Remote on a budget: platforms to connect your team from anywhere

Cost-effective ways to link for less.

Per usual, Triumph received no financial compensation from the companies for writing this article. Straight from the heart, baby.

Remote work is definitely the flavor the of the year (and probably many years to come). Thanks to some innovative software solutions, it’s also an option for more teams than ever before. While previously reserved for the large and well bank-rolled, remote collaboration platforms are quickly becoming a tool for the masses, allowing all sorts of adventurers to connect remotely on any budget.

Now, there’s no shortage of fancy connect-the-team software platforms on the market, but, when you’re just starting out, sometimes fancy just isn’t in the budget. There’s a reason most college student’s eat ramen, and it’s not because of the nutritional value. That said, unlike our sad hypothetical college sophomore, your team shouldn’t have to live on ramen. Thankfully, there are several effective bargain solutions to keep the team in sync (cue Bye, Bye, Bye) from anywhere.

It’s worth mentioning at the outset that the options discussed in this article are best suited for small to mid-size teams. Once you grow beyond that—huge congrats on moving up in the world, by the way—it may be time to look for a more expensive enterprise solution software. But, until then, take your time. Live at your pace. Enjoy the ride. Insert some other fun cliché, even.

All of the services in this article have multiple subscription tier options, some ranging from our favorite price point (free) to downright expensive. However, free doesn’t mean a whole lot if the proper functionality isn’t there, and expensive does not always equate to necessary. After review, our team chose the following three specific subscription tiers because, for most of our current and incoming clients, they provide plenty of juice to get the job done without breaking the bank—particularly in the beginning.

Microsoft 365 Business Basic

Basic isn’t always a dirty word, and Microsoft 365 Business Basic represents a prime example. Besides having an unnecessarily wordy name, this plan offers several great features to bring your team together commercially regardless of where they find themselves geographically. Perhaps most importantly, 365 Business Basic integrates apps that are easy to use. In a world of highly complex software programs, simplicity can feel like a lost art. When it comes to the programs on this plan, you know them, you love them—or you can at least tolerate them—because you already know how to use them. Save time, money, and technological headaches upfront by connecting your team on Microsoft tools—some of the most ubiquitous applications on the internet.

Not particularly tech savvy? No problem, 99% of people with a computer can use Microsoft Word, and, if you somehow find yourself in that other 1%, fear not—Microsoft has an extensive (as in crazy extensive) library of Youtube tutorial videos for your aid. Don’t know what that last sentence means? That’s also not a problem—though we aren’t quite sure how you found this article in the first place. Eh—no matter—click the video below to get a crash course in the Microsoft Office suite, the most vanilla of all suites.

For those more familiar with the Microsoft product offering, here’s a cheat sheet of what you can expect (and enjoy) from 365 Business Basic. Your team will have access to Microsoft Teams and cloud storage—to keep your video calls nice and lively—as well as several other helpful collaboration tools: MicrosoftExchange, MicrosoftOneDrive, and MicrosoftSharePoint. We still can’t quite figure out why Microsoft feels the need to slap its name on everything without a space (perhaps some deeper issues to work through?), but the tools get the job done, so we’ll allow it. With these narcissistically-named applications in tow, your team can easily organize files, collaborate on documents, and coordinate calendars from anywhere.

In addition to that fun cast of characters, users will also enjoy access to the web versions of those aforementioned classics like Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Armed with those three tried and true applications, there’s not a lot your adventure won’t be able to accomplish—particularly with a little creativity.

Now, time to talk coin. One of 365 Business Basic’s most attractive qualities is its price tag. If you’re willing to pay annually, you can get all the functionality outlined above for just $6 a month per team member. For context, in most states, that’s less than buying your team members a smoothie once per month (and it’s much harder to edit documents with a smoothie). Not a fan of commitment? Not a problem, you can also enjoy these programs on a month-to-month basis for the slight up-charge of $7.20 a month per team member. So, a slightly larger smoothie.

Ready to give Microsoft 365 Business Basic a try? Check it out here.

Google Workspace Business Starter

Ah, Google Workspace. They might read all of your saved information—like, all of it—but man, oh, man do their applications work. For a lot of new ventures, particularly in the early stages, it’s a trade worth making. Plus, we really don’t think Google is going to be that interested in your boring invoice files anyway—sorry to burst your bubble.

Many Triumphers are already familiar with the free versions of Google Workspace applications, and, if that’s the case, the transition to the upgraded plan should be rather seamless, saving you plenty of time and more than a few headaches.

Business Starter will get you access to the usual pantheon of Google programs—Drive, Docs, Sheets, and what have you—along with some powerful enterprise technology solutions. Users can run Google Play video meetings with up to 100 participants, enjoy 30 gigs of file storage per team member, rely on upgraded customer support, and—if you’re el jefe—set security and management controls for your team. We’re not sure who on God’s green Earth would want a video meeting with 100 participants—or would even wish that on their worst enemy—but hey, if you’re into that kind of thing, Google can make it happen.

Much like with Microsoft’s product package, these Google connectivity solutions come in at a very attractive price point. Your team can start leveraging all the features outlined above for just $6 a month per team member, and, this time, there’s no penalty in opting for monthly charges over annual. Google also offers more expensive Business Plus (minus 5 points for creativity) and Enterprise packages for your team down the road, but, in the early stages of adventure, we think Business Starter will pack more than enough of a punch.

Get to business with Google Workspace right here.

Slack Pro

Slack may have become a BBA meme, but it became that meme for a reason—because it flat-out works. Probably the least known of our three application options, at least outside of traditional business circles, Slack is a versatile digital organization tool that can help streamline even the most complex remote work schemes. Adroitly self-branded as a “digital HQ,” Slack allows users to coordinate traditional files and media along with offering advanced voice chat and video conferencing.

Slack Pro (minus 3 points for use of “pro”) is particularly targeted toward small teams looking for the freedom to collaborate from anywhere—without sacrificing functionality. Along with all the handy features outlined just above, Pro also includes access to unlimited archived message history, hundreds of third-party app integrations (more on that in a moment), external collaboration tools for outside organizations, and video conferencing with up to 50 people. Once again, we hope for your own mental sanity that you’ll never have to put that last one to full use, but hey, it’s there if you need it.

Now, back to that third-party integration point for a moment. Unlike the other two options outlined in this article, Slack does not support its own internal business-related application suit. In English, Slack has no Google Docs or Microsoft Word equivalents to create and edit files. However, and this is a big however, Slack does offer seamless integration of third party apps, including everything from Office and Google Workspace, along with a myriad of other premium applications. Most likely, if your team already owns their own computers, they already own one of the applications supported by Slack, and the company makes integrating existing applications extremely easy.

As with both Google and Microsoft’s solutions, Slack Pro won’t break the bank. You can equip your team with all of the powerful features outlined above for the reasonable rate of $7.25 a month per user—if you’re willing to shell out annually. If you want the flexibility of paying month-to-month, that fee bumps up slightly to $8.75 a month per user. So the price of that same smoothie from earlier, but this time just in Los Angeles.

Whenever you’re ready, you can start picking up the Slack here.

We’re feeling a connection

Remote work is more than a LinkedIn buzzword. When leveraged effectively, it can give your new venture a distinct advantage in the marketplace and boost employee morale to boot. And thankfully, because of solutions like those outlined above, it’s no longer just a tool for the huge corporation. Play your cards right, and you just might be able to follow your remote work roll-out with some of those smoothies from earlier—and nothing tastes better than a celebratory smoothie.

As always, feel free to Ask Triumph with any additional questions and consider Supporting the Team.

All views expressed in the article are opinions of the author and should not be misconstrued as professional consulting or legal advice. Users are responsible for verifying all information before taking action, and Triumph Group LLC is not responsible for any outcomes. Pursue subjects at your own risk. Seriously, man. It’s your life.