As you know Corona virus outbreak has already created inconvenience for millions of people worldwide in the form of travel restrictions, health scares and business shutdowns which let employees to work from home. In India, US, UK, China and many more countries, several cities have been put in lockdown mode, which means offices and establishments are shut for the time being. In such circumstances, work can’t really take a back seat and here’s where technology comes in to play a critical role.
If you’re also planning to work from home for an extended period of time, there are a few free applications to make sure you can be productive at your job. Make sure you have what you need to work remotely :
#1 Zoom: On Android, iOS, Windows (Free)
Zoom is one of the most popular video conferencing app which allows screen sharing and cross-platform instant messaging. Zoom is Free to download, you can invite up to 100 people in a video conference on this app.
#2 Microsoft Teams: On Android, iOS, Windows (Free)
Microsoft Teams is designed for all kinds of groups. Invite everyone you work with to chat, meet, call, and collaborate all in one place, no matter where you are. Instantly go from group chat to video conference with the touch of a button. Teams of 10 or 10,000 can meet in one place, no matter how many places they’re in.
#3 G Suite – 30 Days Free Trial
Get Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Meet and more for business. Collaborate on files in real time, quickly find space on everybody’s calendar, and take meetings from anywhere. G Suite has the tools to boost your productivity.
#4 Dropbox Business: 30 days Free Trial
Everything teams need, all in one place- Dropbox Business is more than just secure file storage - it’s a smart workspace where teams, tools, and content come together.
#5 Basecamp 3: iOS, Android, Mac, and PC
Basecamp 3 puts everything you need to get work done in one place. Basecamp 3 has a message board, chat room, and a file organiser as well. The app has a paid & free but limited version, which should suffice your basic work needs.
#6 Join.me: On Android, iOS
#7 Hours: On Android, iOS
Hours is an time tracking software for freelancers & small business. Track projects, clients, & tasks on the web, iPhone & Apple Watch. This software helps you keep track record of time. You can simply use a timer to track how your employee had spent hours. Available for both individuals as well as for a team.
#8 Slack: For iOS, Android, Windows
Another popular productivity and collaboration app is Slack which can be used for messaging, sharing and editing documents, The app can be used across devices. Teamwork in Slack happens in channels – a single place for messaging, tools and files – helping everyone save time and collaborate together.
#9 Break Timer
As the name suggests, this app tells you to take a break. Break Timer allows you to set up customizable time breaks and will remind you to take them. Taking breaks whilst working or studying is crucial in preventing RSI, eye-strain and tiredness.
#10 Trello: On Android, iOS, Microsoft
Trello’s boards, to do lists and task, and cards enable you to organize and prioritize your projects in a fun, flexible, and rewarding way.
#11 Harvest: On iOS, Android
Harvest app comes in really handy to track time and expenses. You can also manage invoices using Harvest app. The app allows you to take images of receipts and keep a track of expenses. You can also monitor the time taken by colleagues on certain projects and stay up-to-date.
#12 Doodle: On iOS, Android
Book meetings faster with the smart scheduling. You can create polls, invite others to participate in them and get feedback on any particular topic/project. It’s an ideal app to get quick feedback from colleagues.
#13 Clockify: Free
Clockify is the free time tracking software. It's a simple time tracker and timesheet app that lets you and your team track work hours across projects. Unlimited users, free forever.
#14 Desktime : iOS, Android, Windows
Maximize your team's productivity and keep your projects on track with the simple and secure DeskTime time tracking app. Monitor the daily activity, sick leaves, vacations and overtime with ease, and get a clear overview of your team's workflow.
#15 Tide: iOS & Android
Be calm and mindful with nature. Focus. Sleep. Relax. Meditation. An app that will help you stay focused by playing noises and other background music. You can set timers and even get your sleep analysis done with the app.