Cisco Jabber brings together instant messaging, voice, video, desktop sharing, conferencing, and presence. Give teams the freedom to be productive on any device. Cisco and other Jabber clients actually implement a superset of XEP-0038. The proposal was automatically withdrawn in 2003. However, XMPP includes an extension for sending small amounts of binary data, such as emoticon graphics, inline. Cisco Jabber delivers instant messaging, voice and video calls, voice messaging, desktop sharing, conferencing, and presence. Find the right people, see whether and how they’re available, and collaborate more effectively.
Getting Started
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Before proceeding, a new profile must be created and Cisco Jabber installed on your computer. For further assistance, please submit a request. Your headset should also be connected to your computer.
Download Cisco Jabber Client
The latest version of Cisco Jabber can be downloaded from Cisco directly.
Download Cisco Jabber
Logging Into Cisco Jabber
- Locate and open the Cisco Jabber application on your computer. If prompted, authorize Jabber to access your microphone.
- Enter your full BU email address and Kerberos password. In future sessions, you will be able to log in with only your BU username and password.
- Make a test call to confirm that everything is working as expected.
Logging In as an Agent When Using Cisco Jabber
If you are an agent in a call center, you can use the steps below to log into your agent ID from Cisco Jabber.
Before logging in as an Agent, you must be logged in on only one device at a time. Before logging in to Cisco Jabber, ensure that you have logged out of Extension Mobility on your desk phone. If you are logged in to both Extension Mobility and Cisco Jabber, or if you are not logged in anywhere, you will receive an error message when accessing Finesse.
When you return to your desk phone, please submit a request to adjust your profile for working on that device.
- If you are not already on-campus or connected to the BU network, connect to the BU VPN.
- Launch and log in to Cisco Jabber, if you have not already done so.
- Launch Finesse as you normally would on campus and log in.
- Go live in Finesse. You can now begin accepting calls.
Troubleshooting
Tips for Improving Your Connection
- Before you can use Finesse, you must be connected to the BU network. When remote, you will need connect to the BU VPN before accessing Finesse.
- Reduce unnecessary network traffic on your network at home. Congestion will degrade your connection quality.
- Wired network connections are typically more reliable than wireless. If you are connected over WiFi, consider using Ethernet instead, if possible.
- Adjust and confirm that your headset and its configuration are comfortable for you and that others can hear you.
Jabber Reports My Username and Password Are Incorrect
If Jabber consistently reports that your username and password are incorrect, you may need to reset Jabber and log in again.
Resetting Jabber on Windows
- Click the gear icon at the upper right of the Jabber window.
- Open the File menu, then click “Reset Jabber.”
- Once reset, log in to Cisco Jabber again using your full BU email as you did during first time setup.
Resetting Jabber on Mac
- From the system menu bar at the top of the screen, open the “Jabber” menu.
- Click “Reset Jabber.”
- Once reset, log in to Cisco Jabber again using your full BU email as you did during first time setup.
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.
Cisco Jabber For Windows
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
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.
Cisco Jabber App
Softphone: With Jabber, calls can be imitated and answered from anywhere using the desktop.
Cisco Jabber User Guide
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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