More people work remotely today than ever before. Modern organizations need meeting technology to help facilitate a hybrid workplace. This includes at least one video collaboration solution. Here are three solutions to help your organization maximize its return on investment with video collaboration.
This Lifestyle article showcases just how helpful video collaboration can be. 89% of this article’s respondents reported video conferencing reduces the time it takes them to complete their tasks. 72% of employers reported an increase in employee retention. More than 90% of the respondents claim video conferencing increases productivity and helps build relationships both inside and outside the office.
You’ll need to make sure you’re using a video collaboration platform that works for you. It must specifically fit your collaboration goals to make sure you can maximize your ROI.
Video collaboration may be the way forward, but it branches off into three divergent paths: Microsoft Teams, Cisco WebEx, and Zoom. All three of these different collaboration platforms will provide the kind of video collaboration you need. However, each one has its specialties.
Microsoft Teams features seamless audio and video conferencing along with integration with other Microsoft applications in the Office 365 Suite. It can take advantage of file storage in SharePoint and OneDrive or the strong security of Azure.
According to this article published by Forrester, 88% of businesses claim Microsoft Teams has helped improve their efficiency. A platform equipped with calling, meetings, and messaging all together cuts down on time spent switching between applications.
It can be integrated with existing PBX systems and analog devices via Direct Routing. Users can avoid costly replacements of their calling infrastructure. Teams Rooms allow users to integrate Teams with conference rooms and other meeting spaces. It creates a consistent hybrid meeting experience room-to-room.
Cisco’s answer to the modern need for video collaboration comes in the form of Webex Teams. This solution can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or hybrid. It can be integrated with existing Cisco systems. It’s perfect for an organization with an existing Cisco infrastructure.
Webex Teams features native voice and video capabilities. It can reach out not just to other WebEx users but also to SIP endpoints from other providers. If you’ve got an on-prem calling system already, WebEx Teams can leverage it and maximize your investment. Webex meetings can host up to 200 users in a video conference or up to 1,000 with audio only.
Zoom’s best features include virtual backgrounds, screen sharing, annotation, and driving safety. It's an ideal solution for smaller organizations with no Microsoft licenses or Cisco technology. They can leverage its "plug and play" capabilities for their deployment.
Of these three solutions, you’ll want to pick whichever works best for your environment. Pick Teams for its well-deserved reputation, WebEx for its leadership in the industry, or Zoom for its consistency.
At Continuant, we can help you make the choice. We've helped organizations manage communication systems for more than 25 years. We'll help you determine exactly what your organization needs to maximize its return on investment.
Ready to choose your new collaboration solution? Schedule a call with one of our experts today.
* Editor's Note: This article was originally published in November 2019 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.