It wasn’t that long ago that information technology and the rise of the internet and computer-based applications were being touted to business as time-saving inventions.

Best Time Saving Tools For The Office

Despite this, businesses are still having to address the age-old concept of time management, even in an operating culture that now embraces networking and cloud-based technology.

The time management paradox

One key fundamental that should remain at the forefront of business management is that time management will always be a factor to be addressed, even in an office full of time and labor-saving devices and applications.

Exactly how office personnel divide and manage their time should be considered by both management and staff. For management, it means ensuring overall monitoring and control of day-to-day operations. For staff, it means having an awareness of their own time management to best meet short and long-term goals and targets.

Software solutions for time management

Put simply, the first step to time-saving and time management is to ensure that you control the data, rather than having the data control you.

A relevant example of a software solution that integrates key business functions and provides the operator with superior time management control can be found at peoplexcd.com.

A good software platform or application will enable users to streamline things like communications and information sharing. Workloads can be assessed, and goals set and progress monitored by all stakeholders. 

Look for software systems that can integrate and monitor a number of business processes. A number of official departments and initiatives can potentially be incorporated, including:

• Sales and marketing 
• Human resources and workplace health & safety
• Accounts and payroll
• Office administration
• Project management

Cloud-based services

Current business practice is seeing a rise in dependence on cloud-based services and applications for the management of key business operations.

Typically a significant percentage of medium to large-scale businesses do not operate with a full-time IT department and may not be taking full advantage of the inherent time-saving capabilities of cloud-based services.

These remote server services now provide support for the key business operations and departments described above. The ability for a business to trial a potential new cloud-based service without cost or obligation to purchase is available from many service providers and vendors.

Without the traditional problems of high set-up cost and downtime, these services represent the potential for superior time savings and management and allow for ease of expansion whilst providing high-level data security and back-up for the business.

Communication and remote conferencing

The current global pandemic has forced an increased awareness and reliance on remote communication and video conferencing as an alternative to a face-to-face meeting.

This could be viewed as a positive for business, particularly in the context of time-saving tools and opportunities, with many businesses benefitting from increased productivity as a result of reduced downtime with staff travel to attend sales calls and management meetings. 

The use of conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Slack, and Skype has the potential for cost savings as well as permitting a more streamlined, time-effective business model.

Summary

In today’s business environment, it is of benefit to look to cloud-based technology solutions and on-line platforms to improve the company’s bottom line and operate in a more time-efficient manner.