At the start of 2020, the whole world was hit with a global pandemic. This meant that millions were forced to work from home and transition to virtual business in a matter of days. Health services, schools and universities, major corporations, and even celebrity events were done from home online to help keep people safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

Executives needed to think on their feet to find solutions on how to function digitally. It doesn’t look like we’ll get back to normal any time soon, so if you haven’t perfected your company’s online platform, it’s time to use the resources available for you. 

We’re going to go over some of the best virtual platforms that make working remotely smooth and effortless. 

Microsoft Teams 

“Microsoft Teams applications are the secret sauce that Microsoft uses to enhance the user experience and bring all the different aspects of the Office 365 toolset,” state the experts at AvePoint. It’s one platform that covers all areas of remote working to make it easy. 

It has apps for video calling, planning, managing, messaging, emails, calendar, task assigning, team building, and positive reinforcement. Your employees will always know what’s expected of them and will be able to stay on top of their work.

As the executive or the manager of a team, these features come in handy, and you can stay on top of everyone, even while they’re at home. You can send out notifications about urgent meetings, emergency announcements, or new assignments. 

If your company already uses Office 365 for work, this will be an easy transition as all the Microsoft Teams applications are compatible. 

Zoom 

If your company does a lot of in-person communication or interacts closely with clients, Zoom will be a great resource. It’s a video calling platform that has features to enhance the virtual experience. 

If you’re giving a class, making a large business conference, or just one-on-one meetings, you can use the screen sharing feature for a live show. It could be a Powerpoint, a video clip, or any other types of document you’d like to present to everyone. 

While screen sharing, you can annotate the screen to highlight specific areas. These features are ideal for coaching sessions and teaching. 

There are also break out rooms, which work great with team building or in the classroom. As an admin, you can mute the other participants, so there are no distractions. You can unmute people when it’s time for discussions. 

Also, there’s a chat room, so you can directly message individuals or groups. It’s a faster way to communicate than traditional emails. For a video calling application, Zoom is one of the best to use for your company. 

Google Applications 

Google is best known as a search engine, but you can use many other features as a digital platform for work. It’s a secure digital tool to use for business.

The best thing about using Google applications is that it’s all backed up to the internet and autosaves as you work. You and your employees will be able to work from multiple devices without missing information. If a computer is damaged or stolen, everything is still backed up. 

When all employees have Google accounts, they’ll have access to creating documents. These are Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Drawings, Sites, Jamboard, and more. You and your team will be able to make in-depth projects from this platform. Everyone can share their work, so information is accessible to many in a seamless way. 

There’s also an email, calendar, and video calling. Your employees will be able to stay informed through the email and make plans through the calendar. You can host meetings right through Google. All staff will be on the same page and up to date with what’s going on in the company. 

The Bottom Line 

Remote working has become a lot easier with the advancements in technology. Virtual platforms have created systems to make online performing straightforward. With the strict quarantine throughout the whole world, executives needed to make quick changes to go digital. 

Some of the best resources you can use are Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Applications. They all have features that make working from home easy and productive. Use one of these for your company to succeed during the pandemic and in the future.