Facebook announced a series of product and business updates – spanning Facebook, Workplace, Portal and Oculus – related to its vision for the future of work and how Facebook’s technology will help companies work flexibly.

Workplace now has more than 5 million paid users, up from 3M in October 2019. Workplace began charging customers in October 2017.

The enterprise solution has today introduced Workplace Rooms as a way to stay connected with coworkers and teams.

Rooms is an easy way to host both planned and spontaneous video calls from your desktop, mobile or the Workplace app on Portal. Anyone can join, even if they don’t have a Workplace account or the app installed.

There are also some improvements to Workplace Live video, including the introduction of Live Producer as a way to go live on Workplace from your desktop with better production value, control and interactivity.

“The nature of work as we know it has been challenged more than ever in recent months,” said Facebook Australia and New Zealand managing director Will Easton.

“As Australian businesses re-emerge from the COVID crisis, high on the agenda for all business leaders is considering when and what their return to office pathway looks like. Whether it’s a staggered return or delayed until later in the year, Australian companies will want to ensure employees working from an office, the shop front, or at home remain connected.

“Our investments in remote presence, video technology and Facebook Workplace are squarely aimed at supporting companies and organisations to be successful in the future of remote and flexible work.

“Over the last 12 months we have seen an increasing adoption of Facebook Workplace across some of Australia’s most well known brands, including Bunnings, NAB, NIB Health, Taronga Zoo and Ambulance Victoria. We have also built a dedicated team of industry experts to help companies of all sizes.”