Cisco Headsets are designed to help users stay connected wherever they work. Whether working at home, at the office, or on the go, the headset helps users stay focused on what's important. The professional headsets are built to deliver exceptional audio and are integrated with the Webex platform for seamless collaboration and simple management. Bluetooth wireless, DECT, or wired headsets are available.
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Polycom RealPresence Group Series
Score 6.1 out of 10
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The Polycom RealPresence Group Series is a video conferencing codec that connects to a standards-based video conferencing infrastructure to allow users to make video conference calls. There are three products in the series – RealPresence Group 300, RealPresence Group 500, and RealPresence Group 700. It is certified to use with Office 365 and Skype for Business.
For day to day work and official virtual meetings/calls the headsets are best suited. They are compact, handy, lightweight with a dynamic mic and good control. However, I don't think that for intense audio recording and voice modulations I'll rely on the products because the market is so diversified and on branding part there are so many options available which directly affects Cisco's market. So, for busy jam packed with work office day if you need good comfortable experience Cisco Headsets come very handy.
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
Cancel the noise side of things. You can't hear anything in the background. I quite often talk really loud because I can't hear myself talking and it's comfortable. They are really comfortable. We've got the wireless ones and they just sit so comfortably on your head. Amazing.
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.
I have yet to find a use case where the 730 is not appropriate. The audio quality and active noise cancellation capabilities are excellent, and the portability puts it above many alternatives.
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).
Too expensive and too heavy and too uncomfortable. It just didn't deliver the experience that we thought we would get based on the price. I can get the same features, for cheaper, with a more comfortable headset from another vendor. So overall this one just never got put on the final list.
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.
We selected Cisco headsets because of our long-term existing partnership with Cisco, something we value. But that being said, there are competitor headsets that I've seen at the same price that offer far more functionality, which I guess could be improved in the Cisco headsets.
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.
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.
