6 Innovative Technologies for Remote Business Connectivity

Remote work used to be a preserve of a few tech-savvy companies. This business model has registered an exponential upscale in demand in the recent past. According to Polaris Market Research, the global remote workplace services market size was estimated at USD 16.56 billion in 2021 and is expected to record a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.4% between 2022 and 2030. However, a lack of seamless remote business connectivity remains a significant challenge for remote workers. Frequent interruptions in connections are partly due to the slow adoption of relevant technologies.

In this post, we look at six cutting-edge technologies driving modern remote business connectivity.

1. Video Conferencing Software

Like traditional office set-ups, remote work involves holding regular meetings to relay key business decisions and receive valuable feedback from your employees. That’s where video conferencing software comes in.

Video conferencing software ensures you’re always on the same page with your remote teams. These applications provide a unified atmosphere through which your staffers can seek important clarifications and collectively solve organizational challenges. Besides, they offer a reliable platform for gauging your workforce’s performance.

The good news is that video conferencing software numbers in the dozens. From Skype to Zoom, Zoho, and GoToMeeting…the list is virtually endless.

However, note that the efficiency of video conferencing apps depends on your Wi-Fi’s strength. Using superfast internet can address the connectivity challenges facing remote and rural businesses, reducing lags and streamlining meetings with your remote workers.

2. Project Management Tools

Project management tools are an essential asset for remote businesses. The software lets you plan, organize, manage, and execute different aspects of your projects.

With project management tools, you can stay in the loop on ongoing projects and actively monitor the completion rate for each pending assignment. The programs also support seamless collaboration with your remote teams. You can assign projects, suggest or effect changes to ongoing tasks, and export completed works in real-time.

Since project management tools enhance real-time collaboration, it’s prudent to insist on mobile-friendly options. The program should also ease the content-sharing process, allowing you to upload and download files in different formats.

Trelle, Basecamp, and Asana are popular project management tools to explore.

3. Time-Tracking Software

Many project management tools have time-tracking capabilities. But if the focus is to keep your remote staffers on task, then you should consider a dedicated time-tracking application.

Time trackers provide the peace of mind of knowing your remote teams are working as they say they are. These software differ in their tracking capabilities, with some able to capture and share your employees’ computer screens for visual evidence of their actions.

However, real-time monitoring isn’t always necessary. Simply let your employees know they’re being remotely tracked, and you’ll be surprised at how productive they’ll get.

Hubstaff and Jibble rank among the most efficient remote time trackers. Both platforms are largely free, remarkably intuitive, and let you monitor reasonably larger teams.

4. Cloud Storage

Cloud migration should be one of the first things that come to mind when setting up a remote workforce.

For starters, cloud storage enhances accessibility to your company’s centralized databases. Your remote teams can quickly access critical work-related information whenever required, provided they have the necessary clearance.

Cloud storage also improves some of the capabilities of project management tools. Distributed staffers can seamlessly collaborate on tasks by facilitating remote access to critical data through creating, editing, and sharing key resources. This ensures the team members contribute to a project despite being thousands of miles apart.

Google Drive and Dropbox are especially popular with remote workers. Both tools are easy to use and integrate with several other productivity apps.

5. Anonymous Browsing Technology

Remote work almost entirely happens through computers, which presents significant cybersecurity threats. Sometimes, it only takes a seemingly innocuous mistake like connecting to a free public Wi-Fi for hackers to gain access to your company’s sensitive databases.

Unless your staffers have undergone fundamental IT training, cyber-attacks can happen under their noses. But that’s where anonymous browsing comes in.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) support anonymous browsing by encrypting communication channels through public (often insecure) internet connections. There are also proxy servers, which minimize attacks by serving as a gateway between your remote team and the internet. Residential proxies are another valuable option. Offering higher anonymity by using real IP addresses tied to physical locations, making them harder to detect and block.

Other anonymous browsing technologies include privacy-focused browsers like Tor and private search engines like DuckDuckGo.

6. POS Solutions

POS, short for point of sale, is a digital technology that eases the process of conducting and managing sales transactions. It encompasses the hardware and software that support online sales.

The hardware components of a POS include credit card readers, barcode scanners, receipt printers, cash registers, and a tablet that runs the connected software. Examples of popular POS applications include Toast, Square, and Clover.

For remote teams, point-of-sale solutions can enhance service delivery by making transactions swift and secure. The technology also reduces human errors associated with manual payments. Besides, it frees up your employees and allows them to engage more productively with your clients.

Other noteworthy benefits of POS systems include better inventory management, order customization, and enhanced overall customer experience.

Final Word

Maintaining a remote workforce can reduce overhead costs, enhance employee efficiency, and optimize workplace productivity.

However, adopting the right technological innovations will only unlock these benefits. The above technologies can revolutionize your remote business connectivity and boost your company’s operational resilience in a growingly competitive corporate landscape.