The mobile office is growing in popularity, with people working in cafes, trains, and cars becoming a common sight. This is large because the home office no longer takes the same shape as it used to: a hefty computer, a dial-up internet connection, a telephone with a chord, and a fax machine. In fact, a laptop isn’t even required but if you are in the market for the perfect lightweight laptop companion for working on the go, check our guide on the topic. However, working on the go nowadays may simply require a smartphone and an internet connection.
This lightweight mobile office not only comes down to the latest gadgets, such as tablets and smartphones, but it is also largely due to the booming app industry. The changing face of the workplace has provided plenty of demand for apps that allow employees to work wherever and whenever they like. Gone are the days of a 40-hour work week in an open-plan office (or at least, almost). For the home-workers out there, below is a selection of apps that will help keep you out of the office yet fully connected with all the essential resources you may need to work:
(Lists) Top 4 Apps for Working On the Go (Guide)
Communication with Skype
First things first, your communication system needs to be foolproof. One of the biggest factors that make employers hesitant about a home office is the fact that the team generally needs to be contactable during working hours. This does, of course, depend on the industry in question, but generally speaking, communication is the most important element of the home office. Skype is one of the most obvious choices regarding the right communication tool for working remotely. It allows users to instant message, voice call, video call, and video conference in large and small groups.
Productivity Tools with Office 365
Excel, Word, and PowerPoint have become integral tools for the office, but we also need them on the go. With that in mind, Microsoft Office 365 may be your solution. You can purchase it from several providers like this one, who will take care of setup, maintenance, and support for you. Office 365 allows employees to collaborate from any device, store and share files, and access shared emails and calendars, all under safe and secure conditions. Office 365 is a great way to ensure no team member misses a beat.
Note-Taking with Evernote
While some people working in a public space may appear to be doing very little, they could very well be taking advantage of Evernote, which provides a digital note-taking system for desktop and mobile. The app enables users to collaborate on notes, checklists, to-dos, and reminders and can be integrated with Google Drive. It is even possible to attach files to notes either directly from your device or via Google Drive. Additionally, the app can be operated on almost any system and with any device.
Just in Case: Wi-Fi Finder
Although Wi-Fi is everywhere and the possibilities with data plans are endless, there is always that chance of getting caught without a Wi-Fi connection just minutes before a conference call. With that in mind, keep the Wi-Fi Finder app handy at all times to ensure you can dive into the nearest hotspot when needed.
