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If your organization is large and complex, you need something bigger than the usual Slack plans. You want to tap into Slack for Enterprise, or as Slack calls it, Slack Enterprise Grid.Â
This robust platform is specifically designed to cater to the intricate needs of large-scale businesses, seamlessly integrating communication across various departments and with external stakeholders.
In this article, we're going to explore Slack Enterprise Grid, from its cutting-edge features and extensive benefits to best practices that can transform your organizational communication. Let’s jump right in!
Slack Enterprise Grid is a Slack solution tailor-made for big players—large, complex organizations that need a bit more than what standard Slack plans offer. Think of multinational corporations, big nonprofits, or educational institutions with thousands of employees to keep in sync. This is what Slack for Enterprise is built for.
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Source: Slack
What sets it apart? Firstly, it's built to scale. No matter how big your organization grows, Slack Enterprise Grid grows with you.
Then, there's the security aspect. We're talking about top-notch security features that are essential for large organizations. You get peace of mind knowing your communications are safe and secure.
But there's more! Enterprise Grid offers extensive integrations and customizable workspaces. This means each team or department can tailor their Slack experience to fit their specific needs, all while staying connected within the larger organizational framework.
In short, if you're a big business looking for a communication tool that's cohesive, secure, and efficient, Slack Enterprise Grid is what you need.
So, how is Slack for Enterprise different from the rest of its offerings? Let’s take a look.
One of the most robust features of Slack Enterprise Grid is its commitment to security and compliance. With enterprise-grade security, the platform offers data encryption in transit and at rest, along with support for enterprise key management and integration with popular DLP providers.
Gartner reports that 88% of enterprises rank cybersecurity as a top concern. That's where Slack Enterprise Grid comes in with its strong security features, making it an attractive option for companies that can’t take any risks.
The ability to create and manage multiple interconnected workspaces is another key feature of Slack Enterprise Grid. This allows large organizations to set up individual workspaces for different departments, locations, or teams. At the same time, it keeps the door open for cross-team collaboration as needed.
The scalability and customization offered here make it a perfect fit for businesses that have diverse teams and complex structures.
Slack Enterprise Grid seamlessly integrates with over 2,600 third-party applications, making it a central hub for many organizational workflows. Whether it's project management tools like Asana and Jira, or CRM systems like Salesforce, Slack Enterprise Grid brings them all together. This centralization streamlines workflows and boosts efficiency across the board.
Finally, Slack Enterprise Grid is designed with a strong focus on compliance. It's tailored to meet your compliance obligations, adhering to widely recognized standards and equipping you with the necessary tools to manage these requirements.
Slack is compliant with the following:
Slack Connect and Slack Enterprise Grid cater to different needs. Slack Connect is designed to improve communication with external organizations, allowing you to create shared channels with outside companies, clients, or partners.
On the other hand, Slack Enterprise Grid is tailored for large organizations, offering advanced features like enhanced security, scalable workspaces, and comprehensive administrative controls.
Slack Connect is offered under all Slack’s paid subscriptions, including Slack Enterprise Grid.
Pricing for the Slack Enterprise Grid plan is customized based on the specific needs and size of an organization. Unlike standard Slack plans with fixed pricing, Enterprise Grid offers a more flexible approach. The cost typically depends on the number of users, desired features, and level of support required. Organizations interested in adopting Slack Enterprise Grid are advised to contact Slack's sales team for a tailored quote.
If you're leaning towards Slack Enterprise Grid, or already have it but suspect you're not tapping into all its features, here are some handy tricks to enhance your experience:
As your complex organization is divided into departments, teams, subdivisions, or even countries, your Slack workspace needs to match that. The best way to organize your operations in Slack’s Enterprise plan is by setting up structured channels.
You can, for example, create channels for different departments like #marketing, #HR, and #sales. Likewise, if your business is spread across several countries, you can set up channels for different geographic locations or offices (e.g. #NYC-office or #London-HQ).
Well-structured communication channels enhance productivity by reducing time spent searching for information.
Integrating Slack for Enterprise together with a range of business tools—think CRM systems, project management software, and HR platforms—can amp up your operational efficiency. This kind of integration creates a more unified and streamlined workflow.
It also means less time spent bouncing between different applications or sending emails. Imagine your teams tracking project progress, pulling up customer data, or handling HR tasks, all directly within Slack.
Slack is constantly changing, and the Enterprise version comes loaded with additional features that your organization might not be fully taking advantage of. This is why ongoing training and support for users of Slack Enterprise Grid is essential.
Continual training ensures that employees are kept up-to-date with the latest features and best practices. This maximizes the benefits of the platform, ensuring your organization's communication strategy remains effective and up to speed.
Thena is an AI-driven customer management tool that enhances the functionality of Slack, particularly for B2B SaaS companies focusing on customer engagement and support. Here’s what it does:
Thena links together different communication channels such as Slack Connect, email, and web chat. Integrating these allows teams to handle customer interactions more effectively right within Slack. This means all customer questions, no matter where they come from, get pulled into one place. It leads to faster, more organized resolutions.
With its focus on managing customer requests, Thena simplifies tracking and resolving issues. It integrates seamlessly with ticketing systems such as Zendesk and Freshdesk, providing a cohesive platform for handling customer support tickets. This is particularly beneficial for companies dealing with high volumes of customer interactions.
Keeping tabs on customer service analytics directly through Slack can be a bit of a challenge. Sure, you can see how many users are active in channels, count the messages sent, and other basic metrics. But when it comes to really understanding customer conversations and gaining insights, Slack falls short.
This is where Thena steps in. It offers detailed analytics that give you a clear picture of how your customer service is doing and can even help predict customer behavior. With Thena, you're equipped to track:
Apart from external customer support, Thena also facilitates internal team request management. This feature allows for better coordination within teams, ensuring that internal queries are addressed promptly, which is crucial in large-scale enterprises.
The bottom line? Incorporating Thena into your Slack Enterprise Grid allows you to create the ultimate ecosystem that enhances internal communication and the level of customer engagement and support.
Slack caters to different tastes and wallets with its lineup. Starting simple, the Free tier is perfect for newbies or small squads, offering 90 days of message and file access at no charge—though it's light on features. Next up, the Standard plan hits the mark for small to medium businesses at $6.67 per user per month (annual billing). It unlocks all messages, tosses in 10GB of file storage per member, and amps up app integrations. Bigger teams or those wanting more can opt for the Plus plan, nudging it to $12.50 per user per month (annually), with 20GB storage each, better identity management, and solid uptime guarantees. The crème de la crème, Enterprise Grid, tailors its pricing for huge or complex organizations, offering limitless workspaces, top-notch security, and VIP support. Remember, your bill varies with team size and billing cycle, so pick what best suits your crew.
The Free Plan on Slack packs a punch for teams starting out or small groups. You can access the main features you need without spending a dime. Here’s what you get: unlimited messages, which means you can scroll back through your chats without hitting a wall. You can have up to 10 integrations with other apps like Google Drive or Trello, making Slack a central hub for your work tools. The plan allows one-on-one voice and video calls, so you can have that quick discussion without going through the hassle of setting up a meeting. And, for organization, you get 5GB of storage space to keep your files handy. The Free Plan is designed to help small teams and new starters dive into the world of Slack without worrying about costs.
The Standard Plan on Slack really turns up the dial for teams. It's where cost meets a trove of features. At $6.67 per user monthly (annual billing) or $8 (monthly billing), it's perfect for small to mid-size businesses aiming to enhance their communication. Beyond basic chats and file sharing, this plan includes group video calls, screen sharing, and endless app integrations. You also snag 10 GB of storage per user—way more than the free version. Plus, with unlimited searchable history, finding that crucial old message is a breeze. Essentially, it's a smart move for keeping your team in sync and on track.
The Plus Plan on Slack is designed for teams that are expanding and in need of more sophisticated features to streamline their communication. At $12.50 per user per month when billed annually, or $15 per user if you decide to pay month-to-month, this plan offers a suite of advanced tools beyond what's available in the Free and Standard Plans. You get everything in the Standard Plan, plus some significant upgrades including real-time Active Directory syncing with OneLogin, Okta, and Ping Identity, making user management a breeze. Your data is more secure with SAML-based single sign-on (SSO), and you'll have access to 24/7 support with a four-hour response time, ensuring that help is always on hand when you need it. For teams dealing with sensitive information, the Plus Plan also offers data exports for all messages, providing an extra layer of security and peace of mind. In summary, the Plus Plan is the go-to choice for teams that are scaling and require robust tools to ensure seamless, secure, and efficient communication.
Slack offers different plans tailored to meet various needs and budgets. Let's break it down simply. First, there's the Free version. Perfect if you're starting or if you're a small team not needing too many bells and whistles. You get to access the most recent 10,000 messages, have 1:1 video calls, and integrate with up to 10 apps. Next, we have the Standard Plan. This one's a game changer for smaller businesses aiming for growth. It unlocks all message history, you can hold group video calls, and integrate with unlimited apps. The price? About $6.67 per person per month. For larger businesses, the Plus Plan is a sweet spot. It adds advanced features like 24/7 support with a four-hour response time and more extensive admin controls. This comes at $12.50 per person per month. Lastly, for the big players, there's the Enterprise Grid. This plan is all about scalability and security, tailor-made for very large organizations or those in heavily regulated industries. Pricing here is custom, so you'll need to talk to Slack for a quote. Each plan has its pros and cons, but the key is to assess what your team really needs. Do you need unlimited message history or is access to the latest conversations enough? How integral are integrations to your workflow? Understanding your team's requirements will guide you to the right Slack plan.
Dive into Slack, and you'll see it's more than chats. Add apps and integrations to supercharge it. Suddenly, it's not just talk; it's your work's command center. But, watch for the costs—Slack has its price, and extras add up. Some apps are free; others, not so much. Fancy a project tool or deep analytics? They could hit your wallet hard. Yet, the right tools can spike productivity and smooth out work flows. Find what fits your team. Just keep an eye on your budget with each new Slack addition.
To keep your Slack expenses in check while making the most of its features, consider these straightforward tips. Start with the Free Plan. It’s perfect for small teams or projects. You get access to 10,000 of your team's most recent messages and 10 integrations with other apps, which is usually enough for new or small teams. If your needs grow, then think about upgrading. Always assess your team's size. Remove inactive users regularly to avoid paying for them. Slack charges per active user, so this step can save you a noticeable amount of money. Use the annual payment option. Slack offers a discount for subscriptions paid annually compared to monthly. This approach can lead to significant savings over time. Take advantage of nonprofit discounts if applicable. Slack offers discounts to qualified nonprofit organizations, which can greatly reduce costs. Lastly, monitor your usage. Slack provides analytics and tools to help you understand how your team uses the platform. Use this data to adjust your plan or usage, ensuring you're always on the most cost-effective option. Keep it simple, and don't pay for what you don't need.
Slack for Enterprise is the ultimate solution for complex organizations looking for one, secure platform to manage all company-wide and customer communications. Thena makes it even better! Book a free demo to see how it works.
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