The concept of remote employees wasn’t that mainstream a couple of years ago, but the global coronavirus pandemic has resulted in it becoming the new norm. More and more businesses now have remote employees due to social distancing measures and obviously, it is not that easy to micromanage these workers efficiently. So, what can a business do? This is where remote employee monitoring software can prove to be incredibly useful. It is exactly what it sounds like; software designed to help managers in remotely monitoring their employees.

You can find a variety of them available nowadays, due to the increase in demand, but this doesn’t mean that you opt for any one of them. The software solutions can be distinguished based on their features, offerings and cost, which means you have to do your homework before choosing one.

Listed below are 5 tips that can be helpful:

  • Know your budget

Before you even begin looking for a remote employee monitoring software, it is a good idea for you to know how much you can afford to spend. Most software packages don’t have fixed pricing because companies often want to remove or add features, so the final cost will vary. However, having a set budget in mind makes it easier for you to choose a solution that can offer you the features you want, without creating cash flow issues.

  • Look for a free trial

Any company that really wants your business will offer you a free trial of their remote employee monitoring software. You should give preference to the company that offers you this option because it enables you to test the software, get a sense of it and see whether it truly delivers what it promises.

  • Know your needs

Another important factor to bear in mind is that you cannot choose a remote employee monitoring software if you don’t know what you want out of it. What exactly do you want the software to do? Do you want the software to just track time? Do you want video monitoring and face identification? Do you want to monitor your employees’ PC activities? Knowing your requirements can make shopping for a software easier.

  • Ensure it is customizable

Every industry is different, which means their remote employee monitoring needs can also vary. Hence, features that are needed in one industry may not be required in another. You should ensure that the software you choose doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach and gives you the flexibility of adding and removing features and functionalities according to your requirements and preferences.

  • Look at support

Even when the software you select for remote employee monitoring is perfect for your needs, technical glitches do happen. Unless you are an expert, you may not know what to do to get things running again. This is where support is required and you should look for a company that can offer you extensive and robust support at all times, or else it can lead to a lot of hassle.