Facebook just launched its new app ‘Workplace’ - here’s 5 things you need to know

It seems that even at work, you will no longer be able to escape from Facebook - after the company launched a new app, Workplace.

The idea is that it’s like Facebook (complete with profiles, chats and News Feed), but used within workplaces (who pay Facebook to use it).

It’s already in use

So far, 1,000 companies use the app - which is based on an app Facebook has used in-house for ‘many years’, the company says.

It’s not like normal Facebook

It’s a bit different to ‘normal’ Facebook - you don’t log in with your normal account, but use a special work one, and there’s a News Feed and messaging for your company.

It’s designed to help Facebook compete with rivals such as Slack, observers believe.

Companies are using ‘Live’ video instead of phone calls

Facebook says, ‘Companies find that they can eliminate or drastically reduce their need for internal collaboration tools such as their intranet, telephony systems, video conferencing and distribution lists.

It could mean the death of faxes

‘We’ve been amazed by the breadth of organizations who’ve embraced Workplace — from a shipping company that can now connect with their ship crews using Live video, to a bank that now uses Workplace instead of fax machines and newsletters to share updates with its distributed bank branches.

‘Use News Feed to stay updated, join groups to collaborate, send messages and get notifications about what’s most relevant to you.

You can use it with other companies

The app can also be used to collaborate with people from different companies on joint projects, Facebook revealed today.

Facebook said, ‘Today we’re also announcing Multi-Company Groups, shared spaces that allow employees from different organizations to work together, to extend collaboration beyond your company in a safe and secure way. These will be rolling out to all customers in the coming weeks.