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.
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Starmind
Score 8.0 out of 10
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Starmind in Zurich offers their knowledge sharing platform, featuring augmented Intelligence allowing team members, or employees across departments and offices, to tap into the collective human intelligence in an organization, in real-time.
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
Shared knowledge is essential to widely distribute knowledge among the various sectors of the company. Knowledge is power and we have discovered this with Starmind, where we are all capable of solving different problems without the need to work in a certain sector or not.
Anonymous requests, with fast and totally efficient results, which is amazing, most of the time he finds the person trained to solve certain problems.
The search system has filters that help us prioritize what we are really looking for, in this way the search is much more efficient.
Collaborative tools undoubtedly help us to solve communication problems, streamline work processes and achieve work success in carrying out our projects.
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.
Collaborative tools undoubtedly help us to solve communication problems, streamline work processes and achieve work success in carrying out our projects.
I'm still not familiar with its interface in a comfortable way. It seems to me that there are functions whose potential can be exploited more but they are not visual, instead there are many others that can get in the way a little in the daily use of the platform.
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).
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.
The Polycom RealPresence Group Series was top of the line. It had a lot more features as well as the ability to integrate with Microsoft Teams. With Highfive, you had to pay to keep the device running and it was more like renting it. Although we pay maintenance with Polycom we will own the devices. The Highfive camera also didn't move. Lifesize was comparable but it did not integrate with Microsoft Teams at the time. It may as of now, I am not sure.
Bloomfire is an excellent tool, it provides multiple similar features, these platforms being intelligent in the search for shared knowledge, however, Starmind seems to me to have better search options and interaction actions between users.
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.
The effective search for the right person to attend specific commercial projects has allowed us to hit the target, since we are exploiting the potential of each of the company's personnel regardless of the department to which they belong, we diversify, learn and adapt to changes, in favor of always achieving the proposed objectives and achieving better performance and work efficiency.
