Having the right technology to support your business can help increase everything from employee morale and productivity to creativity to revenue.
Most businesses use a full suite of communication and project management tools and more organizations are finding that the combined capabilities of modern instant messaging apps for businesses can reduce the need for other tools and provide a better platform for internal communication.
What are the most benefits of internal instant messaging apps for business?
#Cost savings
Instant messaging apps for businesses can improve cost savings by streamlining more communication channels in one program, saving businesses money by eliminating the need for extra software purchases. Additionally, as EZtalks points out, “You could call your suppliers abroad, make a deal-sealing presentation via video conferencing, hire staff in foreign countries and conduct business internationally at very reduced costs, relative to traditional methods of doing this.”
#Archiving
Business IM software will save conversations to a searchable archive, which enables employees to easily find past topics and chats that they need to continue projects, answer questions, or refer back to something. The ability to keep records of conversations can be superior to in-person conversations for tracking project details.
#Quick communication
Instant messaging helps increase the speed of communication and keep projects moving and productivity high. When employees don’t have to wait around on answers on questions or reviews – often the case with scheduling in-person meetings or emails that might get lost in a full inbox – employees can get or provide faster answers.
The top instant messaging apps for business
1. Slack
Slack tops lists of the best instant messaging app because it was one of the best programs on the market to combine IM features with other collaboration tools. Slack offers everything a modern business needs to bring teams together and improve communication, including organized conversations, file and document sharing, searchable archived conversations, easy tool integrations, and face to face video chat capabilities.
2. Brosix
One of the top features of the Brosix platform is its advanced security features. Employers can ensure that team networks are only accessible to approved users and that things like feature privileges and contact lists are subject to approval as well. Their website notes that their platform has all the features of a traditional IM server, including “group and private chat, file transfer, screen-sharing, screen-shot, whiteboard and more for your team collaboration” as well as encrypted communication channels for better information security.
3. Skype for Business
Skype for Business is a popular tool with businesses who run other Microsoft programs. In addition to the easy integration with Outlook, it’s a familiar interface for those who work primarily with Microsoft applications. Additionally, the desktop sharing function allows for broadcasting any visuals, web pages, documents, applications, and software on it.
4. Troop
As a Slack competitor, Troop is a great option for small businesses. It starts a free software with higher tier options starting with very attracting price points. It also offers 50GB of free storage where most instant messaging apps for business consider that a premium feature with a higher price tag. Troop is a solid option for price-sensitive businesses who want a video, chat, and audio software solution to improve and stream communication and collaboration.
5. Flock
Flock appeals to businesses who have all of their communication scattered between emails, meetings, and multiple communication tools. Cheaper than Slack, but with many similar features, Flock is growing as an attractive IM option for businesses. They also have the unique capability of conducting opinion polls without needing to connect a separate app, which can be beneficial for agile teams looking for active feedback. It does offer a wide selection of integrations of apps like Zapier, whoever, increasing its overall potential for increasing productivity.
6. Google Hangouts
Google Hangouts is a good option for businesses who run G-Suite and use tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Gmail to run their operation. In fact, all you need is a Gmail account to use Hangouts. It offers compatibility across Android devices, Apple devices, and computers, so it can help your business avoid IT hassles because there’s nothing to install or integrate.
While IM isn’t the best solution for every situation, it’s a necessary addition to a business communication line up. You certainly wouldn’t use instant messaging for confidential conversations between HR and employees, but it’s a great tool for enabling team collaboration, video conference with vendors, and even certain project management abilities. Finding the right instant messaging apps for your business will depend on the needs of your organization, but there’s likely a right fit for whatever your business requirements are. Businesses should take advantage of the free trials that most IM software providers offer to test the capabilities for yourself with your teams.
