Web Conferencing Solutions Comparison

Below are Web based conferencing solutions licensed with the university and a direct comparison on the products offered.

Web Conferencing Licensure

Tool Name	URL	Purpose	Access	Contact
Blackboard Collaborate	blackboard.syr.edu	Web conferencing Lecture Recording Group Collaboration	Available to all campus users participating in a Blackboard Course or Organization Session Moderators can generate a web link that allows non-SU users to join without logging in	ITS Help Desk
Google Meet (formally Hangouts)	meet.google.com	Web conferencing Chat	Available to all campus users via G Suite login Session creator can generate a web link or meeting code that allows non-SU users to request approval to join without logging in	ITS Help Desk
Microsoft Teams	teams.microsoft.com	Web conferencing Chat File storage	Campus (NetID) Desktop client may require distributed staff intervention for campus owned devices.	ITS Help Desk

Characteristics	BLACKBOARD COLLABORATE ULTRA	GOOGLE MEET (FORMALLY HANGOUTS)	MICROSOFT TEAMS
Core Features	Video and Audio Sharing Screen and Application Sharing Electronic Hand Raising Presentation Tools Real-Time Chat Record & Playback ability Notifications	Video and Audio Sharing Screen and Application Sharing Real-Time Chat Record & Playback ability	Real- Time Chat Record & Playback ability
Collaboration tools	Breakout Groups Dial in Audio Conferencing Content Management Screen Sharing Polls	Dial in Audio Conferencing Discussion Threads Screen Sharing	File Sharing Dial in Audio Conferencing Screen Sharing
Meeting Participants	Max. 250 participants 500 participants by special request Available for use by non-SU users	Max. 100 participants 250 participants until July 1 2020 Available for use by non-SU users	Max. 250 participants Live Events up to 10,000 attendees (more info) Available for use by non-SU users (limited capability)
Audio & Video	Settings	Settings	Settings

Characteristics	BLACKBOARD COLLABORATE ULTRA	GOOGLE MEET (FORMALLY HANGOUTS)	MICROSOFT TEAMS
Audio	Settings	Settings	Settings
Video			Settings
Platforms	Cloud, SaaS, Web Mobile- iOS Mobile- Android	Cloud, SaaS, Web Mobile- iOS Mobile- Android	Cloud, SaaS, Web Mobile- iOS Mobile- Android Installed-Mac Installed-Windows
Browser Compatibility	Chrome (Preferred) Firefox Safari	Chrome (Preferred) Edge Firefox Safari	Chrome Edge (Preferred) Firefox Safari
Accessibility Options	Windows 10 - Firefox with JAWS v17: Provisional macOS- Safari with VoiceOver: Certified macOS- Firefox with VoiceOver: Provisional Live Closed Captioning	Windows 10- JAWS & NVDA macOS- VoiceOver Chromebook or Linux- ChromVox Live Closed Captioning	Windows 10- JAWS & NVDA macOS- VoiceOver Live Closed Captioning
System Requirements	256 MB RAM 20 MB free disk space Internet Access Webcam (optional) Soundcard w/microphone (headset recommended)	Internet Access Built-in web camera or external USB camera Soundcard w/microphone (headset recommended)	2.0 GB RAM 3.0 GB free disk space Internet Access USB 2.0 video camera Soundcard w/microphone (headset recommended)
Support Links	ITS Help Desk, Collaborate Ultra Help for Participants, Collaborate Ultra Help for Moderators, Blackboard Collaborate Sessions Help	ITS Help Desk, Meet Help	ITS Help Desk, Teams Help