LifeSize or Not
Updated June 23, 2017
LifeSize or Not
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Lifesize Video Conferencing
LifeSize makes it easy to connect for video conferencing, and makes it easy to present and manage the conference. The limit is that it is named users to use the system versus concurrent access to the service. Quality is really good if you have high-speed internet, if not it sacrifices the audio along with the video for slow connections. Overall it does what it's supposed to do. When others join your conference who do not have LifeSize it's better to use the web browser for them [rather] than the app install unless they call frequently.
Pros
- It is easy to share your desktop with others.
- Video is smooth if you have a fast internet connection.
- Guest links available to have non LifeSize subscribers to join meeting
Cons
- Named users in the account is not ideal.
- There is no way at least that I know of to pass control of your own computer.
- There is no screen mark up feature to essentially draw on top of a presentation for mark ups.
Lifesize Video Conferencing Feature Ratings
Using Lifesize Video Conferencing
1 - The video system does not require a lot of maintenance. The only issues seem to result in network issues with audio and video quality. Depending on how things are setup, I have experienced audio dropping. Skills needed to work on the system are understanding of network traffic and troubleshooting quality issues with the system.
- Video conferencing with our other facilities.
- Video interviews
- Peer to peer screen sharing
- Complete integration with other systems and Skype for Business
- Training across multiple facilities
- Vendor design reviews and collaboration
- We have not measured the system in terms of ROI, the biggest positive impact is being able to have live video meetings across multiple facilities
- The mobile app works well if your traveling and need to join a conference.
- I don't really have any negative feedback, it was frustrating in the beginning for users when they were learning how to use the system.
- Users dropping out of a conference when they have connectivity issues gives the main system a bad wrap.
- We used Skype for Business inside of LifeSize from the screen sharing
10 - The users in our organization are from Operations, Quality, Engineering and HR that use the system the most. All of the departments use the system for collaboration. and sharing of screens. To use the system we have links in internet explorer for multiple users to login as guests. This help tremendous for users outside of our organization. There is also separate phone numbers to call in on audio.
Evaluating Lifesize Video Conferencing and Competitors
As part of our evaluation process I would look a little bit more into specific functions. The demos always make everything look easy, so now I request a test drive of any software we look into purchasing. Also, I would investigate the allowable users and see what are the real limitations of the system. With any new system and software there are little nuances that you may find during a demo period. The other thing I would do different is have the primary departments test drive the demo system and list what are their specific needs.
LifeSize was selected for its ease of use and not requiring a bunch of setup. The LifeSize unit does not require a computer to be used which is very nice. The camera is very high quality and is integrated into the conference phone. Skype for Business does not do this unless you pay for a phone number. LifeSize also has statistic reports on how the system is being utilized with each user. There is an interface between Skype and LifeSize but we were never able to get it to work.
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Third-party Reviews
Reading honest reviews from people who actually use the system is the best source of knowing the short comings. The sales group always makes things look easy and simple to use and some things are really that simple. Until you actually use a system it is hard to know if you made the correct choice. The reviews give you insight enough to ask more direct questions to a feature that may important to the system that you need to utilize.
Lifesize Video Conferencing Implementation
- Vendor implemented
Change management was minimal - The implementation of the system was not an issue with change management. The system was installed for us and training was the only real factor in change for our users. We only had 10 users so there was a minimal amount of our people involved. Some of the users picked up on the system faster which made the change management risk minimal.
- Having the proper cable lengths for the system
- We had issues in the beginning with the Ethernet/IP phone.
- Testing of the system with slower connections caused the system to not perform to what the expectations were
Lifesize Video Conferencing Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Problems get solved Support understands my problem Support cares about my success | None |
No - We do not pay for premium support, so I don't have any feedback on this topic.
Using Lifesize Video Conferencing
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Consistent Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | Slow to learn |
- Starting a video call to another user account or system is as easy as selecting a contact.
- Plugging your computer and sharing your screen is fairly simple
- Getting users to install the software and calendar add on and use it correctly
- When you want someone to call in to a meeting it is not easy provide the information for audio and video
Yes - The mobile interface works really well. It is a simple format of the desktop software. The chat function in the mobile app is easier to use than the desktop version. The connection is dependent on your phone data and speeds. Overall I think the mobile portion works pretty well. it is a little cumbersome to shutdown the app when your done, otherwise it runs in the background.
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