Cisco Webex Events - Detailed Review
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Cisco Webex Events - Product Overview
Overview
Cisco Webex Events is a comprehensive platform designed to facilitate interactive and engaging online events, webinars, and webcasts. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:Primary Function
Cisco Webex Events enables organizations to host large-scale online events, including webinars, webcasts, and corporate meetings. It allows businesses to connect with geographically dispersed audiences, reduce travel costs, and boost attendance.Target Audience
The target audience for Webex Events includes businesses of all sizes, particularly those in sales, marketing, and internal organizational communications. It is ideal for companies looking to engage employees, sales prospects, and customers across different locations.Key Features
Capacity and Scalability
Webex Events can support up to 10,000 participants in interactive webinars and up to 100,000 participants in webcast mode, making it suitable for large-scale events.Video and Audio Quality
The platform offers high-definition video and broadcast-quality audio, ensuring that participants can see and hear presenters and panelists clearly.Engagement Tools
Webex Events includes various engagement tools such as real-time polls, threaded Q&A features, and attention indicators to monitor participant engagement. Hosts can also manage audience interactions by controlling microphone access and facilitating public or private chats.Event Management
The platform provides a full array of tools to manage events from start to finish, including automated email invitations, confirmations, and reminders. It also supports customized registration forms, lead scoring, and post-event follow-up emails and surveys.Security and Accessibility
Webex Events is delivered over the secure Cisco Collaboration Cloud, ensuring reliable and secure events. Participants can join events easily from any device, including Android, iPhone, and iPad devices, without the need for new software or hardware.Revenue Generation
The platform allows for e-commerce integration, enabling organizations to generate revenue by accepting payments for event access and offering promotional discounts.Analytics and Reporting
Webex Events provides detailed reports on registration, attendance, lead scores, and other metrics, which can be exported to CRM and marketing automation systems. This helps in tracking the effectiveness of events and identifying valuable leads.Conclusion
Overall, Cisco Webex Events is a versatile and secure solution that helps organizations engage audiences effectively, manage events efficiently, and measure event success accurately. Cisco Webex Events - User Interface and Experience
User Interface and Experience of Cisco Webex Events
Ease of Use
Webex Events is generally praised for its user-friendly interface. The platform is designed to be intuitive, making it accessible for both tech-savvy and less tech-savvy users. The setup process is straightforward and efficient, allowing organizers to quickly get their events up and running.Event Management
Organizers can create and manage events with ease, using features such as event templates that store favorite settings, including event names, descriptions, passwords, and teleconference options. These templates can be customized and saved for future use, streamlining the scheduling process.Registration and Ticketing
The platform offers a fully branded registration experience that can be set up quickly. It includes flexible ticketing options with multiple ticket types, pricing, group rates, and discount codes, all with instant payouts. This makes managing attendee registrations and ticket sales straightforward.Attendee Experience
Webex Events provides an intuitive and customizable event app that gives attendees easy access to event content, whether they are attending in-person or virtually. The app includes features such as speaker information, posters, programs, exhibits, and sponsor details, all in one convenient place.Engagement Features
The platform includes various engagement tools like polls, Q&A sessions, and networking options to drive active participation and create interactive experiences for attendees. These features help in increasing attendee satisfaction and retention.Analytics and Reporting
Webex Events offers detailed analytics that provide valuable insights into attendee behavior. This allows organizers to measure the success of their events and make data-driven improvements for future events. The platform also helps in tracking metrics such as attendee engagement, ticket sales, and sponsorship, enabling organizers to show a clear ROI from each event.Customer Support
Users have praised the responsive and helpful customer support provided by Webex Events. The support team is known for giving clear answers and not rushing through chats, which enhances the overall user experience.Mobile Optimization
While the mobile app is generally good, there is room for further optimization to enhance the user experience on mobile devices. However, the platform still works effectively for both large-scale and smaller events.Performance and Scalability
Webex Events can handle large-scale events without compromising performance or functionality. It scales well with the growth of events, making it a reliable choice for organizers of various event sizes.Summary
In summary, Webex Events offers a user-friendly interface, streamlined event management tools, engaging features for attendees, and valuable analytics. While there are some areas for improvement, such as mobile optimization, the overall user experience is positive and supportive of hosting successful and efficient events. Cisco Webex Events - Key Features and Functionality
Cisco Webex Events Overview
Cisco Webex Events offers a range of features and functionalities that are enhanced by AI-driven technologies, making it a powerful tool for hosting engaging and interactive events. Here are the key features and how they work:Event Hosting and Management
Webex Events allows you to host live, virtual, and hybrid events for up to 100,000 attendees. You can create multi-track agendas with immersive content and live streaming, ensuring active participation through various engagement tools.Registration and Ticketing
The platform provides a fully branded registration experience that can be set up in minutes. It includes flexible ticketing options such as multiple ticket types, pricing, group rates, discount codes, and instant payouts, making event management more efficient.Event App
Attendees have easy access to event content through an intuitive and customizable Event app, whether they are attending in-person or remotely. This app ensures that all event materials and updates are readily available.Onsite Check-in
Webex Events offers a smooth and secure onsite check-in process with efficient in-person event check-in and badge printing solutions, streamlining the attendee experience.AI-Driven Audio Intelligence
Webex Events benefits from AI-driven audio intelligence features such as noise removal, music mode, and voice optimization. These features ensure that participants hear and understand each other clearly, even in noisy environments. For example, noise removal eliminates background noise while enhancing speech, and music mode is ideal for virtual concerts or music lessons.Language and Camera Intelligence
The platform supports language intelligence with translation capabilities in over 75 languages for Slido Q&A and Vidcast generated videos, making events more inclusive. Additionally, camera intelligence features like optimized framing, speaker tracking, and AI-driven single- and multi-camera intelligence ensure that everyone gets the best view in the meeting.Webex Assistant
The Webex Assistant integrates AI to provide real-time interactive help during meetings and events. It can highlight important notes, assign action items, and keep track of important decisions. This assistant also supports hands-free, voice-activated commands to control devices, making collaboration management easier.Content Sharing and Engagement
Webex Events allows you to upload documents and videos for on-demand consumption and set up a social wall for sharing pictures and posts. This enhances attendee engagement and provides a platform for continuous interaction before, during, and after the event.Action Items and Summaries
AI-generated summaries and action items are available during and after the event, automating the task of manual note-taking. These summaries can be shared easily with colleagues via popular third-party apps like Outlook, Copilot, Microsoft Teams, and Slack.Translation and Inclusivity
With support for over 120 languages for AI-generated summaries, Webex Events ensures that meetings are more inclusive. This feature is particularly useful for global events where attendees may speak different languages.Conclusion
By integrating these AI-driven features, Webex Events creates a seamless, engaging, and highly inclusive experience for both hosts and attendees, making event management more efficient and effective. Cisco Webex Events - Performance and Accuracy
Performance and Accuracy of Cisco Webex Events
When evaluating the performance and accuracy of Cisco Webex Events, particularly in the context of their AI-driven video tools, several key points come to the forefront.Accuracy of Transcription
One of the critical aspects of Webex’s performance is the accuracy of its Automated Speech Recognition (ASR) and transcription capabilities. The accuracy is measured using the Word Error Rate (WER), where a lower WER indicates fewer errors. Webex has continuously improved its WER, achieving a 36% incremental improvement by February 2022. However, the accuracy of the transcription engine can vary significantly depending on the dataset and specific use case. For instance, the WER can differ when transcribing video conferences versus telephone calls or audiobooks. Additionally, the presence of accented speech or different acoustic environments can impact the error rate.Real-Time Transcription
Webex’s ASR creates multiple drafts of transcripts in real-time to achieve the best accuracy. This includes draft/interim utterances seen during live captioning, followed by more accurate final utterances after a few milliseconds. This process ensures that the final transcript is as accurate as possible, even if it involves multiple iterations during the meeting.Audio Intelligence
Webex’s AI-driven audio features, such as noise removal, music mode, and voice optimization, enhance the audio quality and clarity during meetings. These features help in filtering out background noise and ensuring that all participants can be heard clearly, regardless of their location in the room.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Despite the advancements, there are some limitations and areas that require attention:Presentation Quality Issues
In large meetings with 100 or more participants, users have reported issues such as color shifting of PowerPoint slides, text blur, and focus problems. These issues can occur even when the presenter is on a good network, and using a Video Mesh can sometimes mitigate these problems.Web App Limitations
The Webex web app, while convenient for attendees with restrictive security settings, has several limitations compared to the desktop app. These include the unavailability of raise hand functionality, content sharing restrictions, and the inability to transfer mouse controls or pass the host role. Attendees can switch to the desktop app for full functionality, but this may not always be feasible.Network and Bandwidth
The performance of Webex meetings can be affected by network conditions, especially in large meetings where multiple participants are accessing the cloud for the video feed. Ensuring a stable and high-bandwidth network is crucial for optimal performance.Conclusion
Cisco Webex Events, with their AI-driven video tools, offer significant improvements in transcription accuracy and audio quality. However, users need to be aware of potential limitations, such as presentation quality issues in large meetings and the restrictions of the web app. Addressing these areas can further enhance the overall user experience and engagement. By focusing on specific use cases like video conferencing and optimizing for those environments, Webex continues to improve its performance and accuracy. Cisco Webex Events - Pricing and Plans
Pricing and Plans
Cisco Webex Events does not have a publicly listed fixed pricing structure. Instead, the pricing is customized based on the specific needs of the user.Custom Pricing
For Webex Events, you need to contact the sales team to get a custom quote. This is because the service is often included in select Suite Enterprise Agreements (Suite EA) and is tailored to handle large-scale events, including in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.Features
Here are some of the key features included in Webex Events:- Attendee Capacity: Up to 1,000 attendees.
- Event Management: Customized attendee registration, automated email invitations, reminders, and lead source tracking.
- Interactive Features: Audience feedback collection through polling and Q&A, live chat, and recording and archiving of seminars for on-demand playback.
- In-Person Event Tools: In-person check-in, badge printing, and registration, along with a mobile event app.
- Content Management: Multi-track agendas with speaker and content management.
- Monetization: Ticketing and sponsorship options.
- Streaming Options: Multiple streaming options, including closed captions and translations.
- Branding: Branded virtual event hub agendas, sessions, networking, and attendee engagement.
Free Option
There is a free version of Webex Events available for testing, which supports up to 100 attendees. This allows users to try out the platform before committing to a paid plan. In summary, while the exact pricing for Webex Events is not publicly available, the service offers a range of comprehensive features for managing large-scale events. Users can contact the sales team for a custom quote or try out the free version to get started. Cisco Webex Events - Integration and Compatibility
Cisco Webex Events Overview
Cisco Webex Events is a comprehensive event management platform that integrates seamlessly with various tools and offers broad compatibility across different platforms and devices, ensuring a smooth and engaging event experience.Integration with Other Tools
Webex and Microsoft Teams
One of the key integrations of Webex Events is with Microsoft Teams. Through the Webex video integration, video devices can join Microsoft Teams meetings, enhancing the meeting experience with multi-screen layouts, bi-directional content sharing, and participant lists that include both Microsoft and video integration participants.Webex Webinars
Additionally, Webex Events can be used in conjunction with Webex Webinars. You can set up registration in Webex Events and host the session in Webex Webinars, or use Webex Events for the main event and Webex Webinars as the streaming provider. This flexibility allows you to leverage the strengths of each platform to suit your specific event needs.Compatibility Across Platforms and Devices
Webex Events supports a wide range of devices and platforms. Here are some key points:Operating Systems and Browsers
Webex Events is compatible with various operating systems including Windows, and browsers such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. It ensures that users can start and join meetings, view shared screens, applications, and files, and engage in chat and telephony functions across these platforms.Mobile Access
The Webex Events app provides easy access to event content, whether attendees are in-person or on the go. This app is intuitive and customizable, ensuring attendees can engage fully with the event from their mobile devices.Video Devices
The integration with Microsoft Teams also extends to video devices, allowing them to join meetings with features like multi-screen layouts and content sharing. This is particularly useful for hybrid events where both in-person and virtual attendees need to interact seamlessly.Hybrid Events
Webex Events supports hybrid events, allowing organizers to easily switch between in-person, virtual, or a combination of both formats. This flexibility ensures that events can be managed end-to-end on a single platform, regardless of the event type or size.Conclusion
In summary, Webex Events offers strong integration capabilities with other tools like Microsoft Teams and Webex Webinars, and it is highly compatible across various devices and platforms, making it a versatile and reliable choice for event management. Cisco Webex Events - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
Real-Time Support
Users can initiate remote support sessions instantly, allowing support agents to view customers’ screens, control their desktops, and resolve issues in real time. This is facilitated through the Cisco Webex Support Center, which operates over the global Cisco Collaboration Cloud without requiring additional software or hardware installations.
Chat and Call Support
Customers can chat with support representatives or call the Global Support team. For Webex Calling support, users can contact the support team directly through the provided links, which include options to chat, call, or open a case.
Knowledge Base and Help Articles
Webex provides a comprehensive Knowledge Base where users can search for help articles that address their specific questions. This resource is accessible for both customer administrators and regular users.
AI-Driven Support Features
AI Assistant for Webex Contact Center
This feature offers AI-powered assistance to agents and supervisors, including automated guidance, context, insights, and summaries. It facilitates seamless handoffs, captures and documents interaction details, and monitors agent wellbeing. The AI Assistant also includes topic analytics and automatic CSAT scoring to improve customer interactions.
AI Agent for Self-Service
Webex AI Agent provides an always-on conversational AI experience across voice and digital channels, enabling customers to interact without queuing. This AI agent can be built, deployed, and managed easily by business users and IT administrators, and it integrates with workflows to complete actions and fulfill customer intents.
Additional Resources
Webex Collaboration AI Portfolio
This portfolio includes various AI-driven capabilities such as audio intelligence (noise removal, music mode), language intelligence, camera intelligence, and collaboration insights. These features enhance the quality and inclusivity of meetings and collaborations.
Webex Assistant
Available for both devices and meetings, the Webex Assistant provides hands-free, voice-activated commands to control devices, highlight important notes, assign action items, and keep track of decisions. It also allows for building custom applications to extend its capabilities.
These resources and features are designed to provide efficient, personalized, and empathetic support, ensuring that customers feel valued and supported in every interaction.
Cisco Webex Events - Pros and Cons
Advantages
High Attendee Capacity
Webex Meetings and Events support a large number of participants. For example, the enterprise plan allows up to 1,000 participants in meetings, and Webex Events can handle up to 3,000 attendees for interactive webinars and events, and even up to 40,000 participants for large-scale webcasting.
Interactive Elements
Webex includes features like polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions in all its paid plans, which can significantly enhance audience engagement during meetings and events.
Cohosting Options
Users can assign multiple cohosts who have the same privileges as the host, helping to manage participants, start, stop, and schedule meetings.
Customizable Layouts
Hosts and attendees can customize the layout of their video conferencing sessions, including the ability to view up to 81 cameras at a time.
AI Integrations
Webex is integrating AI Assistant features, such as call summaries, action items, and “catch-me up” summaries during meetings. These features help participants stay informed and engaged, even if they join late.
Multi-Device Support
Users can join calls on multiple devices and switch devices mid-call, offering flexibility and convenience.
Security and Integration
Webex offers strong security features and integrates with various applications, including Cisco and Microsoft Teams.
Disadvantages
Limited Support for Non-Cisco Devices
While Webex supports a wide range of Cisco devices, it has limited support for non-Cisco devices, which might be a drawback for users with different hardware.
Translation Costs
AI translations are not included in the standard plans and cost an additional $300 per license per year, which can be a significant extra expense.
Storage Limitations
Except for the enterprise plan, all paid plans are limited to 10 GB of cloud storage for meeting recordings, which is relatively low compared to other providers.
Streaming Restrictions
Livestreaming is only available on the most expensive enterprise plan, which can be a limitation for users on lower-tier plans.
Innovative Feature Gap
Webex is not considered a cutting-edge solution in terms of innovative features like collaborative documents, video editing, or remote desktop control, although it is starting to implement more AI features.
Additional Costs for Advanced Features
Some advanced features, such as the new Webex AI Agent and AI Agent Studio, will be available but may incur additional costs or be limited to specific plans.
By weighing these pros and cons, you can make a more informed decision about whether Webex meets your specific needs for video conferencing and event management.
Cisco Webex Events - Comparison with Competitors
Webex Events Unique Features
Scalability
Integration Options
Security and Compliance
Advanced Features
Comparison with Zoom
Attendee Capacity
Video Quality
Security
Additional Features
Comparison with Kaltura
Customization and Scalability
Brandability
Potential Alternatives
Kaltura
Zoom
Cisco Webex Events - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Cisco Webex Events
1. What is the difference between the new Webex Events and the classic Webex Events?
The new Webex Events service offers several unique features compared to the classic version. It is video-centric, intelligent, and simpler to use. However, some features from the classic version are not yet supported in the new service, but they are expected to be added in the future. You can compare the features in detail using the resources provided by Webex.2. How can hosts select between the new and classic Webex Events?
Hosts can select between the new and classic Webex Events when scheduling a meeting. The new Webex Events will appear as a dropdown option when selecting “schedule a meeting.” Classic Webex Events remain available in the same place as before.3. When will the new Webex Events be available for existing customers?
For customers with Webex Meetings suite (including Events 1000), the new Webex Events option was available in beta from May 10-25, 2021, with general availability targeted for May 28, 2021. For customers with Events 3000 entitlement, they needed to opt-in for the beta, and general availability was also targeted for May 28, 2021.4. Why can’t some hosts see the new Webex Events option even after the upgrade?
If hosts cannot see the new Webex Events option, it may be because they had only the meetings session type and did not automatically receive the new Events session type. Administrators can assign the new session type to these hosts. Checking the site’s session types in Control Hub is the best way to confirm if the new Events are enabled.5. What is Webcast mode in Webex Events, and who can use it?
Webcast mode is available only for Events 3K customers and is not available for Events 1K customers. This mode allows for a simple attendee joining and viewing experience, where attendees can stream the event using a web browser. Hosts can specify the layout for attendees during the event, and attendees can adjust volume, stop and resume video, and expand to full screen.6. How many participants can Webex Events support?
Webex Events plans to support up to 10,000 participants in Event/Webinar mode and up to 100,000 participants in Webcast mode. This capacity is part of their future enhancements.7. Can Webex Events be used for in-person, virtual, or hybrid events?
Yes, Webex Events supports all types of event formats, including in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. It offers features like in-person check-in, badge printing, and a mobile event app for in-person events, as well as multi-track agendas and streaming options for virtual and hybrid events.8. What features are available for event management in Webex Events?
Webex Events provides a comprehensive event management experience, including multi-track agendas, speaker and content management, registration and custom branded pages, automated emails, and monetization options with ticketing and sponsorship. It also supports live, simulive, and on-demand streaming, practice sessions, attendee moderation, and breakout rooms.9. How secure are Webex Events?
Webex Events, like other Webex products, are built on Cisco technology and offer high security standards. Every paid Webex account comes with 24×7 technical support, and the platform integrates with various security measures and third-party systems to ensure secure and reliable events.10. Can Webex Events be integrated with other IT investments and calendars?
Yes, Webex Events can be integrated with your calendar and other IT investments. It supports integration with Microsoft Office applications, audio solutions, and other Cisco collaboration tools. Additionally, APIs are available to integrate Webex with other web-based apps and workflows. Cisco Webex Events - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Cisco Webex Events
Cisco Webex Events is a comprehensive and highly capable platform for hosting virtual events, webinars, and meetings. Here’s a detailed assessment of its features, benefits, and who would benefit most from using it.
Key Features
- High-Quality Video and Audio: Webex Events offers integrated high-definition video and clear audio, allowing participants to see and hear presenters and panelists clearly.
- Ease of Use: The platform is easy to implement and requires no new software or hardware, making it scalable to meet changing needs.
- Multi-Device Compatibility: Events can be accessed via desktop, laptops, and mobile devices such as Android, iPhone, and iPad devices.
- Revenue Generation: Users can generate revenue by accepting credit card or PayPal payments for event access and recordings, and use promotion codes to encourage registration.
- Engagement Tools: Features include real-time Q&A, chat, polls, and an attention indicator tool to monitor audience engagement.
- Pre- and Post-Event Management: Automated invitations, confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups, as well as post-event surveys and analytics, are all part of the service.
Benefits
- Cost Savings: Reduces travel and venue expenses by enabling virtual events, boosting attendance and engagement.
- Scalability: Supports up to 3000 attendees in a single event, with up to 1000 on video, making it suitable for large-scale events.
- Security and Reliability: Provides a highly secure and reliable service with seamless VoIP audio and streaming video.
- Lead Generation and Tracking: Allows for tracking and qualifying leads, and merging valuable attendee information with marketing and sales databases.
Who Would Benefit Most
- Large Enterprises: Companies with over 1000 employees and $1000M in revenue, particularly in industries like Information Technology, Computer Software, and Insurance, would benefit significantly from Webex Events due to its scalability and comprehensive features.
- Marketing and Sales Teams: Teams looking to market products and services to a broader audience, generate leads, and track event success will find Webex Events highly beneficial.
- Corporate Event Planners: Those responsible for hosting company meetings, webinars, and other corporate events can leverage Webex Events to engage audiences effectively and manage events from start to finish.
Overall Recommendation
Cisco Webex Events is an excellent choice for organizations seeking a reliable, secure, and feature-rich platform for hosting virtual events and webinars. Its ease of use, scalability, and comprehensive engagement tools make it ideal for large enterprises and teams focused on marketing, sales, and corporate communications. The platform’s ability to generate revenue, track leads, and provide detailed analytics adds significant value.
In summary, if you need a platform that can handle large-scale virtual events with high-quality video and audio, while also providing robust engagement and management tools, Cisco Webex Events is a highly recommended solution.