Virtual Meeting OptionsAdobe Connect Vs. Cisco WebEx

Clayton Boessen and Caleb YahnigCS 443

Why use virtual meetings? Cost efficient Attend meetings from anywhere• Better participation

Easily record the meeting• Future use of meetings

The Options

Major Brands in the business• Adobe Connect by Adobe• WebEx by Cisco

Similarities Between Adobe Connect and Cisco WebEx

Pre-Meeting

Both allow for practicing before hosting• Learn where features are located• Practice what you want to say• Helps identify possible problems

Easy to Access Through a web browser• Secure account with password• Open access

By mobile app • Android and IOS

Both integrate with other software• Outlook• Instant Messaging 

Meeting Separation

Option to create breakout groups• Small groups formed to work on specific

problems• Discuss particular issues

Saving a Meeting  WebEx can automatically record when you

schedule a meeting Adobe Connect can save meeting

recordings to the cloud Both allow for saving the meeting

workspace• Continue where you left off

Hosts and Presenters

Both options allow host to pass controls• Change who has access to certain

features• Change who is the host/participants• Allows for better participation

Security Take Security very seriously Work with governments to meet standards WebEx even goes above the standard• 256-bit encryption

Adobe Connect • 128-bit encryption

Differences Between Adobe Connect and Cisco WebEx

Interface/Environment Adobe Connect interface based on Adobe

Flash• Flash - preinstalled on most PCs• Access meetings w/o software downloads• Installs w/out firewall security problems

WebEx uses Java-based environment• Users must install on one-time basis• Difficult for users in locked-down IT

environments

Mobile Integration – Adobe Connect Adobe Connect offers full mobile

integration• Android/iPhone users can fully

collaborate and interact in meetings• Mobile users can fully administer

meetings and share files

Mobile Integration - WebEx WebEx supports mobile access only for

web meetings• Mobile capabilities limited to 500 +

attendees• Cannot present, share, or interpret

content from mobile devices

Security Adobe Connect uses a store and forward

server model• Peer-to-peer connection between local

PCs• Potentially sensitive content housed on

servers owned and controlled by Adobe WebEx uses proprietary switched network• Security advantage - session data from

host to attendees’ PC is switched & never persistently stored

Adobe Connect Meetings Offers reusable meeting environments,

personalized URLs, & stored in-meeting content• Meeting rooms 24/7 without scheduling• Join meeting room using same URL• Create multiple meeting rooms• Customize meeting room interface to

meet your needs• Design room once, storing content &

layouts for reuse

WebEx Meetings

Offers meeting space that stores content and lists scheduled meetings• Meeting environments, layouts, & URLs

change w/ each meeting• Content cannot be stored directly in

meeting environment for immediate use

Hosts and Presenters Adobe Connect allows for multiple hosts and

presenters • Easy flowing interaction between

presenters WebEx allows one presenter or host at a time• Users must continuously swap roles to

administer or present during meeting

Backstage Area

Adobe Connect offers a backstage area• Create new layouts, upload content, &

coordinate w/ others behind the scenes• Participant view is not disturbed• Allows for seamless event execution

WebEx does not provide a backstage area

Customization

Adobe Connect offers complete personalization and branding• Change meeting environment colors,

layout, and use branding to reflect corporate standards or meet specific needs

WebEx offers limited customization and charges a fee to brand

Recorded Meetings

Adobe Connect allows immediate access to recorded web meetings• Utilizes a link with secure private or

public access options WebEx requires a “proprietary viewer” to

watch a recording of a meeting

Video Feeds Adobe Connect sets no limit on number of

video feeds for meetings• This feature is not found in most web

conferencing services• Participants can use webcams to see

and react to each other WebEx is limited to seven webcam

streams

Pricing

Adobe Connect is slightly higher• $500 per annual contract for single

license with annual contract required WebEx purchase based on number of

attendees per month• 8 people for $19• 25 people for $39• 100 people for $49

Overview of products

Adobe Connect

PROS Rich multimedia – share

animations, images, audio and HD video

Instant messaging Mac OS, Windows and

Linux compatibility Records meetings that

can be edited afterward Allows viewers to skip

to relevant topics

CONS Initial setup can be

confusing with so many custom options

No phone-in feature No toll-free calls

Adobe Connect

PROS Sharable screens and

documents No software download Share unlimited number

of webcams during meeting

Customization features Mobile collaboration –

host, present, collaborate on any mobile device

CONS Higher cost than

WebEx

WebEx

PROS Ability to share desktop

and documents Video in HD 1 GB storage for paid

versions Works with

smartphones and tablets

Recordable meetings Drawing tools

CONS Video can only show

seven participants at a time

Interface window cannot expand completely

Occasional video lag

WebEx

PROS Compatible with

Windows, Mac, and Linux

High security Schedule and start

meetings from Microsoft Outlook

VoIP Live customer

support 24/7

CONS Default browser is

Internet Explorer No meeting reports Needs java installed

for browser use

Recommendation

Adobe Connect

Recommendation

WebEx dominated web conferencing for years as a reliable , time tested product & market leader

Adobe Connect is a strong contender challenging the top spot

Recommendation Adobe Connect:

Delivers solutions for business processes across multiple devices

• Enables organizations to fundamentally improve productivity

• Advanced mobile collaboration• Allows users to collaborate and train

from anywhere at any time

Recommendation Adobe Connect delivers complete

solutions for meetings, webinars, & training

Great productivity with reusable content, URLs, & meeting environments

Provides richer communication allowing: • Unlimited webcam streams• Advanced security & controls across a

variety of deployment options

Recommendation Our recommendation for the best online

meeting service is Adobe Connect Unlimited customization is not a “one size

fits all” solution Adobe Connect is user friendly w/ many

tutorials & support services

References Adobe Connect “Discover the Difference”. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://

collab8.com/products/adobe-connect-discover-the-difference/

Adobe Connect Product Comparison. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.meetingone.com/customers/Adobe_Connect_9_vs_WebEx_Competitive_Comparison.pdf

Martinez, J. and McLaughlin, M. (2016, July 29). Adobe Connect. Retrieved from: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2387818,00.asp

Martinez, J. and McLaughlin, M. (2016, July 29). Cisco WebEx Meeting Center. Retrieved from: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2387928,00.asp

Top 10 Web Conferencing Services of 2016. (2016). Retrieved October 06, 2016, from http://www.toptenreviews.com/business/phones/best-web-conferencing-services/

WebEx vs. Adobe Connect Pro. (n.d.).  Retrieved from: http://webconferencingstore.com/webex-vs-adobe-connect/