The tools you use to run your business might be quietly shaping—and limiting—your future.

Key Takeaways:

• Slack, owned by Salesforce, is tightening its grip on user data while expanding its ambitions beyond chat.
• The line between “point solution” and “platform” is blurring—fast.
• Business owners risk getting locked into ecosystems that don’t prioritize interoperability or open access.
• New players like Zoho Hubs are offering flexible, AI-powered alternatives for search and productivity.
• Choosing the right tech stack isn’t just about features—it’s about long-term control, integration, and cost.

From Tool to Empire: Slack’s Big Shift

Slack, once the darling of workplace chat, is no longer just a messaging tool. In a bold move detailed in Leverage’s recent report, Slack announced it will block access to your internal workspace data from third-party AI agents.

Why? Because it wants to be your business’s AI layer.

This is part of a larger trend: point solutions (apps that “do one thing well”) are trying to morph into full platforms. Slack wants to manage your chats, meetings, workflows—and now your AI data layer. Owned by Salesforce, Slack is pulling its weight to become indispensable, and in doing so, it’s drawing a clear line in the sand: use us, or lose access.

Related – A Slack Exec’s Tips on Maximizing Productivity(Opens in a new browser tab)

The Battle of the Business Platforms

Slack isn’t alone. Notion, OpenAI, and others are making similar moves.

• Notion started as a simple workspace but now pitches itself as an all-in-one knowledge hub with AI tools and integrations.
• OpenAI, via ChatGPT, is creating its own app ecosystem—ranging from code writing to business analytics, right inside one platform.
• Microsoft is turning Office 365 into an AI-first workplace suite with tools like Copilot.
• Zoho, meanwhile, is betting on interoperability—and has introduced Zoho Hubs, an AI enterprise search tool that scans all your unstructured data, not just what’s in its own tools.

These companies aren’t just competing on features. They’re competing for control—of your workflows, your data, and eventually, your decisions.

Why This Matters

If you’re running a growing business, it’s tempting to piece together tools based on what solves your problem today.

But here’s the problem:

When the tools start walling off your data, you’re no longer in control.

You might find yourself needing to pay more, duplicate work, or stay locked into a provider that’s no longer serving your evolving needs.

Slack’s latest move is a wake-up call. What happens when your CRM, chat, documents, analytics, and AI all live in separate systems—and some of those systems stop playing nice?

A New Generation of “All-in-One” That Plays Fair

That’s where players like Zoho are gaining traction. Their approach: offer a full suite of business tools—from CRM to finance to email marketing—with deep integration and data portability. Zoho Hubs adds an AI layer that lets you search across unstructured data (think PDFs, emails, meeting notes) across platforms—not just inside Zoho’s own apps. This innovative platform positions Zoho as a leader in streamlining business operations and enhancing collaboration. By introducing features like a smart messaging os for marketing, teams can engage with customers in real-time, maximizing the impact of their campaigns. Furthermore, the seamless integration of AI tools allows businesses to analyze customer interactions and tailor their marketing strategies effectively.

It’s the opposite of the Slack model: don’t hoard the data—help customers unlock it, wherever it lives.

Before You Commit: Ask These 5 Questions

Choosing a platform is like choosing a business partner. Before you commit, ask:

1. Can I export my data easily?
   If the answer is no—or requires workarounds—that’s a red flag.
2. Will this platform integrate with my other tools?
   Look for open APIs and native integrations.
3. Do I trust this company’s long-term vision?
   A short-term solution could lead to long-term headaches.
4. Is this built for teams like mine—or giant enterprises?
   Not all features scale down gracefully.
5. What’s the total cost of ownership?
   Free tools can become expensive when locked into paid extensions or add-ons.

Final Thought: Tech Should Work for You, Not Lock You In

In a rush to streamline operations, automate tasks, and tap into AI, it’s easy to hand over control to platforms that promise the world.

But as the Slack news shows, those platforms may have their own ambitions—and they don’t always align with yours.

So, take a breath. Review your current stack. And make sure your tech partners respect your business goals, your data, and your right to choose.