By Isle of Wight Observer
Organisation and efficiency are important to us all in business and life, helping improve accuracy and efficiency to save time and money.
Productivity tools are simply software specifically designed to make tasks simpler and workflow more efficient, the most commonly used being those for word processing, spreadsheets and graphics. One of the most popular is Microsoft Office/365 which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and Publisher. There is also Google Workspace with Google Docs, Sheet, Slides and Forms. But there are so many more available for both computer and mobile devices than we realise. So, when considering productivity tools, which do you choose?
Firstly, it’s important to consider your specific needs. What type of task is it you want to undertake? Are there specific features you need? Is it for your computer or mobile? Does it need to be compatible with other software you already use? What is your budget and level of expertise? Answering these will help to reduce the options available.
If, for example, you are looking to improve project management then tools such as Monday, Slack, Trello and OneNote may be right for you. Meeting with colleagues, customers and friends on-line can be made simpler using tools including Teams, Zoom, Skype and GoToMeeting, many of which rose to popularity during the pandemic for obvious reasons. For accounting and book-keeping there is Sage, Quickbooks, Xero and Free Agent amongst others.
If you want to conduct surveys then SurveyMonkey, MailChimp, Google Forms and Zoho Survey may be right for you. Put simply, there is a productivity tool to support almost any aspect.
As with most things, there are downsides. A good broadband or mobile connection is essential in most cases. Time can be needed for set-up and to learn new software and, of course, it does increase dependency on technology and make it difficult to work if there are technical problems or you lose access through poor connection. However, the benefits can be rapid and clearly apparent through increased efficiency, accuracy, flexibility, collaboration and the ability to work more effectively remotely.
At PC Consultants we work closely with our clients to establish the productivity tools they need to make the most of the opportunities they provide. To find out more, simply get in touch with us so we can use our experience to help you get the most from your IT.