Tencent is opening its WorkBuddy enterprise platform to outside developers and device makers. The ecosystem already includes more than one hundred software and hardware partners, according to the company.
The first announced group contains more than thirty software products and nine jointly branded devices. The aim is to combine company communication, document work and artificial intelligence assistants in one environment.
An open approach may accelerate specialised tools for factories, retail and offices. It also increases the need for consistent permissions, protection of sensitive data and clear records of every action performed by an assistant.
Partner numbers are a useful signal but do not guarantee user value. Integration quality, reliability in daily operation and simple administration for business customers will be the decisive tests.
