Industry Thoughts Archives - RealVNC®

The Best Features of Remote Desktop Software and the Top 10 Options Today

RealVNC — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 12:51:54 +0000

There are many reasons why you might need to access a computer remotely: customer support, retrieving files while out of the office, and screen-sharing for team projects, among others. Remote desktop software lets you do this quickly and securely—but which is the best solution?

In this post, we’ll discuss the use cases for remote desktop software and the key features to look for before suggesting 10 of the best options on the market today.

Remote desktop software: why it's important and who needs to have it

Remote desktop software allows users to access, view, and control another computer’s desktop remotely—wherever that computer is located. It lets you see the other device’s screen and interact as though you were in front of it.

This might include running programs, making modifications, transferring files, printing documents, or recording the screen. You could also handle complicated tasks from a laptop by connecting to a more powerful computer.

To give you a better idea, here are a few more examples of how this technology can be used:

Fast IT support

IT support teams can respond to issues instantly with remote desktop sharing software. Technicians can see a screen in real time, which speeds up troubleshooting as the user doesn’t have to explain the problem.

This software also empowers customer service teams to walk customers through problems or demonstrate how a product works.

Efficient IT admin

IT administrators can easily monitor desktop systems from anywhere, managing multiple computers and servers from a centralized location and handling user permissions.

Technicians can also use remote desktop software to carry out ongoing maintenance and updates for IT equipment.

Freedom to work anywhere

When dispersed teams collaborate on a project, it’s much easier if they can view their colleagues’ screens. Hybrid or traveling workers can easily use their phones to access programs and documents on office computers, and you can provide remote training sessions for new hires anywhere in the world.

Industry use cases

In healthcare, remote desktop software enables you to monitor specialized medical equipment or train health workers. Manufacturing and transportation businesses can manage operations remotely too, while construction firms can oversee sites and equipment. In retail, it can be used to diagnose and resolve POS issues or even to maintain ATMs or deliver remote education.

Qualities of the best remote desktop software

With so many possible use cases, it’s unsurprising that there are plenty of remote desktop solutions available. So, what should you look for when choosing one?

Can work with many platforms

It makes no sense to use different remote desktop software for every operating system you use; it’s far better to choose software with multi-platform support. This way, if you have some team members using Macs and others using Windows, they can collaborate more easily.

A good example of this is RealVNC Connect, a single solution that provides windows remote desktop software, which also allows you to access devices running Mac, Linux, and Raspberry Pi, plus many different mobile devices. Alongside macOS Monterey and Windows 11, it even supports older versions (up to OS X Yosemite and Windows 7).

Fast connectivity with no delay

Whether you’re fixing a problem for a customer, running a virtual training session, or maintaining a crucial medical system, you can do without delays. You need a fast, reliable, and responsive connection that lets you control the connected machine in real-time.

So, look for software that offers high-speed streaming with HD sound and vision. Some solutions (like RealVNC) will auto-adjust connections to optimize for network speed, even in low-bandwidth environments.

Hassle-free management

Most solutions only take a few minutes to install, typically on the local device; some programs also require installation on the remote computer, while others use weblinks or access codes.

The system you choose should be easy to configure and manage, whether you’re connecting to one computer or several. It’s also important to have granular control over your setup so you can customize it to meet your specific needs.

Secure

Security is paramount to protect you against unsolicited access to your connections. The best remote desktop-sharing software has enterprise-grade security, including two-factor authentication. Encryption protects the data transmitted between local and remote computers, so even if someone intercepts it, they need an encryption key to read it.

Additional tools for efficiency

As well as remote access, many of these software solutions come with extra tools. These might include file sharing, screen recording, or the ability to print remotely.

Look out for built-in collaboration and communication tools like real-time chat, video conferencing, and whiteboarding.

10 of the top remote desktop software alternatives to look into

Although it’s always best to do your own research before buying, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best remote desktop connection software options.

1. RealVNC

RealVNC’s flagship product, RealVNC Connect, is a cross-platform solution incorporating Windows, Linux, and Mac OS remote desktop software. It also offers support for Raspberry Pi, Android, and iOS. With high-speed streaming, 99.9% uptime, and HD audio, you can be assured of top-quality remote desktop sessions.

This software provides rigorous security, with all connections encrypted end-to-end using 128-bit AES, 2048-bit RSA keys, and perfect forward secrecy. Authentication tools give you complete control, so only people you invite can sign in and discover your computers.

It’s easy to assign and manage users and to control levels of access to user devices by launching in either user or service mode. You can roll out remote access to devices at scale, including for cross-functional teams, and run multiple device access sessions simultaneously.

RealVNC Connect also comes with built-in productivity and collaboration tools like two-way file transfer, remote printing, and screen recording. Technicians can message end-users in real time during a session and capture sessions on video.

Pricing: You can choose to pay per user or per device, all billed annually. The Essentials plan is £4.49/user/month or £2.59/device/month. Business Plus is £8.49 (user) or £2.99 (device), Business Premium is £14.99 (user) or £3.99 (device), and the Enterprise plan boasts bespoke pricing. There’s also a 14-day free trial available.

FAQs about RealVNC

What’s included in the plans?

The Essentials plan accommodates three users and/or three managed devices. Business Premium gives you unlimited users and 150 devices (if paying per device). All plans include unlimited concurrent connections. There is a free plan, too, but only for non-commercial use.

What support do you get?

All plans get access to the latest updates and a comprehensive knowledge base and community. Email and live chat start in Business Plus, with phone support available in the top two tiers.

Which versions of Windows are supported?

VNC Connect offers remote desktop software for Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8.0, and Windows 7, plus several versions of Windows Server.

2. Zoho Assist

Zoho Assist has a wide selection of tools, including session recording, multiple screen sharing, and remote power control. You can print remotely, transfer files of up to 2GB, and use chat, voice, and video conferencing. There’s robust integration with other Zoho products, such as Zoho CRM too.

Zoho is good on security, with 256-bit end-to-end AES encryption and two-factor authentication. Connections are terminated automatically after a period of non-use, and all remote connections are recorded using a logging system.

With plans divided into Remote Support and Unattended Access, there’s no option to choose one overarching plan with all the features you want. There is a free plan, but it’s limited—and even the costliest plan only gives access to 25 computers. Reviewers mention a few bugs and glitches.

Pricing: Remote Support plans—Standard is £8 for one technician/month, with Professional and Enterprise at £12 and £19. Unattended Access plans, Standard and Professional, cost £8 and £12 for 25 unattended computers/month, plus unlimited technicians (all billed annually). A 15-day free trial is available.

3. RemotePC

RemotePC is a cross-platform solution that’s quick to download and configure and benefits from regular updates. It’s protected by multi-factor authentication, and all plans have unlimited concurrent access. Managers can easily set permissions and general access settings.

Features include voice chat between devices, file transfers, a virtual whiteboard, and the ability to play sounds remotely and record remote sessions. There’s 24/7 email and chat, phone support (weekdays, 6 am to 11.30 pm PST), and a HelpDesk portal for the top two tiers.

However, self-help options are limited to video tutorials. The web app doesn’t include all features, and using iOS or Android devices doesn’t provide the same experience as the Windows, Mac, and Linux remote desktop software.

Pricing: Budget Consumer: $18.38/year (one user license, access to one computer); Consumer: $37.12/year; Soho: $79.50; Team: $299.50; Enterprise: $599.50 (unlimited user licenses, access to 100 computers). A seven-day free trial is available.

4. LogMeIn Pro

Another platform-agnostic solution, LogMeIn, works on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. It’s easy to set up and use and is protected by SSL/TLS (OpenSSL) security. The system alerts you to unusual activity or failed login attempts, and managers can revoke user permissions.

All plans come with multi-monitor support, unlimited users, and remote printing, plus 1TB of cloud file storage, LogMeIn Antivirus, and the password manager LastPass Premium. There are no restrictions on file size for transfers, and you can move files around easily with drag-and-drop tools.

It’s not cheap, and many users won’t need all those features—but there’s no option to drop things like cloud storage to reduce the price. The highest plan only gives you 10 connections, and support is mainly self-help via a search bar and a community forum.

Pricing: Individuals: $30/month; Power Users: $70/month; Small Businesses: $127/month (all billed annually). No free trial is available.

5. TeamViewer

TeamViewer has good cross-platform compatibility, covering 127 different mobile device manufacturers, operating systems, and IoT devices. It’s simple to use, with no complex configuration required and includes phone support in all but the lowest tier.

You can easily share files across remotely connected devices with drag-and-drop, while collaborative tools include built-in video conferencing and screen-sharing. Security-wise, there’s 256-bit AES end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, granular access management, and randomly-generated session passwords.

However, TeamViewer can be laggy with slow connections, and it’s on the expensive side (with a jump in price from single-user to team plans). You don’t even get unlimited concurrent sessions in the top tier, and if you want to manage mobile devices, prices go up.

Pricing: Remote Access: $34.90/month; Business: $49/month; Premium: $99/month; Corporate: $199/month (30 licenses and 500 managed devices); Tensor: bespoke pricing. All are billed annually. No free trial is available.

6. Remote Desktop Manager

Remote Desktop Manager is easy to use, working across platforms and enabling you to manage cloud accounts with Amazon S3, Dropbox, and Microsoft SQL Azure from a single interface. It supports linking to server systems and network drives and integrates well with all sorts of tools.

There are just two pricing plans: a limited free version for individuals and a full-featured Team edition. Alongside unlimited concurrent sessions, most security features are in the paid plan, such as role-based access, two-factor authentication, and a central encrypted vault. The free plan has password management.

Unfortunately, Remote Desktop Manager’s platform can be slow, and it takes a while to set up the centralized vault and create access roles. Some manual entry is needed when you add network data to the system. The mobile apps are also more limited than the desktop platform, and at 550MB, the software takes up a lot of space.

Pricing: Team Plan: $199.99/user/year. You can also buy a sitewide license for unlimited users for $4,999.99/year. A custom enterprise plan is available too, as well as a 30-day free trial.

7. Splashtop

Splashtop is user-friendly for those who aren’t particularly techy. It’s compatible with most common OSs and has a straightforward setup, though the interface differs depending on your subscription and device. There are numerous plans, with all tiers including file transfer and remote printing.

Cloud services are hosted on Amazon Web Services, which provides encryption, firewalls, and DDoS protection. Splashtop also has intrusion detection and defense mechanisms. Support includes a knowledge base and community forum, plus a support portal to submit a request, chat, and phone options.

However, support wait times can be lengthy, and not all features are available on all devices. The array of plans is also somewhat confusing, so it’s best to contact Splashtop for a full explanation. Users mention difficulties with setting up remote printing, for example.

Pricing: Remote Access plans start at £5/month, and Remote Support starts at £13.25/per month. There are also separate Monthly and Annual Remote Support plans, Enterprise plans, and Education plans. All plans have a free seven-day trial included.

8. ISL Online

ISL Online provides cross-platform support and a wide assortment of remote access tools. These include remote control, audio and video calls, file sharing, and messaging, with quick-click functions for screen sharing and requesting control. You can also transfer a session to another technician.

All transferred data is protected by end-to-end AES 256 encryption, alongside two-factor authentication, code signing, port filtering, and user access management. The ISL AlwaysOn app is password-protected (clients need to have this app for unattended Windows and Mac machines).

The number of purchased licenses defines the number of simultaneous sessions, which are charged per minute in the lowest tier and restricted to one per license in the others. Some users report slow response times when more than one session is active and during web sessions.

Pricing: Prepaid: $145/500 minutes/year (simultaneous sessions are charged per minute). Professional: $469/license/year. Self-Hosted: $990/license/lifetime. Enterprise starts at $23,976/year. A 15-day free trial is available.

9. Parallels Access

If you’re looking for iOS and Android remote access software, know that this platform is specifically designed for remote computer access from mobile devices (it also supports computer–computer connections for both Windows and Mac). The mobile user interface works well, allowing you to view apps in full-screen on your mobile device.

Parallels Access is protected by SSL data security and 256-bit AES encryption. There’s 24/7 live support, including phone or live chat, while you’re logged in. You can raise a support ticket and set up an email thread or use social media, documentation, or the user forum.

You’ll need to install the app on your mobile device and on the computer you want to access. The number of machines you can connect to is capped at five in all plans, although business users can add extra capacity. Some users describe occasional lag.

Pricing: Personal plans: $19.99 for one year or $34.99 for two years. Business plans: $49.99 for one year or $89.99 for two years. You can also add an extra five computer packs to Business plans for $49.99 per year or $89.99 per two years. A free trial is available.

10. AnyDesk

AnyDesk offers a streamlined user experience with good security. All sessions are covered by end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication, and you have the option to create a whitelist and set limits on control features for remote users.

The built-in file manager is handy for transferring content between host and remote machines, though there’s no drag-and-drop. AnyDesk automatically detects other enabled devices in your local network while the address book system tracks all computers being accessed remotely. Collaboration tools include a text chat box and virtual whiteboard.

There’s a free plan for three managed devices, file transfer and remote printing. The first tier limits you to three login devices and one outgoing session at a time. Both of these offer self-help support only. Some users mention issues with latency, lag, and the mobile app.

Pricing: Solo: $14.90/month; Standard: $29.90/month; Advanced: $79.90/month; Ultimate: bespoke pricing. Only annual billing is offered. A free trial is available.

Safe and speedy—find what you need from remote desktop software with RealVNC

RealVNC actually invented VNC technology, so our products have quite the pedigree. Additionally, RealVNC Connect remote access software is compatible with multiple platforms, with several security options. RealVNC is also the first (and only) remote desktop software to complete a white-box audit to validate security.

However, our robust security doesn’t compromise performance, and our high-speed streaming and responsive connections will make you feel like you’re sitting right in front of your remote device.

With granular control and built-in productivity tools, VNC Connect really is the complete package.

FAQs about remote desktop software

What are the three types of desktops?

Remote desktop protocol (RDP), created by Microsoft, allows users to connect to a remote computer and control the desktop. It works by sending user commands and screen changes between the RDP client and the RDP server. It’s fast and efficient but doesn’t allow concurrent logins.

Virtual network computing (VNC), on the other hand, works with various operating systems. It enables desktop sharing using remote frame buffer (RFB) protocol, which allows access to all system settings and applications of the server machine. When the remote computer takes control of the local screen, all logged-in clients can view and interact within the same session.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) connect computers to a secure network using a specific server. While they connect you to a remote network, you have to use your own desktop to access resources such as printers, network drives, and internet connections.

Is RDP better than VNC?

It depends on what you want to use the software for. The main difference is that VNC servers support multiple platforms and operating systems, while RDP software can only connect and control computers on the same operating system. On top of this, generally, RDP is fast, but VNC is more flexible as it’s pixel-based.

RDP logs into the computer to create a virtual desktop session where users can share the resources of the same computer. It supports many remote users all logged into the same server.

VNC is a screen-sharing tool that also lets the remote computer take control. When multiple users are connected to the same server, they can all see the same screen and type on the same keyboard.

Is RDP for Microsoft only?

RDP is Microsoft’s proprietary protocol, so you can only establish remote connections with Windows PCs and Windows Server installations that support it (not all versions do). However, RDP clients are available for the most popular operating systems, such as macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

The post The Best Features of Remote Desktop Software and the Top 10 Options Today appeared first on RealVNC®.

How to Build and Manage Distributed Teams

RealVNC — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 10:57:20 +0000

The increase in remote work has led many organizations to shift towards using distributed teams.

While these have their benefits, there are also associated challenges that must be overcome.

We’re going to take a look at some of the pros and cons of distributed teams, and then lay out our top tips that’ll help you to reap the benefits, while avoiding the obstacles.

What is a Distributed Team?

Distributed teams consist of two or more employees working in different locations. Not only does this mean workers in distributed teams aren’t sharing the same workspace, but they may not even be in the same city, country, or even on the same continent.

Thanks to advances in technology, distributed teams are able to function just as well, if not better, than traditional teams. Improved internet access, collaboration tools, and cloud phone services have all helped to empower distributed teams.

Distributed Teams vs. Remote Teams

Distributed teams and remote teams are two terms that are often used interchangeably. However, there are subtle differences between the two concepts that should be acknowledged.

Remote teams often consist of some members that work from a central office, with others working from home or a shared workspace. While these team members aren’t physically in the office, they are usually located somewhere nearby.

Distributed teams, on the other hand, tend to include members who are more geographically dispersed. There may not even be a single central office location for distributed teams.

What are the Benefits of Distributed Teams?

There are various benefits to employing distributed teams.

Higher Employee Satisfaction

Many employees consider remote work to be a benefit. In fact, 98% of remote workers surveyed said they would want to work remotely, at least some of the time, for the rest of their career.

The ability to work away from the office is appealing to workers for a number of reasons. The flexibility to work when and where suits their individual needs is a big benefit, as is the reduced need to commute to the office.

These factors add up to an increase in employee satisfaction, which often leads to reduced employee churn and increased productivity.

More Diverse Talent Pool

Operating across different cities, countries, and continents allows organizations to hire from a much more diverse talent pool.

Rather than having to rely on hiring workers that live within commuting distance of a central office location, recruiters can cast a much wider net. This enables them to hire the best person for the job, regardless of their location.

Organizations that employ workers from different backgrounds often find it easier to innovate. When workers from different backgrounds collaborate, they can use their unique experience to offer different viewpoints and find more creative solutions to problems.

Reduced Costs

Many businesses have found that they can save money by using distributed teams. Without the need for a central office location, they can dramatically reduce their real estate spend.

That’s not to mention the further reduction in costs when it comes to utilities such as electricity and internet access, and the reduced need to purchase equipment such as computers and servers.

What are the Challenges of Distributed Teams?

Distributed teams also present challenges that must be overcome.

Lack of In-Person Interaction

Because distributed teams are often spread far and wide, it can be difficult to interact with one another face to face. This can lead to instances where distributed team members may feel lonely or isolated, which can harm team morale.

Organizations must prioritize communication in distributed teams to help combat this.

Time Zones

Distributed teams may be composed of members spread around the world, meaning that there are a variety of time zones in play, and 7% of those working remotely state that working with others in different time zones is their biggest struggle.

Those working in distributed teams spread across different time zones may find themselves engaging more in a lot of asynchronous communication. This means getting used to sending messages when the recipient may be out of office hours and then receiving a reply much later when they themselves aren’t at work.

This can lead to a reduction in productivity, with time delays impacting the speed at which work can be completed. Additionally, having messages pinging through at all hours of the day and night can make it difficult to switch off from work and can lead to a poor work–life balance.

Reduced Visibility and Accountability

Business leaders can find it more difficult to monitor their teams when they’re spread around the world.

It’s crucial to find a balance between giving distributed team members the freedom and trust to work at their own pace and ensuring that deadlines are met.

How to Build and Manage Distributed Teams

Below, you’ll find our top tips for building and managing distributed teams. Follow these, and you’ll be able to overcome the challenges associated with distributed teams while unlocking all the benefits.

Hire the Right People

The first step is to hire the right people for your distributed team. Not everybody wants to work remotely, and not everybody is suited to it. Make sure that your candidates understand that they’re applying for a role in a distributed team, and be clear about what that entails.

Search for candidates that are self-motivated and well disciplined when it comes to work, and have proven it in previous roles. Those who struggle to work independently will require more time and attention from your managers and supervisors.

Carry Out Effective Onboarding

Once you’ve hired the right people, you need to make sure you give them all the knowledge and tools they need to excel in their role. That can be achieved with an effective onboarding program.

Employee onboarding is an important process for any organization; the top reasons new hires leave their roles include not receiving effective training, or not having their job responsibilities clearly communicated.

When onboarding distributed teams, make every effort to use tools such as video conferencing software. As there’ll be no in-person interaction during the onboarding process, this is a great substitute for getting your team members better acquainted with one another, and helping them to build a rapport.

Establish Clear Expectations and Set Measurable Targets

As your distributed teams will spend large amounts of time working independently, it’s important that they have clear guidelines to follow to help keep them on track.

Ensure that deadlines are established early-on and are clearly communicated. You can set both short-term and long-term targets to ensure that projects remain on schedule.

Establish other targets alongside deadlines to ensure that team members always know what goals they’re working towards and when they’ve achieved them. When setting targets, take care to make sure they’re SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely).

It’s also important to lay out policies and procedures in a clear way and ensure that they can be easily referred back to by remote workers when necessary. Some examples of policies and procedures for distributed teams may include:

Flexible working arrangements
Schedule of team meetings/weekly check-ins
Working hours in different time zones
Preferred communication tools

Keep in Regular Contact

Regular communication between distributed team members is essential. Not only does it help ensure that projects are progressing in the right direction, but it also helps to combat any feelings of loneliness and isolation that may plague your team members.

Use a variety of communication channels in order to ensure that team members can stay in touch. For example, video chat tools can help to replicate the face-to-face interactions that would usually occur in a traditional office environment.

Asynchronous messaging tools make it easier for workers in different time zones to communicate effectively and allow workers to better balance their home and work lives. That’s why 29% of remote workers would prefer their remote work to be mostly asynchronous.

For businesses just starting out, a phone service for small business is a great way to keep your distributed teams connected while staying within your budget. Look for customizable plans that allow you to choose the communication methods you’ll need.

Encourage Autonomy

Constantly checking in on your distributed teams can make them feel untrusted and can actually harm productivity. After all, if an employee is always speaking to their manager, they haven’t got as much time to focus on their work.

Instead of micromanaging distributed teams, offer them autonomy over how they handle their workload. They’ll feel more trusted and will be more satisfied in their role, and, consequently, more productive.

Use the Right Tools

When your employees are working remotely, it’s essential that they’re provided with the right tools to perform their roles. Here are just a few of the solutions that you could consider investing in:

Video conferencing software gives long distance communication a more personal touch and lets distributed teams interact face to face, even when they’re thousands of miles apart.
Remote access solutions allow employees to receive efficient tech support when they need and enable them to remotely access files and software on remote computers.
Business messaging apps help employees to separate their home and work lives on their mobile device and share files and images with one another while on the move.
Document collaboration tools make it easy for different team members to share ideas and contribute to one another’s work from wherever they are, at their own pace.

Build and Manage Distributed Teams the Right Way

Using distributed teams can unlock a wide range of benefits, providing you can navigate the associated pitfalls.

To do this, ensure that you hire the right people, and train them properly. Allow them to work autonomously, and empower them with the tools they need to meet, and exceed, their goals.

Approach distributed teams in this way, and you’ll be reaping the benefits in no time.

The post How to Build and Manage Distributed Teams appeared first on RealVNC®.

Bridging the Gaps of Remote Team Collaboration

RealVNC — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 10:37:40 +0000

Remote team collaboration allows you to realize the many benefits of using remote workers and distributed teams. It’s not always a walk in the park, however.

We’re going to look at some of the challenges associated with remote team collaboration, and then investigate some of the tools and best practices you can use to overcome them.

What is Remote Team Collaboration?

Remote team collaboration is the process of team members working together from different locations, towards a common goal. Whenever remote employees share ideas, allocate tasks, or give each other feedback, they’re engaging in remote team collaboration.

With an overwhelming majority of companies planning to allow some amount of remote work going forward, it’s clear that remote team collaboration should be a key consideration for many businesses.

Organizations typically rely on a range of digital platforms to facilitate efficient and effective remote team collaboration.

Benefits of Remote Team Collaboration

Improved Employee Satisfaction

Many employees consider working from home a benefit, with the ability to choose when and where to work being a key aspect. This causes workers to prioritize employment opportunities that allow them to work remotely.

Employees who are happier in their work are likely to be more productive, leading to improved efficiency and increased profitability as a result.

Therefore, implementing methods of remote team collaboration in your organization will help you to attract the best employees, improve your chances of retaining them, and get their best work out of them.

Increased Productivity

Maintaining productivity is essential in ensuring the efficiency and profitability of any organization. Research indicates that employees engaging in remote work are more productive in many cases.

For example, a recent survey found that a majority of IT professionals believe that productivity had increased as a result of widespread remote work.

There are numerous factors that contribute to this. Those working remotely often have more flexibility to work to a schedule that suits them, ensuring they can work when they’re likely to be most productive.

Similarly, the reduced need to commute to and from the office everyday allows employees to dedicate more time to actually completing their work, increasing their productivity.

Reduced Costs

Improving remote team collaboration in your organization allows you to shift towards using entirely remote or distributed teams. This reduces the need for you to maintain large central offices, saving you costs on real estate and its associated utilities.

Remote team collaboration tools can also be incredibly cost-effective. For example, taking your phone service online can help you to save money, especially if you’re making international calls to team members scattered around the globe.

Common Challenges in Remote Team Collaboration

In order to maximize the benefits of remote team collaboration, there are a few obstacles that may need to be overcome.

Inconsistent Communication

It’s often harder for remote workers to communicate with one another, especially compared to teams working in traditional office environments.

These problems are further exacerbated if team members are located in different countries, with time zone differences and language barriers added to the list of communication barriers.

Effective remote team collaboration requires prioritizing communication. Using solutions that facilitate easy, consistent communication between team members, such as instant messaging, video conferencing, and email, is a great place to start.

Problems Tracking Tasks

It can be difficult to maintain visibility and accountability during projects when team members are geographically distant. This can lead to confusion around deadlines, and who is responsible for which aspects of a project.

Loneliness and Isolation

Moving from a communal office environment to working by oneself at home can be disorienting, and remote workers can often suffer from feelings of loneliness and isolation as a result.

Steps should be taken to ensure that remote workers still feel like part of a team, such as encouraging video communication to simulate face-to-face interactions.

How to Bridge the Gaps of Remote Team Collaboration

Use the Right Collaboration Tools

Video Conferencing Software

Video conferencing solutions help remote workers to replicate the face-to-face interactions that they would experience in a traditional office environment. This can help to combat the feelings of loneliness and isolation that some remote workers experience.

Many video conferencing solutions also boast additional features that can help to improve collaboration among remote teams. For example, screen sharing functionality can allow team members to better illustrate their points during weekly meetings, replicating the function of a slideshow during an in-person presentation.

Remote Access Solutions

Remote access solutions enable your employees to connect to office computers from wherever in the world they are. This is an effective way to allow remote workers to access sensitive or valuable data, files, and software programs securely, even if they’re not based near a central office.

Remote assistance is also made possible thanks to remote access solutions. IT support staff can connect to the devices of remote workers and investigate issues as if they were there in the room. This allows them to implement fixes more efficiently, getting remote workers up and running again much more quickly.

Project Management Software

Project management software makes it much easier for remote teams to assign responsibilities and track progress during group projects.

A variety of different project management tools are available. For example, kanban board style project management tools focus on visualizing project progression, allowing all team members to see which tasks comprise a project, and track them from ‘to-do’, to ‘in-progress’, to ‘completed’.

Many project management platforms allow tasks to be assigned to specific team members, ensuring that everybody knows what they’re accountable for, and what deadlines they need to be working towards.

Business Messaging Apps

Business messaging apps allow your teams to communicate with one another, regardless of where they’re working from. They’re an incredibly popular communication solution for organizations employing remote workers.

Using a separate app for business messaging means that employees can maintain boundaries between their work and personal lives, even if they use the same device for business and personal use.

Business messaging apps are also a great way to communicate asynchronously, which is beneficial when teams are distributed across different time zones. Messages can be sent from one colleague during their work hours, and then will wait in the recipient’s inbox until it’s time for them to start work in their time zone.

VoIP Phone Services

A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service is an incredibly useful tool for remote teams, allowing them to stay in contact from anywhere in the world.

Many VoIP phone services also include communication channels such as instant messaging and video conferencing alongside phone calls. This makes it possible for businesses to provide their remote teams with everything they need to stay in touch, without having to subscribe to several different services.

A small business VoIP is especially useful for companies on a tight budget that need to keep their remote teams connected, without incurring huge phone bills.

Conduct Regular Meetings

Holding regular team meetings is a great way to ensure that all team members are on the same page, while also providing a chance for remote workers to experience some social interaction.

The more team members you can gather for these meetings, the more effective they’ll be. This can be difficult, especially when different time zones come into play. For this reason, it’s best to try and schedule these meetings well in advance, and ensure that everybody has ample notice.

Utilizing video conferencing solutions helps to replicate the experience of in-person meetings, adding a more personal touch to remote meetings.

Put an agenda in place for every meeting so that participants know what to expect, and can plan accordingly.

Create Bonding Opportunities

When your teams are distributed around the world and dont have the opportunity to see one another in person, it’s important to create virtual team-building opportunities.

These encourage team members to support each other, and help to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation by providing opportunities for social interaction.

There are a variety of ways that you can implement bonding opportunities for remote teams. Virtual lunch dates, trivia challenges, and game nights can all be hosted relatively easily using your video conferencing solution.

Promote a Pro-Feedback Culture

The people who can really tell you whether you’re effectively bridging the gaps of remote team collaboration are your remote workers. So ask them.

Distribute regular employee satisfaction surveys or feedback forms, which will allow you to gather anonymous feedback about the employee experience and how it could be improved.

You could also schedule time for employee feedback during your regular video meetings. Hearing first hand from remote workers what could be done to improve their working life will help you to implement effective changes, and improve your remote workers’ productivity as a result.

Remote Team Collaboration: Build Better Bridges With the Right Tools

Getting remote team collaboration right can help you to improve employee satisfaction, reduce employee churn, improve productivity, and reduce costs.

Before you can realize these benefits, however, there are a few hurdles to overcome. Thankfully, there are best practices you can implement to make this as easy as possible.

Bridging the gaps of remote team collaboration is easier when you use the right tools. Video conferencing solutions, business messaging apps, and remote access solutions, among others, can help you to connect your remote workers as if they were in the same office, even when they’re thousands of miles apart.

Build a culture of support and social interaction, and regularly check in with your remote workers to ensure they’ve got everything they need to do their best work.

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7 Practical Tips for Call Center Agents Working from Home

RealVNC — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 11:54:34 +0000

The future of work is here. It isn’t, as some in the past had predicted, a high-tech futuristic office. Instead, it’s somewhere much more familiar; your living room, home office, or even kitchen. Ten years ago, few could have predicted the recent move towards remote work. Today, almost all departments are embracing the approach—customer service is no exception.

In fact, 65% of service leaders predict remote or hybrid work models in the future. If you’re a call center agent working from home for the first time, it can be a learning curve. But don’t worry, remote working isn’t as terrifying as you might think. In fact, with the right mindset, you can perform better at work and feel more contented.

With that in mind, let’s explore some top tips for call center agents working from home.

The benefits of working from home

There are actually lots of benefits of working remotely. By recognizing and making the most of these advantages, you’ll have a much happier time.

First things first; you’re cutting out the daily commute. This means you’re saving money on fuel and potentially avoiding a stressful drive. What’s more, as you only need to boot up your laptop, you don’t have to get up as early.

Another benefit is that some employers will allow you flexibility over your schedule. If this is the case for you, you can choose the hours that allow you to be more productive. And when it comes to your working space, you are in complete control. You can make it as comfy and relaxed as you need.

7 Practical Tips for Call Center Agents Working from Home

Having explored some of the advantages of working from home, let’s move on to our seven tips for call center agents. And if you’re not a call center agent, don’t worry-some of these remote working tips will still apply.

1. Build a space fit for work

We mentioned earlier how you can alter your office space to your liking. Working from home, you’re free to choose pretty much any space you want. But before picking a spot to work, ask yourself, ‘How suitable is this for work?’.

For example, whilst the living room is probably the comfiest spot in your house, it might not be ideal for work. If you live with other people, you likely won’t have the space to yourself. Remember, calls from customers should be confidential. They don’t want to hear other people, especially if they are sharing sensitive information.

Pick a quiet space where you can discuss customer issues in peace. Remember, too, that your space isn’t just about comfort. If you want to avoid an achy back in the future, choose a seat that supports your posture. You might also consider investing in an ergonomic mouse and keyboard so that you can work without discomfort.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask questions

If this is your first time working from home, it might take a while to learn the ropes. You’ll be dealing with new systems and software, not to mention a new routine. It’s understandable if you ever get stuck with an aspect of your job; don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Most team leaders will be happy to give you a hand when needed. After all, the alternative is customer service agents struggling to do any work. And if your employer offers a learning management system (LMS), make sure to make the most of it.

An LMS is filled with materials to help you understand different aspects of work. Files can usually be accessed from your phone, so you have some flexibility with learning.

Your organization might be switching to a remote model for the first time. If so, setting up a call center remotely will also be a learning curve for your employer. Some patience on both sides might be necessary in the beginning stages of your operation.

3. Update your PC regularly

Of all our tips for call center agents working from home, this might sound obvious, but it’s one that lots of remote employees forget. Cyberattacks are a constant source of concern for organizations. For customer support, threats like remote access could mean leaking confidential details of customers.

By failing to update regularly, you leave the door open for attackers. There’s no in-house tech team to rely on; it’s up to you to click the ‘update’ button on center software.

There are other security practices you should be mindful of when working from home. We’ve listed some examples below:

Watch out for malicious emails. Never download an attachment from an unfamiliar sender.
Make sure you are connected to a secure Wi-Fi hotspot. Make sure your Wi-Fi requires a password to be accessed.
Invest in a VPN if you ever need to carry out work ‘on the move.’ This ensures that your data is protected on public networks.
Use secure passwords for your work login (containing more than 10 upper and lowercase characters, numbers, and symbols).

4. Remember to take breaks

It’s easy for remote agents to lose all sense of schedule. When you’re in the office, people tend to take breaks at similar times. You know when your working hours start and when they end. Sadly, this isn’t always the case for people working from home. For that reason, your work–life balance can suffer.

You might find yourself forgetting to take breaks or working on your lunch break. Neither of these practices are healthy, and you’ll quickly find yourself getting burnt out. A simple solution is to set an alarm on your phone to remind you to take a break.

You could also encourage your employer to invest in software that monitors work–life balance. Some solutions can inform employers when staff are working too many hours or on weekends.

5. Offer feedback

Lots of employees feel nervous about speaking their minds. That said, if your employer offers the facility to provide feedback, you should take the opportunity. Are there any aspects of your job that make working from home more challenging? What can be done to fix the issue?

For example, is the headset you’ve been provided with particularly uncomfortable? Or, perhaps you feel that your organization’s call center management software is outdated. A more up-to-date solution, with features like AI chatbots, could improve customer interactions and reduce the pressure on agents.

Ultimately, If enough people make the same complaint, attentive team leaders will listen and act on feedback. Just remember, when offering feedback, do so in a constructive way. Avoid getting personal or calling out other remote team members publicly.

6. Make the most of social opportunities

Isolation is one of the top problems for remote agents. A study by MMBI underlined the problem—73% of executives reported that workers were feeling isolated. Just because you can’t have a chat with the person at the opposite desk doesn’t mean that you can’t socialize remotely. Hopefully, your employer will have invested in remote working technology to enable easy communication.

Make the most of any social opportunities that your employer provides. For instance, lots of employers are now introducing ‘virtual break out rooms’. These are video conferencing calls where teammates can chat about non-work-related topics. Instead of having lunch by yourself, why not join a call and eat with the team?

Where possible, always speak via video chat rather than email or SMS. Taking the time to get to know other remote agents can help you be more connected. It’ll also make any teamwork activities much easier.

7. Take time to exercise

As a remote agent, you’ll spend a lot of time sitting in one place. You don’t need to walk to the office or make a journey home. Although convenient, this isn’t great for your physical health. Remember, depending on your fitness level, it’s recommended you do 10,000 steps each day.

Without an excuse, some remote employees won’t make the effort to get in extra steps. But from weight loss to improved mental health, a little exercise does have lots of proven benefits. Not to mention that when working with angry customers, your stress levels can increase. A short walk can help you to calm down and get the right headspace to deal with customers.

So, take a few moments each day to stretch your legs. Go for a walk around the block during your break, and get up from your desk for at least five minutes every hour. Remember, it’s possible to do some work whilst standing up.

Rethink your approach

As we’ve explored, remote work unlocks many exciting opportunities, but it’s also a learning curve. It’s not unreasonable to feel uncertain about your new role in the early stages. That said, by altering your approach, you’ll come to appreciate the benefits of remote working.

Today we’ve looked at some tips for call center agents working from home. Start by building yourself a working environment that allows you to thrive and communicate easily. Never be afraid to ask for guidance when you’re stuck. Above all, keep control of your work–life balance to avoid burnout.

Why not embrace your new working arrangement, and start exploring the possibilities of remote work?

The post 7 Practical Tips for Call Center Agents Working from Home appeared first on RealVNC®.

8 Must-Know Tips for Building Remote Teams That Thrive

RealVNC — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 11:36:36 +0000

No matter which department you work in, one thing is clear: the workplace is changing. Across the globe, workers are abandoning the office in favor of their home working environment. In fact, 31% of employers now allow employees to work remotely.

It’s not hard to see why; remote work brings many benefits. With fewer people working on-premises, you can invest in a cheaper office. What’s more, employees no longer need to commute to the office, so you’re not limited by location. You can unlock a global pool of talent.

However, building remote teams is a learning curve. If you’re struggling to adapt to this new form of working, don’t panic. In this article, we’ll share some tips to help you build a remote team that thrives.

What is remote team building?

Remote team building is when you create a team of employees who work outside the office environment. Fifteen years ago, this concept would’ve seemed impossible. But with today’s technology, remote work has become increasingly more viable.

Video conferencing software, for instance, allows you to connect and meet with remote employees. Thanks to the cloud, you can collaborate on documents, share comments, and maintain teamwork. Other technologies, such as instant file share and time-tracking software, have been equally useful.

We’re currently in the midst of a period known as the ‘The Great Resignation.’ People are abandoning their roles in record numbers in search of new opportunities. To hold onto your staff, you need to listen to what they’re saying.

Remote work might represent a solution. As many as 52% of workers say they’d take a pay cut of 5% or more to have a flexible working location. By and large, employees want to work remotely.

Must-Know Tips for Building Remote Teams That Thrive

There are many benefits to building remote teams, but without the right approach, you’re not guaranteed success. With that in mind, here are eight remote working tips to help you build successful remote teams.

1. Be aware of time zones

As mentioned, access to global talent is one of the best aspects of remote work. That said, the further you spread your net, the more difficult communication becomes.

Let’s imagine that you are a California-based company, and you hire someone who lives in the UK. This means that your new employee is eight hours ahead of you. They might not be around to answer emails or join meetings.

The same applies if you’re outsourcing work to another company. For example, you might have been debating the benefits of a BPO vs call centre and gone for a BPO contact center. If the outsourced company is working overseas, you will still need to overcome time zone issues.

But what’s the solution? Make sure that you remind employees across your organization about the time differences. Get into the habit of picking times for meetings that coordinate with all employees. Failing that, utilize conferencing software to record meetings and share them with non-attendees.

Additionally, you could consider implementing a virtual queue system for handling requests or questions from remote employees, ensuring that everyone gets a fair chance to have their concerns addressed.

Secondly, it’s useful to invest in tools that can improve collaboration. Cloud-based team management software, for example, allows employees to drop in and out. They can leave comments and track the progress of team members.

2. Clarify expectations

There’s a fine line between managing and micro-managing. On one hand, it’s important you place trust in your employees. Virtual teams need to know that you have faith in them to work productively. On the other hand, some oversight is important. You need confidence that employees are on track to meet their goals.

To achieve a balance between the two, you need to clarify expectations on day one. Start by setting clear objectives for each team member. Establish a routine for checking in with the employee and monitoring progress.

Secondly, make a decision about flexibility. Will you allow employees to choose their own routines, or will they stick to a set schedule? If you choose the former, you should agree on specific times when members should be available.

3. Allow time to socialize

One of the greatest dangers of remote work is that employees will feel isolated. This is especially the case if they were previously used to working in the office. As remote teammates don’t know each other as well, collaboration can suffer. If isolation goes unaddressed, teammates can get depressed, and productivity takes a dive.

This was underlined in a recent study by MMBI; as many as 73% of executives reported that workers were feeling isolated.

The solution, thankfully, is simple: allow teammates the space to socialize so that they feel less isolated and more connected as a team.

Why not kickstart a conversation between teammates by creating virtual ‘breakout rooms’? There are virtual spaces that employees can join to chat during their lunch breaks.

You could also run virtual activities on video chat to get team members to socialize. Some examples are listed below:

Have teammates share a drink together.
Office tours; give an insight into the working environments of team members.
A games night; employees can play card games or video games together.
Icebreakers and team-building activities.

4. Offer opportunities

Research shows that 42% of workers have concerns about how remote work will impact their career progression. Too often, remote employees feel that their contributions are being overlooked in favor of in-office staff. And as employers are learning to their cost, lack of opportunities equals resignations.

When building remote teams, make sure to offer clear opportunities for your remote employees. Offering a framework of progression will give remote employees career goals to work towards.

This starts by having a one-to-one call with different team members. Ask them about their career aspirations, and explain how your organization will help them meet those goals. For example, you might offer career shadowing opportunities or leadership courses.

Elsewhere, showing a little gratitude can go a long way to boosting employee morale. Why not recognize the highest-performing team members? This could take the form of posts in the group chat or even offering prizes.

5. Seek Feedback

Whether you’re working in-office or remotely, one thing is certain: feedback is essential. Team leaders need to know that their voices are heard. Feedback might sometimes mean listening to compliments and approval; however, leadership should also not shy away from constructive criticism.

Of course, simply listening to feedback isn’t enough. You also need to demonstrate that you are putting feedback into action. For example, let’s imagine that employees are complaining about a lack of one-to-one communication. In response, you could schedule a private meeting with each team member once a week.

Sometimes, though, employees are reluctant to give feedback out of fear of upsetting leadership. To make the process easier, take the following steps.

Ensure that all feedback is kept anonymous.
Conduct regular meetings where you explain how feedback is being put into action.
Make feedback forms simple and easy to submit.

By taking feedback on board, you not only improve the experience of remote working but also boost employee morale and productivity. Additionally, utilizing web analytics tools can provide valuable insights into the performance of your remote teams, helping you make data-driven decisions to enhance their effectiveness.

In addition to actively seeking feedback from your team, it’s equally important to provide constructive feedback to help employees improve their performance. Consider implementing tools like sales call recording to gain insights into customer interactions and enhance your team’s sales strategies.

6. Equip with the best tech

We’ve already mentioned some of the best remote working technology to provide to teams. Tools like conferencing and team management software are absolutely essential.

It’s also important, though, to consider tools that are unique to the roles of your staff. If you’re running a customer support team, for example, you might invest in an AI contact centre. This provides real-time assistance to agents and solves customer queries more quickly. A team of graphic designers, on the other hand, might need premium access to stock photos.

Ultimately, the better you equip your teams, the better the work they’ll produce.

7. Rethink recruitment

Not all employees are suited to remote work. Some simply are less equipped. It might be that they don’t have the discipline or tech skills to work effectively. Or, they might lack the internet connection to facilitate smooth working.

Whatever the reason, when bringing on new employees, it’s worth considering their ability to work remotely. A candidate might have a gleaming CV with years of experience, but this won’t be helpful to you if they’ve only worked in the office and don’t have the relevant experience.

However, this isn’t a reason to reject a candidate, instead you need to make sure you’re effectively onboarding remote employees to ensure that they adapt to the remote work environment seamlessly and contribute effectively to your team’s success.

8. Build a remote culture

There’s a reason that company culture is a buzzword for so many. A massive 90% of workers who rate their work culture as poor have thought about quitting. That said, building the perfect culture is tricky; it should embody your organization’s approach. What’s more, culture should exist from the top to the bottom of your business.

Increasing employee motivation is an important aspect of building successful remote teams and implementing a positive remote culture is a good way to achieve this.

A remote culture means that remote work is second nature throughout your organization. Communication between virtual teams is smooth, and team members feel a sense of belonging. But how do you build a remote culture?

Follow the steps listed above; each of these tips will contribute to your company culture. You should recognize that a remote culture won’t come overnight. It will require commitment and a clear strategy. And although things won’t always go to plan, you just need to adapt your approach accordingly to handle any curve balls thrown your way.

Rethink your remote work strategy

Transitioning to remote work requires thought and planning. You need to forget what worked before and adopt a new mindset, grappling with issues like time zones and internet blackouts. That said, by following the tips outlined above, you can get the best possible start when building remote teams.

Set clear expectations, and make sure that all team members are on the same page. Rethink your recruitment process to get the best remote talent, and above all, make sure that every step you take contributes to a remote culture.

It takes commitment, but with enough time, you can build a remote team that thrives.

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How to Design a Virtual Office Setup for Productivity

RealVNC — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 11:21:34 +0000

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all work from our homes and meet after work in the park? Throw a frisbee around for fun, but keep our mugs separate from each other during working hours? And by mugs, we are referring to the drinking utensils, but the slang for faces is also relevant.

Working in a virtual office setup is a great way to save on gas or train money, as well as to avoid some of the many distractions and pointless tasks that crop up in physical office environments. You can still socialize with your colleagues when you want to but in a more deliberate and mindful way.

However, virtual offices do require some paradigm shifts in terms of how you get stuff done. You need to invest in a whole host of digital tools and consider certain novel logistics like who is online when and how. You will need to find new ways to recruit members of staff, tricks, and tips to be productive, and methods to ensure employees are truly engaged with the company and their work.

What is a virtual office?

First off, let’s start at the beginning. What exactly is a virtual office, and what does it entail?

Originally, a virtual office referred to services that would provide a physical business address for remote teams or companies. Now, however, virtual offices tend to refer to a collection of online tools, such as the best conversational AI platform, that create the same functions as an office, but virtually.

Companies that used to have, or traditionally would have had, physical offices can now subsist almost entirely virtually. Whether you’re using online software to communicate with your team, manage and delegate work, collaborate on projects, or anything else, there is a tool for pretty much anything.

Remote work was already gaining traction in the last couple of decades with the advent of remote support, but it really sped up in the last few years. The benefits of virtual offices have become very apparent to workers around the world.

What do you need for a virtual office?

In this section, we’ll delve into some core aspects of the virtual office setup that you should consider for a productive team

A remote receptionist

Virtual offices often have receptionists just like a physical office would. Receptionists handle calls, make appointments and process mail. A remote assistant can act as the human voice at the other end of the line, improving a company’s brand image to feel more real and relatable for the customer.

Having the option to speak to a real, sentient being can vastly improve your customer service. Virtual offices don’t have to be impersonal.

Call handling software

A virtual office should have a dedicated business number, and this would typically include a local area code, which, like the business address, lends legitimacy to the business. A business number is vital for any cloud-based phone system in order to handle calls and offer stellar customer service.

Having a phone line also gives customers an easy way to reach you, which also creates trust.

Digital mail service

Some virtual offices opt for a digital mail service. These services carry out various administrative tasks such as collecting and scanning mail and then forwarding as email to the company. This is great in cases where correspondence is received in the mail, which is still the norm for some organizations and individuals.

Shared workspaces

Your virtual office setup can enjoy a physical workspace just like a traditional office might, with the chance to work alongside people from other companies.

This is a great way to get to know people in the same industry as well as make contacts for future collaborative projects. Shared workspaces for hire will usually have meeting rooms, private offices you can book, a kitchen, and even things like water coolers, printers, and other pieces of equipment.

A registered business address

Virtual offices will typically have a recognized address within a normal area code. This address is used for any communications such as marketing, mailing, and any other official purposes related to the company. It also lends credibility and legitimacy for customers to be able to trust you.

Conference rooms

You can have both virtual conference rooms, such as video conferencing software, and you can also have physical conference rooms that you hire for important meetings. Many institutions offer conference rooms for hire that you can use to elevate the professional look of your business.

These spaces can be reserved in advance for important meetings and even events by team members and is a much cheaper alternative to renting out office space full-time.

Benefits of a virtual office

Here below, we will outline some core benefits of virtual offices, with particular emphasis on how they positively impact employees.

Lowered costs

Working remotely tends to lead to lower operating costs for a few key reasons: you don’t have to pay for rent, electricity bills, and internet like you would normally have to with a physical office.

Workers generally foot the bill for those things without too much extra cost to themselves (most people will just work in the living room and already have internet). The only extra cost to the worker is electricity during the working day, which is likely offset by the savings in fuel or public transportation costs, as well as lunches often bought at work.

While you may end up spending a little more on software subscriptions and the occasional new piece of tech, it isn’t much more than you would have needed anyway.

Higher employee satisfaction

We already mentioned the lack of a commute, but as well as saving money, this also saves time. This flexibility also offers employees the chance to move to different and more affordable neighborhoods so they can enjoy more green spaces or be closer to friends.

More flexibility also leads to better recruitment and lower turnover rates with increased employee satisfaction.

Increased productivity

A lot of people feel more productive at home without the distractions of the office and their coworkers. While a lot of people like the social element of work, many people just want to get their work done as quickly as possible and finish their day to spend time with friends and loved ones.

In a virtual environment, there’s less pressure to look busy or to succumb to presenteeism, so the work you do ends up being of substance. Most people work in bursts and need breaks between the bursts. In a physical office, you could be accused of laziness, but in a virtual office, people are more likely to judge you on the outcome of your work.

Create a virtual office setup plan

Creating a clear plan for your virtual office helps both your employees and managers feel at ease and aware of what is expected of them. You need to know what tools to use, how to take time off, and how to be productive.

Logistics

The first thing you need to do is figure out the logistics of your virtual office setup by figuring out the following:

What will be your business address?
How will you handle calls?
Will you need a receptionist?
How many employees will work remote?
What technology your will employees need
Will you offer to cover the cost of some of their internet bills?
What processes or tools does your business rely on?
Can these processes be conducted virtually, and to what extent?

Once you have these logistics figured out, you need to then move on to your…

Virtual office culture

Your virtual office culture is your set of norms and expectations, which plays a crucial role in shaping your company’s success in a remote environment. Building a strong company culture in a virtual office is essential for fostering teamwork, trust, and productivity among your remote employees.

Will you require continuous online presence on video platforms, or will you judge productivity by results alone? Micromanagers might struggle in a virtual environment, and so will employees if they’re expected to be available by phone all the time.

It would be more useful for your company to focus on results rather than being logged on all the time. If there are any non-negotiable aspects to the work, then make those super clear so that everyone is on the same page about the work culture.

Technology

Going cloud-based is ideal for a virtual office setup so that everyone can have access to what they need remotely. You can have a cloud phone system for enterprise business to make communication easier.

The best virtual office tools offer communication and collaboration features as well as other functions so that you can have everything in one place. You will likely need some of the following:

Audio and video features
Instant messaging
File sharing
Shared calendars
Project management features
Invoicing software for freelancers

Implement productivity strategies

There are plenty of productivity strategies you can try with your remote team:

Avoiding unnecessary meetings. Keep calls to a minimum and make sure they have a clear purpose.
Non-invasive time tracking features to help workers see how they are spending the most time.
Gamification. Offering small rewards to the individuals or teams who hit certain goals each month can enhance productivity.

Engagement

One of the biggest risks of remote work is isolation. You need to keep your employees feeling engaged with each other and with the company. Coworking spaces can offer a solution as well as support and contact from their manager. You can also organize after-work get-togethers to increase staff satisfaction, as well as virtual coffee breaks.

Virtual doesn’t mean unproductive

There’s a pervasive misconception that virtual offices are impersonal, lazy, or absent. This doesn’t have to be the case, and with the right setup, you can create a dynamic and productive company with high rates of staff AND customer satisfaction.

The post How to Design a Virtual Office Setup for Productivity appeared first on RealVNC®.

A Look Back at RealVNC’s 2023 Milestones: The Yearly Roundup

Bogdan Bele — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 17:39:02 +0000

2023 unfolded with a host of exciting enhancements to the RealVNC Connect software, as anticipated. Aside from that, we hosted a contest showcasing the creative side of our users. Plus, we offered an in-depth analysis of the remote access industry. Dive in to explore the significant landmarks that defined RealVNC’s year.

With that said, let’s dive into some of the most important moments of what has been a very busy year here at RealVNC.

RealVNC Connect: new features and enhancements

It has been a great 2023 for our flagship software, RealVNC Connect, as it has received some great improvements. Let’s look at some of them.

Presence for RealVNC Viewer

Our Presence feature provides you with a convenient way to check which ones of your cloud-connected devices are ready to connect, simplifying your workflow. If you see a green icon, it means that the device is online and open for connections. A grey icon indicates that the device is offline and not accessible. It’s a straightforward feature, that should make many system administrators’ lives easier.

Session recording on On-Demand Assist

You can now document your On-Demand Assist sessions, facilitating your audit processes and training programs. All you need to do is click the ‘Rec’ icon on the toolbar while in a session. This will record what’s happening on your screen and save it to a location of your choosing.

Native integration for Duo Authentication

Protecting your sessions with the Duo Authentication method is now easier than ever before.

Our native integration lets you directly link RealVNC Connect with your Duo account, making it quicker to set up and easier to implement.

Session logging with Audit

This feature will spare your team from a lot of admin work, by giving them a 14-day running log of key account events. Complete with timestamps and dates, you have a fully auditable, real-time log of activity. This can be exported as a .csv file or via API Access.

The 2023 State of Remote Access Report

The State of Remote Access Report is based on a comprehensive remote access survey, with over 450 respondents.

This extensive survey deciphers the technologies used to enable and secure remote access. The resulting report offers valuable insights into the practical usage of these technologies, security protocols, and their effectiveness against prevalent cyberattacks. It’s designed to give you a complete overlook of the remote access, as well as insights that will keep you ahead of your competitors.

If you haven’t done so already, download your free copy of the 2023 State of Remote Access Report here

Also, keep an eye on the RealVNC Blog and our social media presences in the new year! A brand-new report, discussing the way remote access will look and how it will be used in 2024, is on the way.

The 2023 RealVNC Raspberry Pi Prize

Thousands of people use RealVNC Connect in creative ways on Raspberry Pi devices every day. This competition was meant to recognize them and celebrate their ingenuity and creativity. It was open to anyone who had an original solution that included the use of a Raspberry Pi computer and RealVNC Connect software.

We received entries from around the world and have been extremely impressed by the creativity and ingenuity on display.

Six finalists were selected, and the judges have assessed their entries for originality & innovation, quality of design, impact, as well as the use of RealVNC Connect remote access software. The overall winner has received a prize of $1,000, while the runners up have received $500 and $250, respectively.

Shohreh Kia was the winner of the competition, with a solution that uses a Raspberry Pi connected to a camera to process real-time visual data from conveyor belts in recycling centers. Material types on the belts are identified using custom-developed algorithms. RealVNC Connect allows operators to operate the machines remotely in a much safer and healthier environment.

You can find out all about the winning solution, as well as the runners-up, on the RealVNC Blog

Happy holidays and a great 2024!

The ones discussed above are just some of the highlights of what has been a very busy, but at the same time very successful, 2023 for the RealVNC team.

We all want to thank you for using our products this year. We also want to take this opportunity to wish you Happy Holidays and a fantastic 2024! See you next year!

The post A Look Back at RealVNC’s 2023 Milestones: The Yearly Roundup appeared first on RealVNC®.

Overcoming Remote Support Challenges: A Case Study

RealVNC — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:01:24 +0000

This has become especially prominent in our increasingly digital era, with distance no longer being a tangible barrier to business. However, this also means that organizations have to navigate the complexities of managing operations across various locations, ensuring the smooth delivery of services, and maintaining efficient communication channels.

The Problem

For one credit union company, which we will not name, these challenges became a stark reality. With branches spread across several locations, providing effective remote support became a daunting task. The company found itself caught in a constant cycle of inefficiencies – technical issues took too long to resolve, in turn leading to downtime, frustrated employees, and ultimately, unsatisfied customers. The time and resources invested in coordinating support across multiple locations were draining, posing serious threats to the company’s productivity and profitability. The need for a solution was urgent.

The Search for a Solution

The company embarked on a quest for a solution that could streamline their remote support processes. The ideal solution had to be secure, scalable, easy to deploy, and offer centralized control. After several trial and error experiences with different tools, they were all found lacking in one way or another. Some failed to provide solid security measures, others were not scalable, and some were too complex to deploy and manage. The search for a system that could tick all the boxes continued.

RealVNC Connect as the Solution

After an extensive search, the company found its answer in RealVNC Connect – it provided robust security measures, ensuring safe and secure remote sessions. Its scalable nature meant that it could be easily adjusted to their size and needs. The fact that it was centrally deployable was the cherry on top, allowing the company to manage and control all remote support from a single point. RealVNC Connect appeared to be the perfect fit.

The implementation of RealVNC Connect was a game-changer. The company was able to deploy the software across all branches, training staff to use it effectively. The impact was immediate and significant – remote support became a seamless process, with technical issues being resolved quickly and efficiently. Due to RealVNC Connect, all support could be managed from a single location, eliminating the need for multiple trips, and saving valuable time. The result was a notable decrease in downtime, an increase in productivity, and a major boost to employee morale.

The transformation that the company underwent with the implementation of RealVNC Connect highlights the importance of finding the right tools to overcome operational challenges. It’s a testament to how our solution can revolutionize business operations, making remote support efficient, secure, and manageable. In today’s digital age, overcoming such hurdles is not just beneficial, it’s essential to stay ahead. The company’s journey serves as a reminder for all credit unions of the value of efficient remote support and the promise of a solution that ticks all the boxes.

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Why You Need Remote Compliance Management Solutions

RealVNC — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 14:07:55 +0000

If you run even a small business, you’ll know just how difficult it can be to work your way through the complex maze of regulations, laws, and policies that are designed to protect customer privacy and secure your data.

Failing to comply with these regulations can lead to legal trouble and potentially crippling fines, ruining your company’s reputation in the process. This means that it’s imperative that you manage to stay on top of all of the regulations that affect your industry.

Fortunately, remote compliance management technology is starting to allow companies to automate their compliance processes. Finding the right solutions will make worrying about regulations a thing of the past – read on to find out how.

What is compliance management and why is it important?

In today’s digital environment, the use of data is an absolutely integral part of almost every company. With that, however, come the regulations that make sure that you use this data responsibly and safely. If you produce operational risk management software, for example, you’ll have to be careful to store data about your users and their use of the software securely.

One of the most important regulations is GDPR, which outlines how companies that operate in the EU have to handle data. Similar laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) mean that organizations that only work in the US also have to be aware of these regulations. The cost of breaking these rules will often be a hefty fine, as well as the reputation damage that such a fine will cause.

Compliance management is the process of making sure that you don’t have to face these problems by constantly ensuring that your operations comply with regulations and industry standards.

Identifying compliance issues in any of your systems is vital in today’s highly regulated world and you’re risking huge costs by having an ineffective compliance management system.

How can remote compliance management solutions help?

As this graph shows, companies face a range of serious challenges when setting up a compliance management system. With 39% of teams saying that resource capacity is their biggest problem, it makes sense that automating large amounts of compliance management would be invaluable.

This is why remote compliance management solutions can revolutionize your regulatory compliance. By automatically monitoring your compliance protocols and establishing a clear image of all of your sensitive data and potential risks, this software will simplify your compliance management. Here are some of the most helpful features of remote compliance management solutions:

1) Real-time analysis and notifications

A common feature of most compliance management software is a dashboard that monitors all compliance-related actions in your department or company. The software will be aware every time that a computer on your network accesses sensitive data, for instance, and can analyze whether or not this access is likely to be compliant.

You don’t have to worry about constantly monitoring the software’s dashboard, as it will send you alerts if anything has changed with regard to the data. This can be especially useful for preventing cyberattacks, as you could respond to multiple failed login attempts, for example.

2) Automated workflows

As well as monitoring compliance-related issues, you can also use compliance management software to set tasks and manage how your team works with documents; this can be automated so that your workflow is automatically updated each week.

Setting your workflow through compliance management software will make sure that each step is perfectly aligned with your compliance protocols and won’t break any regulations. By simplifying the workflow process, you’ll also be sure that each member of your team knows their role – reducing the likelihood of compliance mistakes.

3) Encryption and security

It would make little sense for your compliance management solutions to risk falling foul of data privacy regulations themselves, so it’s not a surprise that most compliance software includes strong and effective encryption.

They will make sure that documents are stored securely, while they’ll also ensure that you’ve encrypted any sensitive data. Access to the software itself will also likely be well-protected, making them a perfect cybersecurity risk assessment example. Without compliance management software, you risk leaving your data unprotected.

4) Password and account management

Remembering the right passwords is difficult enough, but remembering to regularly change passwords to ensure proper regulatory compliance is almost impossible. Fortunately, you can use compliance management software to manage these passwords for you, making them secure without you having to worry about remembering them.

As well as this, they can also recognize inactive accounts and alert you to them; this will mean that you can delete these accounts and any personal data that might be connected to them, leaving you fully compliant with privacy regulations.

5) Ease of access to data

A significant part of regulations such as GDPR is the right of each customer to request access to their data. Providing this can be difficult, especially if you have multiple sources of data and each source has its own format, but it’s a key part of ensuring that you’re compliant with privacy regulations.

Luckily, compliance management software can classify all of this data for you, in a format of your choice. It can also scan multiple files for any sensitive data that might be included in them – some solutions will even sort this data into low-risk and high-risk siloes. This will mean that responding to any data access request will become much more straightforward.

6) Automated data reports

As well as responding to data access requests, another feature that is demanded by privacy regulations like GDPR is the production of data reports for auditors. While producing these reports usually requires a wide range of knowledge about the data that you have saved, it’s possible to automate this process through compliance management software.

These audit reports will include detailed descriptions of where data is located, how it is protected, and who has access to it, meaning that any auditor will be able to quickly recognize your company’s compliance with regulations.

What to look for when finding compliance management solutions

It’s obvious why you can benefit from using remote compliance management solutions: they will automate and streamline much of the process of regulatory compliance, leaving you with peace of mind about your company’s data policies. But, with lots of solutions on the market, what should you look for when sourcing software for your company?

1) Platform support

The first thing to do when looking at a potential compliance management solution is whether it’s compatible with your existing platforms. Many popular softwares will support Microsoft Advanced Directory, which most organizations use.

However, you shouldn’t worry if you store your data on an alternative platform or if – like many companies today – you use a cloud-based service to store data. You might want to consider investing in a more advanced solution that will be able to work across both physical and cloud-based infrastructures.

2) Privacy policies

With software that will have access to all of your company’s saved data, you’ll want to make sure that it is as secure as possible. Look for solutions that offer protection such as multi-factor authentication for each new login and that have strong encryption processes. At the same time, you’ll want to make sure that the software aligns with your brand’s general privacy policies.

3) Pricing and payment structures

As with any new piece of software that you choose to invest in, you’ll want to make sure that you get value for your investment. You should contact vendors directly to try to find a better price or a bulk deal.

However, you should also be careful not to simply choose the cheapest solution. Compare the specific services offered by each vendor and make sure that your final choice is right for you. Investing in a high-quality compliance management solution will pay off over time.

4) Customization and ease of use

One of the biggest benefits of using a compliance management software is how much easier it is compared to manual data management. However, you don’t want to undo this boost in productivity by forcing your team to struggle with software that is unresponsive and difficult to use.

Look for solutions that have intuitive user interfaces and that come with clear and concise instructions – you should ask for a free trial to make sure that your employees can easily use it. You should also look for software that is easily customizable, so that you can tailor it for your organization’s specific needs.

No more time-consuming manual data management

As this article has shown, you can’t afford to continue attempting to comply with regulations such as GDPR without a remote compliance management solution. By producing automated data reports and providing easier access to your data, you’ll be able to easily stay compliant with privacy regulations while also allowing you to organize your data more efficiently.

If you want to see these benefits in your organization, use the tips provided in this article to find a solution that’s right for you – start automating your compliance management today!

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What is remote connection: Devices, technology, and software that can be used for remote access

Bogdan Bele — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 11:56:04 +0000

What is a remote connection? You may well have a good idea already. If you’ve ever logged in to your business’s network while away from the office, you’ve used a remote connection yourself.

Essentially, a remote connection allows you to access a device or network from any location. This means you don’t need to be chained to your desk to do your work; instead, you can edit and collaborate from anywhere in the world as well as on the go.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the benefits of remote connection as well as ways to facilitate it.

The benefits of using a remote connection

As we touched on above, a remote connection allows an authorized individual to connect to a device or network even when physically away. This can enable team members to access your business network when working from home or allow your IT support team to resolve issues by accessing employees’ computers.

Unsurprisingly, remote connection has a number of benefits, which include the following:

Reduced costs

Remote access reduces the need for staff to be in one location to be productive—in theory, your team can work from anywhere and still collaborate. While most businesses in 2023 do retain some sort of office, others have fully embraced remote working. Remote connections are one of the tools enabling them to do this.

This creates obvious cost-saving possibilities. For example, does every employee need a permanent desk if they’re not going to be in the office full-time? In a hybrid working world, the answer is “probably not”. Instead, a hot-desk approach may suffice, enabling businesses to use smaller office spaces with lower rents and running costs.

Individuals don’t need to be in the same room to have a productive meeting or go into the office just to download a file. They don’t even necessarily have to bring their laptop in if something goes wrong with it. With the right technology, all this can be handled remotely, dramatically reducing travel expenses and downtime.

Increased security

Shifting to a remote working model doesn’t inherently enhance cybersecurity. In many ways, it can increase the risks, by introducing new, exploitable attack surfaces.

However, there’s now an extensive body of software, research, expertise, protocols, and tools available to mitigate this. Some remote access software like, for example, RealVNC’s offering, provides high-level, up-to-date security capabilities.

Of course, no matter how good your tech, remote access should still be supported by a robust security-first culture, so make sure that everyone understands remote PC security protocols.

Flexible working

Remote access increases the flexibility of your business, too. The pandemic demonstrated this on a massive scale. If your team can connect remotely, it’s easier to keep working, no matter what life throws at you. Flexibility thus brings resilience.

Moreover, this flexibility makes your business a more desirable place to work. If you want your business to attract the top talent for your industry, you need to offer competitive terms. Flexible and positive remote working policies will continue to play an important role in this in the future.

For many employees, remote connection equals the option to work away from the office and commute less. Not being confined to office hours also allows people to fit their work more easily around other commitments, such as the school run.

Methods of remote access

It’s important to understand that remote access is not the same as a cloud-based solution. In cloud computing, an organization’s IT is hosted in the cloud—in other words, in an external, off-site environment that can be accessed via the Internet. Remote access, on the other hand, is about enabling access to an organization’s on-site IT infrastructure and environment.

There are various methods of facilitating this, which broadly fall into three categories.

Direct

Direct access is where a user connects to a device they want to control remotely. One example would be a home-working employee that desires direct access to their desktop computer in the office. In this scenario, the employee would directly control their desktop computer using a device at home (perhaps via a remote desktop experience).

Indirect

In contrast, indirect access goes through an intermediary server. Data, such as commands, files, or messages, is relayed between two or more devices via the intermediary.

VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) enables secure data exchange by creating a secure private connection between two devices. In simple terms, it builds a private tunnel between the two devices whereby all exchanged data is protected by a layer of encryption.

What is a remote device?

Essentially, a remote device is any device through which you remotely connect to another device. Remote devices are usually computers or mobile phones. Remote connection allows you to use a remote device (sometimes called the ‘client’) to access as well as control the files and applications on another device (sometimes known as the ‘host’).

Types of remote access technology

Remote access technology is any tool that supports remote access, connection, control, and working. There are many different types, but three of the most prominent are explained below.

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

The Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) was developed as part of the Windows operating system. It’s not a remote access solution in its own right, but it underpins the Remote Desktop Services (RDS) solution. As we’ll see below, RDS allows users to control a remote machine as if they’re sitting in front of it.

Virtual private network (VPN)

As we mentioned earlier, a VPN connection is sometimes understood as providing the remote user with a tunnel into the internal IT ecosystem of an organization. Users can then access tools and resources as they would in-house.

VPNs have been around for a while now and are understandably very popular. They offer security via encryption balance with flexibility. The result is that it’s easier to shift files between local and remote networks.

However, VPNs can be difficult to set up, sometimes requiring significant technical expertise.

Furthermore, a VPN doesn’t give remote users access to the remote desktop of a specific device. Instead, users have access to the tools and resources that exist on a remote network more generally.

Secure remote access

Secure remote access provides users with direct control of a device that’s elsewhere, allowing them to interact with that device as if they’re sitting in front of it. At the same time, someone else literally sitting in front of that device would be able to watch the remote user’s actions.

With a VPN connection, a remote user connects to a network rather than a specific device. But with secure remote access (and RDP, as well), you can view and control a specific device.

This makes secure remote access a powerful business tool. For instance, remote workers can access their office computers even when they’re working from home, and IT support staff can troubleshoot an employee’s computer (or mobile, tablet, or other device) no matter where either individual is based. This supports flexibility and keeps employees productive.

Secure remote access connections are generally facilitated by specialist software. Remote access software takes care of the technical steps involved in remote connection, making it a convenient option for a wide range of users.

Of course, for security reasons, it’s essential to keep any remote access software up to date and ensure all the latest patches are installed.

What are Remote Desktop Services?

Remote Desktop Services (RDS) are a set of components in the Microsoft Windows operating system. It’s underpinned by Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), mentioned above.

A core benefit of these components is that they allow users to connect with a desktop remotely from whatever physical device they’re using. Once connected, users can interact (remotely) with that desktop.

The experience is dictated by RDS system permissions, however, in theory, individuals can use the remote desktop (including access to all its software, files, and tools) as if it’s installed on the machine they’re sitting at.

RDS does, however, have limitations. One example of this is that it doesn’t support effective screen-sharing, which can reduce its business applications. Both collaboration and tech support, for example, benefit from screen-sharing technology.

Remote access software from RealVNC

RealVNC offers powerful remote access software, enabling users to remotely control computers. It’s a convincing alternative to both RDS and VPN.

RealVNC’s flagship product, RealVNC Connect, makes it easy for businesses to provide secure remote access and support from anywhere. The highly flexible and customizable system works across a wide range of platforms and operating systems, making it a convenient choice for any business. It also offers multiple security options, which is crucial in today’s digital-first world.

RealVNC Connect delivers high-quality, smooth, and responsive remote connections. You’ll feel like you’re right in front of the host device, especially with its remote desktop capabilities.

Additionally, RealVNC’s software makes screen-sharing collaboration across your teams easy. For instance, it allows IT support staff to access an employee’s device and fix an issue while the employee watches.

FAQs about remote connection

What does a remote access server use for authorization?

Various methods are used for remote access server authorization. These can include passwords, two-factor authentication, PKI, and RADIUS.

Is remote access the same as a remote desktop?

No, these are different concepts.

Remote access is a broader term and signifies the ability to connect to and control a remote device.

Remote desktop, on the other hand, describes the specific experience of a user interacting with the graphical desktop environment of a particular remote device.

While remote desktops are a form of remote access, not all remote access solutions include a remote desktop experience.

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