UPDATED: 11 JULY 2023, 8:36AM.
UP's subscription to Zoom has been renewed until April 2024. However, UP Manila stakeholders are still encouraged to try other videoconferencing tools. We will update this page to include Webex. Keep checking back.
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The UP System's advisory dated June 30, 2023 about video conferencing tools is an unwelcome development for UP Manila stakeholders accustomed to Zoom. Nevertheless, the System has laid down alternatives that are as useful as Zoom.
The IMS highly encourages UP Manila’s stakeholders to already start migrating to Google Meet and Microsoft Teams as their online meeting tools.
The table below compares the two software applications:
| # | Point | Google Meet | Microsoft Teams | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Availability |
Included in the Google Workspace of @up.edu.ph domain Via a browser in a computer desktop/laptop Via a mobile app |
Included in Microsoft 365, via @outlook.up.edu.ph domain Via a browser or an application (desktop and mobile) |
To avail of an @outlook.up.edu.ph account, visit UP ICT Support Ticket System. There’s difficulty switching to a Google Meet session as it is contained in a tab in a browser. |
| 2 | Hardware Requirements |
4 GB RAM (8 GB for big meetings) |
4 GB RAM (8 GB to enjoy other features) |
8 GB RAM and 1080p web camera are recommended! |
| 3 | Maximum Number of Meeting Attendees/ Participants | 500 | 1,000 | (None) |
| 4 | When Best to Use | Personal meetings, small group meetings, faculty/teacher’s online class |
Webinars, |
Microsoft Teams is an alternative to Zoom for handling webinars. It may also be used for small/personal meetings, though. |
| 5 | Video Quality | Video quality adapts to network and device’s conditions. Also, multiple tabs used in a browser also downgrades the quality. |
Video quality is maintained by the use of AI (not tested) |
The IMS has not tested the AI feature of Microsoft Teams |
| 6 | Questions and Answers (Q&A) feature | Present | Present | (None) |
| 7 | Poll |
Not present |
Not present |
Zoom has this :( |
| 8 | Starting the application |
Can be initiated right from Gmail and Chat. Just visit meet.google.com |
Can be initiated from the Outlook app. Either open the Teams app or visit teams.microsoft.com |
Google Meet is better as Gmail is a software of choice by UPM stakeholders. |
| 9 | Breakout Rooms | Not present |
Present |
(None) |
| 10 | Meeting recordings | Not present | Saved in OneDrive | (None) |
| 11 | Registration of meeting participants | Not present |
Present |
(None) |
| 12 | Background visual effects |
Present, but only with Chrome web browser Does not accept background image upload |
Present in the application Can accept background image upload |
If your default browser is Firefox, Edge, or Safari, open Chrome solely for Google Meet for you to use visual effects. |
| 13 | Meeting attendance reports | Not present | Present (downloadable in CSV format) | (None) |
| 14 | Whiteboarding | Present with Google Jamboard | Present | (None) |
| 15 | Meeting controls |
Host can allow everyone to share screen, send chat messages and reactions, turn on their video and mic No "co-hosts" feature. |
Similar to Google Meet. But with Teams, host can allow specific people to share screen. With "co-hosts" feature. |
(None) |
| 16 | Closed captioning (Closed captions are a text version of the spoken part of a television, movie or computer presentation) | Present | Present | (None) |
| 17 | Presenter features | None |
Presenter can select modes how participants will see his/her presentation.
|
(None) |
To learn how to use Google Meet and Microsoft Teams, you may attend the UP OVPD-ITDC’s free webinars on any the following dates: July 11, 18, and 25. Visit https://itdc.up.edu.ph/services/staff-training for the registration information. Also, vsit this link for further information regarding the Google Meet and Microsoft Teams: https://bit.ly/VideoConTools.
Keep checking this page for updates.