Google Hangouts (Classic) vs. MiVoice Office Application Suite (Mitel Application Suite)

Had I completed this review a couple years ago, I would have given a rating of 9 or 10 as Hangouts (Classic) is an excellent product. However, now that Google Chat has succeeded Hangouts, I would not recommend that any new users begin using it where other more modern options are available. Android users who want an internet based instant messaging that also supports calling and video calling could benefit from using Hangouts (Classic) as Google Chat requires the user to also have Google Meet installed to make video calls and there is no voice only calling option.

Incentivized

Mitel is useful for larger organizations where instant messaging can be used throughout departments and in-house phones need to be set to cell phones. I wouldn't say that it's not appropriate for smaller organizations, but they might not need all of the robust features that Mitel offers. The user experience is extremely intuitive and organizations of any scale will be able to easily navigate it.

Incentivized

• Google Hangouts (Classic) is embedded within Gmail's scheduler, so setting up the link is as quick as a click of the button. It's a one-step process.
• Google Hangouts (Classic) is user-friendly and [has] features to share screens easily.
• Google Hangouts (Classic) is much easier to use than its competitors.
• Google Hangouts (Classic) have [a] good connection time and there are few glitches.

Incentivized

• Call reporting
• Voicemail system and transfers: This is one of my favorite features! I am able to transfer voicemails and leave notes for my team. It also comes in an email notification.
• Integrated with our email system.

Incentivized

• I would like to see improved video support, so that saved videos can be sent back and forth via Hangouts more easily, without having to start a separate meet chat
• More pronounced notifications of messages would be helpful; pop up notifications are good, but once there is one, additional messages do not pop up
• Custom muting times would be great, so that if I am in a 90 minute Zoom meeting, I can set it for that time; right now, it is 1 hour or 2 hours. Easy to forget.

Incentivized

• It would be nice if they had more documentation on how to do things within the system that was easier to find.
• The software has so many features that it can be overwhelming.

Incentivized

The tool is almost self-implemented. It is likely to be available in every pc or mobile device a user or potential user might have, and all you need to do is adding the company's account and you are done. Once you are setted up, you have almost all actual communication methods available in one tool

Incentivized

Google Hangouts works great and does not require a lot of work to troubleshoot. Everything is simple and easy to use. Google provides all of the tools that one requires to utilize Google Hangouts and any information can be found in the built-in help tools. There is also a forum for users to report issues and typically, Google responds well and will try to work out any issues.

Incentivized

Great technical support. My only recommendation would be to have staffed support after hours. They have an after hours answering service and while the technicians always called back it would be good to reach support immediately 24/7. Technicians are very knowledgeable and helpful as is their sales staff. They also have great training to take.

Incentivized

Google is the white cotton socks of the conferencing world. It’s a great ad-hoc tool, but not too much more. If you are not looking to spend money or operate completely on WiFi (without data charges), it’s a great free option as well. The benefit of being free and open is also the liability. It doesn’t have a great integration story with other corporate tools, but [it doesn’t have to] if you aren’t looking for that. All in all, it’s as helpful and ubiquitous as a public payphone…without the pay…and with a video capability.

Incentivized

In retrospect, Mitel was not the right solution for us but it has sufficed while we look for a replacement that integrates with our CRM. Skype for Business was being phased out, we were currently using RingCentral, and we anticipated the conversion back to ShoreTel (we had a hosted environment in the past) would be similar to our previous experience with the system. The Cloud-based software and technology, however, did not meet up to the hosted environments capabilities, at least when it came to call-management

Incentivized

• I believe it was part of the google suite that was purchased. It was worth the cost as it was cheaper. I believe it is now free, but also becoming deprecated. It is much better to use Teams, Discord, Telegram, etc. Google does not provide enough support or features to make using hangouts worth it these days.

Incentivized

• Efficient, easy to use conference system for better communication
• Useful mobile app to allow employee presence while out of office.
• Global directory removed the need for employees to maintain one.

Incentivized