Lifesize Cloud - Video Conferencing that JUST WORKS!
June 09, 2017
Lifesize Cloud - Video Conferencing that JUST WORKS!
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Lifesize Video Conferencing
Lifesize Video Conferencing has been a boon for our communication. We use a mix of the Icon hardware, the desktop application, and the browser extension to access the Lifesize Cloud service. As an administrator, the management of Lifesize could not possibly be any easier! I almost never have to worry about setting up a user, deactivating a user, managing cloud recordings, or managing the proprietary hardware via the web portal. It all works seamlessly. As for the users, they couldn't be happier. The fact is: It just works! Video conferencing has been the bane of the IT professional for years. It's improved across the board, I'll admit, but I've found nothing as simple, yet still robust, as Lifesize. Originally we got Lifesize for internal communication, but we've discovered an unexpected use case to connect to remote clients using the web-based service. Our clients LOVE that they can get face-to-face with a service provider in our office without having to install any application. That has made it something we use multiple times per day! I never would have expected that!
- Direct dial to users. It works just like your softphone. It. Just. Works. Period.
- The virtual meeting rooms. It's SO easy for any user to create their own virtual meeting room to set up a conference call.
- Dial in connections. Anyone can dial into a virtual meeting room with a standard phone. Again, a feature that is useful and just works. Every time.
- No server!!! Having this service in the cloud has made my life as an admin easier. Plus the cloud recording feature is a huge help to folks who wish to keep a record of their conferences/training sessions without requiring a bunch of storage hardware!
- Entering a security PIN for a virtual meeting room on the Icon systems is cumbersome, and frequently it "times out" before the PIN is completely entered. Maybe a remote with a number pad? I'd hate to add complication to the hardware, though. I don't have the perfect solution, myself.
- The "Mute All" function as a Moderator also mutes the Lecturer, and does not mute new attendees. Relatively minor issue, but when a new user comes into a presentation, we generally need to ask them to mute themselves, or we "Unmute All", then "Mute All", then unmute the lecturer. Not a common problem, but it would be nice if that were more intuitive.
- Frequent updates to the client app. This COULD be seen as a "pro" for some, but as an IT Administrator, this tends to be a bigger deal.