Item: Zoom
Rating: 3
Author: Robert Allen

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I have dozens of clients, each with their own preferences for conference tools. Zoom is just one more nameless entrant in this very full space. When clients send me Zoom invites I use it. Otherwise it is not even on my radar.

Pros and Cons

Zoom meets minimum expectations for video conferencing.
Zoom isn't annoying, so it's much better than Skype!

There is nothing notable or interesting about Zoom.
There is no obvious value of using Zoom over Hangouts, Webex, Skype, or just a phone call.

Return on Investment

Zoom has had no impact on our ROI. It's just one more tool we need to be aware of.

Zoom Rooms

I have not used Zoom Rooms.

Alternatives Considered

Google Hangouts, Skype and WebEx Meetings

Hangouts is built into our work emails, so everyone on my team is always on Hangouts, enabling easy, instant video calls if we choose.
Skype is a RAM hog, authenticates to Microsoft accounts (for whatever reason), crashes many devices, and has a pitiful UI.
WebEx is renowned for causing meeting delays because it exists as an invisible browser extension, which might not actually be installed yet. (Oops!)
Zoom is just one more entrant in the space. Not as annoying as Skype, a little less prone to delays than WebEx, but nowhere near as useful as Hangouts.

Other Software Used

Google Hangouts, Skype, WebEx Meetings

Likelihood to Recommend

It's one of many with nothing distinguishing it. Coming up with pros or cons for Zoom is a bit like evaluating a Toyota Corolla. It works. It's not annoying. It's nobody's first choice because it's got so little mindshare. However, for the few clients I have who prefer it, they strongly prefer it. But hey, everyone prefers using what they are used to using, right?

Zoom Right By

Software Version

Overall Satisfaction with Zoom