Zoom unveils no-code Workflow Automation to enhance workplace efficiency

Zoom has introduced Workflow Automation in beta, aiming to enhance efficiency and minimise the time spent on repetitive tasks.

This new feature enables users to create intricate workflows within Zoom Workplace and integrate with third-party applications, allowing more focus on significant tasks and smoother collaboration with colleagues. The automation extends to Zoom Team Chat, powered by AI, with further capabilities expected soon.

Enhancing Productivity

In the fast-paced modern work environment, efficiency is crucial. Zoom Workplace enhances users' productivity with its innovative features. Workflow Automation allows users to automate various tasks, such as setting up welcome messages in Team Chat for new channel members, creating recurring reminders for project updates, simplifying the submission of time-off requests, and collecting feedback through chat channel questionnaires. These tools empower users to save time and focus on their most important tasks. The drag-and-drop functionality ensures that anyone can build workflows without the need for technical skills or coding knowledge.

“We built Workflow Automation to be easy for teams of all sizes and abilities to use. We’re launching Workflow Automation with Team Chat first because it’s an opportunity to strengthen collaboration with team members and get work done asynchronously,” said Wei Li, head of Zoom Team Chat at Zoom. “Workflow Automation helps teams by taking the guesswork out of setting up workflows and helps cut down on tedious and repetitive tasks.”

How to use Workflow Automation

Creating workflows within a platform can often be a complex task. However, Zoom Workflow Automation simplifies this process by offering users the choice of pre-built templates or the ability to craft their own workflows for automating everyday tasks. This tool allows users to streamline routine activities, enabling them to focus more on strategic decision-making and enhancing overall productivity.

With Zoom Workflow Automation, users can automate tasks such as scheduling recurring project updates and reminding team members to post status updates in a Team Chat channel. It also facilitates the efficient collection of input for purposes like feature requests, user feedback, or incident reports. To further simplify workstreams, users can design sequential, conditional, or switch-based workflows that manage multiple paths and outcomes. For instance, a workflow could be set up in Team Chat to automatically categorise incoming feedback based on keywords. Feedback mentioning "billing" could be routed to the finance channel, while issues related to "technical problems" could alert the IT support channel. This automation optimises response times and ensures diverse inquiries are handled efficiently within Team Chat.

Zoom's Workflow Automation is designed to be a user-friendly, no-code solution, making it accessible for users of all skill levels to build sophisticated workflows. The platform includes pre-built templates for common tasks, such as onboarding new channel members or simplifying approval processes like time-off requests. Zoom plans to continually add new templates to support a wide array of business needs.

During its beta phase, Workflow Automation is available to paid Zoom users at no additional cost. Upon general release, paid plans will offer unlimited standard workflow runs and a specific allotment of premium workflow runs, with additional charges for exceeding these limits.