Polycom Speeds Delivery of Unified Communications Solutions

Polycom, Inc. has revealed plans for accelerated delivery of solutions for Unified Communications networks, which is designed to help market growth and innovations for video communications through new applications in UC markets for businesses and consumers alike.

By developing standards-based H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC) technology, Polycom will extend its enterprise for UC product portfolio and address the requirements of mobile, SMB, and consumer networks. The SVC technology, which will be available at no additional costs to its partners, is known for delivering consistent, high-quality video and audio media, regardless of bandwidth and network.

By leveraging the computer power available in network elements, Polycom SVC solutions will be an economical choice for consumers using UC solutions. The end-to-end SVC solutions will encompass client and intelligent core elements, as well as seamlessly interoperating with existing deployments. This means that customers won't have to worry about replacing any systems they're already using.

Polycom will also extend the Polycom UC Intelligent Core infrastructure platform by providing what it describes as "universal bridging" capabilities, connecting existing and emerging video applications. It will also enhance its current support for new and existing video technologies, helping customers protect their UC investments while lowering the cost of ownership and providing a greater return on investment.

Several UCStrategies UC Experts commented on this announcement and its implications for Polycom and its competitors:

"Polycom is stepping up its competitive thrusts vs. major video competitor Cisco/Tandberg in several ways - technology and partnerships," says UCStrategies UC Expert David Yedwab. "In some ways it's innovative - getting video onto Android Tablets, with Samsung. In some ways catching up - many other video players have already adopted/supported H 264.SVC for quite a while - thus it's a 'me too." But, Polycom's biggest weakness vs. Cisco is the massive Cisco channel - with its alliance, Polycom is relying on the channels of its partners (Avaya, Siemens, Microsoft, etc.) to sell its wares - not always the best option as the partner often decides to develop its own products after having had some success reselling its partners solution... Anybody remember some Microsoft partners that no longer exist?"

According to Jim Burton, co-founder of UCStrategies: "Polycom has always had great technology and development capabilities but has historically stayed away from products that would change their highly profitable business model. The new leadership at Polycom is taking bold and necessary action to compete in the UC market by broadening its product portfolio to include a wider range of devices and customers. Polycom's new product initiatives and its strong relationships with Microsoft and Broadsoft will help it maintain the leadership position the company has enjoyed for many years."

Marty Parker, co-founder of UCStrategies notes, "Polycom continues to advance its video offerings through both technology development and delivery partnerships. The growth in video is clearly going to be from the office and mobile desktops, if the forecast of pervasive use is even partially correct. This validates Polycom's announcement of the Microsoft relationship. Also, since video will best be applied across an enterprise based on the job types and Unified Communications Use Cases, the video deployments will probably not be linked to site-by-site IP PBX upgrades. Polycom's ability to work with a wide range of IP PBX suppliers seems well suited for cross-location deployments based on UC Use Cases."

For more information, visit www.polycom.com.