Five software tools you need to manage remote workers

If you haven't yet come to terms with the fact that remote work is likely here to stay – in some form or another – it's time to get comfortable with the idea. Embracing the option for remote work is a smart move for employers. According to Gallup, one study revealed that ending remote work increased sick leave and vacation requests, returned no productivity increases, and made two-thirds of employees consider quitting. Here are five tools to deploy across your organization to make working remotely an effective solution.

Endpoint security software
Your company's sensitive data is only as strong as the weakest link on the network. Every employee laptop or smartphone is an endpoint that could potentially serve as a conduit for malware or a hacking attack. Endpoint security software is necessary to holistically manage device access control as well as security and software updates. There's a wide range of functionality offered by different applications in this niche, so it's important to evaluate carefully against your organization's needs when choosing endpoint security software.

Videoconferencing software
Videoconferencing is a key aspect of remote work – one cannot live by email alone! The best software offers more than just the ability to see your colleagues as they speak. Breakout chatrooms, screen sharing, virtual whiteboards and options to record sessions are all functionalities offered by good conferencing applications.

Collaboration software
Your choice for videoconferencing may be a standalone app, or it could be one part of a larger system of collaboration software. This software is where the bulk of the "work" happens among remote teams. People can create and edit documents together, request input, share status updates – this is the shared space of a remote office. This type of software will often integrate with several other applications essential for workflow, e.g. email and project management software.

Task management software
Essential for the efficient operation of remote teams, this class of software allows managers to assign work to specific team members and keep track of everyone's progress along the way. Sometimes, task management functionality is built in to collaboration software, but some organizations will need standalone solutions. Many applications will provide timely reports so you can identify consistently excellent performers as well as those team members who may need more support, coaching, or closer supervision.

Time and attendance software
Now, your remote workers can clock in and out of the job from their smartphone if they need to. Time and attendance software is specifically designed to keep track of when and how remote employees are spending their working hours. Some applications even utilize GPS to tell you where your remote workers are at any particular time, which might be useful to some employers.

Recent events have placed an increased spotlight on the value of remote work, but the attractiveness of such arrangements is not new. In 2018, Harvard Business Review noted that 96% of employees said they need flexibility, including in location and work hours, yet only 47% reported having access to the types of flexibility they need. Remote work provides extra flexibility and improves productivity – and having the right software tools provides you with the peace of mind that the work of your organization can continue no matter where your employees are located.

Perle can help you with hardware for the office, and assist you in setting up secure networks for remote employees to tap into as needed. Read our customer success stories to learn more.