Google Workspace vs Slack

2024. Google adds new video creation app Vids app to Workspace


Google has introduced Vids, a new addition to its Google Workspace suite, designed for streamlined video creation in professional settings. Vids offers a straightforward interface for crafting slide presentations using a linear timeline, where users can seamlessly incorporate content from their Google Drive. Notably, Vids distinguishes itself with the integration of Google's Gemini AI, allowing users to opt-in for assistance in scriptwriting, storyboarding, and text-to-speech narration. Additionally, Gemini can access a repository of stock footage and generate imagery. Currently undergoing testing with a select group of Workspace users, Vids aims to unveil a broader beta version in the upcoming summer, promising an influx of AI-infused presentations in the workplace.


2023. Google adds eSignature to Google Docs and Google Drive



Google has introduced a new eSignature capability within Google Workspace. This novel functionality will specifically cater to both individual users and diverse group accounts within Google Docs and Google Drive. The primary objective of this new addition is to serve solopreneurs and small businesses by providing a streamlined method to effortlessly gather and monitor digital signatures directly within documents. This obviates the need for the traditional process of printing, signing, scanning, and emailing for obtaining signatures. Essentially, it presents an electronic signature field that can be seamlessly integrated into the document. Furthermore, anticipated enhancements slated for later this year encompass the potential inclusion of an audit trail report to trace signatures within Google Docs documents, the facilitation of managing multiple signatories and transmitting documents to individuals external to the Google Workspace ecosystem. Lastly, the feature aims to enable the acquisition of an electronic signature within a PDF version of the document.


2022. Google opens up Workspace with new integrations and APIs



Google Workspace is receiving a significant update that introduces several noteworthy features for customers. However, what's even more significant is that Google is leveraging this opportunity to expand the Workspace ecosystem beyond its own services by introducing new integrations and developer tools. One of the key initiatives involves opening up smart chips within Workspace, which are the links to various documents, individuals, and information. Previously limited to Google's own offerings, these smart chips will now be accessible to third-party vendors. To kickstart this expansion, Google has partnered with renowned companies such as AODocs, Atlassian, Asana, Figma, Miro, and Tableau, all of whom are actively developing integrations. Additionally, Google is introducing a set of APIs for both Chat and Meet, enabling third-party developers to incorporate functions such as initiating or starting meetings directly from their respective applications. Asana and LumApps are the initial launch partners for these APIs, further enriching the collaboration capabilities within Workspace.


2022. Slack adds persistent information layer to channels called Canvas



Slack has achieved considerable success in the enterprise realm by offering various communication options and seamless integration with common enterprise applications. However, until now, Slack has lacked a persistent way to share project-related information. While users could create channels to narrow down content and share documents, links, and other materials, finding them again required searching or extensive scrolling. Acknowledging this limitation, Slack has taken a step forward by combining the collaborative tooling of Quip with Slack's communication capabilities, resulting in a new tool called Canvas. Positioned alongside a channel's conversation stream, Canvas grants users access to a range of information, including data and charts, text, tasks, internal and external links, training videos, and more. This integration allows for a seamless experience where project-related information can be easily shared and accessed within the Slack platform.


2022. Slack gains new automation features, including conditional logic for workflows



Announcing a significant update, Slack has introduced new automation features aimed at enhancing the shareability and discoverability of workflows. Building upon the existing Workflow Builder tool launched in 2019, these latest capabilities enable users to easily send workflows to other Slack users and utilize "if-then" statements to create more advanced flows. Slack's increased focus on automation aligns with the growing popularity of no-code development tools, which empower users to build apps and pipelines without requiring programming expertise. According to a survey conducted by 451 Research and FileMaker, nearly 60% of all custom apps, including automations, are now developed outside of the IT department. Furthermore, the survey revealed that 30% of these apps are created by employees with limited or no technical development skills. This trend emphasizes the importance of providing accessible automation solutions to a broader range of users.


2022. Google brings its Workspace Individual plan to one-person businesses in Europe



Google is expanding the availability of its Workspace Individual subscription plan to Europe, just over a year after its initial launch in other markets. Workspace, previously known as G Suite, encompasses various productivity and collaboration applications such as Gmail, Meet, Drive, Docs, Tasks, and Forms. While many of these apps are free to use individually, Google generates revenue by offering additional features and integrations to businesses for a fee. With the introduction of Google Workspace Individual, the company is targeting "solo business owners" who can subscribe to a monthly plan and gain access to premium video calling tools, including features like recording, noise cancellation, and extended group calls. Subscribers also have the ability to livestream their Google Meet sessions to YouTube and utilize the "multi-send" feature for email newsletters and marketing campaigns. Furthermore, Google has recently announced forthcoming enhancements, including the integration of e-signatures directly into Google Docs.


2022. Slack is increasing prices and changing the way its free plan works



Slack, the chat platform widely used as an online watercooler for numerous teams, is implementing changes to its pricing structure and free plan functionality. For users subscribed to the "Pro" plan on a monthly basis, the price will increase from $8 per user per month to $8.75 per user per month. Similarly, for users on the annual "Pro" plan, the price will rise from $6.67 per user per month to $7.25 per user per month. As for the free plan, Slack is modifying how messages are stored. Previously, free users had access to the last 10,000 messages and 5 GB of uploads. Going forward, message retention will be based on time rather than quantity, allowing free users to view the last 90 days' worth of messages and uploads, regardless of the volume exchanged.


2022. Google Workspace integrated with SAP



Google and SAP have established a longstanding partnership, collaborating on various projects throughout the years. As part of its strategic cloud partnerships, Google Cloud plays a crucial role in RISE with SAP, a program by the renowned German enterprise software company aimed at assisting customers in transitioning to the cloud. In an exciting development, the two companies have now announced a significant expansion of their partnership, focusing on a deep integration between SAP S/4HANA Cloud, SAP's flagship ERP system, and Google Workspace. This native integration enables SAP users to seamlessly access and collaborate on data from S/4HANA using Google Docs and Sheets. It facilitates smooth importing and exporting of data between the two systems. While the integration is currently being piloted with a select group of customers, the initial set of features will be launched as a standard offering for S/4HANA Cloud later this year.


2021. Google Workspace opens up spaces for all users



Google has introduced spaces within Google Chat, making them available to all users. These spaces seamlessly integrate with various tools in Google Workspace such as the calendar, Drive, and documents. This integration offers a hybrid work experience, enabling users to access the complete history, content, and context of conversations regardless of their location. Instead of resorting to lengthy email chains or scheduling video meetings, teams can collaborate directly within a space to drive projects and discussions forward. The updated features in spaces include a unified interface that combines inbox, chats, spaces, and meetings. Spaces and their content can be made discoverable, allowing individuals to find and join conversations. Additionally, improved search capabilities within a team's knowledge base, the ability to reply to any message within a space, and enhanced security and admin tools for communication monitoring are also part of the new update.


2021. Salesforce announces first integrations with Slack



When Salesforce completed its acquisition of Slack towards the end of the previous year, it was evident that they had ambitious plans for the company. Today, the renowned CRM giant has unveiled the initial integrations that are set to benefit Salesforce customers. To begin with, the Sales Cloud now offers dedicated deal rooms. These rooms allow all parties involved in a complex sale, including internal departments such as finance and product teams, as well as external partners, to collaborate within Slack throughout the sales cycle. This enables them to stay updated on the fluctuations and progress of all sales activities. By leveraging Slack's capability to integrate external enterprise applications within its platform, the goal is to foster collaboration and discover methods to streamline and automate various Salesforce tasks. This ultimately results in faster and more efficient usage of Salesforce, eliminating the need to switch contexts in order to achieve desired outcomes.