We’re all about keeping connected, and whether you’re doing so globally or locally with global GSM SIM cards or voice over IP and messaging applications, you want to keep those connections open with those who matter most.
For businesses, the same is true, and Citrix has them covered with its newly-launched real-time chat feature launched on its Podio social business platform. The feature allows its users to perform a variety of distance tasks they could not otherwise do, like discuss projects and share documents and other content via instant messaging, audio, and video chat. The platform was already being used by over 200,000 companies at the end of 2012.
Citrix acquired Podio last year and has continued to evolve the platform into a more feature rich experience for its users. It features all of the usual chat features you’d expect but also includes the ability to like comments a la Facebook. Citrix notes that Podio Chat is unique in its ability to bring text, audio and video chat together in one platform. Podio also allows you to invite users from outside of the company (i.e. contractors, suppliers, partners, etc.).
“Any effective team will tell you that the key to success is having open and accessible communications, whether it be in a physical office, face-to-face on a GoToMeeting with HDFaces session, an audio call, through live comments on Podio or via instant messaging,” said Bernardo de Albergaria, VP & GM, SaaS Products and Markets at Citrix. “Podio Chat bridges the gap between ‘real time’ and ‘my time,’ increasing the velocity of communications within Podio and making purposeful collaboration happen faster and more effectively – no more waiting for answers.”
As for the video chat tool, Citrix says that it will allow for ad-hoc, face-to-face discussion, as well as allow you to set up recurring team video meetings using the company’s GoToMeeting service. The new chat features will be available on the desktop as well as Podio apps for Android and iOS.