Jabber vs Spark

[parzee_forums]

We are looking to switch our internal IM messenger solution and telephony to a Cisco client.

I have seen Jabber and Cisco Spark, looks like Spark seems to be a newer option? Which one should I choose?

Requirements:

• Telephony services (PSTN)
• DID Services
• HD Video
• SIP URI dialing
• Audio Conferencing
• Video Conferencing
• Voicemail
• IM
• File sharing

Any suggestions?

[Adarsh Chauhan]

Hi,

Both the client can almost achieve your requirement however their deployment and configuration 

is very different from each other.

Also, Spark is Cloud or Hybrid only so far whereas or IM&P server (which controls jabber) has in house deployment apart from the cloud.

Also Spark design is more team oriented with concept of persistent rooms whereas jabber is more of on fly connecting client with more inclined towards 1 to 1 communication.

I think it really depends if your organisation has a lot of teams/groups working closely together rather than end users uncategorized with individual work flows.

Please rate and mark correct if helpful

Regards,

Adarsh Chauhan

[dave.chan@innovix.com.hk]

Cc an we installed the spark not in cloud and not in hybrid . Only like jabber in CUCM local mode only. In addition . The hybrid mode can we ch CK the messenger log on the external DB. Just like jabber settings.

[Chris Deren]

Dave,

If I follow your question you are asking if Spark can be installed on-prem, if that is indeed the question, then the answer is NO. Spark is cloud solution only with ability to integrate to it via Spark Hybrid services from on-prem CUCM solution over Expressway.  

The database cannot be hosted outside of the Cisco Spark cloud either, in fact your only access to the data is via Cisco Spark APIs.

[dave.chan@innovix.com.hk]

H Chris 

Thanks for your reply. We can install spark in hybrid. We want to use the presistance room group chat. However. We won't keep the jabber with CUCM features. For example messanger log and file sending log . .can you show some url link to us.we deploy the jabber with CUCM already. But we need. Presistance group chat room features. This is most inportant for us. Pls advise. 

Rgds.

Dave 

[Chris Deren]

For IMP (Jabber) persistent chat configuration you can refer to this document:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/jabber/11_6/cjab_b_feature-configuration-for-cisco-jabber/cjab_b_feature-configuration-for-cisco-jabber_chapter_00.html

as well as the 

Database Setup for IM and Presence Service on Cisco Unified Communications Manager, Release 11.5(1)

document providing the details on supported DBs with this feature:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/voice_ip_comm/cucm/im_presence/database_setup/11_5_1/cup0_b_database-setup-guide-imp-115.html

[dave.chan@innovix.com.hk]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your reply. We can install spark in hybrid. We want to use the persistant room group chat. However. We need to keep the existing platform on jabber with CUCM features. For example messanger log and file sending log . .can you show some url link to us. we had been deploy the jabber with CUCM .

But we need. Persistant group chat room features and notification on iphone and Samsung android platform.

However we found the notifications features on I phone & Samsung mobile can not work, but it can work on some china brand android mobile phone.

 This is most important for us. Please advise. we have been raised this case to TAC.

Do you need the TAC #?

Rgds,

Dave

[dave.chan@innovix.com.hk]

Correct and helpful

[dave.chan@innovix.com.hk]

hi Adarsh. 

We have a questions on be6k cucm platform which want to use spark m1 only. We only need a IM messaging. No need a sip Call. Can we make use the express D and cucm platform to control and logging.  In addition. Can we use spark cloud to have sync with CUCM express D (same as the jabber deployment ) . 

Rgds.

Dave 

[Manish Gogna]

In addition to the useful stuff from Adarsh since you already have  the list of requirements you can review and compare the features of both Jabber & Spark.

You may review the following doc to understand Cisco Spark messaging, meeting and call capabilities as well as ordering and support information

https://www.ciscospark.com/content/dam/ciscospark/eopi/country/usa/assets/pdf/Cisco-Spark-Data-Sheet.pdf

For Jabber you may check the following

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/unified-communications/jabber-windows/data_sheet_c78-704195.html?cachemode=refresh

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/unified-communications/jabber-android/data_sheet_c78-649887.html?cachemode=refresh

If only one product qualifies for the features that you need then the choice is easy. However, if both the products are capable of providing the features that you require then you should ideally engage your Cisco Account team to understand the deployment scale, CAPEX and OPEX factors etc. The Account team will also be aware of any existing offers that may be beneficial for your deployment.

HTH

Manish