In a strategic move to provide a comprehensive suite of business solutions, Zoom has unveiled plans to introduce its own word processing software, known as Zoom Docs. This announcement is a testament to Zoom’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of businesses in an era marked by hybrid work arrangements.
Zoom Docs is designed to specifically cater to the challenges encountered by professionals who split their work time between home and the office. This bold initiative by the renowned video conferencing giant aims to redefine document creation and collaboration for the year 2023 and beyond.
Smita Hashim, the Chief Product Officer at Zoom, articulated the significance of this development, stating, “Hybrid work is hard enough, and the status quo for document creation and collaboration isn’t cutting it anymore. Zoom is helping our customers by bringing the definition of a ‘doc’ into 2023 — with powerful document authoring and collaboration capabilities, modern collaboration tools, and a next-gen workspace built from the ground up with AI at its heart; Zoom Docs is that solution.”
Zoom Docs introduces a modern approach to document creation, boasting powerful authoring and collaboration capabilities. It is intertwined seamlessly with the familiar Zoom interface that users have grown to love, reducing silos and enhancing productivity.
In a domain typically dominated by established players like Microsoft Word and Google Docs, Zoom aims to stand out by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence. The foundation of this endeavor lies in the recently-announced Zoom AI platform, allowing users to effortlessly integrate content from video calls, meetings, and Team Chat into their document creation process. This means users can readily begin writing and collaborating on documents, such as action lists or wrap-up reports.
Zoom Docs follows a modular approach, empowering users to construct their documents with customizable content blocks, tables, and bullet points, ensuring the creation of precisely tailored documents. Collaboration is simplified, with colleagues and contacts easily invited to collaborate through mentions, and comments and threads facilitating multiple perspectives and feedback.
When a document nears completion, users can call upon the Zoom AI Companion to assist with editing, tone adjustments for specific audiences, and content summarization. This ensures that the document contains all the essential details.
Furthermore, Zoom Docs offers a streamlined approach to gaining insights, assigning tasks, and maintaining team focus between meetings. Once a document is ready for sharing, it seamlessly integrates into the Zoom portfolio, allowing easy distribution across meetings and team chats.
Zoom Docs is slated for release in early 2024, although a specific release window has not been provided by the company. This innovative offering promises to redefine the way businesses collaborate and create documents in the evolving landscape of hybrid work.