Another Slack Morning Outage Slows Productivity Down

In Today’s edition:

1. Slack Experiences Outage on Tuesday Morning

2. Meet Our Speaker At The Upcoming Meetup

3. Slack Rolls Out ‘Mark as Read’ Option in Notifications for Its Android App

4. TOOL REVIEW: Shadow Elevates Your Meetings Through AI-Driven Task Automation

5. Exciting Career Opportunities for Product and Project Management Professionals

Reading time: 4 minutes

HEADLINE NEWS

Slack Experiences Outage on Tuesday Morning

Slack users experienced connectivity and thread-loading issues on Tuesday morning due to a backend database routing error. The platform team promptly acknowledged the problem, and full functionality was restored within a few hours.

• Slack suffered a brief outage on May 13, affecting messaging and thread loading.

• The issue stemmed from a backend database routing error.

• Service was fully restored by 5:37 a.m. GMT+5:30 the same day.

• This marks Slack’s second major global outage of 2024.

• Users were advised to reload the app, and Slack is monitoring system health.

This incident reinforces the importance of having contingency plans for critical communication tools. With remote collaboration hinging on platforms like Slack, even short outages can disrupt workflows, making it essential to build operational resilience and maintain team productivity during downtime. Read more

Meet Our Speaker At The Upcoming Meetup

Clayton Chancey is a leading voice in the application of agentic AI and open-source technologies. He is set to present at the PM Network Alliance event titled "Agentic AI for Everyone: Open-Source Tools, Techniques, and MCP," scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the Red Hat Tower in Raleigh, NC.

Key Details

• Demystifying Agentic AI: Clayton will elucidate the concept of "agentic AI," focusing on how autonomous systems can be designed to interact seamlessly with various tools and data sources.

• Exploring the Model Context Protocol (MCP): He will delve into MCP, an open-source standard introduced by Anthropic in November 2024, which facilitates standardized communication between AI models and external applications.

• Comparative Analysis of AI Models: The session will feature live demonstrations comparing black-box models like Claude and ChatGPT with open-source alternatives such as Goose**, Dive, and n8n, highlighting differences in accessibility, performance, and data privacy.

• Building Agentic Workflows: Attendees will learn how to integrate AI models, tools, and protocols to create customized workflows that enhance productivity and decision-making.

• Targeted for Non-Technical Professionals: The presentation is tailored for knowledge workers, project managers, and tech leaders, aiming to make complex AI concepts accessible without requiring a deep technical background.

Why It Matters: As AI continues to evolve, understanding how to effectively integrate these technologies into everyday workflows becomes increasingly crucial. Clayton Chancey's session offers practical insights into leveraging agentic AI and open-source tools, making it a valuable opportunity for professionals seeking to stay ahead in the rapidly changing technological landscape.

Full Event Details

Slack Rolls Out ‘Mark as Read’ Option in Notifications for Its Android App

Slack is introducing a handy new feature that allows Android users to mark messages as read directly from the notification panel. This change is expected to streamline user workflows by eliminating the need to open the app to clear unread messages.

• Slack for Android now includes a “Mark as Read” button in notifications.

• The feature lets users clear messages without opening the app.

• It appears alongside the existing “Reply” option in notification windows.

• The rollout is phased, so not all users may see it immediately.

• This update follows Slack’s addition of 25 new AI productivity apps.

This feature is a small but powerful boost to communication efficiency, especially in fast-paced environments. It not only saves time but also complements Slack’s broader productivity strategy—making it easier for teams to stay focused and responsive without constant app switching. Read More

Shadow Elevates Your Meetings Through AI-Driven Task Automation

Shadow is an AI-powered meeting assistant designed to streamline post-meeting tasks for professionals. Operating discreetly without the need for bots, Shadow listens to conversations, transcribes them, and automates follow-up actions, enhancing productivity and ensuring that critical tasks are addressed promptly.

• Bot-Free Autopilot Mode: Shadow automatically detects when a meeting starts and begins capturing conversations without the need for intrusive bots, preserving the natural flow of discussions. 

• Instant Transcripts & Summaries: Generates real-time transcripts and timestamped summaries, allowing users to quickly reference key points and decisions made during meetings.

• Automated Task Management: Identifies and extracts action items, assigns due dates, and integrates tasks into existing workflows, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

• CRM and Tool Integration: Seamlessly updates CRM systems and other productivity tools with relevant meeting information, reducing manual data entry and enhancing efficiency.

• Privacy-First Approach: All recordings and data are stored locally on the user's device, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure and under the user's control.

Shadow offers a significant advantage by automating the often time-consuming tasks that follow meetings. By capturing discussions accurately and translating them into actionable items, Shadow ensures that projects stay on track and teams remain aligned. Its integration capabilities with tools like CRM systems further streamline workflows, allowing project managers to focus on strategic planning and execution rather than administrative duties.

PRODUCT LINK

Exciting Career Opportunities for Product and Project Management Professionals

• Project Manager I @ Duke Energy

  📍 Belmont, NC.

• Project Manager @ Fujifilm

  📍 Holly Springs, NC.

• Product Manager - Decorative Surfaces @ Genesis Products Llc

  📍 Mocksville, NC.

• Senior AI Product Manager @ Lenovo 

  📍 Morrisville, NC.

• Channel Program Manager @ Nutanix

  📍 Durham, NC.

THAT’S A WRAP