Five free apps to make working from home easier

While working from home, several applications can make your days more efficient. Image: IStock/Poike via AFP Relaxnews.

In several countries, governments are encouraging company employees to work remotely, whenever possible, to limit physical contacts in office spaces in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

There are a multitude of apps available online for any browser and smartphone. These are becoming a part of many home office workers’ everyday lives, used for simplifying professional communication among colleagues, organizing video meetings and sharing important documents.

Slack

If it was not already part of one’s setup, this software became a must-have for many during the lockdowns taking place at the beginning of the year and is now a staple for home office workers. This collaborative application allows users to keep in contact with every employee from one’s company and works as both instant messaging application (direct messages or in-group) and a tool for sharing documents. Slack is also compatible with a slew of other applications, such as Google Calender and Zoom, which can be integrated into the app.

Discover Slack: slack.com

Google Drive

With Google Drive, Google offers a handy tool, for private individuals and professionals alike to stock and share files and documents with the contacts of their choice. In a company ecosystem, it allows several people to work on the same documents simultaneously, to modify them and validate them from one’s computer, smartphone or tablet.

Discover Google Drive: google.com/drive

Zoom

Destined to be known in history as 2020’s star application, videoconferencing has become mainstream thanks to Zoom. It allows anyone to organize conferences from home where up to 100 participants can take part. Making it an easy go-to for everyone is the fact that you do not need to have the application installed to use it, nor do you need an account. A connection link will simply suffice.

Discover Zoom: zoom.us

Microsoft To Do

To organize your days, especially when working alone from home, it is always better to have a set of to-do lists. Microsoft To Do (ex-Wunderlist) focuses on managing these tasks. Thanks to this application, you can create, modify and follow the evolution of several thematic task lists. You can also program reminders.

Discover Microsoft To Do: todo.microsoft.com

Evernote

Evernote is a leading application in note taking. From simple texts to videos, vocal memos, photos or Web pages, every type of document can be recorded online for future reference. The application also allows you to sort your notes with labels and to share documents with your contacts. CC

Discover Evernote: evernote.com

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