Remote working software is software that enables workers outside of a main office to collaborate, communicate and track tasks and projects so they can produce work that might otherwise need to be conducted on-premises. Remote working software eliminates or reduces the need for shared physical office space, in effect creating a virtual office – and indeed, some of the tools that enable remote work are called virtual office software.
The COVID-19 epidemic of 2020 forced as many as 70% of workers to work remotely – up from less than 10% before the pandemic – and created a boon for remote working software vendors.
Types of remote working software
Categories of software that support remote work include:
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Chat tools
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Task management and tracking software
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Cloud office productivity suites
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Virtual office software
It’s likely that no one single remote working platform will support everything an organization needs from remote employees, so a mix of software is often used.
Infrastructure, such as broadband access, PCs and mobile devices, remote support, and security tools such as VPNs, endpoint and mobility management, are also necessary for effective remote work.
White-collar jobs are generally more amenable to remote work, while jobs that require on-site production, maintenance or sales are much more difficult to do remotely.
Remote working software benefits
Remote working software offers businesses a number of advantages, such as the ability to:
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hire workers from other geographical areas, helping organizations find skills that might not be available locally
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better accommodate work-life balance issues, such as for parents of young children, while maintaining productivity
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continue to operate when employees are not able to come to work, as in weather-related or disaster circumstances
Remote work, often called telecommuting or telework, is also valued by employees, thus making it a potential benefit for employee retention.
