slack

Slack is a cloud-based collaboration platform designed to streamline team communication and workflows. It organizes discussions into channels around projects, teams, or topics, while also supporting private direct messages and group chats. Users can share files, integrate tools, and search across messages and documents. The service is available as web software and native desktop and mobile apps, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, and it supports voice and video calls. Slack Technologies developed the product, and Salesforce acquired Slack in 2021 for about $27.7 billion, after which Slack operated as a Salesforce subsidiary.

Slack's core features include channel-based messaging, threaded conversations, searchable history, and robust app integrations via the Slack App Directory. Users can customize notifications, employ a Workflow Builder to automate routine tasks, and manage access with guest accounts and granular permissions. The platform supports enterprise-grade security, including data encryption in transit and at rest, single sign-on (SSO), and multi-factor authentication. Compliance options and BAAs are available for enterprise customers requiring regulated data handling.

Slack originated as an internal communication tool for the Tiny Speck game studio. It was released publicly in 2013 and rapidly adopted by teams across industries, contributing to the rise of workplace messaging as a primary collaboration medium. In 2021, Salesforce announced its acquisition of Slack, integrating it into its broader enterprise software portfolio. Slack faces competition from other collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Google Chat. It remains a widely used option for teams seeking asynchronous and real-time communication, with ongoing development of features and integrations.