Amazon Web Services, the leading provider of cloud solutions worldwide, recently announced an enhanced partnership with Slack. The updated collaboration between the two brands means that Slack users will be able to unlock all of the incredible power and video calling quality of Amazon’s cloud infrastructure.
Using the Chime SDK, Slack will be able to further compete against leaders like Microsoft Teams with full video conferencing and UCaaS capabilities. The multi-year agreement between Slack and AWS provides new solutions for enhanced enterprise experiences. What’s more, this updated partnership highlights the growing appeal of Amazon’s Chime SDK solution, something I’d personally label VPaaS (video platform as a service) which best describes its API centric proposition in the marketplace.
I caught up with the General Manager of Product Marketing for Amazon, Eron Kelly. Eron’s position within AWS focuses heavily on the Chime application and SDK. This puts him in an excellent position to comment on the rising trends of the industry.
Why Did Slack Choose Chime for Voice and Video?
The deeper product integration between Slack and Chime allows teams to manage AWS resources within their Slack channels. Slack will also be leveraging AWS for global infrastructure and data residency. Eron told me that today’s businesses are searching for a way to combine more of their tools within the communication and collaboration landscape. “People are wanting to collaborate more within the context of the work they’re currently doing.”
Although Amazon has its own Chime application for collaboration, the AWS enabled an SDK to help give clients more choice over the services they want to use. Slack and Amazon have had a long-standing relationship for some time now. This decided to integrate the platforms even further a natural one for both teams.
“Slack can now use the reliable and secure network available from AWS to deliver voice and video through our SDK. We’re seeing a huge demand for this kind of functionality. Many different verticals are discovering new use cases for combining collaboration tools and enterprise voice or video. For instance, the Chime SDK allows healthcare companies to communicate with family members through their applications with voice and video, while remaining HIPAA compliant. Care Monitor and Ease Applications are current examples of this in the market today.”
Why is the Chime SDK So Valuable?
Released in late 2019, the Chime SDK from Amazon provides a secure and reliable platform for voice and video, as well as a comprehensive meeting platform. “For developers that already build in the AWS environment, like the Slack team, the ability to access voice, video, and meetings is a huge differentiator.”
According to Eron, the Chime SDK isn’t just beneficial for Slack customers; it’s also a great opportunity for AWS developers. With Chime SDK technology, service providers and resellers can create better solutions for their customers, so that they can serve their end-clients more effectively. “We offer strong business calling connectors, dialing plans, and excellent reduced call rates.”
Eron told me that many companies are already using network and service elements as building blocks. However, the industry is experiencing a rising trend towards implementing collaboration applications and tools into the landscape too, with voice, video, and meetings. Integration with Amazon Chime SDK technology also allows businesses like Slack to leverage the proven security services available as part of Amazon’s Enterprise Key Management technology.
Over 90 companies are already using the EKM solution to manage their own keys for encryption. Enhancements like the EKM for Slack work builder will help more companies to unlock these solutions.
Creating a Powerful Partnership
According to Eron, Slack and AWS have had a strong partnership for years. “We’re the primary cloud provider for Slack, and we’ve always paid attention to their feedback and requirements, alongside other customer feedback when innovating for our business.”
Although Slack does compete with the Amazon Chime chat tool, AWS doesn’t see this is as a problem. Eron noted that the relationship AWS has with Slack means that the company wants to ensure Slack has the best technology possible to integrate as fast as we can. “We want to provide the best meeting blocks for Slack. We have Chime chat, but we think it’s important to give customers the option to choose between a range of services.”
AWS knows that the needs of every business are different. By offering the Chime infrastructure that companies need within Slack, Amazon can give clients more advanced tools, without asking them to give up on their favorite collaboration app. There’s even a new Amazon Appflow integration in Slack that helps users to securely transfer their data between AWS and Slack services. AWS and Slack will be building on this capability in the months to come.
What’s Next on the Roadmap?
Both Slack and AWS believe that the future of enterprise communication technology will be heavily influenced by integrations between cloud services, and tools for workstream collaboration. The strategic partnership between AWS and Slack will help both companies to scale in an environment where the workplace and the demand for cloud is changing.
Eron told me that there are likely to be more developments appearing going forward. Slack was just one of the big names that Amazon has been increasing its relationships with. Salesforce is another example of a company working at a deeper level with AWS. “We’re seeing new use cases arriving everywhere. More people are going to be building voice and video tools using the Chime SDK. Our SDK gives developers full freedom and flexibility. They can use this technology to engage in a richer way with their end customers.”
The platform as a service environment is an excellent tool for innovation in the communication landscape. “Our focus is on building great tools and technologies for our partners. If we provide them with the right building blocks, then they can go on to deliver great experiences to the end-user.”
The Amazon Chime SDK provides enterprises and cloud communications service providers with massively scalable video conferencing and even UCaaS capabilities at an API level, endless possibilities if you ask me.
Read more on Amazon Chime SDK here on the official site.
