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Remote interaction software isn’t anything new. It’s been around almost as long as the web in various forms for customer support, two-way communication, and even adult entertainment. But the past three years of COVID-19 have seen many platforms come into their own and help us through difficult times. And their use continues to grow, even though the worst is over. In a pre-COVID world, remote apps have profoundly affected all major sectors globally. From simple communication to support and medical care, here are some of the most incredible benefits.
Providing Quick and Easy Support for All
There is always a need for customer support, and interactive software allows for (not always) quick and easy communication between your business and your clients. Live online chat software is a perfect example. You can communicate via a chat window, not unlike that of social media platforms like Facebook and chatting software such as Windows Live Messenger. All you need is a stable internet connection and the ability to type or insert alphanumeric data into the software. But, of course, this isn’t as easy for everyone, such as the disabled or impaired.
However, advances in modern technology mean many remote support clients offer intuitive methods of inputting data for those who aren’t as able. For example, TapTapSee is an app that allows the visually impaired and blind community to accurately identify objects they encounter in their daily lives without the need for sighted assistance. Additionally, many interfaces come with settings for converting text to speech, either through their own or the operating system. Others offer a wide range of accessibility options such as audible navigation, labels for AAC devices, and keyboard-accessible shifting.
Remote Interaction Software Keeps Families Together
Throughout the worst of the pandemic, families have been torn apart. Marriages were canceled, births were missed, and some people were forced to die alone tragically. It has undoubtedly been one of the saddest times of human history. An inability to see friends and family worsened feelings of loneliness and depression in some people, almost to disaster for those with mental health issues. In 2020 alone, there was a nearly 30% jump in depression and anxiety cases, as reported by the COVID-19 Mental Disorders Collaborators. But remote apps helped immensely.
Skype, Teams, and Zoom have been around for some time. Yet outside of the home, people rarely used them. This changed during lockdowns as people needed more than just a phone call to stay in touch. Live video calling was a huge help to those suffering from not being able to take part in a social activity outside the home. In many places, social interaction was outlawed during the worst of the pandemic. And video calls were all we had to see our mothers, brothers, sisters, fathers, and children. In essence, they kept us together in a darker period of recent times.
Constant Engagement with Followers
However, interaction apps have many uses, and modern-day social media influencers depend on interaction and engagement as part of their business. Social media platforms themselves provide intuitive interfaces for communication between multiple parties. And these allow influencers or companies to engage with their followers. Some are relatively simple, such as Facebook or Twitter’s comments features. Yet platforms such as Twitch and YouTube allow for more versatile interaction during live streams popular with the video gaming scene.
While playing a particular game, streamers such as SypherPK and Rubius can engage using in-built remote interaction software. This is convenient since their livelihood depends on it. Streamers that don’t commit are far less likely to attract followers, meaning less ad revenue. Additionally, it isn’t uncommon for followers to donate money during a long-haul live stream, so streamers, and the platforms, can maximize their profits. A full-time average video game streamer can make around $3,000 per month. While the most popular earn seven figures.
Business is Forever Changed
Remote apps are now commonplace in households that had never used them before the pandemic. But even businesses didn’t use them too much. However, their use at companies is fairly established because they have numerous benefits. Some advantages relate to saving time and money. But others include keeping people safe. However you choose to use remote apps, there’s no downside to them as of yet. Therefore, some of the advantages include:
- Promotes wellness in employees by working flexibly.
- Creates a safer office for all during the pandemic.
- Severely reduced travel expenses because of the reduced needs.
- Greater job opportunities for freelancer customer support personnel.
- Improved partnerships with outsourcing companies.
- Quick and efficient remote meeting schedules, saving time and money.
- Lower carbon footprint due to reduced employee travel.
- Allows you to keep customers and employees informed about any changes.
- Facilitates continued business when it might not otherwise be possible.
- Reduces the need for a rigid time structure, freeing up more time for work.
Most of the benefits of remote apps in business revolve around saving time and money. Yet there are significant perks when it comes to health and safety. Rather than exposing your workforce to COVID or even flu, employees can do everything they need from home. And studies suggest people are more productive with remote work, over coming into the office. A flexible work ethic means staff can avoid burnout, stress, and unreasonable time demands.
Continued Business at a Distance
Further to changing business in many ways when it comes to health and safety, time and money, remote apps play a crucial role in actually keeping you in business. Good business is all about making connections. And while business connections remain professional, interaction affects us all on a personal level, whether we are aware of it or not. Therefore, any business owner understands the importance of courteousness and respect for clients. And this means 24/7 support, constant supply, and dealing with issues that affect them personally.
Often, it isn’t possible to do business face to face. For instance, as a hardware store, your site could be inaccessible because of a pandemic. Or your yoga class premises might be undergoing necessary infrastructure repairs. But that doesn’t mean business has to stop. With eCommerce apps, you can continue to supply your valued customers. And using a webcam with a social media platform, you can continue instructing your classes from home. As a result, you stay in production, and your clients and customers continue to support and service.
Education is Helped by Remote Interaction Software
Many sectors were harmed immensely throughout the pandemic. Service and hospitality suffered alongside the travel industry. Millions worldwide lost their jobs, and hundreds of thousands of businesses closed permanently. Further, we are still seeing the effects to this day. The current travel industry and supply chain issues are perfect examples. But most people seem to have forgotten the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on education. From preschool to university, students of all ages lose valuable school time essential to their studies.
The issue of missed classes is global. And many nations are dealing with it in their own way. In the UK, for instance, GCSE pupils are assigned automatic A grades or grades based on past performance due to not being able to attend examination halls. However, not all schools could implement a remote system in less economically sound areas. But some improvised distance learning and continue to use it today. Of course, this was much easier for colleges since many have used remote interaction software as part of their curriculum for years.
Significant Boosts to the Medical Field
Being a medical issue itself, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has had a devastating impact on hospitals around the world that simply weren’t prepared for it. Many of which continue to struggle today. For example, the financial and logistical pressures still plague medical institutions like the NHS. Yet through it all, doctors, nurses, and counselors alike were able to offer help, support, and guidance through established and evolving telemedicine technology. This is perhaps the single greatest use for remote technologies today; medical care without leaving your home.
Whether we are in a pandemic or not, distanced and remote medicine has massive advantages. Most obviously for the infirm, the dying, and the disabled. Severely ill patients can receive care through bespoke apps. Apps that let you not only communicate with your care providers but can take readings such as blood pressure, heart rates, and oxygen levels. But there are uses for less intensive care as well. For instance, those undergoing drug rehabilitation can continue to receive care and support when they aren’t able to attend IOP sessions at their center.
Summary
There is seemingly no end to the benefits of remote interaction software. From obscure apps that were hardly used, certain software has become household names as they helped billions to stay connected during COVID-19. Since they have proven their worth, remote apps are increasingly seeing uses throughout the business, education, and the medical fields. Improvements and advancements are happening all the time. But where the tech will go from here is anyone’s guess. For better or worse, we need it. Yet, advancements in AI make it an exciting watch.
