The pandemic came as a shock to everyone. It was swift, and the changes to how things are done – personal and business – have been hard to keep up with. To stay afloat, businesses across the globe have had to make abrupt changes, both big and small. One of the top challenges has been how to keep workers and teams connected.
Many took the leap and invested in various tools and basic technology. As businesses have begun to reopen a surprising number of these companies have decided to accept remote operations as a long-term arrangement. If you are one of the many that are striving to pivot and adapt as needed, you likely already have or will consider adding collaboration tools to your list of pandemic investments.
However, with more options than ever before, it can be hard to know if you’re choosing the right collaboration tools for your business – tools that will enable seamless remote collaboration. The following list of tips will help you choose the best ones for your remote working team:
- Usability
Of course, any technology you implement should be usable. As simple as that sounds, you’d be surprised how many businesses take on technology that is not easily understood or applicable. If it’s too time-consuming and hard to understand, your team will be unable to use it effectively.
- Security
Another top concern when choosing collaboration tools should be security and data protection. Cyber-attackers are well aware of the current situation businesses and consumers find themselves in; it would not be surprising if they start taking advantage of so many working remotely. Make sure any tool you utilize is secure from risks and threats to your data and networks.
- Compliance
You will also need to consider compliance. Every business will have certain industry-specific and general regulations they are required to follow. You wouldn’t want to find yourself in a situation where you have failed to comply and land in legal hassles.
- Support
Does the company offering collaboration tools also provide exceptional customer service? When working remotely, the chances of experiencing issues with software and tools is high. Make sure the technologies you choose also come with round-the-clock support.
- Cost
Lastly, there is the issue of cost and upgrade fees. During a time when financial situations are tight and uncertain, it’s important to make sure your chosen tools fit in your budget. In fact, the future may be uncertain for some time, making it even more important to make sure these tools can grow with your business and that you can handle upgrade costs. (Also check for any hidden charges that may apply.)
Is your business looking for tools, services and support to help you through these uncertain times? Our team at First American Merchant values collaboration for business and offers a full suite of merchant services. Get in touch to learn more about our processing options, payment gateways and flexible funding solutions.