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
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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
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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

The rise of remote work has brought many challenges for businesses, including managing remote teams. 

For software development teams, managing a remote workforce can be especially difficult due to the need for collaboration, communication, and the fast-paced nature of software development projects. 

In this blog post, we'll explore some of the common pain points of managing remote software development teams and offer some best practices to help managers overcome these challenges.

As a bonus, discover how Insightful’s remote team software can help!

Communication and Collaboration

One of the biggest challenges in managing remote software development teams is communication. When team members are not in the same location, it can be difficult to maintain clear and consistent communication, which can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and errors.

In fact, a recent study found that 55% of remote workers struggle with communication and collaboration issues, which can severely impact the productivity and effectiveness of a team. 

Furthermore, when it comes to remote software development teams, the complexity of the work and the need for close collaboration can make effective communication even more crucial. 

Without a solid communication strategy in place, the team may experience a breakdown in project delivery, decreased quality of work, and increased frustration and burnout among team members.

Best practices for improving communication:

  • Use video conferencing tools like Zoom or Skype to facilitate face-to-face communication.

  • Use instant messaging tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to maintain real-time communication.

  • Use project management tools like Jira or Trello to keep everyone on the same page and up-to-date on project progress.

  • Schedule regular check-ins with team members to ensure everyone is on track and any issues are addressed in a timely manner.

Software development projects often require collaboration between team members, such as code reviews, pair programming, and brainstorming sessions. When team members are working remotely, collaboration can be challenging.

Best practices for improving collaboration:

  • Use pair programming tools like Visual Studio Live Share or CodeTogether to enable remote pair programming.

  • Use code review tools like GitHub or GitLab to facilitate code reviews.

  • Encourage team members to share ideas and collaborate through online chat rooms or forums.

 

Time Management

Time management is another significant challenge in managing remote software development teams. Without a centralized office or fixed schedule, it can be challenging to monitor and optimize team members' time and ensure that they are completing their work efficiently. This can result in missed deadlines, delays, and decreased productivity.

Best practices for improving time management:

  • Use time tracking tools like Toggl or Harvest to monitor how team members are spending their time.
  • Set clear deadlines for tasks and projects to ensure everyone is on the same page.
  • Encourage team members to create a schedule and stick to it to ensure they are using their time effectively.
  • Use project management tools to track project progress and ensure deadlines are met.

Employee Engagement and Motivation

Remote work can often feel lonely and disconnected, particularly for software development teams who thrive on collaboration and interaction. Isolation can lead to feelings of disengagement, decreased motivation, and even burnout. 

Working in silos can hinder team members from bouncing ideas off each other, leading to fewer creative solutions and potential innovation.

Best practices for improving employee engagement and motivation:

  • Schedule regular team-building activities like virtual happy hours or game nights to foster a sense of community.

  • Encourage team members to take breaks and avoid burnout.

  • Provide opportunities for skill development and career advancement.

  • Recognize and reward team members for their hard work and achievements.

Security

Remote work can pose a significant challenge when it comes to security, especially for software development teams who handle sensitive information and code. 

When working remotely, team members may be accessing company data from unsecured networks, using personal devices that may not have adequate security measures, or sharing sensitive information over unencrypted channels. 

Any of these factors can increase the risk of data breaches and compromise the security of the company's intellectual property.

Best practices for improving security:

  • Use secure remote access tools like VPNs or remote desktops.
  • Ensure all team members are trained on security best practices, such as strong password policies and avoiding phishing scams.
  • Use secure code management tools like Git or Subversion to protect sensitive code.

How Insightful Can Help Support Remote Software Development Teams

While managing remote software development teams can be challenging, there are tools available to help make the process easier. Insightful, the best computer monitoring software for employee pc monitoring, is one such tool, designed to help businesses manage their remote teams and ensure that they remain productive, efficient, and engaged.

Insightful provides a range of features to support managers of remote software development teams, including:

  • Employee Tracker - allows managers to monitor their team's activity, such as when they're active, idle or offline. This feature helps managers keep track of their team's performance and productivity.

  • Automatic Time Tracking - ensures accurate time tracking for work done. This feature helps managers track their team's progress and ensures that they're being paid for the work they've done.

  • Remote Working Software - supports remote workers by providing them with all the tools they need to work from home or anywhere. This feature helps managers provide a flexible work environment for their team and fosters sustainable productivity and employee well-being.

  • Detailed Reports - provides managers with detailed insights into their team's performance, productivity, and efficiency. This feature helps managers identify areas where their team is excelling and where they need to improve.

With Insightful, managers can also create customized reports and set up alerts for specific events, such as when an employee spends too much time on social media or when they access a restricted website. This feature helps managers identify potential issues before they become major problems.

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Remote Work Management

The Best Practices for Managing Remote Software Development Teams

Written by
Kendra Gaffin
Published on
April 12, 2023

The rise of remote work has brought many challenges for businesses, including managing remote teams. 

For software development teams, managing a remote workforce can be especially difficult due to the need for collaboration, communication, and the fast-paced nature of software development projects. 

In this blog post, we'll explore some of the common pain points of managing remote software development teams and offer some best practices to help managers overcome these challenges.

As a bonus, discover how Insightful’s remote team software can help!

Communication and Collaboration

One of the biggest challenges in managing remote software development teams is communication. When team members are not in the same location, it can be difficult to maintain clear and consistent communication, which can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and errors.

In fact, a recent study found that 55% of remote workers struggle with communication and collaboration issues, which can severely impact the productivity and effectiveness of a team. 

Furthermore, when it comes to remote software development teams, the complexity of the work and the need for close collaboration can make effective communication even more crucial. 

Without a solid communication strategy in place, the team may experience a breakdown in project delivery, decreased quality of work, and increased frustration and burnout among team members.

Best practices for improving communication:

  • Use video conferencing tools like Zoom or Skype to facilitate face-to-face communication.

  • Use instant messaging tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to maintain real-time communication.

  • Use project management tools like Jira or Trello to keep everyone on the same page and up-to-date on project progress.

  • Schedule regular check-ins with team members to ensure everyone is on track and any issues are addressed in a timely manner.

Software development projects often require collaboration between team members, such as code reviews, pair programming, and brainstorming sessions. When team members are working remotely, collaboration can be challenging.

Best practices for improving collaboration:

  • Use pair programming tools like Visual Studio Live Share or CodeTogether to enable remote pair programming.

  • Use code review tools like GitHub or GitLab to facilitate code reviews.

  • Encourage team members to share ideas and collaborate through online chat rooms or forums.

 

Time Management

Time management is another significant challenge in managing remote software development teams. Without a centralized office or fixed schedule, it can be challenging to monitor and optimize team members' time and ensure that they are completing their work efficiently. This can result in missed deadlines, delays, and decreased productivity.

Best practices for improving time management:

  • Use time tracking tools like Toggl or Harvest to monitor how team members are spending their time.
  • Set clear deadlines for tasks and projects to ensure everyone is on the same page.
  • Encourage team members to create a schedule and stick to it to ensure they are using their time effectively.
  • Use project management tools to track project progress and ensure deadlines are met.

Employee Engagement and Motivation

Remote work can often feel lonely and disconnected, particularly for software development teams who thrive on collaboration and interaction. Isolation can lead to feelings of disengagement, decreased motivation, and even burnout. 

Working in silos can hinder team members from bouncing ideas off each other, leading to fewer creative solutions and potential innovation.

Best practices for improving employee engagement and motivation:

  • Schedule regular team-building activities like virtual happy hours or game nights to foster a sense of community.

  • Encourage team members to take breaks and avoid burnout.

  • Provide opportunities for skill development and career advancement.

  • Recognize and reward team members for their hard work and achievements.

Security

Remote work can pose a significant challenge when it comes to security, especially for software development teams who handle sensitive information and code. 

When working remotely, team members may be accessing company data from unsecured networks, using personal devices that may not have adequate security measures, or sharing sensitive information over unencrypted channels. 

Any of these factors can increase the risk of data breaches and compromise the security of the company's intellectual property.

Best practices for improving security:

  • Use secure remote access tools like VPNs or remote desktops.
  • Ensure all team members are trained on security best practices, such as strong password policies and avoiding phishing scams.
  • Use secure code management tools like Git or Subversion to protect sensitive code.

How Insightful Can Help Support Remote Software Development Teams

While managing remote software development teams can be challenging, there are tools available to help make the process easier. Insightful, the best computer monitoring software for employee pc monitoring, is one such tool, designed to help businesses manage their remote teams and ensure that they remain productive, efficient, and engaged.

Insightful provides a range of features to support managers of remote software development teams, including:

  • Employee Tracker - allows managers to monitor their team's activity, such as when they're active, idle or offline. This feature helps managers keep track of their team's performance and productivity.

  • Automatic Time Tracking - ensures accurate time tracking for work done. This feature helps managers track their team's progress and ensures that they're being paid for the work they've done.

  • Remote Working Software - supports remote workers by providing them with all the tools they need to work from home or anywhere. This feature helps managers provide a flexible work environment for their team and fosters sustainable productivity and employee well-being.

  • Detailed Reports - provides managers with detailed insights into their team's performance, productivity, and efficiency. This feature helps managers identify areas where their team is excelling and where they need to improve.

With Insightful, managers can also create customized reports and set up alerts for specific events, such as when an employee spends too much time on social media or when they access a restricted website. This feature helps managers identify potential issues before they become major problems.