Cisco Room Series vs. Polycom RealPresence Group Series

Firstly from well suited: I have implemented Codec Device and Room Kit Pro in governmental place and it suited very well. It was again on Prem solution working with Cisco Meeting Servers and different countries were connected to the meeting. Network quality was perfect and Video quality voice quality were above the great. Everybody asked about the device which we were using after the call. Mainly the IT guys. For not so well experience I can say the place where we used Board Pro 55 but we have faced with the microphone problems. For the solutions we used wired Cisco SX20 devices microphones it solved the problem. But Board pro 55 itself made our experience little bit bad.

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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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• Probably one of the best ones we had recently was using some of the new layouts within the room kits. We've had some kind of hybrids of large groups on site as well as individuals connecting through WebEx and being able to display things out properly and have the presentations easily visible as well as still seeing the presenter. It just makes things a lot easier to work with.

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• 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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• Does not work with other platforms like Zoom or Microsoft team
• It is very expensive compared to other similar products on the market like Polycom.
• Needs cisco webex licensing which makes it even more expensive to have this equipment in small offices.

• 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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We like our Cisco endpoints a lot. However, the technology is getting better in the Zoom room market and we are interested in exploring those options. I'd really like to see some new improvements in the room kit series such as wireless controllers and the ability to mount the room kits in multiple configurations. I would also like to see the Room Kit and Room Kit Plus series standardize their audio line inputs to accommodate 3rd party microphone and DSP solutions.

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

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There is a considerable amount of tech know-how needed to really make the Room Series work for most scenarios. This might be a due to the stark increase in remote based productivity as a result of COVID-19 and quarantine protocols. But CISCO support and documentation have not caught up the increase in adoption of these technologies. As a result, only personnel with substantial technical expertise are able to really make these systems work for the use-cases that is most relevant to our setting here at Clemson University.

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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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Once the order was place we received very quickly

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Great product with a great user experience

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With our Cisco service contract, NBD replacement and 24/7/365 support are included. We have not had any issues with trying to get a replacement for defective parts or for support (ie: software or troubleshooting). Very satisfied with the level of support available.

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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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Very easy to implement. Integration into our Unified Communications platform was simple and quick

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The Webex Room Kit is without a doubt a much higher quality experience with audio and video. Especially with the recent enablement of USB passthrough mode in certain models, there is almost no comparison. Cisco has committed to the Room Kit being an open solution that will work in any use case on any platform. To get the best collaboration room experience there is no better choice.

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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The product and backend systems are designed to scale from small to very large organization seamlessly and easily

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• With this system, our staff is able to collaborate remotely, eliminating the need for an expensive office space.
• So that HR can handle a steady workload, we can plan meetings using this tool.
• Facilitates problem solving, reducing the need for product replacement.

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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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