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Conference Tool Comparisons

This page has been moved to our new Knowledge Base. Information about Conference Tool Comparisons can be found here.

Desktop video collaboration tools utilizes software installed on your computer to host remote conferences using a microphone and a webcam.

More information on individual remote desktop web conferencing tools can be found below.

 Microsoft Teams

Teams is a communication and collaboration platform that includes chat, video meetings, and file storage. Groups are easy to set up and any employee can be added to a group. Microsoft provides some excellent videos on how to get started with Teams, as does LinkedIn Learning (which you have free access to when you login with your TRU credentials).

Please see the instructions for install and setup.

View team owner setup instructions.

Teams will work when you're NOT connected to the VPN. If you experience problems in Teams while connected to VPN, we recommend that you disconnect. 

 Big Blue Button

TRU supports the use of Big Blue Button, an open source web conferencing tool. It is integrated with Moodle, making it easy for instructors to create and deploy sessions with just a few clicks.

Watch tutorials and get started with Big Blue Button or review TRU's setup documentation for Moodle.

 Blue Jeans

TRU offers a video conferencing service called BlueJeans. This service provides high-quality face-to-face video meetings for up to 150 participants, where you can:

  • Make calls
  • Take notes
  • Chat
  • Share documents

Your departmental Administrative Assistant can set up BlueJeans video conferences for you.

 Zoom

Zoom is a popular a video conferencing service. This service provides high-quality face-to-face video meetings for up to 300 participants, where you can:

  • Make audio/video calls
  • Take notes
  • Chat
  • Share your screen

Please contact IT Services to obtain a Zoom License in the the Canadian Tenant.

Matrix

 

Microsoft Teams
BlueJeans
Big Blue
Button
Zoom
Description A video conferencing solution that creates a shared workspace by combining chat, meetings, file sharing and business apps. Hosted and
backed up in Canada.
A web-based video conferencing tool servicing a broad range of video conferencing needs. Hosted and backed up in Canada. An open source web
conferencing system for online learning.
Currently integrated with Moodle at TRU. Hosted and backed up in Canada as well as backed up at TRU.
A cloud-based video
conferencing platform designed for webinars, online training, demonstrations and remote meetings. Now licensing can be obtain so hosted and backed up in Canada.
Typical Use Scenario I need to collaborate with colleagues or group members 

--or-- 

I have a 
presentation or 
class session 
that I would like 
to share live 
with a group of
people
I need to collaborate with colleagues or group members

--or--

I have a
presentation or
class session
that I would like
to share live
with a group of
people
Recommended for smaller groups
--
I need to collaborate with colleagues or group members

--or--

I have a presentation or class session that I would like to share live with a group of people
I need to collaborate with colleagues or group members

--or--

I have a presentation or class session that I would like to share live with a group of people
TRU Recommended Use  Internal
meetings
and
large virtual
classes
 Confidential
meetings
involving
external
participants or
large virtual
classes that
require a dial-in
connection
 Virtual classroom instruction When other solutions do not fit
 Recording Capability?  Yes  Yes  Yes  Yes
 Maximum participants (per meeting)  1000 with video and audio. View-only allows for up to 10,000 listen-only participants to join  150  50
(no more
than 3-4
cameras on)
 300
 Who can set up a meeting?  Any TRU
Employee via
Outlook
 Any TRU
Employee with
an account
(request via IT
Service Desk) or departmental
admin.
 Any TRU
Employee who
is an instructor
in a Moodle
course

--or--

via web link 

--or--

Any TRU
Employee who
has a
Mattermost
account
 Anybody (Staff / Faculty request license via IT Service Desk)
 Video/Audio  Interactive web
audio-video
from all
participants
 Interactive web 
audio-video 
from all 
participants
 
 Interactive web 
audio-video 
from all 
participants
 
 Interactive web 
audio-video 
from all 
participants
 
 Shared Presentation? From any participant (moderator can control)  From any participant (moderator can control)  From any participant (moderator can control)  From any participant (moderator can control) 
 Dial-in Audio Capability?  Yes, 
request for
additional
licence via
IT Service Desk
Yes  Yes  Yes 
Chat Yes Yes Yes Yes
Computer Platforms Supported Windows,
MacOS, Linux,
iOS, Android
Windows,
MacOS, Linux,
iOS, Android
Windows,
MacOS, Linux,
iOS, Android
Windows,
MacOS, Linux,
iOS, Android
Meeting Management Allows for
breakout groups.
Easily allows
presentations
with Powerpoint,
whiteboard, and
other Microsoft
apps
Allows for
breakout groups

Allows for 
breakout groups 

 Allows for
breakout groups
Multi-user
whiteboard and
file upload for
presentations
  Multi-user 
whiteboard and 
file upload for 
presentations
 
 Hand-raise
feature
  Hand-raise
feature
Hand-raise
feature
Dynamic polls   Dynamic polls  
Meetings can
be made
available to
both internal
and external
participants
via a link
Meetings can 
be made 
available to 
both internal 
and external 
participants
via a link
Meetings can 
be made 
available to 
both internal 
and external 
participants
via a link
Meetings can 
be made 
available to 
both internal 
and external 
participants
via a link
What do I need? Software and
Web
Camera/Mic
equipped
desktop
or laptop
Software and
Web
Camera/Mic
equipped
desktop
or laptop

--or--

Standards-
based HD Video
Equipped
Conference or
Class Room (e.g.,
OL 127 or
WL 1260)
Software and
Web
Camera/Mic
equipped
desktop
or laptop
Software and
Web
Camera/Mic
equipped
desktop
or laptop

--or--

Standards-
based HD Video
Equipped
Conference or
Class Room (e.g.,
OL 127 or
WL 1260)
App Can access via
the mobile or 
desktop
application
Can access via
the mobile or 
desktop
application
Can access via
Chrome or
Firefox
web browser
Can access via
the mobile or 
desktop
application
Security Complies with
TRU Privacy
and
Security
standards
Complies with 
TRU Privacy
and 

Security
standards
Complies with 
TRU Privacy
and 

Security
standards

New Canadian Tenant license
complies with
TRU Privacy
and
Security
standards

*Free and personally obtained licenses are NOT compliant and cannot be used*

Recorded
sessions stored
and backed up
in Canada
Recorded 
sessions stored 
and backed up
in Canada
Recorded 
sessions stored 
and backed up 
in Canada
Recorded sessions MAY NOT be stored and backed up in Canada
 
 
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