Productivity remains the holy grail for organizations both large and small, and with digital transformation now a permanent fixture on every executive’s agenda, selecting the right software solutions is more critical than ever. As Info-Tech Research Group recently revealed in their much-anticipated analysis, the quest isn’t just about acquiring new technology—it’s about harnessing platforms that demonstrably empower end users to do more, faster, and with smarter results.
When Info-Tech Research Group unveiled its annual top ten list of “Productivity Champions,” the industry took notice—not just because of the names included, but because of the firm’s radically user-centric methodology. The rankings are built on genuinely raw user reviews collected via their SoftwareReviews platform, sidestepping hype, vendor marketing, and analyst speculation. More than 270 software categories were considered, but only tools with consistently high impact on real user productivity earned a coveted spot in the final ten.
Each software product was evaluated based on up to 130 different data points, including operational performance, business impact, ease of integration, and long-term satisfaction. At the heart of the analysis sits the Net Promoter Score (NPS), a well-worn but telling metric that distills user experience into a single, powerful number reflecting loyalty and advocacy.
What's crucial here is the purity of the process—no vendor interference, no pay-to-play, just the aggregated reality of how these products fuel (or fail to fuel) day-to-day productivity for organizations across sectors. As Emily Wright, senior research analyst at Info-Tech, succinctly put it, “Solutions that streamline workflows and enhance efficiency are critical for keeping teams agile, helping organizations stay competitive, and enabling them to navigate challenges while accelerating growth.”
But Power Automate’s real genius lies in its accessibility. It enables non-developers to string together complex process automations without a single line of code, democratizing productivity and freeing IT teams for more sophisticated challenges. However, organizations should keep a careful eye on governance and scaling, as the rise of citizen development can sometimes create parallel systems and monitoring headaches if guardrails aren’t put in place.
One of Smartsheet’s hidden strengths is its ability to bridge the gap between structured and unstructured work, supporting both operational rigor and creative exploration on a single platform. Some users, however, note a steep learning curve for leveraging advanced automation—a reminder that “no code” still requires “know-how.”
What’s especially notable is AnyDesk’s ultra-lightweight footprint, enabling high-speed, cross-platform remote access where network conditions or device capacity might normally fall short. For IT pros supporting distributed environments, this is no small win. But, given the sensitive nature of remote sessions, organizations must remain vigilant about endpoint security and authentication standards.
Its seamless integration with daily work tools means that recognition becomes habitual rather than aspirational. Still, leadership needs to take an active role; technology alone can’t fix cultural or motivational deficits.
The tool’s ability to neatly skirt many firewall and NAT issues has made it indispensable. Yet the ongoing challenge is ensuring that expedient remote access doesn’t come at the cost of security. It’s a potent tool, but organizations must pair usage with strong policies and multifactor authentication.
The virtual machine approach makes lift-and-shift possible, allowing businesses to leverage Azure’s scalability without wholesale re-architecture. The risk, though, comes with cloud sprawl and cost management—without disciplined oversight, cloud VMs can quickly snowball into an unwieldy operational expense.
Its sweet spot is small to mid-sized marketing teams who need big-agency efficiency without giant budgets. Publer enables easy multi-account management and provides actionable insights, but as with all social platforms, success is as much about content as tooling. Teams should beware of becoming too automated—audience engagement still demands a human touch.
The platform’s adaptability across industries is its key advantage. Yet, as is the case with most BPM solutions, organizations must invest thoughtfully in process analysis and change management before digitalizing every workflow—automation is only as effective as the logic behind it.
UiPath shines in automating repetitive, rules-based tasks, freeing up human talent for higher-value work. However, the full strength of the platform is best realized within organizations that have clear process maps and a culture ready for automation—not just a compulsion to follow the latest trend.
ChatGPT’s integration into workflows—be it via API, embedded search, or direct interaction—increases speed to insight and creative problem-solving. Yet, as with any AI tool, organizations must be mindful of ethical considerations, data privacy, and robustness against hallucination or bias. Humans—informed and thoughtful—remain essential in the productivity equation.
This people-first approach matters for several reasons:
There are several critical takeaways for organizations seeking to boost productivity through technology:
But perhaps more importantly, these rankings invite leaders to stop treating software procurement as a mere technical exercise and instead view it as a strategic conversation—one involving IT, HR, security, and the employees who depend on these tools to drive the mission forward.
IT journalists, buyers, and tech enthusiasts should take note: the next generation of Productivity Champions isn’t defined by vendor hype, but by true business impact as experienced on the front lines. So whether you’re seeking to automate business processes, supercharge employee recognition, streamline collaborative planning, or embrace the power of AI, one principle rings clear—listen to your users, and let their experience light the way.
Yet, the journey doesn’t end at adoption. Keep lines of feedback wide open, invest in continuous improvement, and measure not just the presence of new tools, but their sustained impact on behaviors, satisfaction, and organizational achievement. In the end, the truest Productivity Champions are those that help you work not just harder or faster, but smarter—with a human touch that technology alone can never fully replace.
Source: Morningstar https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20250425to73457/top-10-software-solutions-that-users-say-boost-productivity-revealed-by-info-tech-research-group/
Info-Tech's Approach: Listening to the Front Lines
When Info-Tech Research Group unveiled its annual top ten list of “Productivity Champions,” the industry took notice—not just because of the names included, but because of the firm’s radically user-centric methodology. The rankings are built on genuinely raw user reviews collected via their SoftwareReviews platform, sidestepping hype, vendor marketing, and analyst speculation. More than 270 software categories were considered, but only tools with consistently high impact on real user productivity earned a coveted spot in the final ten.Each software product was evaluated based on up to 130 different data points, including operational performance, business impact, ease of integration, and long-term satisfaction. At the heart of the analysis sits the Net Promoter Score (NPS), a well-worn but telling metric that distills user experience into a single, powerful number reflecting loyalty and advocacy.
What's crucial here is the purity of the process—no vendor interference, no pay-to-play, just the aggregated reality of how these products fuel (or fail to fuel) day-to-day productivity for organizations across sectors. As Emily Wright, senior research analyst at Info-Tech, succinctly put it, “Solutions that streamline workflows and enhance efficiency are critical for keeping teams agile, helping organizations stay competitive, and enabling them to navigate challenges while accelerating growth.”
The Productivity Champions: A Critical Look at the Top 10
Let’s break down what makes these ten software solutions stand out not only in ratings but in the lived experience of users.Microsoft Power Automate
Scoring a perfect +100 NPS, Microsoft Power Automate exemplifies the new wave of secure, no-code workflow tools. Its integration into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, robust support for identity management, and built-in data loss prevention set a high bar for automation platforms.But Power Automate’s real genius lies in its accessibility. It enables non-developers to string together complex process automations without a single line of code, democratizing productivity and freeing IT teams for more sophisticated challenges. However, organizations should keep a careful eye on governance and scaling, as the rise of citizen development can sometimes create parallel systems and monitoring headaches if guardrails aren’t put in place.
Smartsheet
Another +100 NPS winner, Smartsheet blurs the lines between traditional spreadsheets, project management, and collaborative platforms. Its flexibility allows teams to plan, track, automate, and report on projects, giving rise to a new work execution layer that’s approachable yet powerful.One of Smartsheet’s hidden strengths is its ability to bridge the gap between structured and unstructured work, supporting both operational rigor and creative exploration on a single platform. Some users, however, note a steep learning curve for leveraging advanced automation—a reminder that “no code” still requires “know-how.”
AnyDesk
The surge in remote and hybrid work arrangements has exploded the need for fast, secure remote support and device sharing. With a +100 NPS, AnyDesk has nailed the basics: low latency, robust encryption, and remarkably stable performance.What’s especially notable is AnyDesk’s ultra-lightweight footprint, enabling high-speed, cross-platform remote access where network conditions or device capacity might normally fall short. For IT pros supporting distributed environments, this is no small win. But, given the sensitive nature of remote sessions, organizations must remain vigilant about endpoint security and authentication standards.
Kudos
Kudos, at +98 NPS, operates in a space sometimes dismissed as “soft” productivity: engagement, recognition, and team connectivity. Yet, as any manager knows, engaged teams simply perform better. With real-time feedback, team shout-outs, and coaching features, Kudos demonstrates that culture and collaboration are as central to productivity as raw technical horsepower.Its seamless integration with daily work tools means that recognition becomes habitual rather than aspirational. Still, leadership needs to take an active role; technology alone can’t fix cultural or motivational deficits.
TeamViewer
With its own +98 NPS, TeamViewer echoes AnyDesk in its centrality to remote connectivity. Its strength lies in widescale enterprise deployment—many IT teams already rely on TeamViewer for support and troubleshooting across global infrastructure.The tool’s ability to neatly skirt many firewall and NAT issues has made it indispensable. Yet the ongoing challenge is ensuring that expedient remote access doesn’t come at the cost of security. It’s a potent tool, but organizations must pair usage with strong policies and multifactor authentication.
Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines
Cloud migration remains foundational to IT strategy, and a +98 NPS for Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines signals strong user trust. The ease with which enterprises move high-value workloads—be it SQL Server, SAP, or legacy Oracle environments—to the Azure cloud can’t be understated.The virtual machine approach makes lift-and-shift possible, allowing businesses to leverage Azure’s scalability without wholesale re-architecture. The risk, though, comes with cloud sprawl and cost management—without disciplined oversight, cloud VMs can quickly snowball into an unwieldy operational expense.
Publer
Social media is now a major arena for digital engagement, brand-building, and business development. Publer, earning a +98 NPS, condenses multi-platform scheduling, collaboration, and analytics into a single, highly usable interface.Its sweet spot is small to mid-sized marketing teams who need big-agency efficiency without giant budgets. Publer enables easy multi-account management and provides actionable insights, but as with all social platforms, success is as much about content as tooling. Teams should beware of becoming too automated—audience engagement still demands a human touch.
CMW Platform
Digital transformation is a buzzword that’s become a business necessity, and CMW Platform (+98 NPS) addresses organizational complexity head-on. By streamlining operations with BPMN 2.0, API integrations, drag-and-drop customization, and patented workflow features, CMW helps companies systematize processes without drowning in developer overhead.The platform’s adaptability across industries is its key advantage. Yet, as is the case with most BPM solutions, organizations must invest thoughtfully in process analysis and change management before digitalizing every workflow—automation is only as effective as the logic behind it.
UiPath Business Automation Platform
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and AI-driven workflows are changing the very nature of work itself. UiPath’s +98 NPS is a testament to its market leadership in business automation, turning AI buzz into tangible results.UiPath shines in automating repetitive, rules-based tasks, freeing up human talent for higher-value work. However, the full strength of the platform is best realized within organizations that have clear process maps and a culture ready for automation—not just a compulsion to follow the latest trend.
ChatGPT
With AI transforming nearly every corner of knowledge work, it’s no surprise that ChatGPT is among the top contenders (+98 NPS). Its conversational AI is redefining the art of knowledge retrieval, idea generation, and everyday automation.ChatGPT’s integration into workflows—be it via API, embedded search, or direct interaction—increases speed to insight and creative problem-solving. Yet, as with any AI tool, organizations must be mindful of ethical considerations, data privacy, and robustness against hallucination or bias. Humans—informed and thoughtful—remain essential in the productivity equation.
Decoding the Rankings: The User Voice Over the Analyst’s Pen
What’s uniquely valuable about this “Productivity Champions” list is that it democratizes the software selection process, elevating frontline user experience above analyst estimation or glossy marketing pitches. With up to 130 data points for each product, and a process firmly rooted in user advocacy, the rankings offer a far more granular and authentic snapshot of which solutions actually move the needle in real organizations.This people-first approach matters for several reasons:
- Relevance Over Reputation: Tools are rated not for brand cachet, but for their day-to-day impact—demonstrating that sometimes the best-known brands aren’t automatically the best performers in every context.
- Broad Sector Coverage: By spanning verticals from IT infrastructure to digital marketing, these champions reflect the broad nature of productivity challenges in modern business.
- No Analyst or Vendor Bias: Removing the influence of analysts and vendors ensures the rankings are a purer barometer of actual usefulness.
- Emphasis on NPS: While not a perfect metric, Net Promoter Score is widely understood, making it transparent to both technical and business stakeholders.
Unlocking the Productivity Puzzle: Lessons for IT Leaders
For IT decision-makers navigating a crowded market, the implications of Info-Tech’s findings are clear: successful digital strategy doesn’t hinge on adopting the trendiest software, but on listening—and responding—to the needs and feedback of end users. The era of top-down, IT dictates is over; instead, bottom-up advocacy and real-world utility rule.There are several critical takeaways for organizations seeking to boost productivity through technology:
- User Involvement Is Crucial: Engage power users and frontline staff early and often in procurement, implementation, and ongoing optimization. Not only does this maximize ROI, but it increases the chances of adoption and value realization.
- Integration Trumps Isolation: The best productivity tools are part of a larger ecosystem, enabling data and workflows to move seamlessly across platforms. Evaluate not just individual features but how well a tool fits your existing landscape.
- Change Management Matters: Even the best tool will flounder without a plan for onboarding, training, and cultural buy-in. Productivity gains depend as much on people and process as they do on code or AI.
- Beware One-Size-Fits-All: The top 10 list provides an excellent starting point, but every organization is unique. Pilot broadly, measure continuously, and don’t be afraid to switch strategies if user sentiment shifts over time.
- Keep Security Front and Center: Especially with tools facilitating automation, remote access, or AI, security considerations can’t be an afterthought. Layered defenses and vigilant monitoring are non-negotiable.
Surprising Patterns and Standout Trends
Several patterns emerge from Info-Tech’s Productivity Champions that speak volumes about the direction of workplace technology:- Democratization of Automation: Tools like Microsoft Power Automate and UiPath show a clear hunger for platforms that bring automation out of the IT back-office and into the hands of everyday professionals, with simplicity and security as dual mandates.
- Blurring Work Boundaries: With hybrid and distributed work the new standard, platforms like AnyDesk and TeamViewer ensure seamless remote access is now table stakes.
- AI as a Force Multiplier: Both ChatGPT and UiPath prove that true productivity in 2025 is inseparable from AI—not just as a feature but as the architecture supporting everything from insights to execution.
- Recognition and Well-being as Core Productivity Drivers: Kudos demonstrates a savvy recalibration: software that supports morale, recognition, and peer support isn’t a bonus, but a requirement for high-achieving teams.
- Cloud, Collaboration, and Customization: WhatsApp, Smartsheet, and Publer collectively highlight that the most impactful tools don’t just execute—they connect, visualize, and adapt work to the needs of the team.
The Bigger Picture: Productive Technology for a Transformative Decade
As organizations face economic uncertainty, talent shortages, and unrelenting competition, software that generates true productivity is a business imperative. Info-Tech Research Group’s rankings, grounded in the authentic perspectives of thousands of users, offers not just a directory of top picks, but a blueprint for technology selection in the age of agility.But perhaps more importantly, these rankings invite leaders to stop treating software procurement as a mere technical exercise and instead view it as a strategic conversation—one involving IT, HR, security, and the employees who depend on these tools to drive the mission forward.
IT journalists, buyers, and tech enthusiasts should take note: the next generation of Productivity Champions isn’t defined by vendor hype, but by true business impact as experienced on the front lines. So whether you’re seeking to automate business processes, supercharge employee recognition, streamline collaborative planning, or embrace the power of AI, one principle rings clear—listen to your users, and let their experience light the way.
Looking Forward: Building Your Own Productivity Playbook
In a world where “doing more with less” is the mandate, selecting the right tools is only the first step. The art lies in orchestrating them—blending the best of automation, cloud, collaboration, and AI in a way that reflects your organization’s DNA. Info-Tech’s Productivity Champions list is a powerful compass for the journey ahead.Yet, the journey doesn’t end at adoption. Keep lines of feedback wide open, invest in continuous improvement, and measure not just the presence of new tools, but their sustained impact on behaviors, satisfaction, and organizational achievement. In the end, the truest Productivity Champions are those that help you work not just harder or faster, but smarter—with a human touch that technology alone can never fully replace.
Source: Morningstar https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20250425to73457/top-10-software-solutions-that-users-say-boost-productivity-revealed-by-info-tech-research-group/
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