How long will remote work last?
Has the clock started to wind down yet? Will it ever? Probably not – most can agree that some form of remote work isn’t going away any time soon. And, one thing is for sure, we still need tools to help us collaborate, keep track of projects, and document our work.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw a lot of companies develop new and improve existing tools to make things easier. One company believed that too many tools can create confusion, scattering resources and information across platforms. Moreover, having to switch back-and-forth between multiple tools is undoubtedly inefficient.
One startup brings tools together – with a twist
Allo says it’s the “first remote workspace” where you can “get everyone on the same page.” It is a cross-functional project management tool, team communication tool, and documentation tool that helps teams work across roles without dooming everyone to juggle too many software platforms.
Unlike heavy text-based tools, such as Notion, Slack, and Trello, Allo is a visual tool. It uses whiteboard canvas-style pages where you can connect all the tools you already use in one central place.
With a simple drag and drop motion, you can add documents, PDFs, images, videos, stickers, and website links to your canvas, similar to Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Sheet presentation.
On each canvas page, content can be separated into different sections so you can better organize your information so everyone can have an overall picture of the project.
While text-based tools are helpful for most, plenty of people are wired differently and tend to be slowed by non-visual tools. We think Allo has a real shot at making for a more inclusive workplace.
Communication tool and knowledge base
The tool also has a built-in chat bar so you can stay in constant communication with your team. If you need to jump on a video call, you don’t have to head over to Slack or Zoom to initiate a call. You can make the call straight through the platform.
Also, team members can tag each other on any page in a specific section of a canvas so everyone has a clear view of who’s working on what.
Allo also works as a “documentation repository.” Since you can collaborate and communicate all within the same tool, the documentation you’ve been working on has already been dragged and dropped into your canvas. And, those files can be previewed directly on Allo and some can even be modified.
Yes, there are even templates
So you don’t have to start from scratch, Allo has some pre-designed space templates for common uses, such as project planning, daily standups, design reviews, etc.
Overall, Allo is an easy-to-use visual and multi-functional tool. If an all-in-one tool sounds like something you’ve been waiting for, you can head over to their website to try the tool for free, which gives you limited access. To gain access to advanced features and support, you’ll need to sign up for a paid plan.
This story first appeared in AG on November, 2022.
