New trends in messaging this year

Beerud Sheth

INDIA: Here are five trends in messaging unfolding this year.

1. Enterprise messaging apps

While messaging apps are incredibly popular with consumers, new apps are emerging to support enterprise requirements. Enterprise tools need to support large teams, advanced workflows, heavy collaboration etc. Enterprise messaging apps are easy to use, can be integrated with backend systems and make collaboration easier by keeping all conversations in one place.

2. Smart Messages

Most messaging apps treat each message as a plain text message, which limits the ability of messaging app to just basic communication. A good idea here is smart messages, which are essentially structured objects with its own data and code. Smart messages can display interactive fields and respond to user action. Smart messages enable richer interactions than plain text messages, dramatically increasing the capability of messaging apps.

3. Messaging Bots

Messaging bots are software programs that can send and receive messages just like human users. Bots can be programmed to implement enterprise workflows and business processes by simply exchanging messages with other humans and machines. Bots are being built on popular messaging platforms. For example, imagine a bot that receives sales data from employees and sends out a constantly updated leaderboard. This enables real-time visibility and improves sales performance.

4. Messaging platforms

Messaging services are not just simple apps anymore. They’re becoming full-fledged platforms on which new services are being built. New services such as expense tracking, employee recognition, sales tracking, training etc. are being built. Even traditional enterprise activities such as CRM, HR, ERP, etc are being rebuilt or repurposed for messaging platforms. A combination of smart messages and messaging bots enables enterprises to map virtually any business workflow onto messaging platforms.

5. In-app messaging

Many apps are starting to embed messaging within. Messaging is a great way to support and engage customers as well as to roll out new features. Messaging can enable customers to chat with customer support or with other users. Even better, messaging is a great vehicle to rapidly deliver new services using automated messaging bots. This dramatically reduces the cycle time of releasing new features compared to traditional app development. Good SDKs are enabling developers to quickly add in-app messaging to their app or website.

(The author is co-founder and CEO of Teamchat, CEO at Webaroo Technology. Views expressed here are personal and CyberMedia does not necessarily endorse them.)