BT and Polycom Help Customers Maximize the Benefits of Microsoft Unified Communications

Companies collaborate to develop end-to-end suite of enterprise services and solutions based on Microsoft Communications Server

WASHINGTON, DC - BT (NYSE: BT) and Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM) announced today that they have enhanced their suite of end-to-end, enterprise-class services and solutions based on current and future releases of Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) technologies. At Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference 2010 this week, BT and Polycom are announcing a range of solutions building on BT’s established “UC Ready” networked IT, voice and professional services for implementations of Microsoft UC technologies designed to be deployed on scale and on a global basis. Likewise, Polycom will profile for the first time several enhanced capabilities of its new CX IP phones via native integration with Microsoft Communicator “14,” Polycom’s new CX IP phones deliver a more affordable, rich unified communications experience.1

“Enterprises increasingly expect complete UC solutions that are best-of-breed, pre-integrated, and are available via flexible delivery models, such as on-premises, hosted, and hybrid.” said Bern Elliot, vice president and distinguished analyst, Gartner, Inc.

This holistic set of UC products and services delivers integrated application, network and system interoperability combined with flexible options including architectures which can be deployed in traditional on-premise, managed service and cloud scenarios. BT has created reference architectures to give customers the assurance that Microsoft and Polycom technologies will be deployed and managed in solutions that not only consider the server and software platform, but also at the full network impact and utilization. With BT’s global SIP networks, recently certified for use with Microsoft OCS and decades of experience supporting legacy and IP telephony, customers can follow a gradual migration that brings all their existing and next generation technologies together into a single unified communications service.

“Delivering unified communications services and solutions to large enterprise customers is demanding and complex, and the key is to give users a set of simple and convenient tools,” said Neil Sutton, vice president, global portfolio, BT Global Services. “BT is well positioned to deliver on the promise of UCC. With our breadth of networked IT Services, clear investment roadmap, extensive integration experience and accredited professional services coupled with the use of our network monitoring, management and optimization services such as Application Assured Infrastructure, we ensure that all our customers get the best unified communications experience.”

“Customers are looking for effective ways to communicate across their global enterprises, and they want communication to be as flexible, seamless and user-friendly as possible,” said Garry Reichert, Polycom vice president of Strategic Partners. “BT and Polycom combine to offer a unique end-to-end voice and video solution that is standards-based and natively integrates with Microsoft’s UC platform. This solution gives our customers easy access to powerful, productivity-enhancing tools, while protecting their existing and future UC investments.”

“Microsoft is pleased to see two of our leading UC partners come together to offer a broad and innovative set of UC services and solutions,” said Yancey Smith, Director of Product Management, Communications Server for Microsoft. “Large enterprise customers need to approach UC solutions from a wide vantage point which includes network, endpoint devices, professional services, security and other important pivots. Customers can turn to BT and Polycom, working with Microsoft, for solutions which will maximize the impact that UC can deliver to the business.”

BT is a Microsoft Global Gold Systems Integrator and Unified Communications and Collaboration Partner and a global IT Reseller of the latest Microsoft cloud-based services. Polycom is also a long-standing Microsoft Certified Partner and Microsoft is a key member of the Polycom Open Collaboration Network.

About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale. In the year ended 31 March 2010, BT Group’s revenue was £20,911 million. British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt.

About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM) is a global leader in telepresence, video, and voice solutions and a visionary in communications that empower people to connect and collaborate everywhere. Visit www.polycom.com for more information and follow us on Twitter @AllAboutPolycom.

1 First announced in March and shipping later this year, the expanded CX series includes two new network-based IP desktop phones (CX500 and CX600) and the industry’s first and only IP conference phone (CX3000) designed for Communications Server “14.” For WPC 2010 attendees, Polycom will spotlight how its CX series phones enable information workers to access the productivity-enhancing features of Microsoft Communicator “14,” delivering a personalized phone experience that make telephony a more effective part of business communications.