Facebook has taken a break from algorithms and bots this week, and announced that Facebook Workplace is now open to all teams and organisations across the world.
What was once Facebook for Work, Workplace will be separated from users’ primary and embarrassing personal accounts. It will also look and function a lot like traditional Facebook, while compatible with the web and mobile devices.
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“People work in different ways, around the world, and Workplace’s mission is to help them stay connected,” the company explains in a press release.
Facebook also explains that around 1000 companies are currently using the platform, with the likes of Danone, Starbucks and the Government Technology Agency of Singapore employing it.
“The workplace is about more than just communicating between desks within the walls of an office. Some people spend their entire workday on the go, on their mobile phone. Others spend all day out in the field, or on the road,” the company elaborates.
Facebook Workplace is aimed squarely at Slack, bringing rich collaboration tools to large teams
Although Workplace’s primary competitors are Yammer and Slack, it’s slightly different. Instead of a simple messaging exchange app, Workplace also aims to bring Facebook’s Live video platform on board, alongside Trending posts, Search and an analytics dashboard.
Beyond internal communication, there’s also a new Multi-Company Groups feature, which allows employees from different organisations to collaborate. Facebook notes that this feature will be rolling out “in the coming weeks”.
Pricing information
While Facebook Workplace sounds intriguing, there is no free tier (at least if you aren’t an educational institution or non-profit).
Companies interested can sign up for a three-month trial, but after that, Facebook will charge US$3 per head for a company’s first 1000 active monthly users. That drops to US$2 per head for 1001 to 10 000 users, and US$1 per head for 10 001 and more users.
Facebook Workplace will also have a Partner Program, which will be co-piloted with other organisations like Deloitte, “who will work with us to bring Workplace to even more businesses across the globe”.
Workplace is currently available here.
