Video-conferencing platform BlueJeans Network is bolstering its software with in-meeting features to greatly help improve the work-from-home connection with its users and better position itself against rivals.

Since its acquisition by Verizon, BlueJeans has seen usage soar as video conferencing has turned into a staple for workers sent home through the pandemic; the business reported a 300% upsurge in use in comparison to its pre COVID-19 average.

Today certainly are a direct reaction to &ldquo the brand new features unveiled;rising customer demand for more natural collaboration,” the ongoing company said in a statement. The new changes belong to two categories: enhanced user security and moves to fight work-from-home (WFH) fatigue so remote workers can remain productive.

With a nod to security conditions that have plagued other platforms because the start of pandemic, BlueJeans offers several tools meeting hosts may use to safeguard meetings now. Included in these are additional authentication modes for restricting meeting usage of invited participants only; AES-256 GCM encryption; screen-sharing capabilities; a fresh waiting room experience; and a gathering lock to avoid unwanted guests from joining a call mid-meeting.

The AES-256 GCM encryption shall connect with all video, content and audio in transit.

To combat the tedium that may arise from constant video calls, BlueJeans said it’s seeking to simulate a far more natural, in-person work experience to boost engagement and boost collaboration. Participants on video calls shall get new in-meeting interaction capabilities, including a “raise hand” option, hand clapping, thumbs and &ldquo up/down;drop the mic” features. BlueJeans has boosted emoji support within its chat function so &ldquo also; attendees can inject emotion or humor to their conversations easily.”

Other new features the business announced include:

User capability to choose their very own blur upload and density a background image; BlueJeans is partnering with Shutterstock to supply users with pre-selected background images.

A Meetings add-on that provides users an searchable post-meeting transcript easily

A floating-view feature that lets attendees track a gathering conversation even though BlueJeans is not the principal app window on the desktop.

Better integration with Slack that automatically populates any private Slack channel with a good Meeting summary to talk about key meeting details.

In a statement, Jim Lundy, CEO of Aragon Research, argued that with video conferencing now a simple element of business success the BlueJeans changes are welcome.

“As video collaboration tools help the planet stay connected through the pandemic, it’s crucial now as part of your that vendors remain diligent in delivering capabilities that proactively mitigate risks while optimizing user experience,” Lundy said. “BlueJeans’ new security and user experience innovations balance security easily of use to greatly help organizations work securely and productively.”