Adobe Connect vs OpenMeetings

May 21, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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Adobe Connect
Adobe Connect is an enterprise web conferencing solution for online meetings, eLearning, and webinars used by leading corporations and government agencies. And it's based on Adobe Flash technology, so you can deliver rich interactions that participants can join easily.
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OpenMeetings
Openmeetings is free video conferencing software that allows you to chat via video, to do whiteboarding, to convert documents on the fly, etc. It even allows you to share your desktop.
Adobe Connect and OpenMeetings are both web conferencing platforms, but they differ in terms of features, pricing, and target audience. Adobe Connect is a comprehensive solution that offers high-quality video conferencing, screen sharing, virtual classrooms, and interactive features like polls and breakout rooms. It is known for its robust capabilities, customization options, and seamless integration with other Adobe products. Adobe Connect primarily targets enterprises, educational institutions, and large organizations, and it offers different pricing plans based on the number of users. On the other hand, OpenMeetings is an open-source web conferencing software that provides video conferencing, screen sharing, and collaboration tools. It offers flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and customization options. OpenMeetings is suitable for small teams, educational institutions, and organizations looking for an affordable and customizable solution.

See also: Top 10 Visual Collaboration software
Adobe Connect vs OpenMeetings in our news:

2014. Adobe Connect 9.3 improves screen sharing and whiteboard



Adobe has recently unveiled the latest iteration of its web conference platform, Adobe Connect 9.3. This version introduces various improvements in key areas such as screen sharing, virtual whiteboard functionality, social media integration, and compatibility with Salesforce.com and Microsoft Lync 2013. With regards to screen sharing, Adobe Connect 9.3 incorporates a new control panel that provides users with the ability to preview shared content, manage video and audio settings, handle participant management, engage in chat interactions, and respond to notifications. Additionally, the update introduces new pen and pencil tools to complement Adobe's existing marker and highlighter options. Users can now also utilize a brand new color picker and enjoy enhanced layer arrangement capabilities. Furthermore, Adobe Connect 9.3 offers customers an immersive virtual whiteboard experience that replicates the familiarity of a classroom setting. Users can record notes directly on the whiteboard, creating an interactive environment similar to an in-person classroom experience. These enhancements contribute to a more engaging and collaborative web conferencing experience for Adobe Connect users.


2008. OpenMeetings Free Video Conferencing Software

I've been busy lately, conducting tests in my designated area, and the next software on my list is the impressive OpenMeetings. OpenMeetings is a free video conferencing software that offers various features such as video chatting, whiteboarding, on-the-fly document conversion, and desktop sharing. It's a versatile tool that deserves recognition. Let's delve into what OpenMeetings can do. First and foremost, it provides free video conferencing capabilities. It is compatible with different platforms and browsers, thanks to its flash-based rendering. During meetings, you can upload Microsoft Office files, and OpenMeetings will convert them instantly using the OpenOffice converter plugin. It offers multiple file formats for sharing, including the original format, PDF, and flash. Flash is utilized to display documents on the whiteboard area. Additionally, you can upload and share images, but video sharing is not supported. However, the software does enable desktop sharing, with one caveat to keep in mind. If you keep the OpenMeetings meeting window active in your browser, your desktop view will be mirrored indefinitely. To avoid this, simply minimize the OpenMeetings window. Although you won't be able to see what others see, they will be able to observe your shared desktop. Now, let me share some of my testing experiences thus far. Initially, I ran OpenMeetings on a Windows machine with 768MB of RAM. My intention was to evaluate the product and assess its suitability for a non-profit project I'm involved in. Here's what I learned from that experience: the setup process was straightforward, but I encountered some issues with document conversion setup (although this could have been my own fault). The hardware I used was insufficient for optimal performance. The meeting worked fine with two attendees, but document conversion overwhelmed the system, causing it to spontaneously reboot. It was quite amusing, albeit the end of the meeting. For my second test, I switched to a Ubuntu Linux installation on a much better machine with 4GB of RAM. However, there were a few things to note when using Ubuntu. Firstly, ensure that you install the openoffice-headless package, which allows you to run OpenOffice in headless mode for document conversion. You can find this option in the Synaptic package manager by running "sudo synaptic" in the terminal and searching for "openoffice-headless" to install it. Following the instructions on the wiki, I had OpenMeetings up and running in less than 20 minutes after installing Ubuntu. Additionally, if you plan to access the server remotely, remember to forward at least port 5080. Here's what I discovered during this test: the hardware was sufficient for document conversion and running the application smoothly. However, five participants encountered issues with their client hardware, particularly regarding webcams. Bandwidth emerged as a significant challenge and required quality of service (QoS) implementation. In our case, the router we used for testing did not have QoS, resulting in significant time delays of up to a minute with five participants, rendering the app unusable. Oh, one more thing to keep in mind: when using OpenMeetings, it's advisable to use headphones to prevent audio feedback loops if speakers are used instead.


2008. Adobe to update Acrobat Connect

Adobe Systems is preparing to release the latest version of Acrobat Connect Pro by the end of May, offering a comprehensive solution for web conferencing, corporate training, and academic course management. As businesses seek greener alternatives to reduce travel costs and carbon emissions, web conferencing is gaining popularity. Connect users can engage in chat discussions during online meetings, which can be recorded and archived, preserving audio, video, and chat transcripts. Noteworthy features include whiteboarding tools and the ability for participants to divide into virtual breakout rooms. Integration with third-party instant messaging applications is also available. Connect operates seamlessly on any Flash-enabled web browser, eliminating the need for Java or administrative adjustments. Leveraging Adobe AIR, Flash presentations from Connect can be played offline on desktops, catering to frequent business travelers. These files are also viewable on mobile phones with Flash support. Adobe Presenter, also receiving an update, enhances Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 with additional features, enabling users to create dynamic presentations incorporating audio, video, and animations, which can be integrated with Acrobat Connect. Adobe claims a significant 72 percent market share in the "eLearning" industry. Competitors to Connect, such as WebEx, acquired by Cisco Systems last year, and LiveMeeting, which Microsoft is selling directly, offer alternatives in the web conferencing space. Pricing for Connect starts at $42 per month.


2007. Acrobat Connect: An excellent online meeting service, but overpriced

Adobe has released Acrobat Connect, a Flash-based screen sharing and videoconferencing tool that has impressed users during experimental meetings. Despite its high price of $40 per month, the web application offers a 15-day trial for users to experience its capabilities. Unlike competitors Webex and GoToMeeting, Acrobat Connect operates entirely in Flash and does not require credit card information for access to the demo. Once an account is set up, users receive a permanent link to share with attendees, granting them entry to conferences upon approval from the organizer. The application intelligently selects which screen to share and allows the user to choose specific applications to broadcast, avoiding accidental sharing of sensitive information. Video, chat, and audio functionalities enhance the meeting experience, with audio being handled through a phone-based conferencing system. Conferences can accommodate up to 15 participants, and the organizer can pass control to an audience member. However, unlike Yugma, attendees cannot share their own screens. While Acrobat Connect is a well-designed and functional tool, some find it overpriced compared to other available options, even though it offers a superior user experience.


2006. Adobe brings Web conferencing to Acrobat

Adobe Systems is set to release Acrobat 8 in November, an updated version of its PDF software that incorporates web conferencing capabilities from its acquisition of Macromedia. The company unveiled the refreshed Acrobat line, along with pricing details. As part of the product upgrade, Adobe will introduce Acrobat Connect, a hosted service allowing individuals to initiate web conferences by simply clicking a button in a PDF file. Adobe plans to continue enhancing collaboration features in its Acrobat products, focusing on personal and project spaces where users can communicate and store documents. Acrobat Connect, previously known as Macromedia Breeze, enables users to share documents or their entire desktop via a web browser, initiate chat conversations, and send invitations through instant messaging or email. The service will be hosted by Adobe for individual users, priced at $39 per month or $395 per year, and is expected to launch in mid-November. For corporate customers, Adobe offers an on-premise edition of Adobe Connect, allowing organizations to install and maintain their own server. Acrobat 8 also includes features like combining multiple distinct documents into a single PDF file while preserving the original digital signature, offering greater flexibility and functionality.


2005. Macromedia updates its Web conferencing tools

Macromedia has introduced the latest version of its online video conferencing application, Breeze 5, featuring various enhancements including VoIP support. This release signifies Macromedia's ongoing efforts to broaden the range of applications compatible with its widely adopted Macromedia Flash Player software, which has surpassed 500 million downloads. The key advantage of Breeze 5 lies in its compatibility with the freely available Flash client software, eliminating the need for users to install additional applications. On Monday, Macromedia launched the hosted version of Breeze 5, while a packaged version is scheduled for release within the next month. It is worth noting that Macromedia is currently in the process of being acquired by Adobe Systems for a sum of $3.4 billion.


2005. Macromedia, Adobe make peace for bigger fight

Adobe Systems' acquisition of Macromedia for $3.4 billion signifies its entry into a critical battle to shape the future of web application development. While Adobe has traditionally excelled in the domain of printable digital documents with its Portable Document Format (PDF), it has struggled to establish a strong presence in the digital realm where Macromedia has thrived. By incorporating Macromedia's Flash animation and application development software into its portfolio, Adobe now positions itself as a key competitor to Microsoft and open standards in the race to build new platforms for web applications. This move is viewed as a strategic maneuver to gain dominance in the browser applications market, according to industry experts. The acquisition not only enhances Adobe's presence in the business market by offering a comprehensive suite of cross-platform products for document-oriented and rich media web applications but also expands its reach into the enterprise sector by providing Macromedia's collaboration solutions. While the primary target audience for Adobe and Macromedia's software remains creative professionals such as web designers and graphics artists, the companies are also looking to extend their business into corporate technology departments.


2004. Macromedia starts meter on Web conferencing

On Tuesday, Macromedia will unveil a new payment option for its Breeze Live Web conferencing service, introducing a pay-as-you-go plan at a rate of 32 cents per minute. This new pricing model aims to attract small businesses with lighter and sporadic collaboration needs, expanding the service's appeal beyond enterprise-level customers. Breeze Live, launched last year, utilizes Macromedia's Flash format to enable users to deliver presentations, share content, and collaborate on documents through a web browser. While WebEx remains the market leader in web conferencing, Macromedia and Microsoft's Live Meeting service are entering the competition by emphasizing factors such as integration with desktop applications and affordable audio conferencing support. Macromedia's advantage lies in its reliance on the widely installed Flash player, providing a familiar and accessible interface for users without requiring specialized client software.


2004. Web conferencing market heats up

Competition in the rapidly expanding Web conferencing market intensified on Monday as WebEx, the market leader, announced a partnership with Salesforce.com, and Macromedia offered free trials of its new Breeze service. WebEx will integrate its MediaTone communications network with Salesforce.com's web-based customer relationship management (CRM) services, enabling Salesforce.com to provide a wider range of sales-related activities. The global market for Web conferencing services is projected to reach $700 million this year, with Microsoft's acquisition of PlaceWare (now Live Meeting) and Macromedia's entry with Breeze contributing to the market growth. Macromedia aims to promote its Breeze service by offering it for free throughout March, allowing new customers to conduct meetings with up to five simultaneous users. Meanwhile, Raindance Communications introduced its integrated conferencing service, Raindance Meeting Edition, which combines online presentation, audio and video conferencing, and collaboration features. Raindance has also embraced voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to enhance its services.


2004. Macromedia updates Web conferencing product

On Monday, Macromedia unveiled an update to its Breeze Web conferencing software, introducing new collaboration features. Breeze Live 4.0 offers enhanced tools for conducting web meetings, including instant polling and file transfer capabilities for seamless document sharing. Originally focused on delivering online training and educational materials, Breeze has expanded to become a versatile tool for online presentations. With the growing demand for web conferencing services, driven by cost-cutting measures and security concerns, Macromedia positions Breeze as a valuable addition to existing technologies like PowerPoint and the Flash Player. Version 4.0 introduces upgrades such as media file and document sharing, support for Flash Paper, automatic recording and cataloging of meetings, and interactive whiteboard features. Macromedia aims to go beyond traditional web conferencing and empower users to create engaging and dynamic presentations.

Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email adam@liventerprise.com