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Lifesize Video Conferencing works with limitations
July 19, 2017

Lifesize Video Conferencing works with limitations

Bob Brandner | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Lifesize Video Conferencing

We had to create extensive user training guides for our internal user community as suitable materials from Lifesize do not exist. The annual user license for the service includes a very minimal amount of remote training. The support, training and adoption promotion services/materials from Lifesize are insufficient and reflect the approach of a video conferencing room equipment vendor. The Lifesize Video Cloud is a highly secure, cloud based, video conferencing service that requires much greater support for implementation, training, management tools/reports and ongoing, proactive assistance to drive adoption. Many companies including ours already pay for video conferencing services and have (i.e. Office 365/Skype, UCaaS, etc) and software. With some additions, these services can be made secure and obviate the need to pay extra for services like Lifesize Cloud and to have to maintain multiple desktop software clients that provide redundant features. Lastly, having a service with high quality/high-speed audio, video and management capabilities is table stakes for this market and Lifesize needs to reach this level.
Subscribed to the Lifesize Video Cloud service to allow secure, HIPAA compliant, video conferencing in support of the video conferencing use cases discussed below.

INTERNAL: Room based video conferencing; Desktops to Desktops; Mobile to Mobile; Hybrid Any to Any

EXTERNAL: Connecting external parties to any of the 4 internal use cases via multiple video consumer or commercial grade conferencing software platforms (e.g. Google Hangouts, Skype, Etc) in a HIPAA compliant manner.

This effort had the following key objectives:
Deliver new communications features like Telemedicine features to Spectrum programs.
Enhance distributed team collaboration.
Improve internal meeting productivity.
Reduce ongoing travel requirements and costs.
  • Integration with Outlook for setting up Video conferencing sessions.
  • Lifesize client software is easy to use.
  • Process for registering new users is simple.
  • The management reports are insufficient.
  • The process of setting up our original administrator account took weeks and required escalation to several people until it actually worked.
  • Recording of conferences is not included in annual fee and is very expensive.
  • The maximum speed for screen sharing materials (i.e. PowerPoint, video clips, etc) is very slow.
  • Incompatibility of the Video Conferencing service with older LS Room conferencing equipment is limited. You are forced to buy new equipment in many cases.
  • Minimal training and follow through to assist with internal user adoption.
  • Audio quality is inconsistent.
Well suited:
1. Room based video conferencing – between key locations equipped with Lifesize equipment from designated conference
rooms
2. Desktops to Desktops – within and between PCs at any Spectrum location equipped with Skype for Business and video camera
3. Mobile to Mobile – Video conferencing connecting employees via Smartphones, Laptops and or Tablets
4. Hybrid Any to Any – Video conferencing connecting any combination room based Lifesize systems with stationary Desktops, and or mobile devices (e.g. smartphones, laptops, tablets, Etc)
Less Appropriate:
One to many training requiring the sharing of desktop presentations and recorded video

Lifesize Video Conferencing Feature Ratings

5.7
High quality audio
4
High quality video
8
Low bandwidth requirements
5
3.0
Desktop sharing
3
5.5
Calendar integration
9
Meeting initiation
8
Record meetings / events
2
Slideshows
3
Not Rated
Live chat
Not Rated
Q&A
Not Rated
8.0
Participant roles & permissions
8
VoIP system collaboration ()
Not Rated
Web and Video Conferencing ()
Not Rated

Using Lifesize Video Conferencing

Entry or Junior level
Minimal/basic technical skills on Windows, ios and Andriod
Ability to create detailed training materials
Ability to provide group and 1-1 training in person and via LS
Ability to understand and articulate the business case/ROI
High levels of patience, empathy and enjoyment while supporting the user community
Vendor management
  • Room based video conferencing – between key locations equipped with Lifesize equipment from designated conference rooms.
  • Desktops to Desktops – within and between PCs at any Spectrum location equipped with Skype for Business and video camera. Includes desktop screen sharing.
  • Mobile to Mobile – Video conferencing connecting employees via Smartphones, Laptops and or Tablets.
  • Hybrid Any to Any – Video conferencing connecting any combination room based LifeSize systems with stationary Desktops, and or mobile devices (e.g. smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.).
  • Connecting external parties to any of the 4 internal use cases via multiple video consumer or commercial grade conferencing software platforms (e.g. Google Hangouts, Skype, etc.) in a HIPAA compliant manner.
  • No additional use cases come to mind.
Other than the HIPAA compliance, we have no compelling reason to retain LifeSize when we can already pay for similar services included with our UCaaS service. Our UCaaS vendor, Fuze, includes video conferencing with the VoIP services via single, integrated client software package. Additional limitations include minimal implementation assistance, training service, training materials and assistance driving internal adoption. Issues with slow speed for desktop sharing and audio quality make the technical aspects of Lifesize inferior to competitors.
  • Integrates with our cloud based SSO service from OKTA
  • The following ROI items have not been fully realized due to inconsistent support from top management and cultural resistance. Audio quality and screen sharing performance issues have also undermined the achievement of the following annual reductions: 300 Hrs Travel time reduction; ~$27K Travel Expense reduction; ~$11K Lost Productivity reduction.
  • None
HR
Finance
IT
Clinical

Evaluating Lifesize Video Conferencing and Competitors

Yes - Office 365 Skype for Business was replaced due to inconsistent quality, lack of out of the box HIPAA compliance, lack of easy comparability with existing room based video conferencing equipment.
We might not select Lifesize again due to the knowledge gained from actually using the service for over a year. Specifically, the following factors would weight heavily:
Audio and Screen sharing video performance limitations
Minimal implementation support
Limited reporting
Minimal training services and materials
Lack of ongoing support to drive internal adoption
Both Skype and Lifesize have audio and video performance issues. Skype for Business is not out of the box HIPAA compliant. Lifesize has a support number where real people respond. Lifesize is mostly compatible with our room video conferencing equipment.
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
  • Existing Relationship with the Vendor
We wanted the vendor to carry the entire burden of end to end HIPAA compliance.