Cisco Desk Series vs. Polycom RealPresence Group Series

The Cisco Desk Series is phenomenal at joining any medium I need to, like Webex, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet. Its AI-powered video and audio features enhance clarity, reduce background noise, and frame participants naturally. Ideal for hybrid meetings and focused calls, it’s less suited for purely casual, non-professional use.

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 the product, you can use WebEx conferences as well as Microsoft Teams conferences. This is very good because in the past it was only built for WebEx, WebEx platforms but since a couple of months it's certificated for Microsoft Teams as well because many clients and partners have changed their collaboration platform and team Microsoft Teams is the most common platform in the business world today.

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

• Training Center, Event Center, and Support Center are separate products from Webex Meetings which should be one
• Mac Outlook Plugin has some issues while syncing
• Google calendar synchronization seems to be an issue while using it as clients do have google suite on the business side

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

The device it self is incredible, but not allowing us to plug a computer devices such as mouse & keyboard direct in USB ports is a penalty. We'd like to bring up the laptop, open it, and start working.

Incentivized

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

Incentivized

RoomOS is simple and intuitive to use. USB-C connectivity makes connecting to a computer a simple task

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 have not had to use support yet as our use of Webex Desk Pro is so new, but all the questions that I have had have been answered with such promptness and clarity that it is clear Cisco has a passion about this device and about providing high quality in all that they do. Their support is top notch and you will never need to fear when reaching out to them.

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

Implementation was very easy through webex cloud services

Incentivized

We also have Zoom softphone that we use. We also have our Cisco IP communicators, which act as just a softphone of that desk phone, but we have Zoom, and we used to have Skype for Business. So those are the ones that we've dealt with in the past. I'd rather have Cisco over the other two. We already had the licenses for it, and we're already paying for it, so it's an added expense to use another company like Zoom before it was Skype for Business, now it's Teams. So we're AP for it, we have the licenses, let's use it. I like to save money. That's my motto.

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

• For team work, projects are completed sooner and you can make a profit
• Saving time and this means the possibility of more profit
• If the number of projects is large, the investment will return quickly
• The software license fee is too high

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