Zoom Video Communications, Inc., commonly known as Zoom, is a cloud-based video conferencing and collaboration platform. Founded in 2011 by Eric Yuan, a former Cisco executive, Zoom has gained significant popularity for its ease of use, reliability, and comprehensive features.

Here are some key aspects of Zoom​

• Video Conferencing: Zoom offers high-quality video conferencing capabilities, allowing users to host or join virtual meetings with participants from around the world. Users can join meetings through their web browser or via the Zoom desktop or mobile application.

• Audio Conferencing: In addition to video, Zoom also supports audio-only meetings, making it accessible to users with limited bandwidth or those who prefer not to use video.

• Screen Sharing: Zoom enables participants to share their screens with others, facilitating collaboration and presentations during meetings. This feature is useful for demonstrations, document sharing, and remote troubleshooting.

• Chat: Zoom includes a chat feature that allows participants to exchange messages during meetings. Users can send text messages, links, files, and emojis to individuals or groups.

• Recording: Zoom provides the option to record meetings, allowing participants to review discussions later or share them with others who couldn't attend. Recordings can be stored locally or in the Zoom cloud.

• Virtual Backgrounds: Zoom offers the ability to set virtual backgrounds during video meetings, allowing users to customize their surroundings or maintain privacy.

• Integration: Zoom integrates with various third-party applications and services, including calendar platforms like Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook, collaboration tools like Slack and Trello, and learning management systems like Canvas and Moodle.

• Security: Zoom has implemented various security features to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of meetings. This includes encryption of data transmitted between users, password protection for meetings, waiting rooms to control access, and the ability for hosts to expel disruptive participants.

• Plans and Pricing: Zoom offers several pricing tiers, including a free basic plan with limited features and paid plans with additional functionality and higher participant limits. The paid plans are typically targeted towards businesses and organizations with larger meeting requirements.

• Usage: Zoom is widely used across various sectors, including businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, healthcare providers, and social groups. It has become particularly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as a tool for remote work, virtual classrooms, and social gatherings.
   

Overall, Zoom has emerged as one of the leading platforms for online communication and collaboration, providing users with a seamless and feature-rich experience for conducting virtual meetings and events.