Workplace by Facebook app adds multicompany chat

Businesses can now use the Workplace by Facebook app to instant message and video conference with partners and customers.
Playing catch-up with rivals Microsoft and Slack, Facebook unveiled this week a series of updates to its nascent communication and collaboration platform for businesses.
The Workplace by Facebook app now lets businesses instant message and video conference with partners or customers through Workplace Chat. The feature avoids the need for businesses to create guest accounts when working with external collaborators (as long as those other parties also use Workplace).
Previously, Workplace only supported multi-company communication through membership in shared groups, which work similarly to groups in consumer Facebook. The multicompany chat feature brings the business platform more on par with enterprise messaging software from Slack, Microsoft and Cisco.
Facebook also added a "do not disturb" setting to Workplace Chat (another common feature) and will let users pin important chat threads to the top of their feeds. Another update gives users the ability to create sub-threads by replying to specific messages within Workplace Chat.
"The central theme I see Facebook focusing on is employee experience," said Alan Lepofsky, analyst at Constellation Research, based in Cupertino, Calif. "They are adding features that allow employees to connect and build relationships with both their colleagues, as well as external customers and partners."
Launched in 2016, the Workplace by Facebook app has a similar interface to consumer Facebook but is a separate platform with no digital links to the people and pages that exist on the consumer site. Businesses that have begun using Workplace have said they were attracted to it because they knew employees would be familiar with how to use it.
Facebook has attempted to position Workplace as a collaboration app similar to Slack or Microsoft Teams. So far, however, it appears that many businesses are using Workplace more like an intranet website than as a collaboration tool. Facebook is also trying to cater to those types of customers, though, announcing this week better controls for promoting important announcements in the news feed.
Workplace has attracted more than 30,000 organizations worldwide over the past two years, including big brands such as Walmart and Starbucks. However, the user number may be padded by nonprofits, which get to use the platform for free.
"As vendors fight for market share, I'm quite impressed by the number of large-scale deployments Workplace is reporting," Lepofsky said. (Workplace still trails Microsoft Teams, which is used by 329,000 organizations, and Slack, which is used by 500,000 organizations.)
Safety check comes to Workplace by Facebook app
Safety check is the latest feature of the consumer platform that Facebook is revamping and customizing for the Workplace by Facebook app. Businesses will get access to the tool -- launched on the consumer side in 2014 -- early next year.
Safety check will help businesses communicate with their employees during emergencies. The feature lets employees mark themselves as "safe" -- or request assistance -- during, for example, a hurricane or a fire in the office.
Administrators will be able to send notifications to employees through the Workplace news feed, as well as through a bot in Workplace Chat. The tool automatically generates a spreadsheet of those employees to track who has or has not responded.
The feature is unique in the enterprise collaboration market, but it remains to be seen whether it adds enough value to the platform to attract more customers. Facebook will also need to continue adding integrations with third-party business apps if it wants businesses to use it for more than just community-building.
"Facebook has created an easy-to-use, easily accessible collaboration platform for businesses," said Wayne Kurtzman, analyst at IDC. "Using the familiar Facebook look and feel make it different and more intuitive than Slack or Microsoft Teams, but the latter have more integrations available, which would add to productivity."
Source: searchunifiedcommunications
Industry: Unified communcation news

Latest Jobs
-
- CyberArk Architect
- London
- Upto £110,000 plus bonus and benefits
-
Are you ready to lead from the front and drive innovation in the Identity & Access Management (IAM) space? We’re looking for a seasoned CyberArk Architect who has CDE-CPC ideally or experience with privilege Cloud, someone who can lead with vision, execute with precision, and inspire teams to deliver excellence. As a key leader in our organisation, you’ll bring your strong business acumen and a technology-focused, innovative mindset to the table. You’ll be driving strategic initiatives, shaping transformation programs, and empowering teams to think big and deliver even bigger. Acting as a subject matter expert in CyberArk Leading strategic transformations in: Identity Governance Privileged Access Management (PAM) Access Management Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) Building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships within the team Communicating clearly and confidently — both written and verbal — to deliver updates, raise potential issues, and share insights If you are interested in the above position we are looking for people with: deep expertise and a successful track record in IAM strategy, delivery, or assurance with CyberArk Hold relevant certifications such as CDE in Privileged Cloud or Guardian Have experience in a client-facing role (preferred, but not essential) Thrive in a hybrid working environment and are available to work from our or client London office three days a week Lead with clarity, communicate with impact, and adapt quickly to changing priorities
-
- OUTSIDE IR35 Splunk Engineer- SC Cleared.
- United Kingdom
- N/A
-
OUTSIDE IR35 Splunk Engineer- SC Cleared. You will be responsible for consolidating Splunk ES data from multiple feeds into a single pane of glass to enhance visibility and streamline security operations.
-
- Identity & Access Management Architect
- Edinburgh
- Upto £95000 plus bonus and benefits
-
Location: Edinburgh | Hybrid Working | Permanent Are you an experienced Identity & Access Management professional with a passion for designing and implementing cutting-edge security solutions? We are looking for a Lead Architect, where you’ll play a key role in helping clients enhance their IAM capabilities, protect critical data, and navigate complex security challenges. About the Role As a Lead Architect, you will be responsible for shaping and delivering IAM strategies, designing robust security solutions, and driving long-term digital transformation. You’ll leverage your expertise to provide strategic guidance on areas such as: Identity Governance & Administration (IGA) Privileged Access Management (PAM) Access Management (AM) Entitlement Management Directories & Authentication Solutions You will have the opportunity to work with innovative technologies and frameworks, ensuring that businesses can securely manage access to critical assets while enabling growth. What You’ll Be Doing Providing subject matter expertise in IAM and leading transformation projects for clients Developing IAM roadmaps, operating models, and governance frameworks Driving innovation by integrating IAM capabilities into wider digital transformation strategies Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and stakeholders Designing and implementing scalable IAM solutions to meet business needs What We’re Looking For Proven experience in IAM strategy, solution architecture, or assurance Strong leadership skills with experience guiding technical teams Ability to work in a client-facing role, delivering clear communication and insights A technology-focused, innovative mindset with strong business acumen Willingness to work from our Edinburgh office 2-3 days per week
-
- Security Architect - Cloud - Consultancy London
- London
- N/A
-
Security Architect with a focus into Cloud (AWS, Azure or Google Cloud Platform) needed. You must have client facing consultancy experience. This mean you must have experience working with clients helping them to meet their security design needs. That could include working with existing internal teams to understand, review and mitigate / uplift existing Cloud Security designs, or perhaps helping clients set out / understand their current needs and deliver their cloud security strategy. (Or anything in between) Technical knowledge is of course essential but working with clients to understand and solve their Cloud Security design challenges is vital. You must obviously have a current history working as a cloud security architect. You will need to be commutable to London. Whilst a hybrid role the expectation is 3 days a week in the office / meeting clients. International relocation or Visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role. Apply on this page and arrange a call here https://calendly.com/d/crpz-m7j-wyx