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Polycom

Polycom CMA - New Network Management And Desktop Video Solution

July 28, 2008

Addressing growing demand for enterprise video and telepresence solutions and adding to the industry’s broadest visual communication portfolio, Polycom, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCM) announced the Polycom Converged Management Application™ (CMA™) designed to dramatically simplify the deployment and management of enterprise video networks and the use of desktop, group and telepresence solutions for users. A key component of the solution is CMA Desktop™, a tightly integrated enterprise desktop video application capable of supporting high definition (HD) video, voice and content while scaling to thousands of users across an organization. [click to continue...]

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Polycom SpectraLink brought Proctor & Gamble an award

December 13, 2007

Procter & Gamble (P&G) has won 2007 ‘Best on Campus’ Mobilizer Award by Mobile Enterprise Magazine. The Mobilizer Awards recognize companies for their achievements in deploying mobile solutions across the enterprise. Procter & Gamble uses Polycom SpectraLink Wireless Telephone System.

Mobile Enterprise magazine presents the annual Mobilizer Awards in recognition of the best mobile deployments across the enterprise in the categories of Field Service, CRM, Supply Chain, Mobile Campus and Pace Setting. Applicants are judged by the editors and editorial advisory board of Mobile Enterprise based on ease of deployment; innovation, and business improvement. Using their SpectraLink wireless telephone system Procter & Gamble improved communications among mobile employees and increased productivity.

“While we received many worthy nominations for our Mobilizer Awards, Procter & Gamble stood out for our panel of judges,” says Dorene VanHouten, publisher at Mobile Enterprise. “It demonstrates a creative mobile solution with a clear ROI that directly benefits employees across the corporate campus.”

P&G, in business since 1837 and world renowned as a manufacturer of consumer packaged goods, is using Polycom’s SpectraLink Wi-Fi handsets to enable managers and operators on its manufacturing floor to be much more responsive and productive. Managers can be reached whether at their desks or roaming the manufacturing floor. In addition, operators are now equipped with wireless VoIP handsets that are integrated with their manufacturing lines, enabling them to be across the plant floor and still be aware of what’s going on with their line to ensure operations run smoothly.

The highly durable SpectraLink handsets offer a unique push-to-talk functionality, which took the place of the more expensive walkie-talkie system they had been using and is easier to manage. The SpectraLink handsets offer flexible and secure communications integrated into one device with access to business phone functionality such as call forwarding and voicemail.

Another advantage of the SpectraLink system is its integration with plant machines. P&G is taking advantage of the SpectraLink OAI (Open Application Interface) to integrate handsets with Intech Studio’s product, PUMA, a manufacturing system that enables alerts to be sent to operators of problems on the manufacturing line. So for example, if a shrink-wrapping machine is about to run out of shrink wrap, an operator is alerted. In addition, when a machine goes down maintenance is alerted, lessening possible downtime and associated revenue and productivity hits. As a result of the wireless system, P&G realized a return on its technology investment in just three months.

Procter & Gamble received its award at a ceremony held last month in conjunction with the Second Annual Mobile Enterprise Executive Summit, which took place at the Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando, Fla.

About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. is the worldwide leader in unified collaborative communications (UCC) that maximize the efficiency and productivity of people and organizations by integrating the broadest array of high definition video, wired and wireless voice, and content solutions to deliver the ultimate collaborative experience. Polycom’s high quality, standards-based conferencing and collaboration solutions are easy to deploy and manage, as well as intuitive to use. Supported by an open architecture, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony, workplace wireless telephony, and presence-based networks. With its market driving technologies, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations seeking proven solutions and a competitive advantage from on-demand communications and collaboration. For additional information, call 800-POLYCOM or visit the Polycom web site at www.polycom.com.

Polycom, the Polycom logo and SpectraLink are registered trademarks of Polycom in the U.S. and various countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2007, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Polycom Appoints D. Scott Mercer To Board Of Directors

November 9, 2007

Polycom, Inc. [NASDAQ; PLCM], the market leader in unified collaborative communications solutions, today announced it has appointed D. Scott Mercer to its board of directors. Mercer is a recognized technology industry leader whose career spans three decades across various executive functions from operations and strategic planning to finance, within the storage and computer industry segments.

Mercer is currently the chairman of the board at Adaptec, Inc. having served as its interim CEO in 2005. He was also at Western Digital Corporation as its chief financial and administrative officer in the early 90s, returning 2001-2004 as its CFO during which time he also served as advisor to the CEO regarding business development matters. At Dell in the late 90s he served in vice president of finance roles, and as Dell’s vice president of product development for its desktop and notebook product lines. Mercer’s other executive positions have included CFO of TeraLogic, Inc., CFO and controller of LSI Logic Corporation, and as an accountant with Price Waterhouse.

“We are very pleased to welcome Scott to the Polycom board of directors where his proven business development and long term strategic planning, as well as strong financial expertise, will prove invaluable for us as voice and video collaboration become core, mainstreamed applications across devices over IP networks,” said Bob Hagerty, chairman and CEO of Polycom.

In addition to Polycom and Adaptec, Mercer serves on the boards of Conexant Systems, Palm, Inc. and SMART Modular Technologies (WWH), Inc. He received his BS in Accounting from California Polytechnic University.

“I’m delighted to be joining the board of the leading collaborative communications provider,” said Scott Mercer. “This is an exciting time for Polycom, which I believe is uniquely positioned to leverage the huge growth opportunity resulting from the shift to on-demand collaboration. Workers across all industries are increasingly relying on instantaneous voice and video to communicate across distance with each other, as well as with partners and customers. The result of collaborative communication is a far more efficient, globally competitive, and greener workplace.”

About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. is the worldwide leader in unified collaborative communications (UCC) that maximize the efficiency and productivity of people and organizations by integrating the broadest array of high definition video, wired and wireless voice, and content solutions to deliver the ultimate collaborative experience. Polycom’s high quality, standards-based conferencing and collaboration solutions are easy to deploy and manage, as well as intuitive to use. Supported by an open architecture, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony, workplace wireless telephony, and presence-based networks. With its market-driving technologies, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations seeking proven solutions and a competitive advantage from on-demand communications and collaboration. For additional information, call 800-POLYCOM or visit the Polycom web site at www.polycom.com.

Polycom and the Polycom logo are registered trademarks of Polycom in the U.S. and various countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2007, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Polycom and Endeavor Telecom team up

October 31, 2007

Endeavor Telecom and Polycom announced an agreement under which Endeavor’s professional installation services will be available through Polycom’s distribution channel to service provider partners seeking access to professional implementation services on a nationwide basis.

In addition to installing, testing, and supporting Polycom phones, Endeavor’s certified technicians provide customized installation services and training for various technologies associated with IP PBX deployment, including inside wiring, network switches, traffic shaping appliances, analog telephone adaptors (ATAs), and gateways.

With a field organization of more than 9,000 highly trained and certified technicians, Endeavor is uniquely qualified to deliver installation and testing services for Polycom partners anywhere in North America. Endeavor’s services are provided on a white label basis and allow service providers, carriers, system integrators, and VARs to offer a nationwide field service capability under their own corporate brand.

“We look forward to leveraging Endeavor’s installation services because it provides us with the incredible opportunity to instantly attain national service provider status,” said Bob Beaty, president of Impact Telecom. “The ability to receive immediate information and feedback on the progress of each installation gives us the confidence we need to brand Endeavor’s field technicians as our own, and pursue business outside of our traditional coverage area. We think this is a truly high value service offering from Polycom, and we’re anxious to enjoy these powerful benefits.”

As an integral part of Endeavor’s implementation services, Polycom’s partners gain access to the Endeavor Service Portal (ESP) – an online order entry, dispatching, and job-costing system that can be integrated directly with partners’ back-office systems. Using the Endeavor ESP, Polycom partners experience a tightly integrated operational environment, offering partner-specific branding, real-time order tracking and scheduling, detailed reporting features, robust job-costing capabilities, and more.

“Polycom is the leading independent supplier of standards-based VoIP endpoints, and Endeavor’s field services organization has achieved tremendous customer satisfaction levels,” said Geno Alissi, senior vice president and general manager of Polycom’s Global Services division. “Together, we’re committed to ensuring the success of all our partners, and we are confident that Endeavor’s professional services will play a pivotal role in helping us to achieve that goal.”

“The rising popularity of IP PBX offerings has created a tremendous market opportunity for Polycom’s products coupled with professional services,” said Endeavor Telecom’s CEO, Justin McLain. “The combination of Polycom’s superior products with our turnkey implementation services ensures that service providers can expect an IP PBX offering that consists of unsurpassed call quality, smooth deployments and delighted end users throughout North America. What’s more, our white label approach allows Polycom partners to deliver all these benefits, while continuing to achieve their own brand equity goals.”

About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. is the worldwide leader in unified collaborative communications (UCC) that maximize the efficiency and productivity of people and organizations by integrating the broadest array of high definition video, wired and wireless voice, and content solutions to deliver the ultimate collaborative experience. Polycom’s high quality, standards-based conferencing and collaboration solutions are easy to deploy and manage, as well as intuitive to use. Supported by an open architecture, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony, workplace wireless telephony, and presence-based networks. With its market driving technologies, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations seeking proven solutions and a competitive advantage from on-demand communications and collaboration. For additional information, call 800-POLYCOM or visit the Polycom web site at www.polycom.com.

About Endeavor Telecom
Headquartered in Atlanta, Endeavor is The Telecom Truck Roll Company of Choice for carriers, service providers, systems integrators, VARs, and equipment manufacturers. Endeavor’s private label wholesale professional services include: Field Services, such as inside wiring & equipment installation; Order Fulfillment Logistics - equipment configuration, staging, testing, and shipping; and Tier I & II operations and technical support. Endeavor’s field organization consists of more than 9,000 highly trained and certified technicians throughout the US and North America. For additional information, please visit Endeavor Telecom on the web at www.endeavortelecom.com

Polycom reserves the right to modify future product plans at any time. Products and/or related specifications referenced in this press release are not guaranteed, and will be delivered on a when and if available basis.

All product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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Polycom HDX Series honored

October 31, 2007

Polycom HDX 9000 SeriesThe Polycom HDX platform was named the best high definition (HD) video conferencing solution by Wainhouse Research in a head-to-head comparison with competing systems from Tandberg and LifeSize. The Polycom HDX series received top marks in eight out of 10 categories, including video quality, audio quality, and multimedia performance, as well as HD and SD (standard definition) interoperability, camera quality and performance, user interface and content-sharing performance (H.239).

“In our comparative review of three industry-leading HD video conferencing endpoints, Wainhouse Research named the Polycom HDX platform as our number one choice,” said Andrew W. Davis, managing partner, Wainhouse Research. “Our extensive, hands-on competitive analysis shows that the Polycom HDX series received top scores in 8 out of 10 evaluation categories. Besides great video quality, the HDX series provides outstanding, leading-edge audio performance and unparalleled multimedia capabilities.”

Polycom HDX video conferencing systems are the only video conferencing endpoints on the market to deliver the value of UltimateHD™, which includes HD video, HD voice and simultaneous HD multimedia content-sharing capabilities.

“The Wainhouse Research evaluation reinforces what Polycom customers have already experienced: that Polycom HDX solutions are the best video conferencing choice across applications and use scenarios,” said Joe Sigrist, senior vice president and general manager of video solutions at Polycom. “Polycom believes that delivering the best user experience is about more than just video resolution, it is also about voice quality, the ability to share content in HD, the user interface, camera performance and more. It is also about giving customers a complete integrated solution for HD video conferencing that makes the technology reliable and easy to deploy, manage and use.”

Polycom has expanded the award-winning HDX line to now include the HDX 4000™ series, personal multimedia HD systems designed for executives, physicians and small groups; the HDX 8000™ series, for mid-range conference and meeting rooms; as well as the HDX 9000™ series, for large meeting rooms, classrooms and integrated custom-room environments. The HDX platform also powers the Polycom RealPresence™ Experience (RPX™) HD immersive telepresence solutions and Polycom Telepresence Experience (TPX™) HD telepresence solutions, providing seamless interoperability between telepresence solutions and video conferencing endpoints.
Polycom HDX systems also feature patent-pending Lost Packet Recovery technology to help ensure an outstanding video conferencing experience for voice, video and content, even on networks with considerable levels of IP packet loss.  Lost Packet Recovery can improve the pervasiveness of video conferencing in an organization by ensuring the highest and most consistent quality for home office workers, field deployments, calls on “dirty networks” subject to frequent packet loss, and even calls over the public Internet.
The standards-based Polycom HDX line is part of the industry’s only integrated and complete HD video collaboration portfolio, including HD video endpoints and systems, telepresence and immersive telepresence solutions, HD conferencing bridges, HD recording, streaming and playback systems (for both video and content), HD video content management, and integrated Polycom HD Voice endpoints.  To assist customers deploying HD video conferencing, Polycom Global Services offers a comprehensive suite of HD Readiness services through channel partners — from planning and design; to evaluating and optimizing HD video performance on existing networks; to standard maintenance, training and service options.
The Wainhouse Research evaluation of HD video conferencing endpoints is available at www.wainhouse.com.
Pricing and Availability
The Polycom HDX 4000, 8000 and 9000 series are now available for order through certified Polycom channel partners. HDX 9000 series are currently shipping and HDX 4000 and HDX 8000 series are planned to ship in November 2007.  North America list price starts at US$7,999 for the HDX 4001 and US$9,999 for the HDX 4002.  North America list price starts at US$10,999 for the HDX 8002 and US$13,999 for the HDX 8004 (Both HDX 8000 systems are HD and pricing includes the Polycom EagleEye™ HD camera, HDX microphone and HDX remote.) North America list price starts at US$13,999 for the HDX 9001, US$15,999 for the HDX 9002 and US$19,999 for the HDX 9004.
About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. is the worldwide leader in unified collaborative communications (UCC) that maximize the efficiency and productivity of people and organizations by integrating the broadest array of high definition video, wired and wireless voice, and content solutions to deliver the ultimate collaborative experience.  Polycom’s high quality, standards-based conferencing and collaboration solutions are easy to deploy and manage, as well as intuitive to use.  Supported by an open architecture, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony, workplace wireless telephony, and presence-based networks.  With its market-driving technologies, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations seeking proven solutions and a competitive advantage from on-demand communications and collaboration. For additional information, call 800-POLYCOM or visit the Polycom web site at www.polycom.com.

Polycom reserves the right to modify future product plans at any time. Products and/or related specifications referenced in this press release are not guaranteed, and will be delivered on a when and if available basis.
Polycom and the Polycom logo are registered trademarks, and HDX 4000, HDX 8000, HDX 9000, UltimateHD, RealPresence, RPX, TPX and EagleEye are trademarks of Polycom in the U.S.

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