Collaborative technology has come a long way since the pandemic and we owe it to Covid-19 to have the kind of tools we have today. Being forced to adapt to new norms and working restrictions, we’ve gotten pretty creative with the platforms and tools that are available. Although there are also software tools that have existed prior to the pandemic which were utilized when social distancing became the norm, new tech has expanded upon the existing tools and now there are several that have become a staple for remote workers.

Google workspace has existed since 2006

When Google erupted on the internet, it soon took over as one of the key players. The company released a free email service called Gmail in 2004 and it has become one of the most used email services in the world, with 1.5 billion users worldwide. In 2006, it released Google Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Slides, amongst others, which are collaborative tools that can be shared with anyone. The G Suite giant has come to play a big role in the workforce regardless of whether it is done traditionally or from home, especially since it’s free to use.

Slack taking messaging to the next level

Messengers have been around for quite some time, but Slack was optimized for work by creating a collaborative online workspace. The platform also boasts features such as making channels for different departments or projects and users can also set reminders directly in the app regarding tasks and upcoming meetings. Furthermore, it can be further integrated into video conferencing software, document editing platforms, and remote workforce management software, making it easier for teams to work together more effectively.

Zoom took the world by storm during the pandemic

Despite Skype and Google Meet being around for years before the pandemic, it was newcomer and relatively unknown Zoom which took the world by storm due to the amount of people that can be present in a Zoom call at one time, making it the perfect platform for conferences and seminars. Video conferencing has become a cornerstone of remote work, and its popularity is only set to increase in the coming years. A powerful tool for communication and collaboration, it gives the remote workforce the opportunity to connect with their colleagues and research has shown that people who use video conferencing in their projects do feel more engaged with their colleagues.

Tracking softwares to boost trust and transparency

Perhaps one of the latest advancements is time tracking software that gives employees the ability to track their working hours digitally and employers the liberty to check what their employees have done. It may have started out shakily – with many feeling that it’s encroaching on their privacy – remote workforce management software has become much more sophisticated and focuses on promoting trust and transparency as well as tools to help manage remote workers more effectively such as ensuring that they have a healthy work-life balance, which is becoming increasingly valued by both employers and staff.

As remote work becomes more widespread, more and more employers and employees alike are seeing the benefits of having a healthy work-life balance and we should expect to see more tools that prevent the exploitation of either parties.