After testing ZOOM (a product chosen by ESNet last year) and comparing functionality and cost to our prior offering, we have decided to make a change. In December we will start deployment and training which allows a one month overlap with the current tool while we make the transition. (We will continue to offer and recommend Google Hangouts when appropriate - easily accessed via Gmail or Google Calendar)
Our documention is being updated (go.lbl.gov/vc) and we are preparing to offer training (including one-on-one sessions with Help Desk staff members). ZOOM is also on all the Video conferencing carts.
Key features
With our Zoom contract, we are acquiring one 1000 person Webinar license that can be assigned as needed. Zoom also has a remote control feature that lets a participant screen share and let someone else take control (great for troubleshooting or providing assistance in areas outside of Video Conferencing). Up to 50 participants can join a meeting.
We will also have the ability to let up to 4 traditional room systems connect (1 system in each of 4 meetings or 4 systems in one meeting) Not needed as much anymore, but a useful feature. We also understand that Zoom can connect to a Video conference bridge - something we occasionally have to do with DOE.
Getting Access
We plan to integrate Zoom with our Single Sign-on system so your Berkeley Lab identity ("LDAP") can be used to authenticate as a host and allow us to auto provision accounts. We are also looking into offering toll free international numbers (which we can assign at the host level). We will have to recharge these costs for those of you who need this feature.
