Bitrix24 vs. Polycom RealPresence Group Series

Bitrix24 is a unified platform with all features in one place. It has a smooth deployment and implementation process. The software boosts teams' productivity and ensures flawless collaboration. Pricing of the software is incredibly affordable. It is highly customizable and a scalable CRM solution.

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

• Real-Time Collaboration: Bitrix24 facilitates instant communication through features like instant messaging, group chats, and video conferencing. This enables teams to connect and share information in real time, promoting effective collaboration and timely decision-making.
• Task Management: Bitrix24 offers comprehensive task management capabilities, allowing teams to assign tasks, establish deadlines, and monitor progress. This ensures that team members are aligned, promoting organization and focus on project objectives.
• Social Intranet: Bitrix24 provides a social intranet platform that serves as a centralized space for employees to interact, exchange updates, and collaborate on projects. This fosters a collaborative environment, promotes knowledge sharing, and enhances teamwork across the organization.

• 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

• It's user interface can use some work. Although it doesn't take as long as some other software to learn, there is still a bit of a learning curve when it comes to day to day usage.
• Bitrix offers a lot of features. It would be nice to have those features laid out in an easier-to-read layout, versus the long list at the side of the page.
• It's mobile app functionality is quite limited. It can be difficult to work with other team members, solely off of their mobile app.

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

It has become the central nervous system of the business and has constantly proven to be of value. We are not just renewing but might even upgrade to advanced Bitrix24 plans and will be adding more user licenses in the next 3 months. Bitrix24 has a sharper learning curve initially. However once it is surpassed, it opens doors to a range of creative deployment strategies

Incentivized

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

Incentivized

It is a time-saving CRM that will help save time by using one application for all your business needs. Our brain sees colors, images, drawings, it is very visual, and so is Bitrix24. You can plan visually and easily see how everything is progressing. It has tasks, projects management, chat and video, CRM (as you know), visual staff structure, calendar, shared drive, mobile app. You can't ask for anything better out on the market for what you get with their free version and also their step-up plan is $20/month, all the way up to $200, they have a plan for your business. Get your free account and try it out for a few weeks.

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

I can't recall any instance of unplanned outages over the past 1 year of use. Likewise for application errors. However note that, advanced users will have a learning curve

Incentivized

Technical performance is 10/10 so far. Cannot comment about integrations since we currently haven't tested those

Incentivized

The absolute worst! Your only contact method is via the paid version and via a chat window. They will take days to answer and when they finally do answer, they will provide nothing but a half baked canned help file.

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

Overall the training was very comprehensive. The trainer did provider necessary additional reading materials as well. However the general approach at Bitrix24 is to divert users to self-help documentation and videos. It is recommended that atleast 1-2 personnel in the organization be "Bitrix24 experts" so that lower phases of training requirements are covered internally itself. Also the best part about Bitrix24 is that not all users need to go very deep while using it. We have multiple counsellors who started using it on day 2 without any major hiccups

Incentivized

The choice of the B24 was prompted by the fact that in 2012 the company had a box version, but without the CMR. The license was expired, the version was no longer supported by B24. In the stages, the company's directorate drove the employees into tasks for B24, but with different success. However, most of the B24 was still familiar.

Incentivized

Our Polycom RealPresence Group Series unit replaced a Cisco Room Series that was mounted to a mobile cart. The cart had one smaller display and the speakers\microphone at the cart. This required staff to be very close to the cart to hear and speak during the meeting. No fault of Cisco but the cart was not sufficient for the space. Polycom RealPresence Group Series was less costly when we were planning out the room.

Incentivized

The scalability and reliability is almost 9.5/10 to be honest. We istarted with Bitrix24 for just 2 functions and now have expanded its usage to 2 more. In terms of users, every full-time employee (FTE) now uses Bitrix24 without fail. We are also working on giving limited/partial access to external service providers

Incentivized

• It definitely has a positive impact as it helps with collaboration and improves data health.
• Overall it reduces time and speeds up the processes and helps achieve more in the less time.
• It has helped target the right customers and the success ration or the success rate has gone up when we have sent out marketing campaigns.

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