Flock

Flock is the specialized messenger focused as on text messaging and files (in individual or in group chats), and on voice and video conferences, but initially expected corporate use both the organizations, and separate commands. The corresponding orientation is emphasized by abilities to manage with the groups created in service that is uncharacteristic for the messengers focused on the private user. Also Flock allows to set tasks in group, to take vote and has many other potential which for traditional messenzher is not necessary, and for corporate —^[1] are necessary].

It is important that Flock represents the platform on which the corporate user can create the applications simplifying communications for his employees, for example, integrating messenger resources with information resources of corporation — with address directories, the working groups, etc. Certainly, the companies integrators can conduct such work on the order of corporate clients.

The basic Flock functions are free, and for any number of users that opens ample opportunities on use of this service by the enterprises from a segment of SMB and also the private users wishing to create, for example, the managed groups for thematic communication. However enhanced capabilities of service — in particular, full-text search on the history of messages and other functions positioned by vendor as "bonus" are available only on a paid subscription. Its cost is 3 dollars a month on the user.

Flock provides to local users six months of a free subscription with bonus services that will fully allow the companies and the working groups to estimate possibilities of the new corporate messenger and to try to use it in the daily work.

2019: Creators of the Flock messenger refused support of the Russian-language version

Developers of the corporate Flock messenger refused support of the Russian-language application version because of the law on a personal data storage of Russians in the territory of the Russian Federation. This message from a support service was published by the IT expert Mikhail Klimarev with reference to the official statement of Flock developers^[2].

"Earlier we supported the Russian-language version of Flock, however the legislation requires placement of servers in the territory of Russia. It was an impracticable condition for us therefore we decided to refuse support of the Russian localization of the application" — Flock support service reported.

Flock developers started the Russian-language version of the messenger in March, 2017. According to them, service is intended to become more convenient analog of Slack.

2017

Function of migration with Slack

In June, 2017 Flock provided function of migration for transition of users of Slack to the Flock platform. Using the tool users of Slack can migrate on Flock, having transferred all the data, messages, contacts and history. Transition from Slack to Flock will also help to reduce costs of the organization for the corporate messenger more than by 60%, from $8 a.m. (Slack) to $3 a.m. (Flock) monthly for one premium account. Now Flock works on the similar instrument of migration for users of HipChat.

Function of migration when which developing wishes of current users of Slack were considered was created for full, fast and painless transition from Slack to Flock. Administrators of Slack can initiate migration, having clicked the Import Commands tab in the administrator's panel then automatic data transfer will be performed, including:

• All contacts and commands
• Public and private channels
• All channels and chats
• Chat history
• Files, content and links which users in a chat shared

As soon as process of migration is started, in an ecosystem of Flock new teams, completely duplicative existing commands in Slack will be formed. After completion of data transfer administrators of commands will receive the e-mail with information on all imported data, including the number of users and commands, public and private channels and also the number of messages and files.

One of advantages which are got by the organizations after transition from Slack to Flock is decrease by 60% of costs for monthly payment of the premium account for each of users - from $8 a.m. in Slack up to $3 a.m. in Flock. While the free version of Flock offers much more functions, than the similar version of Slack, in particular:

• Unlimited number of messages
• Lack of the hidden limits for public and private channels, users and commands
• The unlimited search prioritizing the most often used contacts and channels
• Built-in functions of joint task lists and mailings of letters
• The integrated function of video calls with a possibility of participation to 8 users
• The intuitive interface for convenient communication and management of messages
• Constantly extending ecosystem of native applications and integration
• Really native desktop client
• Deep integration with external services, such as Google Drive and Google Calendar
• Full localization in Russian
• Wide ecosystem of third-party applications with a possibility of fast integration
• The open API giving to internal and third-party developers an opportunity quickly to develop and implement the innovation applications

Integration of Google Drive

In May, 2017 it was announced that the command Flock messenger integrated the Google application of Drive into the interface thanks to what users will get full access to the accounts and will be able to manage files directly in the messenger without the need for a preliminary input in Google Drive in a separate window.

The command Flock messenger integrated Google Drive into the interface

Big percent of users of Flock is small and average organizations for which Google Drive is one of the most popular tools for document storage and work with them.

'Within the carried-out integration we was not limited only to notifications or a preview of the Google Drive files. We want that our users could work at the same time on documents, discuss and work, without leaving Flock. Therefore we performed the deepest and full integration into Google Drive which is not in functionality of other command messengers yet,' - Ninad Rival, the director of a product and design of Flock noted.

The Google application of Drive in Flock is pre-installed for all users and is available one click on Google Drive icon in a side bar of service. Thanks to the done integration, users can perform search in all the Google accounts of Drive, including in the name and contents of files and also to create files (tables, documents and the presentations) and to share them directly in the Flock side bar.

Besides, only the Flock service allows to set by default now access rights both to separate files, and to all files which the user shares, including to permit their reading or editing to all participants of channels directly in Flock.

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Notes