May 2023 Slack Admin Updates: Enhancing Financial Services with Vantage Point

Slack has recently released a series of updates to improve collaboration and productivity for organizations. In this blog post, we will explore each update and provide examples of financial services-focused business use cases. We will also explain how Vantage Point Consulting helps organizations implement and get the most out of Slack and all solutions across the Salesforce platform.

What's New

1. Canvases for Collaborative Projects

Update: Members can now work on a new surface called Canvases to capture, curate, and share essential information for any conversation or project. Canvases can be collaborated on in real time with commenting and co-editing. Learn more.

Use Case: In financial services, teams often need to collaborate on complex projects like financial modeling, risk management, or portfolio analysis. Canvases can be used to compile research, data, and insights from multiple team members, streamlining the decision-making process and ensuring all relevant information is easily accessible.

2. Open Channels, Threads, Canvases, and More in New Windows

Update: Members can now pop out canvases, channels, threads, direct messages, their mentions and reactions view, and help into standalone windows to keep their work in view, making multitasking more efficient. Learn more.

Use Case: Financial advisors can use this feature to simultaneously monitor multiple client conversations, market updates, and internal discussions, ensuring they stay informed and responsive to client needs.

3. New Slack Platform Tools for Developers

Update: Developers can now use new tools to build modular functions, triggers, and workflows, deploy code directly to Slack, use the enhanced Slack CLI, and more. Workflows built by developers can use a new link trigger that allows members to share workflows in Slack using a unique URL. Learn more.

Use Case: Financial services firms can leverage these tools to create custom workflows and integrations that streamline operations, automate data analysis, and enhance client communication.

4. Access Shortcuts with Slash Button

Update: Members can now click the new slash button or type a slash to quickly access shortcuts instead of using the plus button. Existing workflows will be moved to a folder in the bookmark bar. Learn more.

Use Case: Financial analysts can use this feature to quickly access shortcuts for data visualization tools, financial calculators, or compliance checklists, improving efficiency and accuracy.

5. Manage Workflows from Published Workflow Dashboard

Update: Workflows built with new Slack platform tools can be managed from the published workflow dashboard. Learn more.

Use Case: Financial services firms can use this dashboard to manage and monitor custom workflows, ensuring they are up-to-date and compliant with industry regulations.

6. Updated App Management Dashboard

Update: Admins with permission to manage apps can view a list of functions associated with an installed app and act on them from the updated app management dashboard. Learn more.

Use Case: This feature enables financial services firms to manage third-party integrations and ensure they are compliant with data security and privacy regulations.

7. Enhanced Slack Connect Permissions

Update: External people in your Slack Connect channel can now invite your members, improving collaboration across organizations. Learn more.

Use Case: Financial services firms can use this feature to collaborate more effectively with external partners, such as investment banks, accounting firms, or regulatory agencies.

8. SCIM API Version 2.0

Update: Slack now supports version 2.0 of the SCIM protocol, enabling more efficient provisioning and management of user accounts and groups. Learn more.

Use Case: Financial services firms can use this update to streamline user management, ensuring that employees have the appropriate access and permissions based on their roles and responsibilities.

Coming Soon

See Message Interactions in Public Slack Connect Channels

Update: Owners, admins, and members with permission can soon see how people have interacted with a message in public Slack Connect channels with 50 people or more. Learn more.

Use Case: This feature will help financial services firms better understand the engagement and effectiveness of their communications in large Slack Connect channels, allowing them to fine-tune their messaging and collaboration strategies.

Upcoming Deprecations

Slack will discontinue support for a number of operating systems, app versions, and browsers on September 1, 2023, in accordance with their support lifecycle policy. Learn more.

How Vantage Point Consulting Helps

At Vantage Point Consulting, we work with financial services organizations to implement and optimize Slack and other Salesforce solutions. Our team of experts helps clients:

• Identify and prioritize business challenges that can be addressed with Slack and Salesforce
• Develop and implement custom workflows, integrations, and automations to streamline operations and improve client communication
• Train employees on best practices for using Slack and Salesforce to maximize productivity and collaboration
• Monitor and manage Slack and Salesforce implementations to ensure ongoing success and compliance with industry regulations

To learn more about how Vantage Point Consulting can help your organization get the most out of Slack and Salesforce, contact us today.