Overcoming The Challenges of Flexible Work with Modern Tools

Flexible work arrangements can be more challenging when you are not equipped with the modern tools for flexible work. The world is changing, including how we structure work setups. That is why it is important to get hold of these tools to cope with an ever-changing world and boost your productivity.

We rounded up the top 15 modern tools you and your team can use in a flexible work arrangement. These are divided into five categories:

• Team Collaboration Tools
• Team Communication Tools
• Team Productivity and KPI Tools
• Team Project Management Tools
• Team Security Tools

Team Collaboration Tools

1. Slack

Slack ranked as one of the best collaborative tools for a group of freelancers, small enterprises, and even big corporations. This tool allows many integrations and uses. It is best used for arranging messages for certain employees working on a particular project, powerful file sharing, and message searching. It can also support video conferencing. Aside from these features, you can also update the status so your employers can see what you are currently working on or if you are available at the moment.

Pricing: Slack offers a free and paid version with three different pricing options: Pro, Business+, and Enterprise Gold. For Pro, it offers a basic price of $6.67 per user, billed annually.

2. ProofHub

ProofHub is your all-in-one collaboration and project management solution. It is the ultimate tool to track progress, share, review, and proof files. You can also assign and approve tasks and communicate with colleagues. ProofHub has got it all for your remote team to stay organized and productive before the deadlines.

Pricing: Unlike Slack, which offers per-user fees, ProofHub will bill you per month or annually for use. You can also opt for a free version, but if you want to upgrade, its Essential plan starts at $45 per month.

3. Airtable

Airtable is a much more powerful and improved version of the spreadsheet. It is an easy-to-use online platform for creating and sharing relational databases. Moreover, its user interface isn’t just friendly for users but also creative. You can use it to manage projects, track and arrange inventories, plan events and proposed projects, and any other collaborative tasks.

Pricing: Airtable, like any other tool, is free for a limited number of uses. But if you are looking to upgrade to paid plans, you can choose from Plus, Pro, and Enterprise. For Plus, its basic price starts at $10 per seat billed annually.

Also Read: How To Adapt To Flexible Work Arrangements Successfully

Team Communication Tools

1. Zoom

Zoom is popular for video conferencing and delivering webinars among teams. It helps you connect with your remote teams anywhere on the globe. More importantly, your team can use it for messaging and ease the use of hand signals through its platform. It can hold 100 people with a 40-minute restriction, but could be longer with the upgraded plans.

Pricing: For paid plans, you can select from Pro, Business, and Enterprise. The Pro is ideal for small teams, and it currently starts at $14.99 per month.

2. Ryver

Ryver makes communication easier with its all-in-one collaboration platform. It offers group messaging, task management, voice, and video calls and can integrate with other tools and software like Asana, Gmail, Dropbox, and many others. Aside from that, upgrading Ryver allows for SSO, premium support, and advanced team management.

Pricing: Ryver Starter offers $49 per month for up to 12 users. It also has Unlimited and Enterprise options, which offer different pricing.

3. G Suite and Microsoft 365

G suite is perhaps the most versatile tool your remote team can use. With over 60 apps like Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for a bargain price, it is no wonder why it is popular with remote workers. It has everything you need to boost productivity.

Microsoft 365 also functions like the G suite for team collaboration, document development, and communication. These tools are all in for your remote team.

Pricing: You can get a paid G suite for a Business Starter option for $4.20 per month, but their most popular plan is the Business Standard, which only costs $9.60 per month.

Microsoft’s Business Basic starts at $5.00 per user per month with two other options: Standard at $12.50 per month and $8.25 for Apps for Business.

Team Productivity and KPI Tools

1. Todoist

This is for anyone looking to stay organized by prioritizing tasks depending on their needs or urgency. It has an easy-to-use, user-friendly interface and benefits both individuals and distributed remote teams.

Todoist also offers a wide range of creative features, so you can knock out all your to-do lists at the end of the day with ease.

Pricing: You can use the tool for free or start with a paid plan for as low as $3 per month.

2. Trello

Next on the list is Trello. It operates on Kanban-style project management, where teams can easily organize projects. It will also highlight which type of project should be prioritized and who should work with whom. Trello is integrated with team chat features and a calendar. More importantly, it is available on iOS and Android for mobile apps.

Pricing: You can use Trello for free, but if you are looking for a paid premium, the pricing starts at $6.00 per month billed annually.

3. DeskTime

For time and productivity tracking software, DeskTime has it for you. It is used to track time for your remote teams so you can see how much time they spent on a particular project. Aside from that, you can also use this tool for project management, invoicing, shift scheduling, efficiency analysis, and tracking productivity. Other capabilities are also included in the software.

Pricing: DeskTime pricing starts at $7 per user per month for the Pro plan. But their most popular plan is the Premium, which starts at $10.

Team Project Management Tools

1. Asana

Asana ensures that every project is taken care of. This project management tool allows you to assign, manage, and monitor tasks. It functions like a Kanban-style system where your remote teams can customize their boards with creativity. It is ideal for breaking up bigger projects into smaller ones. It is easy to use, and the collaborators can comment, set reminders for deadlines, and many more functions.

Pricing: For paid plans, it starts at $10.99 per user per month.

2. Notion

The workspace is brought together by the concept.The software includes project management, shift scheduling, invoicing, productivity and efficiency analysis, and other features. It is very user-friendly, easy to use, and highly customizable.

Pricing: It starts at $4 per month, billed annually for Personal Pro.

3. Wrike

Wrike is considered a one-stop solution for project management and task organization that suits almost all enterprises. It is a cloud-based program that allows you to have complete control over your schedules, tasks, and workflows. Use this tool to improve 

communication and streamline your business.

Pricing: The professional plan starts at $9.80 per user per month. Other plans include Business, Enterprise, and Pinnacle, which offer different and higher charges.

Team Security Tools

1. LastPass

Where security is often overlooked in a flexible work arrangement, LastPass can help you with that. It helps you generate strong passwords, save them, and store them across all platforms to protect sensitive information.

Pricing: You can use this tool for free, but if you opt for Premium pricing, it starts at a bargain price of $3 per month for individuals and $4 per month for families. On top of that, they offer 30 days of a free trial.

2. TeamViewer

TeamViewer is another option to secure your devices when working in a flexible work arrangement. This modern tool is a one-stop solution for remote assistance, remote access, and online meetings, allowing you to help customers and collaborate with colleagues from afar.

Pricing: TeamViewer offers a starting price of $50.90 per user and per month. It also offers another set of pricing for Premium and Corporate. 

3. LogMeIn

This security tool allows you to monitor computers and their apps, files, and other information of your remote teams anywhere in the world. Two-factor authentication is required for LogMeIn Pro, and the software uses 256-bit encryption. LogMeIn communicates via SSL/TLS, which is very secure.
Pricing: LogMeIn starts at $30 per month with access to two computers. It also offers two additional plans that are slightly more expensive than their starting prices.

Also Read: Manage Cybersecurity Threats In A Flexible Work Setup With These Tips

Conclusion

These are our top picks, but the choice is yours. To choose modern tools specifically for flexible work arrangements, you must look at more features and functions. Also, look for ease of use, affordability, and cloud storage capabilities. Another thing to consider is its multiple integrations and compatibility with other applications.

About Deskimo

Deskimo is the flexible work platform of choice that helps businesses navigate the new future of work. With us, you and your business can adapt to flexible work, and pay-as-you-go across dozens of spaces in Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong.