Zoom has now made its collaboration tool, Zoom Whiteboard, available for general release.
The Zoom Whiteboard was designed to help the hybrid workforce work together seamlessly on a digital canvas, creating and sharing new ideas.
Following a redesign, Zoom’s virtual Whiteboard is now a cross-platform solution, integrated with Zoom Meetings and Zoom Rooms. Support for Zoom Chat will also be functional soon.
Zoom Whiteboard has several design features: dashboard, sharing, notes and messages, shapes, connectors, images, and canvas size. Zoom believes its solution also offers greater security than in-room whiteboards, which may be vulnerable to data leakages.
Oded Gal, Chief Product Officer of Zoom, said: “Not only are we supporting customers as they adapt to this new phase of work, but we’re anticipating what comes next, and building platform solutions, like Zoom Whiteboard, to address it.”
“Zoom Whiteboard is arming teams with the power of continuous communication in an easy-to-use solution that provides a virtual space to collaborate before, during, and after a meeting.”
Design Features of Zoom Whiteboard
Dashboard: Create new and manage existing canvases, including user access.
Sharing: Users can save and export their creations internally or externally.
Notes and Messages: Sticky notes can be used to write down ideas, and users can exchange messages.
Shapes, Connectors, and Images: Shapes and connectors can be applied to improve brainstorming and other project creations. Images can also be dragged and dropped onto the canvas.
Canvas Size: Users can extend the canvas up to 12 pages in length.
Users will be able to collaborate on Zoom Whiteboard using a web browser, desktop, tablet, or Zoom Rooms for Touch.
The Zoom Whiteboard is not only applicable to hybrid workers brainstorming ideas. The collaboration tool can be used in education, such as teacher lesson planning.
Zoom Whiteboard could also provide training information as diagrams or create problem-solving exercises. Project managers would be able to use the technology to develop project roadmaps with process flows and share them with their teams.
Maribeth Brown, Product Marketing Manager at Zoom, said: “Modern communication solutions like video conferencing have transformed our ability to collaborate and get more done together in a digital space, whether in the office, at home, in the classroom, or somewhere in between.
“However, capturing and directing the energy, spontaneity, and free-flowing creativity that comes with an in-person connection in a virtual meeting can be difficult.
“With Zoom Whiteboard, you can brainstorm and collaborate on a persistent, expandable, digital canvas. In-person and remote teams can ideate from Zoom-enabled devices, providing you and your team with the intuitive features you need to collaborate.”
Companion Whiteboard devices, such as the DTEN Onboard, with interactive touch displays purpose-built for virtual whiteboarding, will soon be available.
Zoom initially launched its Whiteboard in September last year, but it is not the only company offering whiteboarding tools. Microsoft Teams has a whiteboard solution, among others.
UC Today has created a step-by-step guide for using Zoom Whiteboard.
