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Blackboard Founder Transforms Zoom Add-on Designed for Teachers into Business Tool

As the world continues to navigate the challenges of remote work and virtual communication, the need for innovative solutions has never been more pressing. Michael Chasen, founder of Class, a leading provider of online classroom organizational tools, saw an opportunity to expand his business by addressing the pain points faced by businesses using Zoom. In this article, we’ll delve into the development of ProFeatures for Zoom, a game-changing tool designed specifically for business users.

A Brief History of Class and Its Founder

Before diving into the details of ProFeatures, let’s take a look at the background of Michael Chasen and his company, Class. Chasen founded Blackboard, an online classroom organizational tool, during his college days with a friend. The original company was acquired for $1.64 billion in 2011. Later, during the pandemic, Chasen developed Class to help teachers make better use of Zoom in a classroom setting.

The Birth of ProFeatures

As businesses began using Zoom for virtual meetings, Chasen noticed that his clients were expressing interest in using Class for their regular meetings. This sparked an idea – why not develop a version of Class specifically designed for business users? With the guidance of his developers, Chasen turned off the learning tools and focused on creating fundamental improvements to Zoom.

What is ProFeatures?

ProFeatures is a powerful tool that revolutionizes virtual meetings by allowing multiple people to collaborate in real-time. It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office and Google Docs, enabling users to edit documents together. Additionally, ProFeatures includes features like brainstorming on a Miro whiteboard or editing code together in Microsoft Visual Studio.

Key Features of ProFeatures

So, what makes ProFeatures stand out from other virtual meeting tools? Here are some key features that set it apart:

  • Collaborative Editing: Users can edit documents together in real-time using Microsoft Office or Google Docs.
  • Brainstorming and Ideation: The Miro whiteboard feature allows teams to brainstorm and ideate collaboratively.
  • Code Editing: ProFeatures enables developers to edit code together in Microsoft Visual Studio.
  • Built-in Browser: If the desired SaaS tool is not part of the default set, users can access any website or app using the built-in browser.
  • Multiple Tabs: Users can have multiple tabs open, allowing them to share multiple screens instead of just the presenter.

The Power of Viral Marketing

Chasen has discovered that ProFeatures has a viral quality to it. When a user shares a document or file with others in a meeting, they receive a message inviting them to download ProFeatures and enjoy advanced features.

AI-Powered Assistant

ProFeatures also includes an AI-powered assistant, which can transcribe meetings, capture shared documents and files, and answer questions on everything discussed during the meeting. This innovative feature sets ProFeatures apart from other virtual meeting tools.

Availability and Pricing

ProFeatures is available starting today from Class. Individual users can use it for free, but enterprise features like centralized control for IT, single sign-on, and more are only accessible through an enterprise license. Chasen has already sold $17 million worth of ProFeatures enterprise licenses before the official launch.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ProFeatures for Zoom is a game-changing tool that revolutionizes virtual meetings by enabling collaborative editing, brainstorming, code editing, and more. With its viral marketing capabilities and AI-powered assistant, ProFeatures is poised to become an essential tool for businesses using Zoom.