Zoom is a widely recognized technology company that provides a video conferencing
platform. It has become a household name, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic,
as it was a primary tool for remote work, online education, and social connection.
Here's a breakdown of what Zoom offers and how it works:
Core Functionality:
Video Conferencing: The main feature of Zoom is its ability to host and join virtual
meetings with video, audio, and chat. Users can connect with others face-to-face from
different locations using a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Screen Sharing: Participants can share their screen, a specific application, or a
whiteboard with others in the meeting, making it ideal for presentations, collaborative
work, and teaching.
Team Chat: Zoom includes a chat function that allows for instant messaging between
individuals and groups, both within and outside of meetings.
Collaboration Tools: The platform has features like virtual whiteboards, polls, and
breakout rooms to facilitate interactive and engaging sessions.
Recording: Meeting hosts can record sessions, which can be saved to the cloud or
locally, and shared for later viewing or transcription.
Business Model:
Zoom operates on a freemium model. A free basic plan is available for personal use
and smaller meetings, typically with a time limit of 40 minutes for group calls. Paid
plans, such as Zoom Workplace, offer more advanced features, longer meeting times,
a larger number of participants, and additional tools like cloud storage and AI-
powered assistants.
Historical Context:
Founded in 2011 by Eric Yuan, a former Cisco engineer, Zoom's user base grew
exponentially during the pandemic. Its user-friendly interface and reliable
performance made it the go-to solution for many people and organizations adapting to
a new way of working and communicating. While it initially faced scrutiny over
security and privacy, the company has since implemented significant measures to
address these concerns.
Today, Zoom has expanded its offerings beyond simple video meetings to include a
suite of services for businesses, including Zoom Phone (a cloud phone system), Zoom
Rooms (for conference room setups), and Zoom Events (for large-scale virtual
events).
