8x8 Express (discontinued) vs. Polycom RealPresence Group Series

The 8x8 app is great and very user friendly and straightforward. Team Members can adjust their own setting as needed.

Incentivized

If you're always working in the Polycom ecosystem then the Group Series codecs are reliable and the quality of the camera and microphones are extremely good. However, the system relies heavily on either having onsite server technology and/or cloud based bridging capability. In addition, the peripherals like cameras and microphones are quite expensive. Maintenance and support costs also make the ongoing investment a costly one

Incentivized

• So easy to use!
• Voicemail - can be accessed anywhere, includes transcription of the voicemail and an email message with the recording
• Telephone services without all the fees of a landline service
• Auto attendant, offering recordings of our messages

Incentivized

• The audio and video quality can not be matched.
• For the most part, they are rather simplistic in their use and just work. People don't usually have a hard time operating them
• They are rather versatile in that we have been able to integrate them with other applications

Incentivized

• We are just starting to use the platform and using limited features at the moment and 8x8 is doing everything we need it to do.

Incentivized

• The only issue that we have experienced with Polycom RealPresence Group Series is the speed dial functionality. When attempting to use the speed dial buttons, the system occasionally sends a call through the computer system, not the phone. While the computer call option is valuable, not everyone can answer calls that way and we have had to do a manual lookup of an extension and call back when that happens.

Incentivized

We love the product and is totally integrated in our company.

Incentivized

The directory is slightly dated and unless you have a Skype for Business integration license, dialing users into a call is difficult. The Group Series Remote whilst minimalistic is actually more difficult to use than the previous HDX remote. Having to recharge the battery on the group series remote is both annoying and difficult as if you do not keep on top of it, you will be faced with a situation where the remote is not working and then have to try and find another one. Not ideal if you need to start a video call (assuming auto join has not been enabled in the admin portal).

Incentivized

If you get less than 4 phones you fall into the online only customer service. There were a couple of times that I could have used more assistance but figuring it out online was a bit of a hassle.

Incentivized

I can't say I've needed support more than a handful of times. One was for trying to connect a Polycom Conference phone and a Real Presence together. After a few months, we came to the conclusion it wasn't possible, that was the only frustrating occurance with support. Any other time if we needed to RMA a device, it was very smooth.

Incentivized

8x8 has a much lower cost that avaya for the same features. 8x8 is a bit more user friendly than some other larger well established brands. It still uses industry standards in terminology and call flows to for anyone with voip experience its a pain free switch to make over.

Incentivized

Polycom RealPresence Group Series stands head and shoulders above Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex Meetings both for dependability and robust delivery of function. One established the meetings were very hard to break apart but easy to end when so desired. The installation of the devices, the training of technicians, and end-users were both intuitive and easy to manage, where the same interactions with Microsoft Teams and Cisco Webex In my opinion, and experience, were challenging to work through.

Incentivized

• Being able to listen to phone calls when there is a discrepancy
• Keeping the honest honest by knowing we can listen to calls
• Easy to communicate internally, been very helpful and time saving

Incentivized

• Once pexip integrates Polycom/skype this will be a big win for us due to the RPTouch integrating the "one - touch join". This will increase adoption of video greatly.
• Before the Group series with peripherals was implemented the cost of a video room was twice what it is today. Massive win.
• Due to provisioning and automated firmware the IT involvement has been greatly reduced. No longer is there a need for manual changes to individual endpoints.

Incentivized