What to Look for in Productivity Software

What is the key to a successful work environment? Productivity.

While it's not necessarily the only quality you need on your team, it's certainly a critical quality. Without it, teams will not be able to reverse positive results quickly.

This is why so many companies are investing in productivity software. There are many tool options to improve efficiency. They include popular software like:

• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Asana
• Evernote
• Flock
• G Suite
• Grammatically
• Open office
• Day off
• Todoist
• Toggle
• Trello
• Zapier

With so many software options to adopt in your organization – including custom or modified options – how do you know which is right for your team? Here's what to look for.

What is productivity software?

Productivity software is a broad term that describes technology that increases individual or team productivity. There are many different categories in it, allowing you to better organize, track data, schedule tasks, collaborate, communicate, and more.

This software has personal and professional applications. For example, individuals can use it to track and organize their appointments, while companies can streamline workflows and assign responsibilities.

Ultimately, productivity software should make your and your team members' lives easier, allowing you to do more faster and achieve your goals.

Types of Productivity Software

There is a wide variety of different types of productivity software. Categories include:

• Business intelligence (BI)
• Calendars
• Verification list
• Communications
• Database Management
• Presentation
• Project management
• Resource management
• Spreadsheets
• Task management
• Time control
• Text processing

What to Look for in Productivity Software

Reputation

It goes without saying that the software you invest in must be of high quality. But how can you know if you haven't tried it yet?

Some providers may offer a free trial before you sign up. This seems ideal, but it is still important to also analyze the reputation of the brand and product. Read reviews and ask other trusted leaders and colleagues.

If you're working with an outsourcing partner to augment existing productivity software or build a new tool from scratch, study your potential partner's portfolio, ask for references, and review customer testimonials. You should look for evidence that they have expertise in your field, as well as experience building productivity software specifically.

Cross-platform and device capabilities

Your team members will access these important tools at various times of the day and on a variety of devices, including desktop computers, cell phones, and tablets. The platform must be accessible from these devices without restrictions so that no one has any problems logging in, regardless of context.

This is because employees may need to access critical data from home via their phone, computers at work, and even on the go, such as when waiting for an appointment or at the grocery store.

Compatibility

You already have systems, software and programs installed as part of your office infrastructure. You need your productivity software to fit seamlessly into the bigger picture. The purpose of the tool is to make your life easier and not disrupt your workflow. But if your new tool isn't compatible with your existing software, it will make your work environment more chaotic, not less.

Take stock of your current platforms. If you are working with a vendor, you can ask them to take inventory and ensure that their systems are compatible with each other.

You also want to avoid forcing employees to turn to multiple systems for the same purpose. This will hurt your productivity and cause confusion. The goal is to store your critical tools in one accessible system.

Collaboration Features

Productivity software should facilitate stronger collaboration and communication between your team members. Depending on the purpose of the tool – and your needs as a business – this could include file sharing, real-time editing capabilities, and more.

Before committing to a specific productivity platform, make sure the tool has the specific collaboration features you need to keep your team members engaged.

Easy to use

You want a productivity tool that's easy to use for you and your team members. There shouldn't be a steep learning curve when it comes to software that's supposed to help you and streamline your workflow. If you're having trouble using it, chances are others are too.

A simple interface is a good starting point. You want to be able to see a clear, organized layout that gives you an overview upfront without having to dig around. The platform must also be easy to navigate and offer information in a way that makes sense. If the tool is too difficult to follow and manipulate, none of your employees will want to use it – and the point of the software is for everyone to invest in it together to achieve their goals.

Cloud storage

These days, team members can work in multiple locations. Cloud capabilities allow people to access productivity tools and the information they store no matter where they are, as long as they have an Internet connection.

Whether you're sharing files or tracking progress, cloud storage means you'll be able to see important information from virtually any location. Plus, the cloud means strong security, so even when you're working remotely, you can rest assured that your data is safe and secure.

Productivity software will change your organization for the better, allowing you to monitor dates and deadlines, track progress, and facilitate strong collaboration. But without buy-in from employees and stakeholders, you won't be able to maximize the value of your product. Ensuring your productivity platform has these essential features is a start to getting everyone involved and making your business more productive and efficient.