Remote work software refers to a combination of different types of solutions that help professionals be efficient and effective in their role when working from outside the office space.
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Remote work software can connect your teams in real time from anywhere in the world, allowing for more flexibility and better productivity between teams in different locales.
We created this buyers guide to help you select the remote work software that’s right for your business. Here’s what we’ll cover:
Remote work software refers to a combination of different types of solutions that help professionals be efficient and effective in their role when working from outside the office space.
These solutions may include software for softphone, live chat, web conferencing, collaboration, project management, remote support, and more.
There are two deployment options for remote work software. We’ve listed the characteristics of each option below:
Cloud-based deployment: Vendors host the tool on their own or third-party servers; you can access the solution from a web browser or mobile app. Cloud-based solutions are typically available on monthly or annual subscriptions. Some vendors factor in the number of monthly users when calculating the subscription fee.
On-premise deployment: You host the tool on your own servers and network, which means procuring compatible hardware as well as paying for maintenance, upgrades, support, and data storage. Most on-premise solutions are available for a one-time license fee, making them expensive initially.
Key questions to ask a vendor before you buy:
What kind of support is offered for on-premise deployments?
What data security measures are there in your product?
What is the total cost of ownership (TCO) including one time expenses such as setup fees and data migration?
What level of accessibility does your system support? Are multiple languages supported?
Once you’ve researched the deployment options, the next step is to learn the common features of remote work software so you can shortlist products that meet your requirements.
Web conferencing: Host webinars, meetings, and online events via the internet.
Web conferencing with GoToMeeting
Collaboration: Boost productivity by facilitating ideation, sharing and editing of documents, and virtual chats.
Chat groups in Slack
Task management: Automate processes involved in creating, assigning, prioritizing, and tracking the tasks of a project.
A work queue in Workfront
Remote support: Allow IT professionals and administrators to access client devices remotely to resolve technical issues and provide maintenance support.
Customer support ticket in Splashtop
File sharing: Help users store and access files over an organization's network or the internet.
Shared folders in Quip
Key questions to ask a vendor before you buy: Remote work software can have many more features than the ones listed above. Ask vendors about additional functionalities that would benefit your business:
Does your solution integrate with third-party applications like project management or HR software?
What data security measures does your system have in place?
What kind of storage for shared files does your solution offer?
What sort of maintenance downtime should I expect during outages?
Back to remote work software directory
Note: The applications selected in this article are examples to show a feature in context, and are not intended as endorsements or recommendations, obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the time of publication.
