Working remotely - tools and links

Created: March 18, 2020 at 11:51 AM | Updated: November 1, 2023 | By NZ Navigator Trust

This resource introduces links to digital tools and information that can help you and your team work remotely in an effective and safe manner. We've organised these into three groups:

>  Webinars - tips and information

 General information on working from home

 Tools to help you work from home 

Working from home image 

1.  WEBINARS - TIPS AND INFORMATION 

Business continuity and technology preparedness for long term remote working

Techsoup have shared a webinar recording that covers:

  1. What long term remote working means for your organisation and your technology mix.
  2. Tools that will assist you to improve your ability to work remotely.
  3. How to get started quickly – quick wins.
  4. Other elements that you may not have taken into consideration that will assist you with your readiness.

Click here to get the recording and slides for free.


2.  GENERAL INFORMATION ON WORKING FROM HOME

Setting up remote working - a quick reference guide

CERTNZ have developed this reference guide that gives an overview of the important steps of setting up securely. 

Techsoup NZ - Remote Work Essentials

The key to supporting a remote workforce is the tools you use. Techsoup have shared some resources and tools that you can access through your Techsoup New Zealand membership. Read more here and also here.

CERTNZ - Types of remote access software

What are your options for remote access? This CERTNZ guide will help you find the right one for your business. 

Guidelines for working remotely

The Tamarack Institute have shared their thoughts about remote working. Tamarack is a remote-based organisation and has developed guidelines to create a sense of understanding and awareness about what it means to work remotely. Find their webinar here. and their Guidelines for Working Remotely here.

Staying mentally healthy

Worksafe have produced this guidance for workers who do office-type work in their home, rather than at their business premises.

Tips for working from home

Zoom has shared additional information on working from home:


3.  TOOLS TO HELP YOU WORK FROM HOME

Below you will find links to a few tools that you can use to work effectively from home.

You'll find many more tools and websites on Digital Stuff We Love, a sister site to CommunityNet Aotearoa that introduces you to lots of smart digital ways to work, communicate, and engage with your staff and community.

Digital Stuff We Love

Zoom - video conferencing

https://zoom.us/

A collaboration and communication tool with excellent video and audio quality.  

  • Basic plan - free - host up to 100 participants (limited to 40 minutes for group meeting), unlimited 1 to 1 online meetings. More features for paid plans.

BigBlueButton - video conferencing

https://bbb2.nzoss.nz/ 

Video conferencing that is available for free to NZ-based organisations, with no download required and no timeouts for non-paying users. BigBlueButton can support up to 200 users at the same time. 

Slack - bringing the team together

https://slack.com 

A collaboration hub and instant messaging platform

  • Basic plan free and Techsoup discounts 

Trello - team work and projects

https://trello.com 

Organise and prioritise projects, work with a team

  • Free, non-profit discounts  

Todolist - organise it all

https://todoist.com

A to-do list, project and planner app that integrates with other services like Dropbox and Slack.   

  • Free or premium version with additional features 

Loomio - decision-making

https://www.loomio.com

A collaboration platform, based in New Zealand, helping groups make decisions, discuss ideas and collaborate online.

  • Free trial, discount for volunteers and community 

Asana - work management 

https://asana.com 

A work management platform to help teams plan and structure work and stay on track. 

  • Free for basic plan, pay for more features 

Ayoa - collaboration and manage

https://www.ayoa.com 

Mind map ideas then collaborate and manage the tasks with various task management options (paid version).  

  • Free basic plan, low cost for more 

Toggl - Project planning with visuals

https://toggl.com 

Project planning and time tracking for teams with visual overview of tasks.  

  • Free plan for up to 5 users, low cost for more 

Dropbox - online storage

https://www.dropbox.com

Online storage locker for your files, documents, photos etc that you can access anywhere and share with others.   

  • Free / pay for more space and features 

Wrike

https://www.wrike.com/

A collaborative work management platform for your organisation.

  • Free for small teams, pay for more features.