Canonical has brought Slack to its Linux platform, meaning businesses running on the OS can use the collaboration tools for the first time.
The app, which brings team communication and collaboration into one, has arrived via Ubuntu's Snaps package, a form of containerisation that works on any distribution or device. The Snaps tool puts an app into a bubble so it can run in the Linux environment and provides secure isolation, and is installable from the Ubuntu Software Store.
"Slack is helping to transform the modern workplace, and we're thrilled to welcome them to the Snaps ecosystem", said Canonical's Jamie Bennett, VP of engineering, devices and IoT.
"Today's announcement is yet another example of putting the Linux user first - Slack's developers will now be able to push out the latest features straight to the user. By prioritising usability, and with the popularity of open source continuing to grow, the number of snaps is only set to rise in 2018."
However, Slack warned on its website that Slack for Linux is still in beta, and that it is "still busy adding features and ironing out potential issues". However, Slack will be able to push updates automatically to its users via the platform.
Slack's appearance on Linux follows news last year thatSlack is worth $5.1 billion (3.6 billion), after raising $250 million in a Series G funding round led by SoftBank.This brought Slack's total funds raised to $841 million as well as the company closer to its dream of an IPO.
In September last year, Slack's CEO Stewart Butterfield told theFinancial Times that his company is destined for an eventual IPO, though it would not happen until after 2018. He is worried that as a young company, it may not meet its business targets in the next year, which would "make it a rocky ride in the public market".
