Using social networks at work is generally conceived as a taboo. Facebook has been working on fighting that taboo and released a new product called “Facebook at Work”.
According to TechCrunch, the new product allows businesses to create private networks among their employees. Users will access those networks through Facebook on the web. It will also be accessible on new Android and iOS apps called “Work”.
The user interface of Facebook at Work is pretty much like that of normal Facebook. It features a News Feed, profiles and other similar features. The “Groups” feature however has been designed to replace emailing within a company and become an important element of a workplace.
To login, users can either use their existing Facebook accounts or go through a seperate login for work. Actions performed on Facebook for Work won’t appear on the normal timeline of employees.
Facebook for Work differentiates itself from regular Facebook in two major features: no advertisements and no user data tracking. These elements keep Facebook from making any money on the service which is currently being offered for free to pilot testers. Perhaps a subscription fee will be placed in the future after the program takes off.
Facebook’s new product follows in the footsteps of other popular services like Slack and Yammer, which have gained immense popularity in replacing workplace emails. Facebook’s advantage over its new competitors is familiarity. Due to its widespread usage, employees won’t have to learn new commands and layouts as they will already be familiar with the service.
One thing which could be holding users back is data tracking. Although the company says it will be doing no such thing, people are still suspicious.
Rumours about Facebook for Work had started circulating back in November, but has only been released today to app stores. The product is still not available to all, as it is currently only offered to a small group of partners.
