Each shield has its expert settings with exceptions / exclusions. You don't say which shield is stopping the other software from running correctly.
Other possibilities might be to delay Avast service when booting (settings -> troubleshooting) or to set web shield -> "...well known browsers only", or to add avastsvc.exe to the firewall rules, or...
BTW, having Avast FREE in your work is not part of the license agreement.