Cisco Meeting Server vs. Polycom RealPresence Group Series

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco Meeting Server
Score 8.2 out of 10
N/A
Cisco Meeting Server is a conferencing solution for allowing the user to setup a conference any time using a wide range of Cisco and Jabber devices, and third-party solutions (e.g. Skype for Business) or WebRTC enabled browsers and apps.N/A
Polycom RealPresence Group Series
Score 6.0 out of 10
N/A
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.N/A
Pricing
Cisco Meeting ServerPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco Meeting ServerPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco Meeting ServerPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Cisco Meeting ServerPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software
Comparison of Performance & Compatibility of Online Events Software features of Product A and Product B
Cisco Meeting Server
8.0
10 Ratings
1% above category average
Polycom RealPresence Group Series
-
Ratings
High quality audio8.410 Ratings00 Ratings
High quality video8.210 Ratings00 Ratings
Low bandwidth requirements8.09 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile support7.29 Ratings00 Ratings
Screen Sharing
Comparison of Screen Sharing features of Product A and Product B
Cisco Meeting Server
7.4
9 Ratings
7% below category average
Polycom RealPresence Group Series
-
Ratings
Desktop sharing8.39 Ratings00 Ratings
Whiteboards6.48 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Meetings / Events
Comparison of Online Meetings / Events features of Product A and Product B
Cisco Meeting Server
7.4
10 Ratings
10% below category average
Polycom RealPresence Group Series
-
Ratings
Calendar integration7.99 Ratings00 Ratings
Meeting initiation8.610 Ratings00 Ratings
Integrates with social media5.45 Ratings00 Ratings
Record meetings / events6.710 Ratings00 Ratings
Slideshows8.48 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Events Collaboration
Comparison of Online Events Collaboration features of Product A and Product B
Cisco Meeting Server
7.4
9 Ratings
12% below category average
Polycom RealPresence Group Series
-
Ratings
Live chat7.89 Ratings00 Ratings
Audience polling7.18 Ratings00 Ratings
Q&A7.48 Ratings00 Ratings
Online Events Security
Comparison of Online Events Security features of Product A and Product B
Cisco Meeting Server
8.0
10 Ratings
4% below category average
Polycom RealPresence Group Series
-
Ratings
User authentication8.510 Ratings00 Ratings
Participant roles & permissions8.010 Ratings00 Ratings
Confidential attendee list7.68 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Cisco Meeting ServerPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Small Businesses
ClickMeeting
ClickMeeting
Score 9.5 out of 10
Zoom
Zoom
Score 8.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
ClickMeeting
ClickMeeting
Score 9.5 out of 10
Cisco Webex DX80 (discontinued)
Cisco Webex DX80 (discontinued)
Score 9.2 out of 10
Enterprises
Google Meet
Google Meet
Score 8.3 out of 10
Cisco Webex DX80 (discontinued)
Cisco Webex DX80 (discontinued)
Score 9.2 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco Meeting ServerPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Likelihood to Recommend
7.9
(10 ratings)
7.7
(26 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Usability
10.0
(1 ratings)
8.0
(3 ratings)
Support Rating
5.0
(1 ratings)
8.3
(4 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco Meeting ServerPolycom RealPresence Group Series
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
Cisco meeting Server can be used to host meeting for a small group 2 people and also can host meeting for hundreds of people. Even if the scalability increases no compromise in the call and consistent performance can be observed. The video quality is clear and there is no noticeable latency between audio and video. The recording feature is well placed and it helps a lot in rectifying and processing the important points that might have been left out during the meeting.
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Poly
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
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Pros
Cisco
  • Integrates well with other devices
  • More than 1 person can be on video call with minimal lag
  • Quiet cost effective for a company with many employees
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Poly
  • 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
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Cons
Cisco
  • Allowing more user interaction rather than just video and audio.
  • Split screen option to share content and view faces from those on the meeting.
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Poly
  • 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.
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Likelihood to Renew
Cisco
because we're satisfied of the product
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Poly
We love the product and is totally integrated in our company.
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Usability
Cisco
very easy to use and quick to learn
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Poly
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).
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Support Rating
Cisco
I never used Support
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Poly
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.
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Alternatives Considered
Cisco
Apart from Cisco Meeting Server, only Poly offers full fledged on-premise meeting server. Their solution is called Polycom RealPresence
Collaboration Server. But there solutions are mostly outdated. Even though they have recently changes to subscription via Poly Clarity but servers are still very old. Whereas Cisco Meeting Server was recently updated and integrates well with WebEx and Cisco's other products.
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Poly
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.
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Return on Investment
Cisco
  • More meetings came in, but in more efficient way
  • More features are available in our meetings
  • More connections to the colleagues through Cisco Meeting Server
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Poly
  • 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.
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ScreenShots