Top 10: Enterprise messaging platforms

2023. LeapXpert raises $22M to monitor employee chats for compliance



LeapXpert, an instant messaging software that allows employees to message customers or colleagues through popular apps, including WhatsApp, WeChat, iMessage, Telegram and Signal, while monitoring and archiving their business-related chats, has raises $22M. LeapXpert touts its worker-monitoring, “mobile-first” dashboard through which employees can sign in to and access chat channels such as SMS, iMessage, WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, Signal, Line and certain VoIP apps. On the employer side, companies can set rules and requirements for the types and level of materials that can be sent internally or externally, including specific keywords and phrases, and see the real-time status of all messages sent. LeapXpert promises to avoid capturing private and personal messages by siloing communications, enabling employees to have an independent messaging profile for personal use.


2018. Group chat Crew launched enterprise version



The recently funded messenger app, Crew, has secured a significant investment of $35 million. Catering specifically to businesses employing shift workers who are not typically desk-bound, Crew introduces a new feature known as Crew Enterprise. This feature aims to enhance messaging management across large groups of these workers, providing businesses with improved communication capabilities. With a customer base of 25,000, including prominent names in the food industry such as Domino's Pizza and Burger King, Crew has garnered substantial engagement. While numerous messaging apps exist in the market today, most are designed for knowledge workers who utilize multiple apps throughout their workday and are predominantly stationed at desks using computers, phones, and tablets. In contrast, Crew sets itself apart by targeting the extensive segment of the workforce that prioritizes efficient communication outside traditional office settings.

2018. Zoho Cliq makes admin console more Enterprise-ready



Group chat platform Zoho Cliq is receiving notable enterprise enhancements while remaining accessible to organizations of all sizes. With the revamped administration console, owners of organizations using Cliq can now fully customize the chat experience for their users. This includes gaining finer control over permissions, user profiling, and personalized themes specific to their organizations. The admin console empowers you to assign users to different teams and departments while defining their respective designations. As the super admin, you have the flexibility to add as many admins or moderators as necessary. Additionally, you have the ability to create custom roles for specific tasks, such as platform developers who can create and manage bots for the organization. Moreover, Cliq allows for extensive personalization options. You can set your own icons, create a custom color scheme for your client's theme, and even incorporate a custom domain.


2018. Enterprise messaging platform Eko raised $20M



Enterprise messaging platform Eko is gearing up to compete with Slack, Microsoft Teams, and other enterprise messaging applications in Europe. The startup has recently secured a Series B funding round of $20 million and established new offices in London (serving as its commercial headquarters), Amsterdam, and Berlin. Eko reports significant revenue growth, with a revenue increase of over three times in the past year, and boasts more than 500,000 recurring paid users. While Eko Communications may be viewed as a competitor to Slack and Microsoft Teams, it's important to note that their target customers differ. Many employees in various industries still rely on messaging apps like WhatsApp or email for communication. Eko Communications aims to facilitate a seamless transition from ad hoc communication methods to a more secure and efficient system, offering tools like APIs to integrate legacy systems and streamline operations.


2017. Microsoft Teams will replace Skype for Business



Microsoft has made an announcement stating that their new group chat platform, Teams, will now serve as the primary communications platform for Office 365 users. Previously, Skype for Business fulfilled this role. According to Ron Markezich, the Corporate VP for Office 365, Teams will take over as the main platform for voice, video, and meetings, eventually replacing the current Skype for Business client. Recognizing that enterprises often have a slower pace of transition, Microsoft plans to release a new version of the Skype for Business server in 2018, allowing those who prefer to keep their existing PBX systems and calling capabilities on-premises to continue doing so. However, for those who choose to transition to Teams, Microsoft promises a wealth of new calling features and meeting enhancements. These include outbound and inbound calls to and from regular phones, support for voicemail, call holding, call transfers, and other standard telephony features.


2017. Slack raised $250 million at $5 billion valuation



Enterprise messaging service Slack is currently in the process of raising a $250 million funding round, which would value the company at $5 billion. Slack has gained a dedicated following, particularly in Silicon Valley, but its long-term success depends on its ability to persuade large enterprises worldwide to adopt its services. While Slack positions itself as an alternative to email, it primarily serves as an internal communication platform within a company, rather than for external communication. One of the key reasons why many individuals prefer Slack over other alternatives is its contemporary interface, which resonates well with users seeking a modern communication experience.


2016. Microsoft introduced Teams - the main Slack competitor


At the start of the year, Microsoft initially expressed interest in acquiring the highly popular group chat software Slack. However, the company eventually decided to develop its own similar service from scratch. Thus, Microsoft Teams was born, bearing striking resemblance to Slack. With Microsoft Teams, users can create dedicated rooms for projects or departments, engage in communication from desktop or mobile devices, and seamlessly share files and other content. Similar to Slack, it incorporates bots for notifications and automated responses. Microsoft highlights the key advantages of Teams as its strong security measures and seamless integration with other Microsoft applications such as Skype, Word, SharePoint, Planner, and OneNote. Teams will be available for free within business subscription plans of Office 365, as Microsoft aims to encourage adoption among companies that have yet to embrace Office 365. Currently in preview mode, Teams is expected to be widely accessible in early 2017.


2016. Enterprise group chat Symphony adds voice, video and key app integrations



Symphony, the messaging app built for enterprises, is expanding its capabilities with the introduction of new voice, video, and screen sharing features through a product called Symphony Meetings. In addition, Symphony is launching the Symphony Webhooks API, empowering companies to create their own integrations with third-party applications. This API will work alongside a selection of apps that Symphony itself integrates with, including Salesforce, Github, JIRA, Trello, and Zapier. Unlike platforms like Slack, Microsoft's Yammer, or Hipchat, Symphony differentiates itself by positioning its product not merely as a generic enterprise app, but by incorporating consumer-oriented elements and tailoring them specifically for the finance industry.


2015. Enterprise messaging service Slack introduced User Groups



Slack is aiming to improve the functioning of larger organizations by introducing a new feature called User Groups. This feature enables the targeted delivery of notifications to different departments within the organization. Whether it's communicating with engineers, customer service teams, or marketing teams, user groups ensure that entire departments can quickly receive alerts regarding important matters. These initiatives align with Slack's overarching goal of enhancing the platform's effectiveness for larger organizations. It's important to note that this feature will only be available for Slack teams subscribed to paid plans.


2015. Chat for work Pie gets $1.2M



Enterprise messaging service Pie has successfully raised $1.2 million in Series A funding as it gears up to monetize its platform. Pie offers a comprehensive messaging service for teams, available on iOS, Android, Mac, and the web, with seamless integrations with Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, and other applications. It can be likened to a simplified version of Slack. Remarkably, the app has garnered usage from over 2,000 companies across various industries, ranging from marketing, advertising, and publishing to unexpected sectors like flower shops, manufacturing plants, universities, and even churches. With the recent funding secured, the company is preparing to introduce a paid version of the app. This premium offering will include administrative controls and will be priced at $3.14159 per user per month.


2014. Enterprise messaging app Cotap adds web chat accessible via URL



Cotap, a workplace messaging app often referred to as "WhatsApp for the workplace," has introduced a new feature to broaden its user base. Now, individuals can send messages to Cotap users through a URL on Cotap.me without needing to download the app. This development follows the launch of Cotap's desktop app in October, which allowed coworkers using the app to communicate with each other from their computers. With this new feature, anyone can utilize the chat functionality of Cotap by accessing custom URLs provided by Cotap users. By incorporating a web component, Cotap users can now share their Cotap IDs as contact information, similar to sharing Skype or email addresses or mobile numbers in email signatures or business cards.