Meetings/Meeting ID

Conferences are referred to as 'meetings' in Zoom and every conference has a Meeting ID. This is the primary identifier for all meetings. Each Zoom account holder is issued a Personal Meeting ID (PMI) that is static. Zoom account holders can use the PMI for Instant/ad-hoc meetings or use the PMI for scheduled meetings. Zoom links use the https://ccs-spokane.zoom/us/j/MeetingID1234 or www.zoom.us/j/MeetingID1234 format. The all-number sequence at the end is the Meeting ID. Users can go to www.zoom.us click Join and enter that Meeting ID to be routed to a meeting.

Updated for Fall 2020 - CCS has enforced Passcodes for all meetings, setting a Waiting Room is also an option. The link/URL format now encodes the Meeting ID and Passcode in a scrambled format. However, the above format does work, users will be prompted to enter the Passcode before entering the meeting.

Personal Meeting Room (PMI)

A PMI is static Meeting ID assigned to a Zoom account holder. Some may find this beneficial for instant/ad-hoc meetings or a standing meeting where you make yourself available in a certain time frame (virtual office hours, for instance). A PMI works best with frequently meeting groups and less so with scheduled events, classes, etc. Classes, especially those that need recording can overlap when using a PMI, especially in back to back class hour scenarios (hour 2 students come in early and mix with hour 1 students).  Some general PMI info here. More details here.

Single Sign On (SSO)

CCS's instance of Zoom is connected to CCS's instance of MS Office 365 in the cloud. CCS users login to Zoom using their work email and primary password (students use their @bigfoot.spokane.edu email address). You can login at www.zoom.us or through the CCS Zoom portal at https://ccs-spokane.zoom.us (click the Sign In button). Through the sign in process you will be redirected to the CCS Office 365 portal where you are asked to confirm your CCS credentials. If you have 2-step authentication setup with your CCS account, you will be asked to confirm your credentials.

ITV & VTC

ITV is the colloquial term used at CCS to describe video conferencing as a whole. This is an older acronym referring to 'interactive TV'. Zoom is more accurately described as a cloud service in the VTC space (video teleconferencing). The terms can be used interchangeably.

Webinar - Note as of 11/20 CCS no longer has Webinar Licenses. Submit a Freshservice ticket if you would like to explore options.

A Webinar works similar to a conventional Zoom Meeting but offers the host options to offer the meeting as more of a broadcast and less of a meeting of peers, where participants all communicate equally. CCS Zoom Meetings max out at 300 participants, CCS Zoom Webinars on the other hand can handle 1000 concurrent live attendees. Webinars offer options like pre-registration, Panelist discussions, live chat and typed audience questions, etc. CCS has a limited number of Webinar licenses, assigned to the campus President's offices currently. If you have a large event/training coming up and would like this option, submit a FreshService ticket, requesting Webinar support and someone will reach out to you. Webinar Help at Zoom.us

Polycom

Polycom is a manufacturer of audio and teleconferencing equipment and systems. All of the ITV/VTC equipped larger classrooms and meetings spaces have Polycom equipment in them (60+ at CCS). CCS also runs a backend Polycom platform that has been hosting CCS video conferences and classes for a number of years. Before that K20 offered a similar platform CCS had used. Spring 2020 on will see the migration of the backend video conferencing usage from CCS's own Polycom infrastructure to the Zoom cloud infrastructure for all video teleconferencing needs. Existing classrooms and meeting spaces with Polycom will continue to be used and will dial into Zoom meetings for classes and events. New build and remodeled large classrooms and meeting spaces that will be outfitted for VTC will continue to have Polycom equipment installed (our preferred vendor). Key distinction: Polycom = equipment used for video conferencing, Zoom = the cloud platform where the conferences take place.

Zoom Rooms

A Zoom Room is hardware/software product from Zoom. Currently CCS has no Zoom Room installations. The basic premise is that a space is equipped (and licensed, monthly) to operate as simple to use Zoom VTC setup, sans a user license. CCS has chosen to assign personal Zoom accounts to all fac/staff/students as needed since there is more flexibility that way. A Zoom Room would technically be a single physical space, Building 1, Room 101 (for example). At this point, there is no plan for CCS to purchase and implement any Zoom Rooms. More info on Zoom Rooms can be found here.

Phone and Audio Only Bridging

Zoom has audio only options that can be selected by the scheduler during meeting creation as well as while the meeting is underway. CCS does not have a Toll-Free plan with Zoom, but if schedulers give attendees the option to call in via phone users can dial the long distance numbers offered and connect to the meeting, following the prompts. Most cell carriers no longer have long distance charges, so that works for many participants as a low/no-cost option. Additionally, users can use the mobile Zoom app and connect audio only (no video sending) and effectively 'call in' via the Zoom app on their phone/tablet.

CCS Telecom continues to operate traditional phone bridges and information about usage and scheduling can be found here.