Remote software development teams have to face various collaboration or communication challenges. Especially when they are used to the naturally interactive environment.
Developers indeed tend to enjoy solitude when it comes to writing code. But things can get tough when they have to collaborate and work with the entire team.
It’s easy to sync up your pace and work habits with your teammates in the office. Virtually not so much as team members have to collaborate online.
Society of Human Resource Management reports that 70% of organizations face struggles during remote work. Another survey by Harvey Nash Group Technology & Talent Study mentions increased workloads for 55% of IT professionals working remotely.
The chances are that your software team may also be facing similar challenges while working remotely. So, how can we ensure that the project’s progress doesn’t get affected due to the virtual shift?
8 Tools For Remote Software Development Teams In 2022
- ProofHub for Software Project Management
ProofHub is a project planning software that helps remote development teams manage their time and productivity effectively. It cuts down remote collaboration challenges. Proofhub allows remote teams to organize their workload in a streamlined manner. Software teams refer to ProofHub as a “single portal” for the entire project.
Task completion estimates and a structured workflow are very important in any software project. ProofHub meets both the needs in a neat “Tasks” section. It lets team members plan their tasks in an increasingly Agile way. Tasks can be easily assigned, tracked, and put in a custom workflow. It makes sure that everyone is self-sufficient while executing the tasks.
The Calendar view helps managers optimize weekly planning. ProofHub’s Gantt Charts can come in handy if the management pressure builds up. The Notes section can be used for sharing SRS documents or creating a Project Wiki collaboratively.
Top Features
- Task Management- Plan the sprint in a highly structured way with a detailed task context. Attach files to tasks, set reminders, set start and dues dates, and define time estimates. Ensure that the team delivers every release with minimum overheads.
- Productivity Management and Tracking – Keep a close watch on team productivity with the help of Gantt Charts. Generate detailed project reports to figure out challenges and address them promptly.
- All-in-one tool- ProofHub replaces multiple project apps. It provides you with features like Chat, File Storage, Tasks, Calendar, Reporting, Proofing, and more. This reduces reliance on too many apps and effectively brings down software costs.
Pricing
For information on pricing, visit the pricing page of ProofHub.
- Pop for Real-time Screen Collaboration
Pop, earlier known as Screenhero, is a great screen sharing and programming collaboration tool. It is designed to make the virtual software development experience a bit office-like.
It enables remote software development teams to share their code editor screen without lags, and talk on a video call. Pop stands out from the crowd due to its simplified, developer-focused interface.
Developers can discuss ideas using a digital whiteboard. It also allows multiple people to present on the screen concurrently. You can send a meeting link just like a Zoom call, and anyone can join on the fly. It works as a reliable real-time audio, video, and screen collaboration tool.
Top Features
- Collaborative Programming – Developers can quickly resolve bugs, and refer to code samples. They can even call in a quick meeting to discuss their code hurdles easily.
- Audio and Video Calls – It is perfect for daily stand-ups. Teams can hold multi-party audio and video calls, with an in-built whiteboard.
- Lightweight setup – Pop is available in the browser or as native Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android apps.
Pricing
The Enterprise plan costs $20 per user, per month.
- Sync.com for file sharing
Sync.com is a file sharing and collaboration tool for small and medium-sized enterprises. It’s a fantastic Dropbox alternative that combines collaboration, data backup, and recovery into one convenient package.
It is a must-have tool for software development teams since it allows them to collaborate and work efficiently. The solution is provided as a cloud-based or on-premise deployment option, including mobile apps for both Android and iPhone devices.
Top features
- Data transfer- With Sync.com’s unlimited data transfer capabilities, you can easily share your data with your team members.
- Secure Links- You may securely transfer files and folders with Sync.com’s secure connections.
- File restoration- Easily restore your deleted files whenever you want.
Pricing
Sync.com’s PRO plan is offered at $15/user per month
- InVision for Prototyping and Feedback
InVision is one of the most useful apps for prototype, designing, and building interfaces. As a comprehensive prototyping tool, it empowers designers, UI/UX developers, and business analysts with a unified platform where they can give a shape to their app ideas.
It offers prototyping and wireframing tools that work collaboratively. You can create a rough sketch for your app and use it to create a visual layout. Ultimately, the UI developer can pick out the CSS/HTML elements for actual implementation.
You can share prototypes with stakeholders to get feedback quickly. You create prototypes that easily illustrate the app idea for everyone to review.
Top Features
- Refined Prototyping Tool – InVision offers several templates, graphics, and illustrations. They can be used to create life-like prototypes quickly.
- Real-time Collaboration – Designers and UI/UX developers can create the prototype with the help of a digital whiteboard. These whiteboards offer concurrent access.
- Feedback and Review – InVision projects can be shared with stakeholders for a quick review. It also has a rich commenting system.
Pricing
InVision is offered at $9.95 per user, per month when billed monthly for its Pro plan.
- Visual Studio Live Share for Real-time Concurrent Coding
If you use Microsoft’s Visual Studio as your IDE, this new feature is going to make coding collaboration easier. You can share your VS window with your fellow developers by creating a shared session. It lets them look at your code screen, make edits and talk to you over call, all from within VS! This allows Developers to discuss the code on software development and other services such as Kafka Topic in Python, Node.js for websites, etc.
You just have to share a link with your fellow developer to get started. It’s pretty useful for simultaneously working on the same file. It can also be used to debug a complex piece of code with your team. Up to 30 users are supported in a live session. It is an excellent tool for remote software development teams.
Top Features
- Live Code Window Sharing and Editing – Multiple team members can work on the same file at the same time. You can also share native terminals and servers, with write access.
Pricing
The business subscription (for more than 5 users/devices) costs $45 per month.
- CodeAnyWhere for Cloud IDE
Managing device security, software compatibility issues, and privacy threats are some challenges faced by remote software development teams.
CodeAnyWhere is a browser-based solution that lets you create containerized IDEs for your projects. Simply log in, choose your container and start coding in the browser. As it runs on the cloud, your data doesn’t go into unwarranted drives. Developers don’t have to save projects locally. They can access all their code from any device, anywhere in the world.
Developers can share code editors, terminals, and web app projects with their teams. Multiple developers can work on the same project in real-time.
Top Features
- Cloud IDE – A cloud IDE reduces dependencies on locally installed software, and makes projects widely accessible. It also saves time in setting up development environments for every new project.
- Preconfigured Development Support – CodeAnyWhere offers support for API vendors, Chromebooks, and WordPress developers. It is definitely a lucrative choice for remote teams.
Pricing
CodeAnyWhere’s pricing is dependent upon the type of IDE you deploy. The Basic plan offers elementary IDE’s for $6 per user per month when billed monthly. It goes up all the way to $40 per user per month.
- Chanty for Project Communication
Chanty is a slack-like team chat tool that features multiple channels, discussions, and audio/video calls. Remote teams can use it to build their development workflows. It integrates with Jira, Github, and Zapier – some of the most commonly used development tools.
Chanty’s Tasks section lets developers create Kanban Boards for tracking bugs, issues, or managing sprints. You can also share code snippets directly into the chat, and discuss ideas without sharing your screen. It’s handy for development teams who need an all-in-one communication tool.
Top Features
- Communication Channels – You can create dedicated chat channels at the office-wide level, or small group level. It’s easy to switch between chat and audio calls.
- Development Task Management – Developers can create a workflow around sprint tasks and move them through a Kanban board. It makes the development process a part of the communication channel.
Pricing
Chanty is offered at $4 per user, per month when billed monthly.
- RescueTime for time tracking
RescueTime is a time-tracking and productivity app that tracks how much time you spend on an activity. It gives you accurate information and records about your software development team’s productivity.
It disables distracting websites and helps your team be more productive. It is by far the best time tracking software. You will not find any RescueTime alternative that good. It sends you weekly reports to alert you to things that are affecting your team’s time.
Top features
- Block specific websites- If you think a specific website is a distraction, you can easily block it.
- Detailed reports- You can get detailed productivity reports for every team member individually.
Pricing
RescueTime premium plan is offered at $9 per month.
Conclusion
Developing software remotely can be a rewarding experience if we weed out the hassles. The tools mentioned here try to solve the major challenges of remote developers. In the right setup, it’s much more cost-efficient and productive to form remote software development teams. These tools help you make that a reality for your software project!
