It’s estimated that about 22 percent of Americans will be working remotely by 2025.
Working from home is a new concept to a lot of people, and many aren’t fully prepared for the change. There are plenty of pieces of kit that you can get which will make working from home a breeze, and some are quite crucial.
For 10 of the most vital tech tools to help remote workers, keep reading.
1. Laptop
This may be the most essential piece of tech when working remotely. In some circumstances, a tablet may suffice, but most jobs require something a bit more versatile.
If you only intend to work from a single location a desktop computer will do the job, but with a laptop, you can work from anywhere. When working from home you might want a change of scenery, and having a laptop means you can work from any place with Wi-Fi.
2. Smartphone
When you aren’t around your co-workers all day communication can become an issue. There are plenty of programs to keep in contact via computer, but a smartphone makes things a lot easier.
You can install team communication apps like Slack, and if anything urgent comes up getting in touch with people is easy. There are plenty of affordable Boost Mobile devices that are well-suited.
Boost also sells some of the best hotspot plans for working remotely, so you may want to look into them if you plan to work anywhere without access to a Wi-Fi network.
3. Strong Router
Working home often requires a strong, reliable internet connection. Make sure you have a router that can keep up with your rate of work. A poor internet connection will likely reduce your productivity and your ability to access files or programs from your company’s network.
Standard meetings have been replaced with video calls, and losing connection during a call can be incredibly inconvenient, especially if it keeps happening. Your internet connection dropping may also result in work being lost.
4. Cybersecurity
You might have the best technology for working remotely, but if your network isn’t secure you will be at risk. Hackers might be able to get into your home network, or your work network, giving them access to files and data.
Almost all businesses handle sensitive data of some kind, and a data breach can lead to some serious problems. Make sure you have reliable cybersecurity software on your laptop and that your company’s network is well protected.
5. Laptop Stand
One of the benefits of working from home is the ability to move around as you please. You might regularly work from a desk/home office, but if you feel like working from the living room for a day a laptop stand makes it easy.
It will keep your laptop stable, and many come with a flat section at the side for a mouse. You could even treat yourself to a day of working from bed if you want to relax.
6. Second Monitor
If you want to take your work from home technology to the next level an additional monitor is a great upgrade. Adding another monitor can make a person 20-30 percent more productive.
With a second monitor, you can have a lot more displayed in front of you at one time. If you find yourself regularly flipping through windows this can help a lot. Just be aware that if you get too used to it, going back to just one screen can feel a bit limiting.
7. Mouse & Keyboard
Another potential upgrade to your work from home tech is a keyboard and mouse. While laptops have these built-in they can be a bit restricting. A larger keyboard and standard mouse are a lot more comfortable to work with.
If you’ve decided to upgrade with a second monitor, this will also help you keep your workstation more balanced. Basic keyboard and mouse combos can be fairly cheap, making it a very cost-effective way to improve your work from home experience.
8. Multi-Port Hub
A setup like the above might not be possible with some laptops as they are. If your laptop doesn’t have many ports you may not be able to connect a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other accessories at the same time.
A multi-port hub is a possible solution to this. You can turn one port into several to connect more devices. Some even come with extra features such as SD card readers.
9. Portable Storage
The number of people working from home has increased massively in recent years, and businesses have had to adapt accordingly. Cloud computing has made this possible as employees can access files and systems from anywhere with an internet connection.
Files are often stored on cloud networks, but sometimes it’s more suitable to keep them on a physical device. USB flash drives and portable hard drives are perfect for this. If you have particularly sensitive files that you don’t want to store on a cloud network you can keep them on an external storage device.
This mobile tech tool can also be useful for keeping things backed up, or accessing files when you have no internet connection. They’re a lot cheaper than they used to be, so you can easily get a hard drive with plenty of storage space without spending a huge amount.
10. Ergonomic Chair
If you sit at a desk for long hours you want to make sure it’s not harming your health. Some seats can affect your posture, which you might not notice straight away, but this can cause serious damage in the long term.
Chairs vary a lot in price, but if you’re going to get a lot of use out of them, then it’s worth spending a bit extra to get one that will keep you comfortable and in good health.
Do You Need All of These Tech Tools?
You may not need all of the tech tools on this list. While all of them can be beneficial, some may not be as useful to you as others depending on your lifestyle and the nature of your work. Think about what you need and what will help you the most so you can best decide what’s worth investing in.
If you’re interested in more tech articles, check out some of our other blog posts.
