Workpuls Teramind ActivTrak Hubstaff DeskTime Time Doctor RescueTime Kickidler Veriato Work Examiner
OVERVIEW
Price $6/user/month $6/user/month $7.20/user/month $7/user/month $7/user/month $9.99/user/month $6/user/month $9.99/user/month $150/licence/year $60/licence (lifetime)
Free trial 7 days 7 days No 14 days 14 days 14 days 30 days 7 days Yes 30 days
Ease of use Very easy Difficult Very easy Easy Easy Very easy Very easy Very easy Very difficult Easy
TRACKING METHODS
Unlimited (tracker working 24/7)
Fixed (defined working hours)
Automatic (when computer is connected to a specified network)
Manual (start/stop)
Project based (track time only on projects)
GENERAL MONITORING FEATURES
Stealth mode
App and website usage
Real-time monitoring
Offline time tracking
Attendance
Activity levels
Keylogger
Geolocation
Remote desktop control
Website/activity blocking
SCREENSHOTS AND RECORDING
Screenshots
Screenshots on demand
Screen recording
PRODUCTIVITY FEATURES
Productivity trends
Websites and apps labeling
Category labeling
Productivity alerts
ADVANCED SECURITY FEATURES
User behavior analytics
Data loss prevention
Advanced file and web monitoring
REPORTING
Productivity reports
Team reports
Timelines
Email reports
Access management
PLATFORMS
Web
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
Mobile app iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android Android
Browser extension Chrome Chrome Chrome
Other Citrix, VMware Chrome OS
OTHER
Support Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Email, online Phone, email, online, in-person Online Phone, email, online Email, online, Viber, Whatsapp Phone, email, online, support ticket Phone, email, online
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Integrations comming soon
API
Deployment cloud, on-premise cloud, on-premise, AWS, Azure cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud on-premise cloud, on-premise on-premise
Kronos Humanity Timeclockplus Tsheets Wheniwork Deputy Replicon Jibble EbilityTimeTracker OnTheClock BeeBole
OVERVIEW
Price(per month)Available upon requestFrom $2 per userAvailable upon requestFrom $6.40 per user+$16Free for up to 75 usersFrom $2.50 per userBasic plan:$30 for 5 users+$5 per additional userFrom $1.50 per employeeFrom $4 per user+$8From $2.20 per user$5.99 per user per month
Free trial30 days14 daysYes14 days14 days14 days30 days30 days,no credit card required
Ease of useDifficultEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyEasy
FEATURES
Timecard management
Scheduling
Shift Trading
Timesheets
Break time management
Real-time tracking
PTO Management
Payroll
Invoicing
Client billing
GPS tracking
Clock out reminders
Alerts
Manual time
PUNCH-IN METHODS
Web app
Mobile app
Time clock device
Time clock kiosk
Facial recognition
Fingerprint scanning
Geofencing
Group punch-in
REPORTING
Visual reports
Email reports
Time rounding
MANAGEMENT
Permissions
Manager approvals
Add time for others
Integrations
PLATFORMS
Web
Android app
iOS app
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
OTHER
SupportPhone and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,chat and onlinePhone and chatEmail and onlineChat and phonePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlineOnline chat and video support in English,French,and Spanish
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Community forum
API
Workpuls Hubstaff Toggl TimeDoctor Harvest TimeCamp Timely Everhour Tick TMetric
OVERVIEW
Price (per month) $6 per user $5.83 per user $9 per user $9.99 per user $10.80 per user $5.25 per user $99 for 5 users $7 per user $19 for 10 projects $5 per user
Free trial 7 days 14 days 30 days 14 days 30 days Yes 14 days 14 days 30 days 30 days
Ease of use Very easy Difficult Difficult Very easy Easy Very easy Easy Difficult Very easy Difficult
TIME TRACKING METHODS
Manual
Start/stop buttons
Automatic time mapping
IN-DEPTH TASK AND PROJECT ANALYSIS
Screenshots
App and website usage
Activity levels coming soon
Real-time tracking
TASK AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project adding
Project templates
Project status
Task assignment
Task priorities
Budgeting coming soon
Mark billable/non-billable hours
Payroll calculation
Invoicing
ALERTS
Idle time reminders
Deadline alerts coming soon
Budget alerts coming soon
REPORTING
Client login
Productivity analysis
Email reports coming soon
PLATFORMS
Web
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app coming soon
iOS app Beta
Android app
Browser extension Chrome Chrome, Firefox Chrome Chrome Chrome, Firefox Chrome Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge
OTHER
Support Phone and online Email and online Email and online Online Online, email and phone Email, online and support ticket Email and chat Email and chat Email Chat
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Integrations coming soon
API
On-premise hosting

Ah, the joys of remote work – the freedom, the flexibility, the chance to build a dream team from a pool of talent all around the world! 

Sounds amazing, right? (Spoiler alert: it is!) 

But, like anything worthwhile in life, managing a global remote team and monitoring staff working from home come with their fair share of challenges. 

So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back, and let's dive into the world of remote team management and how you, as a manager, can overcome time and cultural barriers to create a rockstar team that knows no boundaries.

The Great Divide - 3 Common Challenges Faced by Managers of Global Teams

1. Time Zone Tango

Scheduling a meeting that works for everyone across multiple time zones can be a logistical nightmare. It's like playing a never-ending game of Tetris with your calendar. Some team members might be clocking in for the day while others are winding down. 

Inevitably, there will be team members who have to attend meetings outside their normal working hours, which can lead to burnout and decreased productivity in the long run.

How can you find the best time for everyone to collaborate? 

Consider using scheduling tools like World Time Buddy or Every Time Zone to compare different time zones and find overlapping work hours. Rotate meeting times to accommodate everyone's schedules fairly, and don't forget the power of asynchronous communication! 

Encourage the use of collaborative tools that allow team members to work independently and contribute when it's most convenient for them.

2. Cultural Conundrum

The world is a melting pot of cultures, and that includes your remote team. While this diversity can be a source of innovation and creativity, it can also lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications. 

Different cultural backgrounds can impact communication styles, decision-making processes, and work ethics. In some cases, these differences can create tension, confusion, or even conflicts among team members.

Understanding and embracing cultural differences is key to fostering a harmonious team environment. Encourage open communication and create safe spaces where team members can discuss cultural differences openly without fear of judgment. 

Provide cultural sensitivity training and establish clear communication guidelines to minimize misunderstandings. Celebrate diverse perspectives and encourage team members to share their unique experiences and ideas, which will help create a more inclusive and innovative team culture.

3. The Language Barrier

Not everyone on your team may be fluent in the same language, and while we all wish we could instantly become multilingual, it's not quite that simple. 

Different levels of language proficiency can make communication tricky when monitoring staff working from home. Misinterpretations, miscommunications, or even missed instructions can cause delays, frustration, and decreased morale among team members.

To overcome language barriers, consider providing language courses for your team or investing in translation software. Encourage team members to be patient and understanding, and create an environment where it's okay to ask for clarification when needed.

Promote the use of simple and clear language in written and verbal communication, and ensure that important documents and instructions are available in the languages spoken by your team members.

Best Practices for Managing Global Remote Teams

In addition to the challenges discussed above, managers of remote teams should consider implementing the following best practices to ensure their team's success:

  • Set Clear Expectations: Remote workers need to know what is expected of them. Be sure to set clear goals and deadlines and provide regular feedback to ensure that team members are meeting these expectations.

  • Foster Communication: Communication is key to the success of any team, and it is especially important for remote teams. Encourage open communication and make it easy for team members to reach out to each other for support or to ask questions.

  • Emphasize Collaboration: Remote workers may feel isolated, but collaboration can help bring the team together. Encourage team members to work together on projects and provide opportunities for them to share their ideas and expertise.

  • Celebrate Success: Celebrating successes, no matter how small, is a great way to keep team morale high. Make sure to acknowledge team members' contributions and highlight their successes.

  • Prioritize Work-Life Balance: Remote workers may find it difficult to separate work and personal life, so it's important to encourage work-life balance. Encourage team members to take breaks and disconnect from work when they need to.

Insightful to the Rescue - Enhancing Remote Team Management with Employee Monitoring

At the heart of managing a global remote team is communication, collaboration, and trust. 

That's where Insightful comes in. Our software to monitor remote workers offers a range of features to help you better manage your team and overcome those pesky time and culture barriers.

Real-Time Monitoring and Reporting:

Insightful's real-time monitoring and reporting capabilities give you an overview of your team's progress and performance. With the help of our activity monitor, you can quickly identify bottlenecks, provide timely feedback, and ensure everyone is on the same page, even if they're halfway around the globe.

Time Tracking and Productivity Analysis:

With our time tracking and productivity analysis tools, you can easily identify trends and patterns in your team's work habits. This information is invaluable when it comes to finding the best ways to optimize collaboration across different time zones.

Enhanced Communication and Collaboration:

Insightful's built-in communication tools and integrations make it easy to keep your team connected, regardless of their location or time zone. From chat and video conferencing to file sharing, we've got you covered, ensuring seamless collaboration and effective monitoring of your remote workers.

By leveraging Insightful's monitoring software for PC and its activity monitor features, you can ensure transparent communication, foster trust, and enhance collaboration. So, gear up to embrace the remote work revolution and lead your team to new heights of success!

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