Blackboard founder turns teacher-focused Zoom add-on into a versatile business tool

Class founder Michael Chasen, known for creating the popular online classroom tool Blackboard, has now launched ProFeatures for Zoom, a new tool designed specifically for business users. This innovative add-on allows participants to collaborate in real-time on documents in Microsoft Office or Google Docs, brainstorm on a Miro whiteboard, or edit code together in Microsoft Visual Studio, among other features.

Unlike traditional screen-sharing tools, ProFeatures enables multiple participants to share and edit content simultaneously, enhancing collaboration and productivity in virtual meetings. Chasen recognized the demand for a business-focused version of his original product, Class, which was initially developed to assist teachers in utilizing Zoom effectively during the pandemic.

The ProFeatures tool has already garnered significant interest, with $17 million in enterprise licenses sold prior to its official release. Individual users can access the tool for free, but the full potential is unlocked when multiple participants utilize the advanced features during meetings.

One unique aspect of ProFeatures is its viral marketing strategy, where users sharing documents prompt others to download the tool for enhanced collaboration capabilities. Additionally, the tool includes enterprise features such as centralized control for IT and single sign-on, catering to the needs of large organizations.

With an AI Assistant component that transcribes meetings and captures shared documents, ProFeatures offers a comprehensive solution for virtual collaboration. The tool is now available for purchase from Class, providing businesses with a powerful platform to enhance their Zoom meetings and streamline collaboration efforts.