Below are some of the tools that you can use to stay connected, stay safe and stay productive over the next few months.
Slack – www.slack.com
Slack is an integrated messaging app that connects your conversations using tools and services that streamline work and increase team productivity. This extensive tool has a robust API that integrates over 1500 apps making it easier to access and share files. Slack lets you organize files, automate mundane tasks, and allows for fast and easy exchange of information. The cost starts from Standard plan of R114,21 ($6.67 USD) per active user per month billed annually. Or, R136,96 ($8 USD) per active user per month, billed monthly.
Zoom – www.zoom.us
Zoom is a cloud-based communication tool geared for fast, easy and convenient video communication. Zoom can be used for voice and video conferencing, real-time chat, document collaboration, file-sharing, and webinars on multiple platforms such as mobile, desktop, telephones and Zoom’s very own room systems. It costs R261,29 ($14.99) per month, per meeting host.
Microsoft Teams – https://g.co/kgs/4A9Lvd
Microsoft Teams lets you host audio, video and web conferences internally and with third-party organizations. This communication platform allows you to schedule deadlines or bookings, take notes, screen-share, upload files and instant message. What sets this platform apart is that it has a special feature that allows you to host webinars with up to 10,000 attendees. Pricing starts at R217,10 ($12.50) per month, per user.
Monday.com – www.monday.com
Monday.com is a visual team management tool that enables you to quickly add members, assign tasks, customize workflow, and track the progress of work. Pricing for monday.com offers several packages where price depends on the number of users. The basic plan is priced at R678,61 per month for up to 5 users.
Skype for Business – https://www.skype.com/en/business/
Skype for Business is a dynamic collaboration tool designed to host online business meetings. This video conferencing app allows you to record meetings, share screens, and annotate PowerPoint presentations. Each meeting can accommodate up to 250 people and manage the group with advanced calling options, like muting one or all participants and transferring presenter control. It costs R34,79 ($2) per month, per user.
Google Hangouts – https://hangouts.google.com/
For meetings on the go, Google Hangouts Meet platform is ideal. Meet makes joining video calls fast and easy through link sharing. Team members, clients and outsiders can access the conference call without needing permission or plug-ins. Google Hangouts’ pricing starts at R86,95 ($5) for 30 GB of storage.
ProofHub (https://www.proofhub.com/)
ProofHub is an online project management software that is trusted by hundreds of remote teams to bring everything at one place. ProofHub being an all-in-one remote project management software is a must-have for teams that demand a greater level of management proficiency. Essential plan cost R868,98 ($50.00) per month billed monthly or R784,53 ($45.00) per month billed annually.
Basecamp (https://basecamp.com/)
Basecamp is a project management and team collaboration software solution that helps you manage projects and communicate with clients in a meaningful way. It’s a project management software to help you arrange your calendars, set meeting schedules, track assignments, and store documents. Basecamp costs a flat, fixed fee of R1 728,80 ($99) per month or R17 445,20 ($999) per year. This includes unlimited users and unlimited projects.
Trello (https://trello.com/en/tour)
Trello is a collaboration tool that organizes your projects into boards. In one glance, Trello tells you what’s being worked on, who’s working on what, and where something is in a process. Trello standard plan is free and the Premium plan costs R174,33 $9.99 per user per month billed annually.
COVID-19 has accelerated the technological revolution that was already taking place, forcing us to re-think how countries should develop and how organisations create value and even what it means to be human especially under the circumstances that we may not have control over. Value creation during this time is essential.
Technological platforms to navigate mental and physical wellbeing.
Once you have figured out the best online platforms to get your work done, you can take some time-out with the below apps designed to help you have fun, connect and relax.
Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/za/ )
Netflix is an internet television network with over 117 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries. Users can also download shows and watch them in areas out of network coverage. The cost starts from R 175,18 per month for a subscription. They also offer 1 month free trial.
House Party ( houseparty.com )
Houseparty is the face-to-face social network where you can connect with the people you care about most. The app makes connecting face to face effortless, alerting you when your friends are “in the house” and ready to chat so you can jump right into the conversation. The same goes for you opening the app!
Google Play Books
(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.books&hl=en_ZA )
Google Play Books provides users a number of options of books for users to read across a variety of genres and languages. Google Play Books is an e-reader app, letting users read Google ebooks on mobile devices. A Google books search can be performed through Google Play, helping users discover top bestselling ebooks available for purchase, as well as plenty of free Google books for download.