More and more companies are looking for solutions to make remote working as efficient as possible. For this, many companies end up with the RealWear, an AR headset that is specialized for remote work and focuses mainly on the industrial work environment. A wide range of software options are available in combination with the RealWear.
In this article, a comparison will be made between the 5 most commonly used software solutions in combination with the RealWear: Argus, Remote Eye, Cisco Webex, Microsoft Teams and TeamViewer.
In order to be able to compare the different software options, an explanation has been made of the most important features:
- Integration and login procedure
- Group call
- Annotations / markers
- Video quality / Bandwidth
- Send PDF and / or photos
- Share screen
Argus
Integration and login procedure
Argus uses an application that is installed on the RealWear, in combination with a dashboard on the web. When an Argus license has been obtained, the next step is to install the Argus application on the RealWear.
The device can then easily be linked to the account by scanning a QR code or entering a PIN code. You can then link multiple devices within different organizations, so that an overview is maintained in device management.
Group call
With Argus it is not possible to set up a group call.
Annotations / markers
Argus makes it very easy to add an annotation / marker to the image. Argus gives its users the choice of either placing a dot or drawing on the image. With Argus it is also possible to take a screenshot of the screen, write notes on it and then return it.
Video quality adaptability
One of the unique features of Argus is that the video quality can be adjusted during a call. This can be very useful when the RealWear is used in places where there is no perfect internet connection. Argus is programmed to automatically search for the optimal ratio between image quality and available bandwidth. The user can also adjust the video quality during a call.
Send files and / or photos
It is very easy to send a PDF file or a photo to the RealWear user via Argus. On the Argus dashboard you have easy access to the files on your computer, and they can be sent with 2 clicks.
Share screen
With Argus it is not possible to share the entire screen with the RealWear user.
Price
The first device is always free at Argus. This allows Argus to be tested easily and free of charge, before additional licenses are purchased. Argus is already available from € 40 per device per month. Argus also gives its customers the option to choose between: hosted as SaaS, or on premise hosting.
Read more about how you can use the RealWear in combination with Argus
Remote Eye
Integration and login procedure
Like Argus, Remote Eye uses an application on the RealWear in combination with a dashboard on the web. When a Remote Eye license has been obtained, the next step is to install the Remote Eye application on the RealWear.
The device can then easily be linked to the account by means of a 4-digit code. Finally, you can easily choose to link a new device to a specific expert, or to the entire organization. This makes the integration of Remote Eye within a company very easy.
Group call
It is easy to set up a group call via Remote Eye. This can be done in two ways; by means of a code or by means of a link. The expert can create an invitation code via the dashboard. The user who wants to participate can then enter this code on the Remote Eye dashboard via the group call icon. A link can also be generated for the group call.
This also allows external users to be added to the call. However, remote users cannot access the Remote Eye tools. Via Remote Eye there is no limit to the number of experts who can participate in a group call.
Annotations / markers
With Remote Eye it is possible to place a dot on a live video image. The image is then frozen for 3 seconds, so that the dot remains on the correct object. After these 3 seconds, the dot disappears again.
In addition, with Remote Eye it is possible to make a marker / annotation on an image. For example, a screenshot of the image of the RealWear user can be made, which can then be shared with the RealWear user to finally add annotations / markers.
Video quality adaptability
The image quality of Remote Eye can also be adjusted manually.
Send files and / or photos
It is to share a PDF file or a photo with the RealWear user.
Share screen
It is possible to share the entire screen of the expert with the RealWear user. This allows the expert to easily share his screen so that the RealWear user can see exactly what the expert has open on his computer at that moment.
Price
Remote Eye is available from € 49 per device per month. A license for a whole year is € 499.80. This license includes one expert account and one smart glass user account. It is also possible to purchase an extra expert or user account. The costs for this are € 255 per account, per year.
Read more about how you can use the RealWear in combination with Remote Eye
Cisco Webex
Integration and login procedure
Cisco Webex uses an application for both the RealWear and the computer. It is also possible to use a web version of Cisco Webex expert on demand. If the company already uses other Cisco Webex services, an additional license for the expert on demand solution must be purchased. This can only be done directly with Cisco Webex, or an official reseller.
If you are not yet using Cisco Webex, you must also first obtain a “NU Meetings – Meetings Center” license.to be purchased. As a result, integration of Cisco Webex is not the easiest of the various software packages.
Group call
With Cisco Webex it is possible to add multiple people to an existing call. When there is a 1: 1 connection, it is possible to add up to 4 people to the call. If a call is made from a team environment, up to 200 contacts can be added to the call.
Annotations / markers
It is not possible to create markers / annotations with Cisco Webex on demand.
Video quality adaptability
It is not possible to adjust the video quality.
Send files and / or photos
It is to share a PDF file or a photo with the RealWear user.
Share screen
It is possible to share the entire screen of the expert with the RealWear user. This allows the expert to easily share his screen so that the RealWear user can see exactly what the expert has open on his computer at that moment.
Price
Before a Cisco Webex expert on demand add-on license can be purchased, a “NOW Meetings – Meetings Center” “license must be obtained from Cisco Webex. The costs are € 17.86 per user, per month. The costs for the expert on demand add-on license are then € 13.39 per user, per month. The total cost, for users who are not yet using Cisco Webex, amounts to € 31.25 per user, per month.
Read more about how you can use the RealWear in combination with Cisco Webex
Microsoft Teams
Integration and login procedure
Microsoft Teams uses an application for both the RealWear and the computer. With MS Teams it is also possible to use a web version for the computer. If the company already uses other services from MS Teams, integration is very easy.
However, it is useful to consider which account is used to log into the RealWear, because this must be a different account than the one used to log in on the computer. MS Teams also uses a QR code to link the device to the account.
Group call
Via Microsoft Teams it is also possible to set up a group call in combination with the RealWear. This can be done when the RealWear user’s account has been added within the account’s contacts on the computer.
The expert then schedules a Team Meeting with the desired contacts. The RealWear user can then easily join the meeting from the MS Teams application. Up to 20 people can be added to an MS Teams meeting.
Annotations / markers
With MS Teams it is only possible to add annotations to a photo / screenshot sent from the RealWear user. Unlike Remote Eye, these annotations are not displayed live. After the annotations have been made, the expert can remotely send the photo / screenshot back to the RealWear user.
Video quality adaptability
It is not possible to adjust the video quality.
Send files and / or photos
With Microsoft Teams it is possible to easily send any Microsoft Office 365 document, PowerPoint or Word file to the RealWear user. Also photos, screenshots and PDF material can be sent.
Share screen
It is possible to share the entire screen of the expert with the RealWear user. This allows the expert to easily share his screen so that the RealWear user can see exactly what the expert has open on his computer at that moment
Price
Microsoft Teams is included in all office licenses from Microsoft. Because many companies already use Office 365, the use of Microsoft Teams in many cases does not entail additional costs.
Read more about how you can use the RealWear in combination with Microsoft Teams
TeamViewer
Integration and login procedure
TeamViewer uses an application for both the RealWear and the computer. Integration of TeamViewer within the company is very easy; when both applications are downloaded, just enter an ID code to connect to both accounts. It is also possible to scan a QR code, so that the RealWear user can request a session with an external expert from a preset group.
Group call
With TeamViewer it is not possible to set up a group call.
Annotations / markers
With TeamViewer it is possible to add live 3D annotations to the image of the RealWear user. It is possible to add arrows, notes and highlights to make the expert’s instructions easier to follow. Unlike Argus and Remote Eye, annotations will “stick” “in the designated areas with TeamViewer, even if the image moves. This is made possible by “3D object tracking” which is built into the TeamViewer Pilot.
Video quality adaptability
It is not possible to adjust the video quality.
Send files and / or photos
With TeamViewer it is possible to send different file types, such as images, PDF and screenshots, to the RealWear user. TeamViewer also makes it possible to view the file jointly in real time, so that the expert and the RealWear user can be sure that the correct information is extracted from the file.
Share screen
It is possible to share the entire screen of the expert with the RealWear user. This allows the expert to easily share his screen so that the RealWear user can see exactly what the expert has open on his computer at that moment.
Price
Where Argus and Remote Eye calculate their license per device, TeamViewer calculates this on the basis of the expert accounts. TeamViewer can only buy a one-year license. The costs for this are € 298.80, which equates to € 24.90 per month.
Conclusion
Most software packages are easy to integrate within an organization. MS Teams takes the lead in this, because many organizations already use other Microsoft services. This causes the most problems with Cisco Webex, because often 2 different licenses have to be purchased.
It is not possible to set up a group call on both TeamViewer and Argus. Remote Eye does not limit the number of participants and Cisco Webex can have up to 200 people on a call at the same time. MS Teams is somewhat behind with a maximum capacity of 20 people.
Cisco Webex does not have the option to add annotations during a call and with Remote Eye and MS Teams this is only possible on an image / screenshot. Argus and TeamViewer make it possible to add annotations during the call, with TeamViewer the annotations remain in the right place by means of 3D object tracking
Only Argus and Remote Eye allow the user to adjust the video quality, with Argus even automatically searching for the optimal conditions of the video quality in relation to the available bandwidth.
With the exception of Cisco Webex, files can be shared with the RealWear user via all software packages, whereby most file types can be sent with MS Teams.
Except for Argus, all software packages make it possible to share the screen with the RealWear user.
Overview
The table below gives an overview of all the above points:
Argus | Remote Eye | Cisco Webex | Microsoft Teams | TeamViewer | |
Integration and login procedure | Application + web dashboard | Application + web dashboard | 2 Applications (web version possible) | 2 Applications (web version possible) | 2 Applications |
Group call | No | Yes, no limit | Yes, up to 200 | Yes, up to 20 | No |
Annotations / markers | Yes, live and on image | Yes, on image only | No | Yes, on image only | Yes, with built-in 3D object tracking |
Video quality / Bandwidth | Quality adjustable | Quality (manually) adjustable | Not customizable | Not customizable | Not customizable |
Send PDF and / or photos | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Share screen | No | yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Price | From € 40 per device per month (first device free) | from € 49 per device per month | From € 17.86 per device per month | Included with all office licenses | € 298.80 per expert account, per year (€ 24.90 per month) |