2. Cost efficient
Attend meetings from anywhere
• Better participation
Easily record the meeting
• Future use of meetings
3. Major Brands in the business
• Adobe Connect by Adobe
• WebEx by Cisco
4.
5. Both allow for practicing before hosting
• Learn where features are located
• Practice what you want to say
• Helps identify possible problems
6. Through a web browser
• Secure account with password
• Open access
By mobile app
• Android and IOS
Both integrate with other software
• Outlook
• Instant Messaging
7. Option to create breakout groups
• Small groups formed to work on specific problems
• Discuss particular issues
8. 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
9. Both options allow host to pass controls
• Change who has access to certain features
• Change who is the host/participants
• Allows for better participation
10. Take Security very seriously
Work with governments to meet standards
WebEx even goes above the standard
• 256-bit encryption
Adobe Connect
• 128-bit encryption
11.
12. 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
13. 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
14. WebEx supports mobile access only for web
meetings
• Mobile capabilities limited to 500 + attendees
• Cannot present, share, or interpret content from
mobile devices
15. 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
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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
19. 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
20. 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
21. 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
22. 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
23. 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
24.
25. 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
26. 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 thanWebEx
27. 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
28. 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
29.
30.
31. WebEx dominated web conferencing for years as a
reliable , time tested product & market leader
Adobe Connect is a strong contender challenging
the top spot
32. 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
33. 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
34. 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
35. 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_Com
parison.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 10Web 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/
Editor's Notes
There are many advantages to using virtual meeting software in the work place. The biggest advantage is to be able to attend meetings from anywhere. You can attend meetings from around the world quickly and easily. Many options allow for you to log in with a browser or even attend from your phone. This all helps if you cannot physically attend the meeting. This is really useful for large businesses or businesses that are working together, as you can connect with each other from any place. Another advantage of virtual meetings is being able to record them in real time. Doing this allows for future use of the meeting or for people who missed the original meeting to learn what transpired during the meeting. Something else to consider is the cost, it can be much cheaper to attend virtual meetings compared to commuting to the physical location of the meeting.
Two major products in the field are Adobe Connect and WebEx. Adobe Connect was created by Adobe and WebEx was created by Cisco. Both companies are major players in the Information Technology world, and have invested a lot of time and money into creating their products. Adobe Connect and WebEx are both highly rated virtual meeting options for business customers.
Both of these options allows for you to practice the meeting before you are actually hosting it. This is very important for people as it allows them to get comfortable with what they are going to say and what they are going to do.
One key similarity is that they both allow for easy access to meetings. Both allow you to log in to the meeting with a web browser or through their app on your mobile phone. This means that you can use either option from basically anywhere in the world to access a meeting. Something else these options share is the ability to control how the meeting is accessed. The business can choose to make the meeting secure and require users to provide a login and password to attend, or you can allow for the meeting to be open and not require a sign in.
Another similarity that they both have is the ability to split your meeting up into smaller groups called breakout groups. These groups can be created if certain members need to meet about or work on specific topics/problems.
Something important to many businesses is the ability to record these meetings for future use. Both Adobe Connect and WebEx allow for meetings to be recorded, this can be useful if the meeting was a demonstration on how to do a certain task or fix a problem.
Another feature that they both have implemented is the ability to pass the controls to other members in the meeting. This allows for better communications and participation in the meeting.
Adobe Connect and WebEx both highly value security, and work with businesses and government agencies to make sure they are up to or surpass industry standards.
Adobe Connect is easier for attendees to join meetings because the interface is based on Adobe Flash, which is pre-installed on most computers world-wide. Individuals can instantly access meetings without the hassle of software downloads. Additionally, there is no problem with implementation regarding firewall security issues. WebEx uses a Java-based environment that users must install on a one-time basis upon joining. This can lead to slower meeting access and difficulties for users in locked-down IT environments to attend.
Adobe Connect offers full mobile integration. Rather than only being able to attend webinars or meetings via mobile devices, mobile users of Android, iPhone, etc. can fully collaborate and interact via mobile. Adobe Connect enables users to fully administer a meeting with start/stop, recording, layout, audio and participant controls, as well as present content, advance slides, use a whiteboard, and share files from the cloud or directly from a mobile device. WebEx supports mobile access only for web meetings. Mobile capabilities are limited to the WebEx package catering to 500 attendees and are less feature rich than Adobe Connect. WebEx does not offer the ability to present, share, or interpret content from a mobile device.
WebEx has an edge in security features through the use of a proprietary dynamic switched network, “WebEx Media Ton Network” versus a peer-to-peer connection between local PCs with Adobe Connect. This means WebEx offers a security advantage as meetings take place on a private dynamic switched network. With this architecture, session data originating from the presenter’s machine and arriving at the attendee’s machines is switched and never persistently stored through the WebEx Media Tone Network. Adobe Connect uses a store and forward server model where potentially sensitive content is housed on servers owned and controlled by Adobe.
Adobe Connect allows for reusable meeting environments, personalized URLs, and stored in-meeting content. Meeting rooms are accessible anytime without scheduling. Participants can join the meeting room at the same URL. Hosts are able to prepare the room once, storing content and setting up layouts for continuous reuse, which saves time and enables immediate collaboration without preparation. WebEx offers a meeting space that stores content and can list scheduled meetings, but meeting environments, layouts, and URLs are not persistent and change with each meeting. Content cannot be stored directly in the meeting environment for immediate use.
Adobe Connect allows for multiple hosts and presenters during a meeting, which permits a more easy flowing interaction between presenters. WebEx allows one presenter or host at a time. Users are required to continuously swap roles to administer or present during the meeting.
Adobe Connect offers a backstage area where presenters can create new layouts, upload content, or coordinate with other presenters behind the scenes while the presentation continues, without disturbing the view of participants for seamless event execution. WebEx does not provide a backstage area for administration and coordination without disturbing the view of participants.
Adobe Connect offers complete branding and personalization. Users can change the meeting environment colors, layout, and branding to reflect corporate standards or to meet specific needs. WebEx offers limited customization and charges a fee to brand.
Adobe Connect allows immediate access to recorded web meetings through a link with secure private or public access options, while WebEx requires a “proprietary viewer” to watch a recording of a meeting.
Adobe Connect sets no limit on the number of video feeds that can be displayed during a meeting, which is a feature not found in most web conferencing services. This feature allows presenters to enable participants to use their webcams in order to see and react to all participants, enhancing communications during the meeting. WebEx is limited to seven webcam streams.
Adobe Connect comes with a slightly higher price tag at $500 per annual contract for a single license with annual contract required. WebEx can be purchased based on the number of attendees with eight people for $19, twenty-five people for $39, or 100 people for $49 per month.
Although there are many similarities between Adobe Connect and Cisco WebEx, with both offering many features for a productive virtual meeting environment, there are also many differences. WebEx has dominated web conferencing for a number of years as a reliable time tested product and clear market leader. However, Adobe Connect has become a strong contender and is challenging that dominant spot. Adobe Connect is a web conferencing platform for web meetings, eLearning, and webinars. It goes beyond screen sharing, and delivers end-to-end solutions to drive critical business processes across virtually any device, and enables organizations from leading corporations to the U.S. Department of Defense to fundamentally improve productivity. Unlike WebEx, the advanced mobile collaboration features of Adobe Connect deliver nearly all hosting, presenting, and sharing capabilities directly to mobile devices, allowing users to collaborate and train from anywhere at any time. Adobe Connect delivers complete solutions to power meetings, webinars, and training workflows. It drives greater productivity with reusable content, URLs, and meeting environments. Adobe Connect enables richer face-to-face communication with support for unlimited webcam streams, and provides advanced security and controls across a variety of deployment options. It is our recommendation that the best online meeting service is Adobe Connect. With the unlimited customization features this software is not designed as a “one size fits all” solution. Adobe Connects interface is very user friendly, however, if assistance is needed, there are many tutorials and support services to help new users get started with Adobe Connect.
