Coronavirus prompts collaboration toolmakers to offer wares for free

Several vendors, including Microsoft, Google, Slack, Zoom, Cisco and LogMeIn, are making chat, videoconferencing and other collaboration services free as demand for remote working increases. Concerns about the COVID-19 virus have led to a worldwide boom in remote working, as organizations encourage or require employees to stay home and cities go on lockdown.

While many companies have seen their stock prices go down due to disruption caused by the virus, some software vendors that make remote work possible, such as videoconferencing software provider Zoom, have seen their share value climb dramatically. Although many collaboration and communication providers already offer free — but limited — versions of their software, facing the ongoing crisis many have announced further deals, typically to provide additional paid features at no extra cost. Some have made their services free to health and educational organizations as well.

Angela Ashenden, principal analyst at CCS Insight, said the decision to offer short-term discounts could encourage longer-term adoption of remote working tools. But it could also raise questions about whether they’re taking advantage of the outbreak. "While all these companies will argue that they are simply doing their bit to support people who are now having to work remotely, there will inevitably be suspicion and accusations that they are capitalizing on this difficult climate”.

“By providing additional features or free trials for a limited time, they can meet the spike in demand without actually cashing in, but of course they will be hoping that it means those users will see the benefit and opportunities that come from using their tools, and continue using them longer term — likely through a paid license”. The rise in demand shows the shifting business perceptions toward remote working in general, she added. “Organizations that might otherwise have been quite averse to the prospect of allowing employees to work remotely will now be forced to experience it.”

The question is whether this leads to changes in mindset in the longer term. For employees themselves, many will now be learning how to be productive when working from home, and how to collaborate with colleagues effectively outside of the office. I think we’ll see the issue of poor connectivity popping up as more people spend more time on conference calls.

(Available in: https://www.computerworld.com/article/3530322/coronavirus-prompts-collaboration-tool-makers-to-offer-wares-for-free.html – text adapted specially for this test)