teams.

  1. Slack

Slack is undoubtedly the most popular online communication tool available in the market today. Many remote-first companies consider Slack as their virtual office, where employees connect and get instant feedback. This multi-purpose tool comes with video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management capabilities, all under one platform. With Slack, businesses can create multiple channels for different teams and flexibly add new members to these channels. In-office and remote teams can instant message, make video calls, and store and share files. There is even a useful mobile application that employees can download to use on their mobile phones, should they want to pick up message notifications when they are out of office hours.

  1. Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a chat-based collaboration tool that comes with a vast array of features for business communications. These features include online audio and video conferencing, document storage, conversation boards, and chat functions. With this shared workspace software, remote teams and business leaders can communicate effectively and make decisions progressively.

  1. Zoom

The establishment of the coronavirus pandemic has transformed Zoom into a go-to tool for most organisations. This online video conferencing platform makes it easy for businesses to facilitate virtual meetings. Zoom offers web conferencing solutions, file sharing features, and instant messaging functions. Using Zoom creates an opportunity for organisations to have a free flow of information and feedback, which is a vital component for effective in-office and remote working.

  1. Wireless Accessories

Working from home presents a ton of opportunities and challenges for most people, and an ergonomic set up would come in handy. Wireless accessories and smart assistants are must-have tools for remote workers. Examples of wireless gadgets that remote workers will find helpful include wireless charging stations, wireless Bluetooth earphones, and tablets.

  1. Cybersecurity Tools

Cybersecurity tools go a long way in protecting your privacy and data, both as an individual and remote employee. An example of such tools is the Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN establishes a private network while accessing the internet. This means that you can browse the internet anonymously, as your IP address is hidden. Cybersecurity software is also essential for protecting your devices against hackers and malware. While cybersecurity tools do not directly impact communication amongst workers, not having them would jeopardise their work.

  1. Project Management Tools

Project management tools play a critical role in keeping track of organisational projects. Today, there is a wide range of project management tools through which remote teams can monitor the progress of varying projects. Monday, for example, to track workflows, send messages, build and share reports, and communicate effectively. Examples of other project management tools include Trello, Asana, TeamGantt, and ProWorkflow.

The coronavirus pandemic has greatly affected most, if not all, business sectors across the globe. A reduced number of in-office employees and remotely working protocols have become the new normal. To enhance communication for both in-office and working-from-home employees in an organisation, there is a need for effective communication tools. Tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and, most importantly, wireless accessories will always come in handy. Wireless accessories such as office furniture have a significant impact on your productivity and general team participation.

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