Google Chat Introduces Cross Platform Messaging Slack, Microsoft Teams, More; Know How It Works

New Delhi: Google has just announced the introduction of cross-platform messaging for its Google Chat app. This new feature, powered by Mio, a cross-platform collaboration tool, will enable users to exchange messages with other popular messaging platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams.

Google Introduces Cross-Platform Messaging

Google’s decision to introduce cross-platform messaging comes as a response to the growing need for efficient communication and collaboration across various messaging tools. With organisations increasingly using a mix of messaging platforms, the lack of interoperability often leads to missed messages, communication silos, and a frustrating user experience.

By integrating cross-platform messaging into Google Chat, the company aims to bridge the gap between different chat platforms and provide a more streamlined communication experience for its users.

What is Google Cross-Platform Messaging?

Google’s cross-platform messaging feature allows Google Chat users to connect with other messaging platforms, enabling them to send and receive messages from a single interface. This means that users can communicate with colleagues or friends who use different messaging apps without the need to switch between multiple applications.

The cross-platform messaging functionality is made possible through Google’s partnership with Mio, a third-party service that specialises in enabling interoperability between various messaging platforms.

Platforms Supported by Google Cross-Platform Messaging

Currently, Google’s cross-platform messaging feature supports integration with two major messaging platforms:

1. Slack: Users can now send and receive messages from Slack channels and direct messages within the Google Chat interface.
2. Microsoft Teams: Google Chat users can also communicate with Microsoft Teams users, accessing Teams channels and chats directly from Google Chat.

Google has not yet announced plans to expand the cross-platform messaging feature to other messaging apps, but the company may consider adding support for more platforms in the future based on user demand and technical feasibility.

How Does Google Cross-Platform Messaging Work?

To enable cross-platform messaging, Google Chat leverages Mio’s technology to establish a connection between the supported messaging platforms. Here’s a simplified overview of how it works:

1. Users connect their Google Chat account with the desired messaging platform (e.g., Slack or Microsoft Teams) through the Mio integration.
2. Once the connection is established, messages sent from the other platform appear within the Google Chat interface, allowing users to read and respond to them directly from Google Chat.
3. When a Google Chat user sends a message to a connected platform, Mio handles the translation and delivery of the message to the recipient on the other platform.
4. The cross-platform messaging feature maintains the formatting and attachments of the messages, ensuring a consistent experience across platforms.

Availability and Pricing

Google’s cross-platform messaging feature for Google Chat is currently in beta testing and is expected to roll out to users in 2024. The feature will be available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus customers, as well as Essentials Starter, Frontline Starter, Frontline Standard, and Nonprofits customers.