#CollabChat Transcript- The When, Where and How of Cisco vs. Microsoft for UC

[dmardesi]

On November 22, 2012, Zeus Kerravala of ZK Research discussed the findings of his recent study, The When, Where and How of Cisco vs. Microsoft for UC, in an open TweetChat moderated by @GoCiscoCollab and @CiscoCollab. hosted a TweetChat covering the big decision points when deciding between Cisco vs. Microsoft for unified communications.

The transcript for the #CollabChat is posted below. Feel free to post questions or comments. Stay tuned for the next #CollabChat!

Please read from bottom to top:

 
lamidex2 Yes It can work if both of them are ready to let go of proprietary Ego #collabchat -9:47 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
gociscocollab Thanks to everyone for participating! We'll post the transcript of this TweetChat on our community. Look for the link soon. #collabchat -9:47 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala thank you to everyone for attending! that was fun!#Collabchat -9:47 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
stsanto I meant push the questions to #CollabChat tweetchat RT@globalalex: ..how does Jabber works with Skype users? -9:46 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
pbocquet @zkerravala #collabchat Its been fun. Thanks for comments and observations -9:46 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
stsanto RT @globalalex: ..how does Jabber works with Skype users? --> you might want to use #CollabChat to push this? -9:45 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q6 cloud is going to play a bigger role in the evolution of UC. Feature parity is a must. #Collabchat -9:44 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
dkerroz @billqzeng @gociscocollab #CollabChat Agree MS behind with no voice in cloud offering and disconnect of Skype/lync -9:44 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
svratledge That's the beauty of it - You can choose on-prem, cloud, or a hybrid model. #collabchat -9:43 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q6 this forces to choose features versus delivery model#Collabchat -9:43 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
billqzeng @gociscocollab Q6: Cisco UC cloud provides full UC service, including voice and video. #collabchat -9:42 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
pbocquet @gociscocollab #collabchat customers will want choice : in device, in OS and in consumption models. Cloud or On-Prem? Or Both? You choose. -9:42 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
ryanbkim Q6: Cisco WebEx has the most powerful awareness as a SaaS in Conferencing and can extend to UC with same end user experience #collabchat -9:42 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala q6 msft has a broad cloud portfolio but its all over the map. lync on line, office 365, Skype, all have different features #Collabchat-9:42 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
billqzeng @gociscocollab Q6: It is about providing the end to end UC service on cloud, not just IM/Presence. #collabchat -9:42 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q6 a decision based on features. Same experience, different delivery models #Collabchat -9:41 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q6 between cloud and premise. This means cust can utilize the delivery model that suits them best instead of making #Collabchat-9:41 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q6 that's an excellent Q. Cisco is a clear leader in cloud UC. over the past year the company has achieved full feature parity#Collabchat -9:40 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
gociscocollab Q6: How does the shift to cloud-based applications weigh into the Cisco vs. Microsoft argument? #collabchat -9:40 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
billqzeng @stsanto @ryankim I dont dare to say too. From research, it seems they are not able to monetize Lync, nor their partners.#collabchat -9:39 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
billqzeng @gociscocollab Q5: there are always going to be feature on the client either MS has or Cisco has. the key is "user experience" #collabchat -9:38 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q5 presence today must address multi-OS, cross platform#Collabchat -9:38 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q5 people used to think that sametime had the best presence because of share. Where are they now? #Collabchat -9:37 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q5 @dkerroz I believe you're correct. presence used to be a desktop only app. Today,it's a desktop,smartphone, tablet, etc app#Collabchat -9:36 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
stsanto @billqzeng @ryanbkim - it seems like MSFT focuses on UC as value-added to push Office, etc? I don't dare to say so, you think?#CollabChat -9:36 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q5: Jabber's consistency of across IOS, Android, Win, Mac, BB, etc make it a better post-pc presence engine than a Win opt Lync#Collabchat -9:34 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
pbocquet @stsanto @zkerravala #CollabChat This is very important point - collaboration apps need to be OS-independent / device independent -9:34 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
dkerroz @gociscocollab Q5 is that due to MS deployed market share of OCS and Lync due to customers on Win desktop/EAs?#Collabchat -9:34 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q5: however, the world is rapidly moving multi-os and Jabber was designed from the outset to be mutli-OS capable#Collabchat -9:33 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
ryanbkim @stsanto Cisco can integrate with Zimbra for email integration as well. #collabchat -9:33 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
billqzeng @stsanto This even makes more sense to look at Cisco UC because it is open protocol based. google talk can federate with cisco.#collabchat -9:33 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q5: better is a relative term. In an all windows environment, Lync would have some advantages. #Collabchat -9:32 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
gociscocollab Q5: There's a misconception that Microsoft is better for presence and IM. Discuss. #collabchat -9:32 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
stsanto @zkerravala thing is many of us arent not even using Outlook or MSFT platform, we are on Google, Apple - how about this?#CollabChat -9:31 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q4: In general though, Cisco and Microsoft interop is better than public perception #Collabchat -9:29 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
pbocquet @zkerravala #collabchat Agree 100% Zeus -9:29 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
ryanbkim Q4: Cisco's Presene engine supports both SIP/SIMPLE and XMPP. And can even interop with Lync inside our outside organziation.#collabchat -9:28 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
svratledge I use MFST and Cisco everyday with Jabber and Outlook integrations. You can view presence right from the email window.#collabchat -9:28 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q4: Video interop needs some work since lync video is only SVC. #Collabchat -9:28 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
pbocquet @gociscocollab #collabchat With Jabber I can see presence information and place voice/video calls from within Outlook -9:27 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q4: Regarding voice, the two companies have co-developed "CUCI-Lync" for voice interoperability. presence interop needs imprving#Collabchat -9:26 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q4: For example, Cisco is compatible with older versions of Exchange where Lync only works with the most current version#Collabchat -9:25 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
ryanbkim @gociscocollab Q4: Cisco can interop with MSFT Office products. Can start with Office application and click to X from Office #collabchat -9:25 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
CiscoCollab RT @gociscocollab: Q4: Cisco and Microsoft interoperability—is it possible, and if so, how? #collabchat -9:25 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q4: Yes, interop is possible. In fact, in some ways, Cisco is more compatible with msft than msft apps. #Collabchat -9:25 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
gociscocollab Q4: Cisco and Microsoft interoperability—is it possible, and if so, how? #collabchat -9:24 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
ryanbkim @gociscocollab Q3: Cisco gives flexibility if users don't want to upgrade Phones immediately. Can use Jabber first and control #collabchat -9:23 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q3: however, if the upgrade is for chat at presence first, then lync and jabber are about equivalent #Collabchat -9:23 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
stsanto Obviously MSFT has to sell their platform RT @ryanbkim: Cisco can work with any OS and Devices not just MSFT platform. #collabchat-9:23 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
pbocquet @gociscocollab #collabchat Companies can scale quickly with cloud-delivered apps such as WebEx -9:22 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q3: if the Q means upgrades from legacy voice, in general, cisco UC mgr is easier to transition. Lync is a "rip and replace"#Collabchat -9:21 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
billqzeng @stsanto I think we really need to think what the user wants and what are the use cases. Use cases really mix all collab. #collabchat-9:21 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
asuthosh RT @ryanbkim: Cisco is based on open standards eg. XMPP and SIP. Cisco can work with any OS and Devices not just MSFT platforms #CollabChat -9:20 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
gociscocollab Q3: Is there any one provider that offers more fluid upgrades? #collabchat -9:20 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
ryanbkim Cisco is based on open standard such as XMPP and SIP. Cisco can work with any OS and Devices not just MSFT platform.#collabchat -9:19 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
stsanto RT @pbocquet: #CollabChat The question isnt "video OR voice/IM/etc"... it should be "video AND voice/IM" etc. (on unified communications) -9:19 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
stsanto @ryanbkim I was just wondering if video is taken out, how is the position of Cisco and Microsoft in UC? #CollabChat -9:17 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
billqzeng @stsanto video is absolutely going to be a major component of UC. heard of the saying "picture is worth thousand words".#collabchat -9:17 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
pbocquet @stsanto @zkerravala #CollabChat The question isnt "video OR voice/IM/etc"...it should be "video AND voice/IM" etc. -9:17 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q2: there is a TCO of UC WP on http://t.co/KYQtdC0R andhttp://t.co/3rh4A9om that outlines the main areas of cost difference#Collabchat -9:16 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
ryanbkim @stsanto Video is important component as well as IM and Voice. Jabber for iPad includes all of these. #collabchat -9:15 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q2: What many cust have told me is there are many hidden $ to lync, such as gateways, phone costs, sw upgrades, etc#Collabchat -9:15 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q2: In general though, Cisco in large ent it's slightly cheaper to 15-20% in smaller environments. #Collabchat -9:14 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q2: example, what version of exchange, does the network need an upgrade, how many users, etc. #Collabchat -9:14 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
ryanbkim Q1: Android adoption is getting faster even in Business world. #collabchat #collabchat -9:13 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q2: I've done TCO studies of cisco vs msft and much of the $ difference depends on the current environment. #Collabchat -9:13 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
stsanto @zkerravala is video going to be the main component of UC in near future, or IM and voice will still be the majority? #CollabChat -9:13 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
gociscocollab Q2: Do you see any significant separation between#Cisco and #Microsoft in cost and ROI? #collabchat -9:12 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
billqzeng @zkerravala Cisco video is also built on open standard, H.264. A desktop client can share screen with a room based TelePresence. #collabchat -9:11 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q1: AsiaPac tends to be the most mobile centric region, Cisco's ability to deliver mob. vid. return a better ROI #Collabchat -9:10 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q1: Cisco can deliver video through a standard browser via WebEx helping make it pervasive #Collabchat -9:08 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
pbocquet @zkerravala #Collabchat I also need video in any location - in and outside the office. So any operating system / any device i skey-9:08 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
billqzeng cisco UC solution is built based on pervasive video principle. Video is the new voice, ease to use and high quality. #collabchat -9:06 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q1: Also, video isn't easy to do. it take years to get it right and the network integration gives Cisco a quality advantage#Collabchat -9:06 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q1: continued that includes room based, TP, desktop, recorded video, digital signage etc #Collabchat -9:05 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Q1: Video collaboration is more than just desktop video sharing. Cisco has, by far, the broadest video portfolio #Collabchat-9:05 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
gociscocollab Q1: According to @zkerravala study, Cisco’s UC solution leads in video. Can you elaborate on why? #collabchat-9:04 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
gociscocollab Alright, let’s get started. Feel free to submit a question or comment for @zkerravala and our experts using the hashtag #collabchat -9:00 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
gociscocollab I’ll be posting questions to discuss, but a great thing about the chat is that multiple people can talk at once. Join the convo! #collabchat -8:59 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
gociscocollab Also joining our discussion on Cisco vs. Microsoft for UC are many of our Cisco experts, who will chime in along the way. #collabchat -8:58 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
gociscocollab Let's start with introductions. Joining us today is@zkerravala, who will take your questions on unified communications. #collabchat -8:57 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
asuthosh Interesting discussion brewing over #Cisco vs. #Microsoftfor UC. Who might win? Join here #CollabChat -8:56 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
gociscocollab Hi everyone, we'll get started in a few minutes. Bring on your unified communications thoughts and questions for @zkerravala! #collabchat -8:53 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala Thanks @pboquet. Looking forward to it too #Collabchat-8:53 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
pbocquet Looking forward to session with Zeus Kerravala #CollabChat-8:52 PM Nov 21st, 2012

 
zkerravala 10 minutes for the q&a! Looking forward to it! #Collabchat-8:49 PM Nov 21st, 2012