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Not set up well for remote work? Need suggestions on IM clients and other ideas to help quickly pivot and keep communication flowing.

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Employee
We have had a few customers tell us that they weren't set up well for remote work and have asked us some questions about setting up a new tool for instant messaging. We put together some thoughts for them, but thought you all might be interested in sharing your opinions too on tips and how to set up quickly for remote work. Some ideas to consider: Workfront has native integrations with two instant message application: MS Teams and Slack . Both are great options. Here are some details about both to consider as you pivot: Slack is ubiquitous at this point and super easy to setup and adopt. The native integration with Workfront allow you to perform similar actions like viewing and accepting work, searching for projects, tasks, sending updates, creating tasks, and reviewing and approving work. Slack can be easier to set up, adopt, and maintain. Slack is more freeform and loose. Slack does allow for private and group chats. Slack has a great mobile app. Slack is easier to navigate. MS teams is a little more robust and complex. If you're already using Office 365 applications, you might consider this option. MS teams has more of a structured corporate look and feel. If you're looking for a way to have quick instant conversation, or to summon people who are supposed to be in certain meetings, then Slack may be the quicker alternative. If you're looking for a way to do the above, but add a bit more file sharing, or to tap into the rest of your Office 365 apps, then MS team may be the better option. For more information on either of these native integrations, visit "https://www.workfront.com/integrations/slack" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.workfront.com/integrations/slack&source=gmail&ust=1584640040571000&usg=AFQjCNHf09KPSnTaxqJgPZd7wk3-qlqHpQ" rel="noopener">here , "https://www.workfront.com/integrations/ms-teams" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.workfront.com/integrations/ms-teams&source=gmail&ust=1584640040571000&usg=AFQjCNGPEM8sDc7ts7YvSAEx2ngDT0DPWw" rel="noopener">here, or target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://experience.workfront.com/s/integrations&source=gmail&ust=1584640040571000&usg=AFQjCNFfonAWwd40Vkica8leL-cOauQvVQ" rel="noopener">here . Is there anything you would add (additional tools or strategies) to help people as they do research into pivoting to support remote work?
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Level 9
Great post! We have some outside consultants that use our Workfront instance with us. Does anyone have a similar experience in which they use Slack for this purpose? Does it retain a history of the conversation? Is it embedded in the Workfront app, or a separate entity? This would be a great addition to keep the communication open between our non-networked users. Christina Jarosz | Ascensus, LLC | Marketing & Communications

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Employee
Hi Christina! So I know that with Slack you can create shared channels , which allow you to collaborate with external partners, see "%20https://slack.com/slack-tips/work-with-external-partners" here . Also, the actions that you do with the Workfront integration are recorded in Slack and Workfront. The Workfront integration requires a Workfront license for it to work, so since you already have them using Workfront, this integration might work well. And Slack can open up a lot of communication. My personal favorite thing about the Slack integration is that I get a notice almost immediately when someone puts an update and tags me and so then I can see it even if I'm in the middle of something else. Emails often get overwhelming for me, so a quick notice that pops up helps me scan it and know if I need to respond immediately or if it's something I can get to in a minute. AND if I have a quick response I don't even have to log in or go to a different thing, I just respond directly in Slack. I'm sure MS Teams has similar use cases.