Definition
Yammer is a business communication platform created in 2008 and acquired by Microsoft in 2012. It is a private social network designed for companies that allows employees to communicate with each other effectively and improve coordination and efficiency in work processes.
The platform offers various tools for communication, including the ability to create discussion groups, send direct messages, share files and documents, and create user profiles. In addition, Yammer offers an easy-to-use interface and seamless integration with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365.
Origin and history of Yammer
Yammer was founded in 2008 by David Sacks, an entrepreneur previously known for his work in PayPal. According to Sacks, the initial idea for the platform arose from the need to improve communication and collaboration in his own company.
Since its launch, Yammer has been hugely successful among Silicon Valley startups, and its user base has rapidly expanded around the world. In 2012, Microsoft acquired Yammer, which was a big boost for the company.
Since that time, Yammer has become one of the world’s leading business communication tools, with millions of users worldwide. The platform has been constantly developed and improved by Microsoft, and has received numerous awards and recognitions for its innovation and its contribution to improving productivity and collaboration in companies.
Benefits of Yammer
Among the benefits offered by Yammer we can highlight:
- Improves internal communication: Yammer enables employees to communicate effectively, share information, and collaborate on projects, resulting in better coordination and increased teamwork efficiency.
- Encourage innovation and creativity: By breaking down barriers between areas and hierarchical levels, Yammer encourages collaboration and the exchange of ideas. This can lead to innovative new solutions to business problems.
- Facilitates networking: The Yammer platform allows employees to connect with each other and create valuable networks. This can result in new business opportunities and the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.
- Saves time and resources: By enabling quick and easy access to business information and resources, Yammer can reduce the time it takes to search for valuable information. In addition, creating specific focus groups can reduce the number of unnecessary meetings.
- Increase employee satisfaction: Collaboration and effective communication among employees can increase employee satisfaction and reduce absenteeism. By creating a more enjoyable and stimulating work environment, Yammer can improve retention of valuable employees.
- Easy integration with other Microsoft tools: By integrating with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and SharePoint, Yammer provides a smoother and simpler workflow. This can save time and reduce the need to switch between different applications.
- Security and privacy: Yammer has a number of security and privacy measures in place to protect sensitive business information. In addition, different levels of access can be configured depending on the employee’s profile and hierarchy.