Companies today recognize more than ever the importance of providing their staff with efficient internal communication apps, and digital technologies have emerged as the primary focus and tool for doing so.
The best employee apps have features that help an organization streamline its operations, such as data organization, artificial intelligence technology, a mobile app, and emergency alerts.
The rapid development of these apps and the constant emergence of new ones provide numerous options for hiring employees.
Maintaining open lines of communication within an organization is crucial because it ensures that all team members are on the same page regarding the company's mission, values, projects, and the many ways the company is constantly adapting.
This article will highlight the best apps for employees and why companies should use them.
Best apps for employees
The rise in mobile technology has created a wealth of opportunities for employees of all sorts, as more and more employers are beginning to use apps in the workplace.
Apps can provide convenience and efficiency, as they allow employers to provide quick access to information like company policies, important documents and workflows — all with the convenience of a mobile device.
Even better, many apps offer employees the ability to collaborate easily with peers or collaborate on projects from remote locations. Furthermore, popular communication apps like Slack or Microsoft Teams help streamline communication across teams, and make it easier for managers to assign tasks and monitor progress.
Apps also facilitate improved performance tracking by providing subtle reminders about deadlines or project progress so that employees can stay on top of their commitments. Overall, apps can create a much more productive work atmosphere for both employers and employees alike.
Types of Employees apps:
- Feedback apps.
- Recognition apps.
- Communication apps.
- Data collection apps.
- Portals
- Corporate Intranets
- Engagement platforms
- Project management
- HR apps
AgilityPortal
Are you looking for a state-of-the-art employee app? All you need is AgilityPortal. Their mobile app is full of innovative features. It can be modified to fit your requirements and expand along with your business. You and your team can improve your communication and collaboration with the help of their user-friendly platform.
Its digital workplace solution is user-friendly, social, and tailored to each individual.
There is a lot to participate in or customise, from your own news feed and account to expanding communities within the workplace.
It guarantees the smooth running of the project. Moreover, AgilityPortal Digital Workspace is a versatile multi-device access solution that allows your staff to access your protected digital workspace from anywhere, on any device, at any time. This includes both in-office and remote work.
The digital workplace app developed by AgilityPortal is optimised for mobile use. It was developed to enhance the knowledge, performance, productivity, and loyalty of your frontline staff, field workers, remote employees, and external workers through centralised online training. Provide the appropriate information to all of your employees via their mobile devices so that they can access it without delay.
Availability: Android, iOS, Web
PROS
- Rich set of tools and options for remote teams
- Highly customizable
- ideal for small to medium size organisations
CONS
- Expensive
Trello
Trello is an intuitive and easy-to-use tool for managing projects. The Kanban board's intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it ideal for all members of your team to use to coordinate their efforts and track their development.
The software is incredibly intuitive and has a fantastic free plan, but it lacks some sophisticated features necessary for more involved projects.
We chose Trello as one of the best project management software because of its simplicity. The simple, straightforward boards that are quick to learn are our favorites.
Trello's accessibility is a major factor in why we've included it among the best project management software. Because of how simple it is, it is ideal for smaller groups that need a quick fix. The platform is intuitive enough for non-technical users to use without any problems and powerful enough to greatly improve how you manage projects.
The entire process can be completed in a matter of clicks, from launching a new project to welcoming new team members. Since ease of use is fundamental to Trello, getting started is quick and painless. In fewer than five minutes from now, you can be up and running and managing your next project. As simple as that.
The Trello cards are the most notable features, allowing for effective project management and seamless app integration.
Availability: Android, iOS, Web
PROS:
- The free functions of the product are very impressive
- Easy to understand and it's very full of useful working features
- Makes it easy to collaborate on projects and tasks with clients and teammates
CONS:
- Lacks offline access capabilities to synchronize data while offline
- Scheduling recurring tasks is currently a little clumsy
Slack
When it comes to group chat programs, Slack is hard to beat. It has both public and private chat rooms, allows for straightforward file transfer, and integrates crucially with Zoom and Google Drive. In addition to being the most effective business messaging app, it is also the most user-friendly.
Once you successfully join an existing group, you will have instant access to all of the group's previous discussions. You can quickly review previous conversations to get caught up on the project's development and learn which concerns were previously raised.
You can do a lot of personalizing with it. Notifications are flexible, allowing you to mute channels that aren't mission-critical or to enable and disable them entirely. Even better, you can set times during the day when no notifications will be sent.
Slack allows you to share files and documents with your team in real-time. Files, documents, and photos saved on your computer or in the cloud can be shared with others and annotated in real time. A growing number of popular apps are compatible with Slack, and more are constantly added.
The three primary Slack plans aren't very competitive. There's a free version out there, but it's only suitable for very small groups of people, and it's severely lacking in key areas. It's a top-notch app for professional communication, but be aware that you'll have to pay to use it.
Availability: Android, iOS, Desktop, Web
PROS:
- Huddle with best screen sharing and video and voice capabilities
- Notification personalization based on words and mentions
- Threads like emails on a particular conversation to track the response of various stakeholder on a topic
CONS:
- Delay in notification time when you use it both on mobile and desktop
- Should have some inbuilt calendar instead of using apps
- Long usage hours app freezes and need to restart
Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft 365 is an upgrade from its predecessor, Office 365. The benchmark against which all other office suites are measured. We think you'll find the variety of tools, including Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint, particularly useful. If you're looking for a powerful, feature-packed office suite at a reasonable price, Microsoft Office 365 is a no-brainer.
The adaptability of Microsoft Office 365 is one of its primary advantages. You can do your job from almost anywhere on the planet, provided you have access to the internet. Any time of the day or night is fine for working on a project; there's no need to sit around trying to think of something to do until morning. Thanks to its cloud-based design, everything from your inbox to your files to your office suite can be accessed from anywhere.
Microsoft Office 365 contains some of the best software and services available. Co-authoring is a feature in Microsoft Office 365 that allows multiple users to work on the same document at once. The same is true of cloud-based systems like Microsoft Office 365; chief among business leaders' worries is security.
Availability: Android, iOS, Desktop, Web
PROS:
- Quick and Easy updates
- Easier back end management of users and licenses
- Infrastructure cost have gone down
CONS:
- Sometimes we have found synchronization errors in Onedrive
- Teams stability issues
- Learning curve in going to the cloud
Google Workspace
Google Workspace (formerly known as G Suite) is a suite of productivity and collaboration tools developed by Google that can be used in any organization, including businesses, schools, and government agencies. It's the best cloud-based office suite out there, and it's only available through a paid subscription, making it a step up from the free Google apps that anyone with a Google account can use.
Google Workspace is the best option to consider if you plan to conduct all of your business online and do away with the use of desktop applications. Although Microsoft 365 offers comparable functionality, many users will continue to prefer the convenience and security of local file storage.
Access to a wide variety of time-saving office resources is a huge time saver. Google Workspace eliminates the need to switch between different programs whenever you can access your email, documents, calendar, or chat.
The products offered by Google Workspace are intuitive and user-friendly. Docs and Sheets, for instance, provide a minimal yet serviceable alternative to standard office suites like Microsoft Word and Excel. The Admin Console and the other tools are simple to understand and use.
The ease with which it promotes teamwork is one of Google Workspace's many strengths. Files can be easily shared between users, and multiple people can work on the same document simultaneously.
Availability: Android, iOS, Desktop, Web
PROS:
- E-mail client
- Calendar and meetings
- Documents sharing and storage
CONS:
- Integration with Apple Mail app
- Integration with Apple Calendar app
- File management in the Drive app
ClickUp
Regarding features, price, and ease of use, the cloud-based project management tool ClickUp strikes the perfect balance. It allows groups to work together and assign tasks to one another, with the added bonus of real-time alerts and progress reports on group projects. It's one of the best project management software tools on the market because it's highly adaptable and provides excellent visibility into every project and task.
One of ClickUp's main selling points is how easily it can be personalized. You'll receive an online software solution that can be tailored to your specific needs in terms of workflow, business model, user experience, and other factors.
The accomplishment of any task requires a dedicated team's cooperation and open dialogue. Still, many companies have trouble with it, especially since adopting remote workers. As a result of ClickUp's many advanced features, teams of any size can more effectively communicate and collaborate in real-time, regardless of location.
Report generation, retrieval, and manipulation are all breezes with ClickUp. You can use the tool to learn more about your team's efficiency by examining their individual schedules and learning about the projects they are working on, the deadlines they have missed, and the tasks they have completed.
Availability: Android, iOS, Web
PROS:
- Task Management
- Due Date
- Calendars
CONS:
- There are bugs from time to time
- Server issues in the past
- The Web App is buggy
Zoom
Successful business communication relies heavily on conference call services, and Zoom has quickly risen to prominence as one of the industry's most popular options. Considering its primary focus on video conferencing, we find that Zoom compares favourably to similar services.
Zoom's local recording feature allows both free and paid users to save recordings of their video and audio conferences to their computer's hard drive. For your convenience, Zoom is compatible with services like Dropbox, Google Drive, YouTube, and Vimeo, allowing you to easily upload, view, and share your recorded sessions.
Because of its focus on user comfort, Zoom is a great tool for those who are new to using a computer. To begin, there are only three easy steps required to join a meeting without installing any software.
Businesses, and especially young, promising startups, need products that can expand in line with their needs. Thanks to its scalability in a number of key areas, Zoom can be used effectively by businesses of all sizes.
While Zoom has many benefits, its security features are also a major weakness. Many "zoom bombing" incidents occurred when companies started allowing remote workers to disrupt meetings.
Availability: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Chrome, Linux
PROS:
- Screen sharing option is more helpful to take remote session of our customer Computers
- Zoom chat also a great option, when in a meeting, is it easy to share passwords or solution for the issue with Customer
- And it is easy to add any new person as meeting participant
CONS:
- Light web-based solution would be appreciated
- There are some concerns about the privacy issues (maybe rumors but can be discouraging)
- Chat window needs more improvement - personal view
Asana
There are significant gaps in many freely available project management software configurations. In contrast, Asana is not like that at all. In fact, Asana has the best free plan of any project management software we researched.
Most free versions of project management software have so many limitations that they are useless for a small business. However, Asana doesn't hold back with its free plan, which includes unlimited teams, projects, messaging, activity logs, file storage, and multiple project views. You can keep using the free plan indefinitely if you have fewer than 15 users and only need to handle simple projects.
Kanban boards, lists, calendars, portfolios, workloads, and timelines are just a few of the many ways that users of Asana can view projects and manage tasks. It's great to see that Asana provides every possible view, whereas most competing project management tools only provide one or two.
Automation of processes, repetitive tasks, and workflows that span across your other business tools is a breeze with Asana. Asana's graphical workflow builder makes it simple to define your own rules, triggers, and actions.
Nothing in life is free of cost, and every benefit has a cost associated with it, no matter how unfair it may seem. Asana is no different in this regard. However, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, making this an excellent choice for anyone seeking a project management tool.
Availability: Android, iOS, Web
PROS:
- Scheduling of tasks in a calendar
- Notification system
- Documentation in threads
CONS:
- Rooms can be deleted by anyone
- No track through notifications if members are removed
Slite
Using Slite, groups of people can create and edit shared notes at the same time. The interface is reminiscent of group chat programmes, but its primary functionality is closer to that of Evernote Business. In Slite, teams can set up specialised areas to discuss company-wide issues, specific projects, or anything else that needs group input.
Your account also serves as a secure place to keep personal notes. Using a shared note board, multiple people can work together to make changes or comment on the document. There are many other collaborative business tools that perform similar tasks to Slite, so it's not the only option. There could be another tool in use on your team that does a similar job.
Availability: Android, iOS, Windows
PROS:
- Cheap to start
- Easy to understand and work with
- Nice emoji support
CONS:
- Hard to copy/paste
- Not too much options for exporting/importing
- Formatting of code is just okay
What are the advantages of an employee engagement app?
Ultimately, the most effective employee engagement apps are those that foster two-way dialogue and provide emotional backing for workers. The proliferation of smartphones around the world means that these strategies must be optimised for use on mobile devices.
When you invest in an employee engagement app, you can expect to see a rise in productivity and communication among your staff.
Approaching employee engagement as something that is earned rather than an initiative or a project is the first step in solving the problem of getting such a tool adopted.
Make sure the resources you're giving frontline employees are adding value to their lives, helping them do their jobs better, and providing an environment that encourages organic engagement through connection.
It helps to measure communication analytics
The best choices in business today are those that are supported by data. But without the proper data collection tools, certain management decisions cannot be made. Because of this, an employee app is superior to other forms of office communication.
From the admin panel, it's easy to get an overview of the app's usage statistics. Who is downloading the app and using it? Just how often do they peek inside? How frequently do they use specific features? Utilizing these metrics, you can strengthen your emphasis on the channels of interaction that have proven to be the most successful. However, the app can also be used to track down employees who aren't using it to its full potential.
Great for modern workforce
It's crucial for your company to always be ahead of the curve. A superior product, service, or advertising strategy isn't enough; you also need to attract and retain the best possible employees.
The majority of today's workforce consists of younger generations like Millennials and Generation Z. This new workforce isn't satisfied with outdated methods like previous ones were.
They want their workers to have fun in a variety of ways. You can gain an advantage over competitors in the talent acquisition market by providing employees with convenient ways to access HR data and communicate with one another while working away from the office.
Employees in the modern economy are accustomed to constantly checking their phones. They use them for both professional and private purposes. To engage them, you must provide them with the resources they seek, delivered through the methods with which they are already familiar; communication apps fit this bill neatly.
Mobile apps are easy to use
It's crucial to evaluate software solutions with the end users in mind, so make sure they prioritise usability and a pleasant experience. You shouldn't use anything that has a complicated interface or that complicates otherwise easy tasks.
Yet using the app on a mobile device is a breeze. Staff members are accustomed to performing all of their daily tasks with the aid of mobile apps. Apps are the driving force behind many aspects of modern life, including communication and commerce. There's no reason not to use this in the workplace as well.
Enable real time communication
The modern workforce is always on the go. They appreciate being able to keep in touch with the office whether they are physically at the office, at home, or out getting coffee.
Using email or the phone is impractical and inconvenient in this situation. Your employees would rather not take calls while riding the train into work or waiting in line at the local coffee shop.
Employers can reach their staff instantly, no matter where they are, thanks to employee apps.
Reduce the use of internal email
Email's usefulness for internal communications is dwindling. Unfortunately, they lack the speed and responsiveness necessary in today's workplaces.
The use of work emails can give the impression of increased productivity when this is not the case. While clearing out their inboxes may make employees feel productive, they're actually not making much progress on more important projects. This is unnecessary busywork that can be done without.
The use of communication apps provides a more instant and direct method of internal communication. Features like an employee communication wall can even be added to create a social media-like atmosphere in the workplace.
Improve employee experience
Increasing output, decreasing absenteeism, and decreasing accidents can all be attributed to enhancing the working conditions of employees. The level of employee engagement has been shown to correlate positively with both individual and overall business' success.
You can begin to shift business value away from business-as-usual approach by creating a new digital space that employees will naturally gravitate toward; this will boost engagement, productivity, and, most importantly, communication between the front line and the rest of the team.
Why the demand for flexible work is increasing?
A single hour may not seem like much, but the pandemic has forced us to reorganise our operations. Everyone has their own definition of what it means to work flexibly. Some examples include working while travelling or adjusting work hours to accommodate child care needs. The days spent in the office may be balanced with those spent working from home, or vice versa.
The majority of employees oppose the idea of leaving their current positions. Gartner found that if an employer doesn't allow for some form of remote or flexible employment, seven out of ten workers will turn down the position. Thankfully, a growing number of businesses are taking note and making adjustments.
They care about the well-being of their staff members. Over half (55%) of all workers in the United States will this year be offered flexible-work on a permanent basis, a significant increase from the 5% who adopted remote work by 2019.
How mobile apps for employees increase productivity?
Note-taking, email, calendaring, to-do list, and reminder apps, as well as word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software, are just some of the mobile apps that can help users be more productive no matter where they happen to be using their mobile device.
Touch screens are ideally suited for use with mobile apps. More and more software developers are making their desktop productivity software available as mobile apps because of the improvements in app development that have made it easier for users to view and edit files on their devices. For example, the full functionality of Microsoft's Office suite, including the ability to save documents to OneDrive or SharePoint, requires an Office 365 subscription, but the mobile apps are available for free download on most iOS, Android, and Windows phones and tablets.
In addition to games and social networking apps, mobile apps also include cloud storage and file-sharing services like Dropbox and Google Drive. These apps make it simple to upload files to the cloud, keep them updated across devices, and share them with others.
Conclusion
We have listed the best mobiles apps for employees. You can read this guide to find the features you need for your business. The mobiles apps are of utmost importance in this digital age, especially after the increase in remote and hybrid workspaces. Moreover, when all of your company's phone features are consolidated into one mobile app, your employees will never be far from the office. All incoming calls can be forwarded to the same extension, which can be answered from any location. Call forwarding and call recording are also available to you. It's perfect for ensuring the steady operation of your company and the mobility of your staff.