Item: Google Meet
Rating: 8
Author: Chantal Matthews, MSEd, CHES®, CHWC

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Google Hangouts Meet in my department, but not organization-wide. It’s a tool we can use to meet quickly. It’s free, convenient, and easy to use. What also helps with the use of Google Hangouts Meet is that we can easily access other Google items during our meetings. We tend to use Google software to save and edit documents. In addition, signing in and out of hangout is not difficult. Most of the software used by the university has at least a 2-step sign-in process.

Pros and Cons

General compatibility with other Google software such as drive
Instant messaging
Engagement - ability to use emojis, send photos, etc

Recording - I’ve never noticed this feature
Sometimes the video quality isn’t the best
Unlike Microsoft Teams, cannot preset away status

Return on Investment

Low cost
Increase productivity
Ease of meeting / accessible

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Adobe Connect

Google Hangouts Meet is a more relaxed version of Teams and Adobe Connect. It’s certainly easier to access and easier to use. I would say it compares better with Zoom although I think that Google Hangouts Meet is even easier to use and access than Zoom. The other software has recording options, but doesn’t easily sync with the drive.

Key Insights

Do you think Google Meet delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Google Meet's feature set?

Yes

Did Google Meet live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Google Meet go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy Google Meet again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Adobe Connect

Likelihood to Recommend

We use Google Hangouts Meet for more informal meetings where we are doing more team building or informal planning or brainstorming. We have a team of students that have worked with us over the years. Google Hangouts Meet is perfect for group reunions and informal office meetings because of the ease of use and simple sign-up and sign-in.

Users and Roles

20 - We are allied health care professionals including a dietitian, wellness coordinator, ATOD health educator, general health education specialist and master health education specialist. We meet with students regularly on a one-on-one basis. We also work as a team to develop interventions and social marketing campaigns for health and wellness topics including stress management, sexual health and healthy eating.

Support Headcount Required

1 - We have an IT staff person that works for the division we report to, but we would only contact her for issues involving software that we have to use our university log-in to access. Google Hangouts Meet is pretty user-friendly and doesn't require most troubleshooting. I've never had a technical issue that didn't work itself out in a few seconds. You can also use the Help Center to get additional support when troubleshooting is needed.

Business Processes Supported

Meeting / Planning
Team Building
One on One virtual interaction

Innovative Uses

Team Building
Making calls without using personal cell phone
Video calling

Future Planned Uses

Virtual meeting with clients/students

Likelihood to Renew

Google Hangouts Meet is easy to use and easy to access. I've experienced very few technical issues compared to other similar software options. It's a little less formal than Microsoft Teams but makes it easy to access other google items such as google drive and google docs. Meeting in hangout gives you an easy-to-use hub to not only meet for planning or team-building purposes but to easily share information that can help you with your meeting goals.

Google Hangouts Meet Offers a Fun Way to Meet

Overall Satisfaction with Google Hangouts Meet