Teleworking has established itself as a norm in the professional world, and offers flexibility, however, it presents significant challenges, particularly in terms of communication and task management.
Data from the APEC study published in 2024 highlights that 39% of teleworking executives fear missing out on crucial information and 34% feel that their workload is poorly perceived by their superiors . Faced with this feeling, selecting suitable teleworking tools is very important.
This article aims to detail the top 10 essential tools to maximize productivity and improve communication within remote teams.
Top 10 best tools for teleworking
This article aims to detail the top 10 essential tools for maximizing productivity and improving communication within remote teams.
1. Remote access software: Splashtop and TeamViewer
Splashtop is crucial remote access software for remote workers. It offers the ability to access your workstation from anywhere, ensuring constant and secure connectivity. Splashtop is designed to provide speed, security and ease of use, ensuring a smooth and productive remote working experience. It allows you to work on your projects, access your key files and applications, and collaborate with your team as if you were in the office. Robust security measures protect your data, even when working from public or unsecured networks. Learn more about Splashtop.
TeamViewer is another essential tool for remote access. It allows users to connect to desktops, servers, and mobile devices remotely, facilitating technical support and remote collaboration. TeamViewer offers a user-friendly interface, high-level security with end-to-end encryption, and features like file transfer, cross-platform support, and unattended remote access. Whether for professional or personal needs, TeamViewer helps you stay connected and productive, wherever you are.
2. Communication platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord, Gmail
Collaboration platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams are essential for maintaining communication within teams. They offer chat, video calling, file sharing and integration with other tools, making remote interactions and collaboration easier. These tools allow you to create communication channels dedicated to different projects or topics, thus reducing email overload and organizing discussions in a clear and accessible way. Additionally, integration with other productivity tools helps centralize information and make daily tasks easier to manage.
Discord , originally designed for gamers, has proven to be a valuable tool for remote teams. It offers high-quality voice and text communication channels, enabling fluid and efficient exchanges. Discord features, such as dedicated servers and customizable chat rooms, make real-time collaboration and communication easy, even for geographically dispersed teams.
Gmail allows you to exchange via Google Chat , directly integrated into the messaging system. It also allows the instant launch of video meetings with Google Meet, also directly accessible in Gmail. This integration simplifies the management of communications and meetings, making exchanges smoother and more organized.
3. Videoconferencing software: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet
Video conferencing software such as Zoom , Google Meet , and Microsoft Teams play a vital role in remote working by facilitating face-to-face communication. They offer features like HD video, virtual backgrounds, and focus groups, making virtual meetings as interactive as in-person meetings.
Microsoft Teams, in particular, also integrates collaboration features like file sharing and task management, making it a versatile tool for remote teams.
Video conferencing is crucial for maintaining strong human relationships, collaborating effectively and making decisions in real time. To maximize the effectiveness of virtual meetings, it is important to adopt good practices, such as using a stable internet connection, adequate lighting and quality audio equipment.
4. Cloud storage: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive
Cloud storage solutions such as Google Drive , Dropbox and OneDrive allow you to store, share and collaborate on documents in real time.
They offer enhanced security through encryption and access controls, as well as automatic backups to prevent data loss. These tools allow teams to work on the same files simultaneously, make changes and leave comments, while keeping documents in sync across different devices.
Cloud storage also makes it easier to version and access documents from anywhere, improving team flexibility and responsiveness.
5. Project management tools: Asana, Trello, JIRA, Airtable, Monday
Project management tools like Asana, Trello, JIRA, Airtable, and Monday are designed to simplify managing tasks, projects, and deadlines in a remote work environment. They offer interactive features allowing an overview of projects and details in one place.
Asana allows you to structure projects into different tasks and subtasks, assignable to team members with precise deadlines, thus promoting better organization.
Trello , with its intuitive interface based on cards that can be slid between different columns, makes visualizing the different phases of a project fun and clear.
JIRA is particularly suitable for managing complex and technical projects, offering advanced features for tracking bugs and tasks.
Airtable combines the simplicity of a spreadsheet with the power of a database, enabling dynamic and adaptable project management.
Monday is a collaboration platform that provides an immediate visual overview of project status.
Using these tools helps improve team coordination, and allows for smoother communication and a reduction in misunderstandings and delays.
To effectively support teleworking, it is also crucial to put in place a suitable teleworking policy. This structuring approach makes it possible to supervise remote work, align expectations and guarantee the well-being of employees.
6. Expense management: Spendesk, Qonto, Shine
Financial and expense management tools like Spendesk, Qonto, and Shine are essential for remote workers and businesses managing remote teams.
Spendesk offers a complete solution for business expense management, allowing you to track expenses in real time, manage approvals and simplify accounting.
Qonto is a neobank dedicated to entrepreneurs and SMEs, offering simplified financial management features, including multi-user accounts, physical and virtual bank cards, and invoice management tools.
Shine is another neobank that stands out for its services adapted to freelancers and small businesses, including tools for managing social security contributions and tax declarations.
These tools make it possible to manage finances in an efficient and transparent manner, facilitating the management of expenses and budgets, and ensuring better control of financial resources.
7. Cybersecurity Solutions: VPN, Firewall
Cybersecurity solutions such as VPNs and firewalls are essential to protect connections and data when working remotely.
1Password creates and stores complex passwords, reducing the risk of data breaches.
Mullvad ensures a secure connection, essential for protecting sensitive company information from cyberattacks.
Thalès allows your employees to obtain secure, trusted access to all your cloud services and business apps outside of your offices.
They guarantee the confidentiality of sensitive information and secure internet connections, even on unsecured networks.
VPNs encrypt your internet connection, protecting your data from cyberattacks and interceptions.
Firewalls, on the other hand, control network traffic based on security rules, preventing unauthorized access and protecting your systems from potential threats.
8. Virtual whiteboard tools: Miro, MURAL
Virtual whiteboard tools like Miro and MURAL are essential for team brainstorming and ideation. They offer interactive features that allow you to work together creatively, even remotely.
These platforms replicate the experience of in-person whiteboard meetings, allowing team members to visually represent their ideas, conduct real-time discussions, and iterate on their concepts.
The ability to draw, annotate and reorganize ideas on a shared work area generates a dynamic and creative virtual workspace, promoting collaboration and innovation.
9. Call management solutions: Aircall, Quicktalk
Call management tools like Aircall and Quicktalk are essential for remote teams requiring effective voice communications.
Aircall is a cloud telephony solution that makes it easy to manage inbound and outbound calls, integration with CRMs and support tools, and collaboration features like call distribution and shared voice messages.
Quicktalk offers a simple interface for managing team calls, allowing for quick setups, local and international phone numbers, and easy integration with other work tools.
These solutions help maintain smooth and efficient voice communication, essential for business interactions and customer support.
10. Human resources management: Payfit, Combo
Online human resources management tools such as Payfit and Combo make it easier to manage HR tasks for remote teams.
Payfit automates payroll management, social declarations and leave management, offering an intuitive interface to simplify administrative tasks.
Combo is a complete solution for managing schedules, absences and hours worked, making it possible to effectively coordinate teams and ensure transparency in the management of working time.
These tools make it possible to centralize and simplify human resources management, thus improving efficiency and employee satisfaction.
Teleworking and technological solutions
The transition to teleworking requires a readjustment of our working methods, in particular to maintain fluid communication and effective project management remotely. The adoption of appropriate technological tools not only makes it possible to meet these challenges but also to optimize the productivity and well-being of employees.
These tools are designed to meet the varied needs of remote workers and guarantee better organization, smoother collaboration and enhanced data security.
Teleworking tools at the heart of professional performance
The integration of teleworking tools is necessary to maintain a connection and productivity linked to remote work.
Investing in professional teleworking equipment is essential to maintaining the productivity and well-being of your employees. This not only optimizes efficiency and remote collaboration, but also positions your company as a leader in the adoption of modern working practices.