Cisco
Systems
Webex

by Brady Hicks

Docid: 00021200

Publication Date: 2104

Report Type: PRODUCT

Preview

Cisco Systems’ Webex offers cloud-based, collaborative software for
videoconferencing, file- and screen-sharing, whiteboarding, traditional calling,
and other elements to bring together teams, customers, and partners. This
immersive, "in-person" experience set is based on Cisco’s 2007, $3 billion
purchase of Webex. Specific elements include Webex: Meet, Webex: Call, Webex:
Message, Screen Sharing, Conference Call, and AI – Assistant. This report takes
an extended look at Cisco’s Webex portfolio in greater detail.

Description

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The Cisco Webex offering, which is based on the $3 billion
acquisition of Webex in 2007, offers conferencing and immersive telepresence.

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Webex offers rich multimedia functionality and vivid experiences to unite
teams, customers, and partners in collaboration, while also providing
"in-person" immersive video to increase engagment. Key selling points include:

Seamless collaboration
Smart hybrid work experiences
Intelligent customer experiences
Security, privacy, management, and insights

Vendor

Name:
Cisco Systems
Headquarters
170 West Tasman Dr.
San Jose, CA 95134
(408) 526-4000
(800) 553-6387
Web: http://www.cisco.com/
Type of Vendor:
Data networking provider
Founded:
1984
Service Areas:
Global
Stock Symbol:
CSCO

Furthermore, software components of Webex include Webex: Meet, Webex: Call,
Webex: Message, Screen Sharing, Conference Call, and AI – Assistant.

Webex: Meet

Webex: Meet offers video conferencing and online meeting software for meeting
face-to-face with anyone, worldwide. Functionality includes:

HD audio and video
Screen sharing
1:1 and group messaging
Meeting controls and in-session options
Recording and transcription support
Calendar integration

Figure 1 looks at the Webex: Meet interface.

Figure 1. Webex: Meet Interface

Source: Cisco

Webex: Call

Webex: Call offers a complete, cloud-based, business phone system that gives
the user a phone number and calling system. The release’s key selling points are
its ability to provide "effortless management with less overhead," as well as
its intelligent call-routing features. Included is:

Business phone number
Phone menu with call-routing options
Cloud-calling features
Visual voicemail
Team messaging
Built-in security

Additional features are detailed
in Table 1.

Table 1. Webex: Call
Extended Functionality
Feature	Description
"Push of a button" calling	Cloud-based calling with support for recording calls for later playback, transcription, and sharing Seamless cal merging and migration to conference call Call transfers and holding Support for answering other users’ phones or accessing a Hunt Group that searches for available colleagues to take call Call Waiting visibility
Messaging	1:1 and team space chats with support for rich text and expressive messaging Attachments with support for flagging correspondences for later followup Conversation tracking, including saving within secure spaces
Call-to-Meeting	HD video support Screen, file, and application sharing Recording options

Figure 2 looks at the Webex: Call support for shifting to video meetings.

Figure 2. Webex: Call (-to-Meeting)

Source: Cisco

Webex: Message

Webex: Message offers a team collaboration platform for messaging,
file-sharing, whiteboarding, and collaborating. Functions include:

1:1 and group messaging
File and content sharing
Two-way whiteboarding
Direct calling to Webex users
Integrated productivity tools*
Personalization options

* Integrations include tools from Microsoft, Google, and
Salesforce, plus others via the Webex App Hub.

Figure 3 shows Webex: Message’s interface.

Figure 3. Webex: Message Display

Source: Cisco

Screen Sharing

Webex’s screen-share function is designed to support collaboration. Users can
share specific elements at their discretion. Options are shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Screen Sharing
Availability
Options	Description
Files or Documents	Word and PowerPoint
Application Sets	Productivity tools and Web browsers
Multimedia Viewers and Players	Sharing video or animation at 30 frames-per-second
Entire Screen	All windows that are open and in-view

Additionally, Webex supports a permission-based approach that lets any
contributor share items on their display. Screen-sharing is also available using
virtually any system, browser, Android or iOS device, or Cisco Webex device, and
can be toggled on or off based on presentation.

Conference Call

Webex Meetings supports unlimited conference calls and an interactive meeting
experience that includes "robust" audio transmissions, high-quality video, rich
content, customizable controls, and security.

Options for connections include:
Dial-in number
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
"Call-Me" option.

AI – Assistant

The AI (artificial intelligence)-powered meeting assistant offers a
customized, digital aid Features include:

Real-time translations to/from 100+ languages
Real-time transcriptions and closed captions
Meeting recordings
Saving key points as highlights
Hands-free voice commands
Editable, downloadable, and shareable post-meeting recaps, including
highlights and action items
Advanced keyword searches
No customer data retention for ML (machine-learning) training
Aggregated telemetry, quality metrics, and logs for measuring
performance and securing usage details