Lifesize Video Conferencing vs Polycom RealPresence Group Series

• Encrypted Communications: Competing against other newspapers and stations is tough. Lifesize Video Conferencing helps us keep our content original and encrypted.
• Multiple Screen Sharing: Before, our preferred method of contact was a text message or a FaceTime call. This program allows us to share the same video chat with multiple sources. We've streamed interviews across 4 different games and given live in-game updates - that's something our competitors can never touch us with.
• Sharable Content: Our meetings and interviews can be recorded and shared amongst our other team members or with the public through social media.

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• Polycom are still a high-end videoconferencing manufacturer and it shows. The build quality is very high, with quality components provided. In the current environment where 'huddle-room' systems are taking over and are a mix of solutions from multiple manufacturers, you can tell the difference when you open the box and get dedicated hardware that is designed to work as a single package.
• The audio quality is very good. May sound like an odd thing to consider audio quality before video quality, but if the sound is poor, it doesn't matter how good the video is - you wont stay in the meeting.
• Great video from the dedicated cameras. The image quality is high and the camera is silent when it moves to presets.

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• I dislike that they are no longer making the Team/Room 220's. I am not a fan of the Icon editions that are replacing the Team/Room 220's for my classrooms and conference rooms. I do not like, when I remote into the codecs, that the layout is very limited compared to the Team/Room 220's. I can no longer see if someone is in the room or able to access the remote control or adjust the cameras. Because we are not using the "Cloud" with our codecs, users are no longer able to access a directory. The remote control looks almost like the Apple TV remote, which has very few buttons with no labels on it. My users, who are not very tech savvy, would rather not use the equipment unless some else sets it up for them.
• Software for computers could be more robust. One thing I would like to see is a way to click on one of the video streams to just see it large and be able to toggle which screen I want to see myself, instead of the software deciding which one should be the focus point based on who is talking.

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• We needed to interact with the networking staff who were intent on using Cisco products, and this slowed down implementation.
• Though it was easy to train users to operate the equipment those who were not trained frequently had difficulty starting up a meeting without assistance

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• We have five locations across Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, with key stakeholders and cross-location teams that work together every regardless of physical location. This resource is critical in keeping our teams connected.
• Has improved collaboration and communication by having as close to face to face meetings as possible with remote team members. Conference rooms were often times double booked because of LifeSize, which as a determining factor in us moving to a cloud subscription.
• Nothing negative

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• 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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