What is the purpose of the utility bar in Salesforce?

The utility bar in Salesforce is designed to host frequently used utilities, including flows, which enhances the efficiency and productivity of users. It acts as a customizable band at the bottom of the Lightning Experience that can contain various tools and features that users need on a regular basis. By being able to access items like flows, notes, list views, and other components quickly, users can streamline their workflows and reduce the time spent navigating through different parts of the Salesforce interface.

The utility bar is especially beneficial in collaborative environments where quick access to essential tools can significantly impact daily operations and decision-making processes. By having everything centralized, it supports better task completion and improves overall user experience. This focus on hosting utilities sets it apart from options related to displaying reports, managing user permissions, or providing notifications, which serve different functions within the Salesforce ecosystem.