Workplace is an online collaborative software tool developed by Meta Platforms. Its features include instant messaging, file sharing, and video and audio conferencing.
Developer(s) | Meta Platforms |
---|---|
Type | Collaborative software |
Website | workplace |
Workplace was first announced on January 14, 2015.[1] It launched in beta as Facebook at Work before officially launching in October 2016.[2][better source needed] Free accounts were discontinued as of February 2021.[citation needed]
Workplace for Good was launched in June 2018 to provide a free version of Workplace for registered non-profits and staff of educational institutions.[3]
In October 2018, Workplace announced the launch of Safety Check.[4] Originally developed by Facebook engineers after the 2011 Japanese tsunami,[citation needed] Safety Check for Workplace allows organizations to identify employees who may be affected by a crisis and send and monitor responses. Safety Check has been used by Delta Air Lines (during Hurricane Florence and the Hokkaido earthquake).[5]
As of May 2021, there were 7 million paying users.[6]
While Workplace accounts are set up and run separately[7] from Facebook accounts, Workplace uses much of Facebook's underlying technology. Workplace uses machine learning to rank information in a user's news feed and make recommendations, while 'downranking' less relevant information.[8] Workplace data is stored across 12 Facebook-owned and operated data centers.[9]
PC Mag described it as "Facebook if your employer restricted membership to only your coworkers and bosses" and concluded "Workplace is what an organization makes of it".[10]