Is Synergy SKY better than CVI?
3 solutions in 1: Interoperability, Meeting workflow & Management Suite
1. Interoperability - The ONLY standards-based interop gateway
Synergy SKY CONNECT connects any SIP video endpoint to all Microsoft Teams and Google Meet meetings, including external invitations without CVI (the interop will be extended to also include Zoom later in 23)
This award-winning gateway is not another collaboration platform but it is the glue between platforms and different vendors that you have. Synergy SKY is the only independent vendor focused on meeting interoperability and multi-vendor support.
2. Meeting workflow - Ease of Use
CONNECT enables your SIP video devices to connect with one click to all major meeting platforms thereby optimizing workflow and saving costs for businesses. It supports Cisco Webex OBTP and Poly CTJ into Webex, Teams, Zoom, Cisco CMS, Pexip, Google Meet, BlueJeans, Zoom with CRC, and more. While we do not introduce any new plugins or workflows.
To support the nature of ad-hoc and hybrid work Synergy SKY pushes a green button to your video conference room in seconds either you forward an invitation or book a meeting.
3. Management Suite - Admin Control
CONNECT contains a web and video meeting management suite that provides admins the tools needed to run a modern hybrid collaboration environment. Some of its key features include check-in functionality, no-show warnings, platform incompatibility pre-call notice, phonebooks, meeting reports, de-booking of no-show rooms, and more.
How Synergy SKY CONNECT works
The SIP to Microsoft Teams video call interoperability is done by the CONNECT service in Azure which handles the real-time media. The Management Suite is easily implemented on your own network with a VM image that can be hosted within most virtualized environments. This way, all CDR and booking data remain safe within your premises.
This “dual implementation” ensures data privacy while providing the scale and flexibility of a cloud service. Please note that the Government solution has a different setup.
It’s as easy as in-person meetings for users. They can continue using Outlook or Google Calendar for all meeting scheduling, forwarding, editing, and cancellation.
No training, new tools, or workflows need to be introduced.
User-friendly
The users can continue using Outlook or Google calendar for all meeting scheduling, forwarding, editing, or cancellation of meetings, instead of being introduced to new tools and workflows. It’s as easy as in-person meetings. No training needed.
Presentation sharing
CONNECT supports all methods of presentation sharing. In meetings between videoconferencing devices and Microsoft Teams clients or Microsoft Teams Rooms, MTR.
From the Teams client to SIP device these methods are supported:
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Screen sharing
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PowerPoint Live
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Whiteboarding
See demo video for presentation sharing
Presentation sharing from SIP video conference device supports both sharing through cable (HDMI, USB-C) and wireless with Webex app, Barco click-share or any other Cisco and Poly supported method for content sharing.
Microsoft Teams Rooms, MTR, features on Cisco devices
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Participant / People list
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Raise hand
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Video lay out control
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Fit to frame
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Ad-Hoc video meeting booking (Teams and Webex)
Pricing
CONNECT has a flat per room / SIP device pricing. Have as many concurrent calls as you like with no additional costs or overage charges.
How CVI compares to Synergy SKY CONNECT
CVI
"Cloud Video Interop [CVI] provides an intermediate service while you transition to a full native Microsoft Teams Solution, using Teams endpoints." (Source: Microsoft)
Synergy SKY CONNECT
Synergy SKY CONNECT enables multi-platform collaboration and creates seamless meeting experiences by synergizing your existing setup. Giving you freedom to connect to all major platforms.
There are four CVI vendors: Webex, Pexip, Poly, and BlueJeans. Their capabilities are somewhat different when it comes to feature parity.
Synergy SKY CONNECT is a new method for connecting SIP devices to Teams meetings, it is not CVI. It is the only solution that provides the same native Teams Experience on SIP devices and clients. The user will have the same experience from any client.
| Feature | CVI | Synergy SKY CONNECT |
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SIP to Zoom |
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* |
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SIP to Google Meet |
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* |
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SIP to Teams, internal |
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SIP to Teams, received invitation (without SIP info) |
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BFCP Content Share (from SIP video device) |
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|
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PowerPoint Live, Excel Live |
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|
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Whiteboarding |
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|
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Dual Screen, Synergy SKY support duplicated image on screen two |
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Microsoft Exchange, on-prem |
! |
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One Button to Push, OBTP via Cisco Webex, Poly endpoints |
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Poly, Click-to-Join |
! |
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Microsoft Teams Meetings supported: O365, GCC-moderate, GCC-high |
! |
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Microsoft Teams Meetings supported: GCC-DoD |
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Fully Private Cloud (IL 2, 4, 5. GCC-High, DoD) with no cloud dependencies |
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Native Microsoft Teams experience on SIP devices, including: Layout control, Raise / Lower Hand. Participant list with mute / unmute and presentation sharing status |
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Ad-Hoc video meeting booking for both Teams and Webex meetings on Cisco devices |
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Receive "chat bubbles" on SIP device in Teams meetings |
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| ! | Not supported by all CVI vendors |
| * | Coming out in the second half of 2023 |
Result
CVI is a partial solution where SIP video devices are unable to join all MS Teams meetings. They also cannot take part in advanced collaborative features such as PowerPoint Live and Whiteboard sharing. CVI is a one-way road into the Microsoft Teams silo.
Synergy SKY gives you the flexibility to join all Microsoft Teams meetings and to use both legacy and new video conferencing endpoints as well as meeting platforms from any vendor, today and into the future.
Feature comparison charts can easily be favored by the author. You need to make the decision yourself and we encourage you to get a demo done today. Then you can make a fact-based decision – including the cost/benefit of your choices.
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