Key Difference – Cisco Jabber vs WebEx Although Cisco Jabber and WebEx are two applications that enable the users to communicate with others via the internet, there are some differences between Jabber and WebEx based on their functions. The key difference between Cisco Jabber and WebEx is that WebEx has great features for v. The Jabber Call application provides access to business-quality voice and video on your desktop using Cisco Jabber powered by the market-leading Cisco® Unified Communications Manager (UCM) call-control solution. In order to use this application you must have the Cisco Jabber application installed on your Windows or Apple workstation.
3 Ways To Connect Cisco Jabber And Microsoft Teams
When you’ve got legacy users who need to communicate with new remote users, it’s time to connect Cisco Jabber and Microsoft Teams.
You might have been a Cisco house since the introduction of your PBX or telepresence solution many moons ago. But, upon moving to remote working, you’ve now got pockets of Microsoft Teams users who need to chat with your Jabber users.
It might also be the case that you use Jabber and are moving to Webex in the near future. But your suppliers, contractors, and clients all use Microsoft Teams.
Instead of switching between apps or resorting to email to accommodate them, wouldn’t it be great if you could stay in Jabber and chat with those Microsoft users?
In this post, we cover all the ways you can connect Jabber and Microsoft Teams:
1 – Cisco Jabber calling integration for Microsoft Teams
Cisco Jabber encompasses all forms of unified communications into a single app. Jabber has voice, video, messaging, and conferencing capabilities. People across the organization can collaborate using this app on their device of choice.
Businesses that have already invested in Cisco Unified Communications (CUC) want to maximize their investment for the future.
Jabber offers the advantage of using CUC infrastructure. It can seamlessly move from a chat, to a call to external numbers or SIP addresses – thus providing business-quality video and voice.
Cisco Jabber app is straightforward and intuitive, whether you are using it from your desktop or phone.
Organizations with internal groups, or external vendors using Microsoft Teams can easily integrate Cisco Jabber without having to overhaul the complete system.
The Jabber app can be used on your desktop, android device, iPhone, and iPad. Starting a call is easy from the chat window for all of the devices. Additionally, you can assign speed dials and use the keypad to call people on a desktop.
Using the Jabber app within Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a chat-centered workspace in Microsoft 365. The Teams client can be installed on any device and the functionality of Jabber on Teams remains almost the same across all devices.
The Cisco Jabber application needs to be installed in the desktop/ mobile device on which the Teams application is running.
Jabber only works with Microsoft Teams’ cloud-based solution and doesn’t have an on-premises offering.
How to configure Cisco Jabber for Microsoft Teams
The Cisco Jabber app needs to be allowed from the Microsoft Teams Admin Center. Users can then install Jabber from the “Apps” section of their Teams client.
As an Administrator:
- Log in to Microsoft Teams Admin Center
- Click on Teams Apps > Manage Apps, from the menu on the left
- Search for Jabber in the search box. Click on the app name in the search results
- Toggle on the app status to allowed
- From the menu on the left, go to Teams apps > Permission policies
- Select the policy for your organization, and make sure Third Party apps are set to Allow all apps
- From the menu on the left, select Teams apps > Setup policies
- Select the policy for your organization
- Click Add > Add Apps, then search for Jabber and click Add
- Click Add at the bottom of the screen to confirm
- Click Save
If you’re an end user, here’s how you install the Jabber app on your Teams client:
- After launching Teams on your desktop/ laptop, go to Apps on the left panel of the Teams window.
- Search for Jabber
- Click on “Jabber” and then hit “Add”
- After installation the Jabber app will show up on the left panel of the Teams window
Cisco Jabber features in Microsoft Teams
With the Cisco Jabber app, you can dial an extension via the keypad, search your contacts, and also save your personal speed-dial list.
- You can search for a contact from the search box listed under “Make a call”
- You can also use the dial-pad to make calls if you know the number/ extension
- Speed-dials can be configured by clicking on the “Add a speed dial” button on the upper right-hand corner of the screen
- A pop-up window will appear where you can enter a name and a number that you would like to save for the speed dial
- Click Add to save it to your speed dials list
2 – Microsoft Teams Cisco Call Manager integration
Integration between Cisco Call Manager and Microsoft Teams can help you get the best of both worlds. Especially if you have users on both of these unified communications platforms, who need to talk to each other.
The challenge when two independent phone systems are merged is replicating the extensions and dial plans of the two systems. This could get out of hand when dealing with a growing organization.
Configuring Single Number Reach (SNR) on both CUCM and Microsoft Teams in this scenario is an apt solution. It facilitates calls landing on a mobile number to ring simultaneously on a Cisco extension or a phone connected to Microsoft Teams and vice versa.
Thus eliminating the need to replicate dial plans or extensions of one system into another.
Here are two ways of integrating Microsoft Teams with CUCM.
Integrating Cisco call manager with Microsoft Teams using a SIP gateway
Requirements:
- CUCM
- Microsoft Teams
- PSTN Gateway
- SIP Gateway
How It Works:
In this scenario, a SIP gateway connects the Teams environment to the CUCM. The CUCM is also connected to a PSTN gateway to route calls to and from the outside world.
Once call routing is configured on both CUCM and Teams, users from both environments can communicate with each other.
Users on both systems can also use the PSTN gateway to reach/ talk to DID’s outside the CUCM / Teams environment. Here the external call handling is controlled by the Call Manager.
Direct Routing to integrate CUCM and Microsoft Teams
Cisco Jabber User Guide
You can connect Microsoft Teams to Cisco Call Manager using a Session Border Controller (SBC) that is supported by Microsoft. The SBC could be a Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE) or any compatible hardware from other manufacturers.
In the Microsoft world, this is called direct routing.
A detailed configuration is available beyond the scope of this article here.
3 – Cisco Jabber federation with Microsoft Teams
Cisco Jabber is a flexible communications client that can operate in phone only, IM only, or in a complete UC mode.
In team messaging mode, Cisco Jabber registers with the Webex Control Hub.
It provides Webex features like persistent one-to-one chats, team spaces, presence status, advanced file sharing, and more. The team messaging mode can be enabled for both on-premises users as well as cloud-based users.
In case there’s a phone system already present, there’s no need to change it in order for Jabber to work in team messaging mode.
Jabber users using team messaging mode can leverage CUCM for calling and voicemail.
Jabber users in this mode will have access to an extended set of features including:
- List of members who can be toggled on/off
- Capability to search for files, contacts, and messages
- Create personal contact lists
- Time and activity-based presence
Enabling the Jabber Team Messaging Mode:
- Browse to the Webex Control Hub
- Log in as an administrator
- On the left panel, click on the Services tab and then on the Settings link on the Message card
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page, and toggle the switch next to “Enable Jabber team messaging mode”
To enable Jabber Team Messaging Mode for users:
- On the left panel, click on the Users tab
- Under the messages panel, toggle the switch next to “Enable Jabber messaging mode”
- Click on Save
Once Jabber is in team messaging mode, federation with Microsoft Teams is simple.
All you need to do is install a universal channel in Jabber or Webex.
Universal channels work like shared channels. They allow people outside your organization to chat with you, whether you use Jabber or Microsoft Teams.
It gives you the ease of staying in one messaging tool and makes intercompany collaboration effortless.
Universal channels are useful if you use Jabber in team messaging mode and have customers using Microsoft Teams, or vice versa.
You can invite your customers to your universal channel, and not have to worry about complicated integrations.
Once you’ve installed the Mio app, you benefit from Cisco Jabber and Microsoft Teams interoperability.
When your universal channel is installed, you can also break out and direct message anyone within that channel.
To connect Cisco Jabber and Microsoft Teams, install the Mio app here.
Key Difference – Cisco Jabber vs WebEx
Although Cisco Jabber and WebEx are two applications that enable the users to communicate with others via the internet, there are some differences between Jabber and WebEx based on their functions. The key difference between Cisco Jabber and WebEx is that WebEx has great features for video conferencing whereas Jabber is more suited for general communication.
What is WebEx?
WebEx is an application that enables the user to have meetings with the use of an internet connection. This applies to mobile users as well. The user will be connected via audio during the meeting. This application also lets user share the content. All users of the meeting will be able to take control of the meeting by passing the ball feature. Any user who has control over the meeting will be able to share the content as they wish.
This application is very useful for small businesses as they will have the power to work more closely with coworkers and do their business more efficiently and effectively.
WebEx Features
Audio
There are a vast number of options to connect within the meeting. Some of them are, using the landline, mobile or VoIP or even the computer headset. When logging into a meeting using this application, unique phone numbers will be provided. The connection can also be established using the VoIP instead.
Video
The webcam can be used during a meeting to make a video conference call. This will enable the user on the other end to view the image of the caller as well. The WebEx application is capable of turning its attention towards the speaker automatically in an active meeting. This will be a virtual meeting environment, but this feature makes it feel as if we are conversing in real time.
Mobile
The WebEx is also capable of supporting conferences via the free mobile app which this application provides. All that user needs to do is just downloading the application, and they can easily start a meeting. The meeting can be hosted directly from the phone as well, which means it will provide almost all the features of the original application itself.
Recording
This is one of the best features available with this application. After the meeting has begun, the users have the option to start recording the meeting. They will be able to record audio, video, and also have access to all the information that was shared at the meeting. If by any chance someone misses a meeting, they can continue from where the meeting is proceeding while having a copy of what happened earlier to catch up later. The recording option will also enable users to review the meeting and note down important information at a convenient time later.
Publishing
We will be able to record content and publish it using this app. These recordings can also be posted on a website at a later time. This will make it really effective to present the information in an efficient way.
This app can be used for many important things such as holding webinars and conferences, demonstration of products, a publication of presentations, or even conduction of online training.
What is Jabber?
Jabber is another application from Cisco that enable the users to communicate with others via the internet, but Jabber has more features suitable for general communication.
Jabber Features
IM and Presence
These features work to reduce the delays and give a real-time experience. This feature gives the option to check the availability of a user and also chat with individuals or even groups. This can be facilitated inside or outside the organization.
IP Voice and Video Telephony
Cisco Jabber For Windows
Jabber is capable of sharing High definition videos and also has other sharing abilities as well. Cisco Unified Communications Manager takes advantage of call control to provide a secure, reliable connection between the users.
Collaboration for iPad
Jabber has been collaborated with the iPad in a way that the user’s productivity increases. We are able to access many features telepresence, instant messaging, voice and video communication, voice messaging and conferencing. The telepresence feature can be taken advantage of when you are away from your office.
Microsoft Office
This is a special feature as jabber is integrated with Microsoft office. Users can initiate a meeting and also share voice, video and chat at the same time.
Go Mobile
The mobile feature is a great addition to jabber as it will give close to a desktop experience. With the use of a mobile device, communication can be initiated from any device and from any location.
Web Applications
Jabber Software Development Kit enables HD communication within the Web-based business. This will increase productivity, and the workflow of the task will become more efficient.
What is the difference between Cisco Jabber and WebEx?
Advantage of WebEx over Jabber
Team meeting: The team meeting feature of WebEx surpasses the abilities of Jabber, WebEx takes advantage of high quality audio, HD video and file sharing options.
Streamline meetings: With the WebEx application the meetings are streamlined as features like document, recordings, can be managed effectively before and after the meeting process.
Effective meetings: The application is able to create a face to face real time meeting situation. This will enable the meeting to move forward in a smooth manner. This will in turn improve the results of a meeting. The effectiveness of decision making and brainstorming will be improved.
Face to face Experience: As the meeting moves forward, the active user will take center stage of many users participating in the meeting. The image on the mobile or desktop will be the person who is speaking, and this will in turn change according to the speaker on all active screen which give it a real time experience.
Advantage of Jabber over WebEx
Presence: The Jabber application is able to display the status of available jabber users.
Softphone: With Jabber, calls can be imitated and answered from anywhere using the desktop.
Chat: Instant messaging without delay can be done using this application. Group chat can also be initiated.
Desktop sharing: The desktop can be shared with another Jabber user.
Screenshot: The screen of one Jabber user can be sent to another Jabber user.
Microsoft integration: The click to call feature gets integrated with outlook now where we can make calls according to the outlook address book.
From the above reviews, it is clear that each application specializes in its own space. The WebEx has great features for video conferencing whereas Jabber is great for general communication. The WebEx is able to create a real-time face to face conference with its features. The Jabber is able to notify if another Jabber user is available and it even lets other Jabber user share desktops. Both have common features like file sharing and voice and video sharing that can be taken advantage of as well. The ultimate conclusion would be made according to the need of the user. The above section provides a brief description of the features, and this will help the user to choose between these two applications.
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