Poly

Polycom delivers on strategic relationship with Microsoft; offers broadest portfolio of HD voice and video solutions that natively interoperate with Microsoft UC environments

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Nov 17, 2010 : Delivering on its strategic relationship with Microsoft Corp. to provide end-to-end unified communication (UC) solutions, Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM), a global leader in unified communications (UC) and a Microsoft Gold Certified partner, today announced enhancements to its comprehensive portfolio of voice and video solutions for Microsoft Lync Server 2010. The Polycom HDX series telepresence systems and Polycom UC Intelligent Core Infrastructure are the industry's first telepresence solution designed to be fully interoperable with Microsoft Lync.

Polycom telepresence solutions lead the industry with support for standard-based H.264 High Profile technology, which reduces bandwidth requirements for HD video communication by up to 50 percent while also working with Lync. The HDX series telepresence systems and RMX® conference platform join a full portfolio of Polycom UC endpoints optimized for Lync and including the Polycom CX500 and CX600 UC devices and the Polycom CX3000 IP conference phone, the only conference phone optimized for Lync.

"In order to derive greater value from UC deployments, customers are demanding proven interoperability, a rich feature set, and simplified management and administration capabilities," said Rich Costello, senior research analyst, IDC. "The close alliance between Polycom and Microsoft helps deliver that to the desktop collaborative experience."

Enhancing collaboration and lowering costs

Polycom's devices Optimized for Microsoft Lync are designed for the highest levels of performance with Lync and offer Polycom HD Voice™, time-saving features such as single sign-in, calendar access, and advanced presence on vibrant color screen displays. The Polycom video solutions also incorporate Microsoft's RTV codec, enabling communications throughout enterprises as well as B2B environments and across multiple collaboration tools. With this solution, companies can lower their total cost of ownership, streamline IT management, improve redundancy protection with ensured support for mission-critical applications.

Extending the reach of UC

The Polycom solutions enable customers to collaborate from their desks, on the road, at home, or in a conference room using standards-based Polycom solutions. This powerful, personalized solution offers a multitude of secure, presence-based voice and video options that expand the flexibility of business communications. Polycom's UC Intelligent Core infrastructure leverages Microsoft's Edge Server to traverse firewalls and enable federation between organizations that would otherwise not be able to collaborate via video or would require the additional cost and management complexity of gateways to connect.

Polycom is readying its partner ecosystem to deliver Microsoft-optimized solutions by offering a dedicated Microsoft UC enablement program designed to assist channel partners to successfully sell, implement and service the Polycom offerings. The UC specialization track for Polycom and Microsoft partners features dedicated resources including collaboration, development and go-to-market initiatives and is available in North America immediately, with regional programs rolling out in the first half of 2011.

Maximizing productivity

Polycom offers the broadest and one of the most flexible portfolios of integrated voice and video solutions for Microsoft UC environments. The Polycom solutions optimized for UC improve the efficiency, effectiveness and competitiveness of organizations by enabling people to easily leverage productivity-enhancing voice, video, presence and data collaboration tools through the familiar environment of their everyday workflow. To learn more, view the Polycom Microsoft Experiencevideo.

Lync offers a single interface that unites voice, IM/presence, audio-, video-, and web-conferencing into a richer, more contextual offering and a single identity makes it easier and more efficient for users to find contacts, check their availability and connect with them. Lync works consistently with Micros