Free tools and software to maximise remote working efficiency

By Q2Q IT

06 Apr 2020

As the UK enters its third week of ‘lockdown’ – many of us are slowly becoming more accustomed to the idea of remote working being our new normal. However, for some, this radical change to our daily routines and office set-up has played havoc with our efficiency.

As an IT firm, we’re naturally huge advocates of the way technology and software can improve and streamline processes and productivity – so, if you’re still struggling to know the difference between your Zoom call and Google Hangout, we’ve got you covered.

Here are some of the best (free) tools available right now, which could play a little role in making your transition to the home office a bit less stressful.

Best video conferencing tools when working from home

With the kibosh firmly on face-to-face meetings, video calling now means much more than a Sunday afternoon FaceTime with your family dog. These virtual gatherings can host plenty of people and offer a great way to keep in touch with colleagues and clients. With plenty to choose from, here are some of the key players:

Zoom has seen a huge upsurge in users as a result of COVID-19, and the free option allows up to 100 people to join a meeting – which is more than enough for most business conversations. However, meetings of three people or more are limited to 40 minutes – so you need to cut the waffle.

Microsoft Teams is our own ‘go-to’ here at Q2Q, and we’ve been using this platform since its release. It comes as part of Office 365, but there is a trial version which is free for the first six months (as a reaction to COVID-19). Up to 250 participants can join a single meeting – but you can only see four people at once, with the stream switching based on who’s talking.

Skype is probably the most recognised video conferencing tool – and doubles up as a great internal chatroom too. While it’s previously been associated with long-distance calls to friends and family, its ability to support up to 50 people on any one call means it’s great for company use too.

Google Hangouts comes as part of your Google account, and is one that is often overlooked in favour of the aforementioned ‘big three’. However, as most people have a Gmail account – or Google business set-up – it’s worth considering. It integrates well with other Google products such as Calendar and Docs – plus, there’s the option to record and save meetings to Google Drive.

Top remote working tools for keeping in touch

Connecting to a video chatroom for eight hours per day would undoubtedly sap your broadband limits dry. But there are other ways to stay connected and chat as you would in the office – without cluttering up your inbox.

Work collaboration tools and instant messaging software is a great way to ensure you don’t lose touch – and enable you to quickly see where projects ate up to. Slack, Discord, Workplace by Facebook, Asana and Basecamp each offer basic, free packages to get you started.

Slack is by far one of the most popular work collaboration tools around today. It’s been helping co-workers across different locations to keep in touch for years, thanks to its functionality which offers private chats with colleagues, as well as separate ‘channels’ for specific project – or ‘water cooler’ – conversations.

Asana meanwhile, is a great way of keeping teams updated with the status of work and projects. Similar to Trello and Google Keep, these digital tools allow you to keep tack of your ‘to-do’ list, while providing visibility to others involved in its delivery. A visual interface, kitsch pop-ups when a task is progressed, and a handy drag-and-drop functionality bolsters productivity, clarity and project management.

One Note forms part of the 365 subscription and is great as a general notebook for ideas – which can also be shared with the teams or third parties when required. It supports a history and, as most of it is plain text, it has a simple and responsive offline mode with changes getting pushed as additional internet bandwidth becomes available – such as when Netflix or Spotify is paused by the children!

How to be productive when remote working

When it comes to actual work, a home office can provide a plethora of excuses to procrastinate. From feeding the cat to struggling with server access – these hurdles will often need to be overcome well in advance of the working day.

Cue: Google everything. We don’t mean, physically ‘Google it’ we mean Google Sheets, Docs, and Drive. This cloud-based suite of tools lets you work on whatever you need to – worksheets, documents and even presentations – directly from your browser.

Google Drive is the glue which links all of these applications together, and it also lets you upload, store and share large image and video files too. In fact, Google will give you the first 15GB of cloud storage, per account, for free – with add-ons available for those needing a little more space.

As always, if you want to find out more about how we can support your remote working set-up, or you just fancy a chat, get in touch with the team via [email protected] or Tweet us!

Latest news

1

Financial Affairs support the Red Rose Award winners' reception Networking photograph

Financial Affairs support the Red Rose Award winners' reception

24 Apr 2025

2

Lancaster University unveils cutting-edge computing and cyber security facilities Head of Lancaster University's School of Computing and Communications Professor Nigel Davies, Chris Ensor, Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Sarah Kemp

Lancaster University unveils cutting-edge computing and cyber security facilities

24 Apr 2025

3

Northcote announces new owners Alf and Clare Ellis as Lisa Goodwin-Allen returns as chef patron-director Craig Bancroft and Lisa Goodwin-Allen

Northcote announces new owners Alf and Clare Ellis as Lisa Goodwin-Allen returns as chef patron-director

24 Apr 2025

4

Major shareholder makes Inspired takeover bid inspired-500x500.png

Major shareholder makes Inspired takeover bid

23 Apr 2025

5

Nominate your favourite family-run business in Lancashire. Thompsons meeting (1).png.png

Nominate your favourite family-run business in Lancashire.

22 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin