Zoom has introduced capabilities that the video conferencing platform claims are intended to enhance the modern work experience as people’s working habits continue to change.
Zoom CEO Eric S. Yuan stated in a news release provided to PYMNTS on Tuesday that “human connection must remain a top focus to push business initiatives forward as global enterprises are adapting to how, when, and where work occurs” (Nov. 8).
These features were introduced at the company’s Zoomtopia ’22 event. Zoom Spots, which the firm defines as its virtual co-working area, is one of the new products.
According to Zoom, “Zoom Spots is a video-enabled persistent space, integrated within the Zoom platform, coming in early 2023, will help create inclusive dialogues, maintain coworker connections, and offer the fluid interactions of in-person work to distant, hybrid teams throughout their day.
There is also Zoom Virtual Agent, a sophisticated conversational AI and chatbot solution that employs machine learning and natural language processing to comprehend and address consumer issues.
In contrast, Zoom Mail and Calendar, which is now in beta, allows users to access their email and calendar without ever having to leave Zoom.
Zoom’s Cautionary Notes on Work-From-Home Challenges
According to a PYMNTS article from August, businesses like Zoom benefited greatly from people working from home. However, it would be challenging to maintain that momentum.
Working remotely from home fell 3.8% among the five activities that consumers added or deleted from their daily online routines between November 2021 and July 2022, according to our research. (Working remotely from a location other than your home increased by 5.8%.)
We made these observations as Zoom predicted that sales to larger commercial customers would increase by more than 20% this year, despite an anticipated 7%–8% decline in online subscriptions.
Insinuating that businesses are scrutinising IT spending in the present macro environment, Zoom President Greg Tomb stated that larger transactions are seeing “extra sets of eyeballs” and deals go through. Spending is being delayed, at least in certain cases.
