Zoom’s Commitment to User Support & Business Continuity During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Here at Zoom, we are closely monitoring the coronavirus public health emergency that has affected thousands of people across China, South Korea, Japan, Italy, and numerous other countries. We have been in constant touch with our employees in regions impacted by the epidemic, as well as our customers in those areas, and we’re providing support in every way we can. I grew up in the eastern Shandong Province of China and studied at the Shandong University of Science & Technology. It's a place I still hold dear. I am continuously inspired by the courageous efforts of those treating patients in China and around the world — working hard to try to further prevent the spread of the virus.  The growing epidemic has broadened my view on what it means to be a video communications technology provider in times of need. I know many organizations are grappling with how to maintain business continuity and keep employees engaged amid the threat of the virus, and I’m compelled to help anyone who needs it.  It's my responsibility as Zoom’s CEO — and Zoom’s unique responsibility as a company — to do everything in our power to support those impacted by the coronavirus outbreak by committing our reliable technology, expanded access, and agile customer service.

• For our Basic (free) users in China, we’ve lifted the 40-minute limit on meetings with more than two participants, providing unlimited time to collaborate.
• We’re proactively monitoring servers to ensure maximum reliability amid any capacity increases, as uptime is paramount.
• We’re scheduling informational sessions and on-demand resources so anyone can learn how to use the Zoom platform with ease — and at their convenience.

The coronavirus is massively disrupting daily life as people are increasingly staying home in order to avoid potential infection. Hospitals and medical clinics are being inundated with sick patients, putting additional strain on doctors and nurses. Businesses are scrambling to manage remote teams and provide business continuity. Educational institutions are trying to maintain coursework for their students amid school closures. Zoom gives people the ability to collaborate using the devices they already have and provides multiple channels of communication when travel and connectivity are limited. Here are some of the ways Zoom has been put into action in China during the outbreak:

• Mental health training: Zoom has provided free services and technical support to NGOs, such as charitable foundations and medical institutions, to assist with disaster relief efforts. Beijing Well-being Foundation, one of those NGOs, in partnership with psychology professors from top universities including Qinghua, are using Zoom Webinars to train thousands of mental health counselors and prepare them for psychological consultations with doctors, patients, and their families in Wuhan. From Jan. 29 to Feb. 25, 58 training sessions were held for 312,056 participants, with a total training duration of 84.6 hours.
• Online education: In cooperation with the China Educational Information Platform, we launched a Zoom video conference platform that supports online education and research for all universities and colleges in China. Top universities like Tsinghua University, the University of Science and Technology of China, Nanjing University, and Shenzhen University, are using the Zoom platform to continue their teaching activities online.
• Telemedicine enablement: Doctors from more than 1,000 public hospitals in China are using Zoom’s high-definition video meetings to conduct online consultations, remotely diagnose patients, and provide treatment during the coronavirus epidemic.

We’re proud that the flexibility and ease of use of the Zoom platform make these interactions possible for every user.

With a free Zoom Meetings license, users have access to all the audio and video conferencing and group collaboration features needed, including:

• An unlimited number of video meetings with up to 100 participants
• Crystal-clear audio and HD video
• Breakout rooms
• Private and group chats
• Online support

Plus, it’s easy to download and deploy Zoom using our client application or via any web browser, so users can start communicating right away. 

• Instant 1-on-1 video meetings
• Daily team stand-ups with up to 49 video participants via Gallery View
• Real-time collaboration with screen sharing and annotation
• Chat channels for project-specific communications
• Cloud recording and sharing capabilities
• Company-wide webinars to distribute important updates

Here at Zoom, we are committed to doing our part to help during this challenging time. When employees are not able to get to the office, when teams cannot travel to see customers, and when students cannot participate in on-site classes, Zoom provides a platform where they can still be productive with just a free Zoom Meetings license. Here are some additional resources to keep organizations up and running using Zoom:

• Get a free demo of the Zoom platform
• Sign up for a free webinar or live training to learn how to best use Zoom
• Get additional tips on managing remote workforces:
  • The Coronavirus Outbreak Could Change the Way You Work. Here's How to Prepare Your Company.
  • Five Tips for Managing a Remote Workforce
  • ‘Happiness Crews’ And ‘Culture Committees’ Are Making Isolated Workers Feel Less Lonely
• Evaluate your existing Zoom subscription