Whether it’s another email chain cluttering up your inbox or a dodgy internet connection making your monthly team conference call even more painful, it can sometimes feel like technology causes more problems than it answers. We were promised innovative and simple solutions to make all aspects of life easier, including workplace communication. And yet so many of us still find ourselves exploding into ear-shattering rants over daily software failures.

No matter what your frustration tells you, the answer isn’t clobbering your computer or chucking it all in for a simpler life. Your biggest problem is that you haven’t got the right communications technology for your business’s needs. Finding the right solutions and setup will put a halt on your growing anger issues, and have your office running smoother than ever before. To help you on your way we’ve identified three new software technologies you should be getting to grips.

Use feedback software

The most advanced tech solutions in the world won’t work if you don’t know what problems your employees are facing. But if you’re ever tried to formally discuss a workplace issue only to find that everyone clams up as soon as you call the meeting, you’ll know that’s easier said than done. Without the pressure of face-to-face questioning it’s much easier for employees to be frank about any issues they’re dealing with. Using feedback software like Questback allows you to create anonymous surveys, so that everyone can be honest. Once you receive the results you’ll be able to identify common difficulties and work towards solving them.

Allow apps for office chat

The biggest trends for offices at the moment is, believe it or not, chatting. Or rather, the use of chat software to keep teams connected no matter where they are. Options such as Slack offer a professionally-orientated from of social media, allowing users to share resources and talk online through open or private channels. Although it can be used casually, it’s not just an easy way for employees to skive off work and gossip about their weekends. Being in constant and easy reach reduces the need for lengthy catch up meetings, and is one of the main reasons for the growing popularity of workplace chat software.

Collaborate with the cloud

Collaborative cloud-based services have also had a big impact on workplace communication, reshaping how teams connect and work together using the internet. Asana is a prime example of flexible and useful cloud software. It’s basically a collaborative task management tool that allows projects to be tracked from start to finish, with clear responsibilities outlined for all users.

Just ensure your internet is safe and secure before you use any cloud-based collaboration systems to streamline office communications. Investing in the right software is the only way to banish tech-related nightmares for good. Start by looking at these three areas and you’ll soon be enjoying a calm and connected office!

By Kar

Dr. Kar works in the interface of digital transformation and data science. Professionally a professor in one of the top B-Schools of Asia and an alumni of XLRI, he has extensive experience in teaching, training, consultancy and research in reputed institutes. He is a regular contributor of Business Fundas and a frequent author in research platforms. He is widely cited as a researcher. Note: The articles authored in this blog are his personal views and does not reflect that of his affiliations.