Although Workspace has 2.6 billion users, the suite is free for individuals.
Google is updating its productivity software to better meet the needs of front-line and remote workers, in a bet that the pandemic has permanently changed the way work is done.
A version of the company’s workspace offering will be tailored specifically to front-line workers, such as retail and healthcare employees, Alphabet Inc.’s unit said Monday. The effort will allow organizations to better communicate and collaborate with employees through their mobile phones and is similar to a service of rival Microsoft Corp.
The workspace, formerly known as G Suite, will also be integrated with Google’s digital voice assistant and get features to allow employees to set and enforce unique work hours.
The Internet giant is trying to make its line of productivity tools, including Gmail, Meet video conferencing and Docs word processing, essential for companies that have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Employees have had to balance professional and family demands while doing their work from home over the past year, which has led to an increase in unconventional working hours and other flexible arrangements.
Javier Soltero, vice president and CEO of Workspace, said Google was trying to embrace the “clutter” of working life during the pandemic. “It will never be the same again, but we should use it as an opportunity instead of trying to recreate 2018 or 2019,” he added.
With the changes, Workspace will notify employees if they are trying to send a message to a colleague who is off the clock and will encourage them to send an email when the co-worker is back online. It’s also possible to minimize distractions over time periods, share employee locations with colleagues, and set up recurring out-of-office messages. The Google Assistant will now work with corporate workspace accounts and allow people to send messages and view calendars with their voice.
Although Workspace has 2.6 billion users, the suite is free for individuals. Google makes money with software by registering business customers and other organizations instead of paying.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)