We use Zoom for video conferencing, video calls, internal, and external meetings. It is a mix of internal team meetings and external client calls.
Zoom Government (F,S,L,E) (Higher Ed, K-12) [Private Offer Only]
Carahsoft Technology Corp.External reviews
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Efficiently connects remote teams through seamless meetings
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
Zoom is easy to set up meetings, and the features work well. The audio and video quality is pretty good, depending on the internet connection. The screen-sharing feature works effectively, and I like how if someone else from our organization joins, we don't need to admit them via the waiting room; they just join automatically. It makes it easier to work with people remotely or in a hybrid setup.
What needs improvement?
Sometimes when I try to share my screen in a conference room, I have to click the share button more than once. This happens around fifty percent of the time.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Zoom for five to seven years.
How are customer service and support?
I don't really use customer support.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
At some point, we used WebEx. We switched from WebEx to Zoom for better technology and a better job with video quality streaming.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward.
What was our ROI?
Zoom saves time because we can do more virtual meetings.
What other advice do I have?
I would advise others to just go for it. I like Zoom, but I believe everything could be improved. Anything could be improved, meaning no solution is perfect. I would rate Zoom an eight.
Efficient, helps manage networking calls, and offers breakout session capabilities
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
Zoom is an excellent tool for networking where a number of people can join, each speaking to one another, and appearing on screen. It allows for video and audio switching, and meetings can be segmented into breakout rooms for smaller group interactions. These features significantly enhance its utility as a conferencing tool.
What needs improvement?
There is room for improvement in Zoom, though I cannot pinpoint specifics. Issues such as stability, particularly when many people are involved, may arise due to bandwidth rather than Zoom itself. However, Zoom could benefit from enhancements to manage large participant volumes.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
When there is a large number of people in a call, the stability can become an issue, which might be attributed to either network or software. However, it's often tied to network bandwidth rather than Zoom's software.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Up to three hundred participants can join without significant issues. Larger numbers may require more specific examination regarding stability.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I also use Google Meet, which is available for free.
How was the initial setup?
Zoom installation is straightforward, and even those unfamiliar with the software should not find it challenging to install.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I use the free version of Zoom and have not encountered significant issues in its use. I also use the free version of Google Meet.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I use both Zoom and Google Meet.
What other advice do I have?
Zoom performs well and does what users expect. It can be rated an eight out of ten. It fulfills its purpose efficiently without significant issues.
Helps increase productivity by allowing online collaboration through video calls
What is our primary use case?
We use the solution to conduct online meetings and video calls.
How has it helped my organization?
The solution helps increase productivity by allowing online collaboration and conducting video calls.
What is most valuable?
The solution's most valuable feature is its ability to blur the background. This feature allows me to take calls even if I'm not in an office setting. The solution's 'mute all' feature allows you to mute the other participants in a large webinar if you do not want everybody talking. Zoom has a security feature that allows only authorized participants to join the meeting.
What needs improvement?
The solution should include the integration of AI-based tools that could transcript or record the meetings.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Zoom for two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Zoom is a pretty stable solution.
I rate the solution’s stability ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Pretty much everybody in our organization uses the solution once a few days.
I rate the solution’s scalability ten out of ten.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We also use the Google Meet tool. We decided to use Zoom because it is easier to set up and more intuitive.
How was the initial setup?
First-time users have to download an app on the machine, which takes time and adds to the time required for the setup. Setting up Zoom for the first time took three to four minutes.
On a scale from one to ten, where one is difficult and ten is easy, I rate the solution's initial setup an eight out of ten.
What was our ROI?
The solution increases efficiency and productivity by allowing people to collaborate during the pandemic while working from home or during odd hours.
What other advice do I have?
I am using the latest version of Zoom. Zoom is deployed on the cloud, and we use the Google Workspace cloud provider.
Overall, I rate the solution ten out of ten.
Useful for virtual meetings and training sessions where instructors can teach thousands of people
What is our primary use case?
I use Zoom for virtual meetings and training sessions where instructors can teach thousands of people.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features for me are the spotlight feature and the ability to share video with audio, which some other platforms, like Microsoft Teams, lack. We use it to present sessions and teach end customers or users.
What needs improvement?
The tool could be more user-friendly, especially for finding options to present screens.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for six to seven years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I'd rate Zoom's stability as ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
For scalability, I'd rate Zoom nine to ten out of ten. My company has 700 users. We don't plan to increase usage as we're close to our license limit.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before Zoom, we used Microsoft Teams but switched due to limitations with large audiences and a lack of features.
How was the initial setup?
I'd rate the initial setup about seven out of ten for ease. We deploy Zoom on the cloud, which takes about five to six minutes to install. It's a simple process of running an executable file with a few clicks. We don't need additional settings or many people for maintenance.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is affordable.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I would rate Zoom a ten out of ten.
Performance was good but lacks features like call history
What is our primary use case?
I haven't used Zoom for personal meetings, but we used to use it at my university. A few of our clients also use Zoom, so they connect with us through it. I have a bit of experience with Zoom, but I haven't used it extensively.
I haven't been using Zoom in my organization. A few of our clients also use it.
Just for online classes. I think we can skip the interview for Zoom because I haven't used it for anything other than online classes.
What is most valuable?
Overall, the UI was fine. Performance was fine. Everything was good. I had no problems for the time I was using it.
What needs improvement?
Maybe the UI could be improved a bit. Plus, it would be helpful if all the chat history was maintained, even between calls. If I'm chatting during a call, I'd like that chat to be available later.
Zoom have some control over the number of users who can interact at a single time, but I'm not sure about the specifics.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have experience with this product.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable product. I haven't faced any issues. Maybe our network stability was the issue sometimes. But Zoom itself is always stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I've been in a call with around a thousand students. So, it was quite scalable.
How are customer service and support?
I haven't used Zoom's tech support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We use Teams professionally. Personally, I've only used Zoom a couple of times.
I still prefer Teams because I'm used to it. Teams is the perfect solution if you want to collaborate on an enterprise level. I don't know if it's more expensive than Zoom, but overall, I love Teams.
I think using Teams makes more sense for me. I can create a group there, and I have access to all the tabs. Teams are better for meetings.
How was the initial setup?
Zoom setup is pretty much straightforward. I've always used Zoom through Chrome, so we didn't need to deploy it. But the overall cloud setup wasn't a challenge. It's very straightforward.
There was just one guy who has to create the calls and pay the bill. Just a single admin.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
What other advice do I have?
Everything was fine. But I would rate it a six out of ten.
Provides whiteboard control and managing how attendees join the meeting
What is our primary use case?
It was an enterprise subscription primarily intended for tech companies supporting us. We mainly used Zoom, and at some point, our management also acquired a Zoom subscription specifically for manager meetings.
How has it helped my organization?
It has been rolling out exciting features that enhance collaboration and simplify meeting scheduling and management. Zoom was quite effective until a security issue arose, which caused some users to leave. However, they quickly addressed the problem, which can happen with any technology. Overall, Zoom has introduced many features that align well with current market needs for meetings and collaboration.
What is most valuable?
Important features include whiteboard control, the ability to set up lobbies, and managing how attendees join the meeting.
What needs improvement?
The pricing model for Zoom was not very friendly.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Zoom for last ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Zoom is very stable and it's also very lightweight. It really doesn't consume a lot of bandwidth.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate the solution’s scalability a nine out of ten.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was easy and takes 10 minutes to complete.
To deploy, the first thing is subscription, so you have to go and register. Then once you're registered, it’ll send an activation link. Once you activate you download Zoom, log in, and move on.
What was our ROI?
When evaluating return on investment, two key factors come to mind. First is having ample storage, which allows you to share and retain meeting information for future reference, making it a valuable asset. Second is pricing, which is crucial for aligning the solution with your budget and ensuring it offers good value for the cost.
What other advice do I have?
For those seeking a versatile option, Zoom is a strong competitor in the market. While there are many products to explore, Zoom stands out as a solid choice. It offers excellent security features, including comprehensive controls for connections, streaming, recording, and sharing information. Since addressing a previous breach, Zoom has maintained robust security. Overall, its security support is commendable, and it continues to be a reliable solution
Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.
Provides good video quality and screen-sharing capabilities
What is our primary use case?
I use the solution for personal meetings where I have discussions with outside people.
What is most valuable?
The solution is easy to set up and use. I feel Zoom is stable for the kind of requirement I have. The solution provides good video quality. Zoom has good screen-sharing and presentation capabilities.
What needs improvement?
Zoom should introduce AI features that allow you to understand a person's emotions.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Zoom for many years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the solution’s stability an eight out of ten.
How was the initial setup?
The solution’s initial setup is easy.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Useful for collaboration within the team and provides better video quality compared to other products
What is our primary use case?
We use the solution for our daily meetings.
What is most valuable?
Some of our people work from home, and some work from the office. The tool supports our hybrid work environment. It works well. We meet using Zoom. It is useful for collaboration within the team. The performance is perfect. The video quality is good compared to other products. The sound quality is also good. We do not face any problems. The screen-sharing capabilities are very good.
What needs improvement?
We want to use the tool for webinars, but the license is very expensive. The price must be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is perfect. I rate the stability a nine out of ten. The placement of some of the options on the screen can be improved.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate the tool’s scalability a nine out of ten. We have approximately 100 users, including managers, engineers, and developers. We use it regularly.
How was the initial setup?
The setup is straightforward. The solution can be installed in a minute. We just have one file for installation. We can install it easily.
What was our ROI?
The solution helps us conduct remote meetings quickly.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We pay a yearly licensing fee.
What other advice do I have?
I will recommend the product to others. The tool is very useful for daily meetings. It is a very good product. Overall, I rate the product a nine out of ten.
Easy-to-use deploy platform with valuable collaboration features
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case for Zoom is meeting with business partners and other organizations.
How has it helped my organization?
The solution has been valuable in facilitating remote communication and collaboration during the pandemic when physical meetings were impossible.
What needs improvement?
The product's stability needs improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Zoom for one and a half years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the product's stability an eight out of ten. There is always room for improvement.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The product is scalable.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have used Microsoft Teams earlier.
How was the initial setup?
The platform is easy to deploy.
What other advice do I have?
Zoom was free and adopted by most organizations for business communication during the pandemic.
I rate it an eight out of ten.
Canautomatically transcribe the conversation and save it once it's complete
How has it helped my organization?
The video quality has improved a lot since we first started using Zoom. There were some issues in the beginning, but many of them have been sorted out now. The company's history is evolving; many improvements were made when Zoom first became the go-to for helping people do remote meetings. The audio quality has also improved. We had big issues at the beginning where the audio would either stutter or you couldn't hear someone.
What is most valuable?
Zoom helps you to share your screen and allows someone to take remote control during Zoom meetings. Compared with other platforms like Teams and Webex, it's on par.
One of the key features is the transcription function. Zoom can automatically transcribe the conversation and save it once it's complete. Also, the conversation recording can be done automatically, stored, and referenced later. So if someone took a call, spoke to someone, and said, 'I told them this and this,' I, as an admin, can go in and listen to that recorded conversation, validate that point, and have a little bit of the transcript to review.
What needs improvement?
The solution could be cheaper.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Zoom for a couple of years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We've had a couple of issues. Sometimes, the phones drop out or upgrade the handset during a period of time, and then that handset is unavailable until the update is complete. There could be configuration issues.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
25 users use Zoom daily, particularly technicians who perform on-site tasks. Their Howell phone serves as their primary communication tool. For internal calls received via the Zoom app, they promptly respond. Similarly, if a salesperson is on-site and an incoming call rings the office number while no one is present, they will likely answer and represent the company. Zoom is extensively used and is a vital tool within the business, upon which they heavily rely.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Microsoft Teams is an alternative. People would have an Office 365 subscription and pay for Teams anyway. Many customers use Microsoft Teams because they're already paying for the license to use Outlook or Office.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward but requires time, depending on your setup. We use Zoom for our phone calls. We will go through the steps to record the answering of the call and the options and then address any doubts. If you're going to set it up, you need to invest at least half a day to a day to configure all that stuff and have it work. Once you do it, it's done. You don't have to do it again. It is pretty easy to navigate and configure. You don't need to reference many manuals or instructions to achieve that.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
They use a licensing model based on a per-user basis for enterprise rather than per version or end device. For example, one user logging in from a handset can also log in from a phone, and it's still technically under the same license. You can be at an office, use a desk phone, and then leave the office while still running the Zoom app on the phone using the same license.
What other advice do I have?
Zoom has a high price point. Newer alternatives are coming with low prices.
If you want to start up quickly and get everything configured, Zoom is a good option. If you're a new startup or business and need a business line with an operator and all the backing of a company that answers phones and can send you to different extensions, Zoom is a good option to pick up and deploy quickly.
People within the office can participate in normal phone calls and answer the office number even though they work remotely from home. Zoom facilitates that quite well. They can run it directly on their phone; they don't need the handset at the desk connected to the back end.
Overall, I rate the solution a seven and a half out of ten.