Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, most of the companies have started to manage their regular operations remotely. Managing effective communication and collaboration with thousands of employees is a big challenge for these companies. But if you have high-speed Internet services like Cox Wi-Fi at home, then several online apps can enable you to handle all operations effectively.
While messaging apps and emails are great tools to quickly get the message across, they are not effective enough to help manage complex projects and task details. To discuss these important details, you need effective video-conferencing apps.
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Things to Consider Before Choosing a Tool
Before knowing about the tools, it is important to answer these questions:
- What is your home Wi-Fi speed?
- Have you installed a VPN service?
- How many team members do you have?
- How frequently do you need to video-chat?
- What is your current budget?
If you have a large team and need to conduct a meeting frequently, then you might require high-speed services like Cox Gigablast. If, however, you only need to conduct meetings once or twice a week, then a simpler Internet package will be enough.
So, here are a few video-conferencing and team collaboration tools that will help in keeping you connected with your team effectively:
Zoom
It is the most popular app for video-conferencing being used worldwide. It has over 13 million active users as of now. Everyone, from big corporations to educational institutions are using this app to manage remote working and learning.
There are three versions of Zoom; one is free and the two others require paid subscriptions. The free version is enough for you if you only plan to conduct one-to-one meetings. If, however, you need to conduct a Zoom meeting with multiple people, then you should opt for the paid version. In the paid versions, you also get HD picture quality and the option to add up to 100 people at a time.
The best part about this app is that it only requires 3 Mbps speed for HD video calls. You can easily employ an Internet speed checker to determine your current speeds. One thing to keep in mind while using this app is that it is not always secure. So, it is highly recommended to download an effective VPN service before conducting a Zoom meeting.
Microsoft Teams
It is a relatively new app for video-conferencing. It started as a paid app when it got released in 2017. However, due to the Coronavirus crisis, it has also introduced free versions for students and WFH users. Its monthly packages and plans usually cost around $8 to $35.
One of the best features of this app is that it seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Office 365. Hence, users can effectively employ it to share files amongst each other and manage calendars.
It only requires 2 Mbps speed for HD video conferencing. Although it is not as risky as Zoom in terms of hacking and eavesdropping, it is still recommended to use a VPN service while using this app.
Google Hangouts
It is another app that is fairly easy to set up and doesn’t cost too much. If you have a Gmail account, then this app can be used free of cost. But even if you need a more advanced package, it is available for only $6/month.
If you are using it to conduct a meeting with few people, then 3Mbps speed will be enough. If, however, there are several people in the meeting, then you might require higher speeds. So, make sure that you don’t have Internet outage issues before using this app. This app is also very prone to cyberattacks, therefore it is recommended to always secure your device with a VPN service.
Slack
Slack is another great tool for video-conferencing. It started as an instant message tool but slowly incorporated other features like video-calling, file, and image sharing extra. The best part about this app is that it only requires a minimum of 200 Kbps speeds for video-calls. However, it allows you to include only 15 participants in a video-call at a time.
Although it provides two-factor authentication, it is still recommended to use this app with a powerful VPN service.
FaceTime
It is the best app for iOS users. But if you are an Android user, then this app is not the right choice for you. The best part about this app is that it is completely free. Your phone carrier minutes will not be counted while using this app. However, it uses the data heavily. So, make sure that you seek your ISP’s customer care to subscribe to unlimited data packages before using this app.
Since Apple allows end-to-end encryption, you don’t need a VPN service for this app. This app can work with 1-4 Mbps download speeds as long as your mobile software is updated. Otherwise, it can get difficult for this app to function properly.
FAQs:
How can I make my remote work better?
You can do so by using the right team collaboration and communication tools.
What equipment do you need to work from home?
You need at least a computer, a good Internet service, and a headset to work from home.
What tools allow workers to work remotely and telecommute?
Tools like Slack, Trello, and Zoom extra are some effective tools for this purpose.
Is working from home more productive?
With the right equipment and attitude, working from home can be quite productive.
