June 2015 Evaluation of Lifesize Cloud

June 2015 Evaluation of Lifesize Cloud The results of our hands-on testing of this disruptive cloud-based video conferencing service

Background In 2005, Lifesize, now a division of Logitech, was the first to offer an HD-capable video conferencing system. Since that time, Lifesize (LS) has released a string of disruptive offerings including the first 1080p video conferencing system (LS 220), the first 720p video system priced under $2.5k (LS Passport), and a software-based, virtualized infrastructure product line (LS UVC platform). In May 2014, Lifesize announced Lifesize Cloud, a cloud-based video collaboration service offering adhoc and scheduled video calling including multiparty support for up to 40 participants, unlimited virtual meeting rooms, unlimited guest calling, a shared directory with presence status, support for mobile devices, and support for Microsoft Lync users. The cost ranges from $11 / employee / month for a small (e.g. 100 employee) company down to $5 / employee / month for a larger firm (500+ employees). On the surface, Lifesize Cloud looks similar to the plethora of competing cloud video services available from service providers, VC / AV resellers, and other video conferencing vendors with the possible exception of Lifesize Cloud s very low price point. Lifesize Cloud, however, differs from most of the other cloud video offerings in that the service offers enhanced functionality when used with Lifesize Icon series group video endpoints. As far as we can tell, Lifesize pioneered this approach of coupling a service tightly with specific endpoints. Today, however, this service-to-endpoint pairing method is in use by other providers including (in alphabetical order): Group video system vendors Google, Highfive, Ricoh (leveraging Vidyo technology), and StarLeaf Cloud video service providers Fuze and Zoom offering software-based group video solutions (these vendors don t actually provide hardware). Recently, Lifesize invited the Wainhouse Research test team to assess the Lifesize Cloud service. To facilitate this test, Lifesize sent two Icon endpoints to our test lab in South Florida, sent one Icon endpoint to one of our offices in Boston, and created a demo account on the Cloud service for our use. This document contains the results of our independent, third-party testing, and our overall opinions on the Lifesize Cloud service. Given Lifesize s strong marketing around the simplicity of the service and the importance of coupling the video endpoint with the service back end, we focused most of our attention on the workflow and usability of the offering (and specifically not on bits, bytes, speeds, feeds, and protocols). To be clear, Lifesize did NOT pay WR to evaluate its video calling service. After reviewing our final test results for accuracy, Lifesize opted to license this document for public distribution. 2015 Wainhouse Research Page 2

Welcome to Lifesize Cloud From a 10,000 foot view, Lifesize Cloud is a hosted / cloud-based video bridging and calling service offering a compelling combination of features at a very strong price point. Lifesize Cloud includes the basic features found in many cloud video services such as: support for both personal and shared virtual meeting rooms (VMRs) flexible options to invite people to meetings and to create accounts strong interoperability including automatic protocol conversion (H.323 <--> SIP) free guest access (found in most offerings) a free and highly functional software client (for Windows and Mac) a basic browser client (works with Chrome and IE) apps for both ios and Android mobile devices basic meeting management capabilities a solid admin portal providing call statistics, usage data, etc. Lifesize Cloud even includes power features found in only a limited number of service offerings including: Lync interoperability local audio dial-in numbers for more than 50 countries NAT / firewall traversal (for registered systems) the ability to create an unlimited number of VMRs a centrally managed and automatically sync d directory with presence status chat capabilities (between software client users) In addition, Lifesize Cloud is hosted on / powered by SoftLayer, an IBM Company. The use of SoftLayer provides Lifesize Cloud with a global footprint, direct connectivity to 20+ global carriers (e.g. Comcast, Equinix, Level 3, Telstra, and Telefonica), strong redundancy, business-class security, and more. Without meaning to minimize the value of the service or the above features, we have opted to focus this study on two special features that Lifesize was able to develop by tightly coupling its service and its hardware and software endpoints. SPECIAL FEATURE #1 STREAMLINED ENDPOINT ACTIVATION / REGISTRATION Lifesize designed its Icon group video systems for easy registration / connection to Lifesize Cloud. After powering up the system and confirming the network settings, the Icon on-screen user interface presents the user with the option to join the Lifesize service (see screenshot below). 2015 Wainhouse Research Page 3

Once the user selects Yes with the IR remote, he sees the Initial Configuration page (see screen shot below) including detailed instructions for activating the system on Lifesize cloud in one of two ways: use any Internet browser to visit the Lifesize activation page (manage.lifesizecloud.com/activate), log in to the portal, and manually enter the activation code shown onscreen scan the on-screen QR code with a mobile device, which automatically opens the Lifesize activation page and enters the activation code on the user s behalf (assuming the user has already logged into the portal). WR successfully tested both of the above methods, and for obvious reasons (desire to minimize typing / clicks) we preferred the QR code approach. Next, the user needs to define whether the Icon system is, (1) his personal system (e.g. in his office, home, etc.) which automatically associates the endpoint with his personal video number / SIP URI, or (2) a shared system located in a conference room. The entire endpoint activation process took less than two (2) minutes during our testing. Once the activation is complete, the endpoint notifies the user if a software update is available, and if so ask his permission to update. This auto update feature also worked as expected. At first glance, it may seem like we re making a big deal about endpoint activation. Some may see this as a relatively trivial workflow function that will probably only happen once. The reality, however, is that the standard method of registering (or activating) video endpoints is far more complex and time consuming. Lifesize has taken a challenging task and made it easy enough for the typical user to do himself, without technical support. Viewed another way if a person can register / activate an Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV device, he can activate a Lifesize Icon endpoint. SPECIAL FEATURE #2 DYNAMIC CONNECTIONS (DC) Lacking a better or previously coined term, WR is calling this feature dynamic connections or DC. DC simplifies the workflow of bringing callers together into a single meeting by automatically inserting a virtual meeting room (VMR) into a call when required. This is best explained using a step-by-step example. 2015 Wainhouse Research Page 4

Step 1 Using his Lifesize Cloud software client, Ira dials out to the Icon 400 video system installed in the Kodiak meeting room (see dashed line in the graphic below). Once connected, Ira and the people in the Kodiak room are participating in a point-to-point video call (see solid line in the graphic below). Step 2 Ira dials out to Andrew on his non-lifesize group video system (see blue dashed line in the graphic below). Once connected, Ira, the Icon 400 in the Kodiak meeting room, and Andrew are automatically connected to a dynamic VMR on the Lifesize Cloud (see the three solid lines in the graphic below). 1 This happens in a matter of seconds, and without requiring the users / systems to disconnect and re-dial. This is the first piece of Lifesize Cloud automation. Step 3 Using his Lifesize Icon 600 system, Saar calls the Kodiak meeting room directly by dialing the SIP URI for that room. Once connected, Saar s Icon 600 system is automatically (after a user in the Kodiak room accepts the incoming call) added to the same meeting (VMR) as Ira, the Icon 400 in the Kodiak meeting room, and Andrew. This is the second piece of Lifesize Cloud automation. 1 Unlike the traditional VMR concept, this dynamic VMR is created on the fly as required and does NOT have a direct dial number or SIP URI associated with it. Once all of the users disconnect from the meeting, this dynamic VMR will automatically disappear. 2015 Wainhouse Research Page 5

Step 4 A participant in the Kodiak meeting room uses the IR remote of the Icon system to dial out to Steve (another Lifesize Cloud software client user). Once connected, Steve is automatically added to the same VMR as the rest of the gang. This same process continues through the meeting, enabling Lifesize endpoints (hardware, PC software, and mobile users), 3 rd party group video systems, Lync users, telephone-only users, and even those using web browsers to join the session. There are two key takeaways buried within the example above. The first is that Lifesize Cloud automatically creates and redirects users to a VMR as required. The second is that these dynamically created VMRs are accessible by dialing the SIP URI of any registered Lifesize user or system connected to the meeting whether he s on a software client or an Icon system. Viewed another way, dynamic connections allow users to connect to each other by calling each other directly (not by dialing into the VMR directly) even if that user is already in a meeting. In a way, this makes a video meeting feel almost viral (you call me, he calls you, she calls him, etc. and we all get into the same meeting). It doesn t matter who calls who we all wind up in the same VMR. Additional Notes: 1) Our testing revealed that nobody really owns or controls the dynamically created VMR. Instead, every Lifesize connected user (on a software client or hardware endpoint) has the same ability to add or remove other participants. However, nobody, even the person / system that originated the first connection, has the ability to terminate the entire meeting and close the VMR. To be clear this is not a bug per se. It is more like a repercussion of the democratic nature of Lifesize Cloud multipoint meetings. 2) Lifesize Cloud also supports pre-defined shared VMRs that support three additional functions: a. Lecture mode participants see only the defined lecturer / site, while the lecturer sees a continuous presence view of the other participants. b. Moderator mode the pre-defined meeting moderator (user or system) has access to one additional function the ability to mute all participants other than himself. c. Password requires each participant, including the moderator or lecturer, to enter a numerical password in order to join the meeting. Users requiring additional meeting control may wish to use a shared VMR. 2015 Wainhouse Research Page 6

AUDIO / VIDEO EXPERIENCE While ironically NOT the focus of this assessment, the video and audio performance during Lifesize Cloud meetings was on-par and often better than competing offerings. In fact, one of our test team opined that the video quality from our Icon 400 test unit was exceptional. This is especially noteworthy given the relatively low cost of the Icon 400 and the very low monthly fee for the Lifesize Cloud service. We also tested the Microsoft Lync / Skype for Business interoperability using our Lync (Office 365) production environment. Our testing revealed that Lync users can dial into shared VMRs, but cannot dial Lifesize Cloud users directly. But once connected to the shared VMR, the video quality from the Lync user was very strong. In terms of content sharing, Lifesize Cloud supports Lync 2013 and Skype for Business, but not Lync 2010. Lync 2013 users can send dual streams (video + content) to others in Lifesize Cloud meetings. However, Lync 2013 users receive only a single stream from the Lifesize environment. As a result, incoming shared content comes in as video content and NOT in the Lync 2013 stage. CONCLUSION In a nutshell, we like the Lifesize Cloud service. We like the feature-set. We like the audio and video conferencing experience. And we really like the price. And we especially appreciate the special features (streamlined activation and dynamic connections) that Lifesize provides when Cloud is combined with a Lifesize Icon endpoint. Note, however, that our enthusiasm for these special features is not just for how they work it is because these features focus on what matters most to users like making systems easier to install and easier to use. Dynamic connections is especially compelling as it helps bring users together without requiring them to change their workflow. Based on our testing, the weakest aspect of Lifesize Cloud is its Lync 2013 / Skype for Business content sharing functionality which supports sending only a single stream to Lync users. Depending on the use case, this may or may not be an issue. Overall, our assessment is that Lifesize Cloud, like many Lifesize offerings before it, is a power service with power features available at a disruptive price. Organizations interested in a cloud video service should take advantage of Lifesize s 14-day trial and see whether Lifesize Cloud meets their needs. We expect that for most companies, Lifesize Cloud will meet and even exceed their expectations especially if they re using Lifesize Icon endpoints as well. 2015 Wainhouse Research Page 7

About the Authors Ira M. Weinstein is a Senior Analyst & Partner at Wainhouse Research and a 20-year veteran of the conferencing, collaboration and audio-visual industries. Ira has authored and contributed to dozens of articles, white papers, studies, reports, and evaluations on rich media communications, video conferencing, streaming and webcasting, audio-visual design and integration, business strategy, and general business practices. Ira specializes in providing strategic advisory services to vendors, resellers, and end-users within the collaboration space. Ira can be reached at iweinstein@wainhouse.com. Saar Litman is a Senior Researcher & Consultant at Wainhouse Research and has 15 years of experience in the audio-visual and video conferencing industry. Saar s primary focus is the products, services, and companies within the audio-visual space. In addition, Saar provides AV design services, helps enterprise organizations define and implement global AV standard systems and designs, and manages the WR test lab in Coral Springs, Florida. Saar can be reached at slitman@wainhouse.com. About Wainhouse Research Wainhouse Research, www.wainhouse.com, is an independent analyst firm that focuses on critical issues in the Unified Communications and Collaboration (UC&C). The company conducts multi-client and custom research studies, consults with end users on key implementation issues, publishes white papers and market statistics, and delivers public and private seminars as well as speaker presentations at industry group meetings. About Lifesize (Copy provided by Lifesize) Lifesize delivers video conferencing that s as easy, as lifelike and as remarkable as meeting in person. Founded in 2003 and acquired by Logitech in 2009, Lifesize continues to reinvent the video conferencing industry. From delivering the world s first high definition video conference in 2005 to introducing the first cloud video conferencing solution and Icon family to provide a Connected Experience across devices and meeting rooms, Lifesize addresses organizations demand for high quality and reliable video that is affordable and simple to use. For more information, visit www.lifesize.com or follow the company @LifesizeHD. Lifesize has licensed this document for public distribution. 2015 Wainhouse Research Page 8