Polycom Delivers Innovative Features And Broad Interoperability For Its Market-Leading Soundstation Conference Phones

Having shipped more than three million conference phones worldwide, Polycom listens and responds to customer needs with new features and integration

PLEASANTON, Calif. and Interop Las Vegas - Polycom, Inc. [Nasdaq: PLCM], the global leader in telepresence, video, and voice communications solutions, continues to lead the voice conferencing market by bringing new features and functions to its market-leading SoundStation ® conference phones. Polycom recognizes that customer needs are evolving due to factors such as increased globalization, more dispersed workforces, and the increased reliance on IP technology for communications. In response, Polycom is bringing innovative solutions to market that address its customers changing needs including a new version of the SoundStation 2W featuring DECT 6.0 technology as well as expanded interoperability for its SoundStation IP conference phones.

Polycom has shipped more conference phones globally than any other company and leads the conference phone market with more than 85 percent share according to a report from analyst research firm Frost & Sullivan. Senior Consultant for Frost & Sullivan, Paul Waadevig, commented, “In a tough economy where companies are having to leverage their existing communications infrastructure while expanding or upgrading their existing conference phones, Polycom recognizes that a one-size-fits-all strategy won’t work for its customers, especially in this increasingly complex telecommunications equipment market. By expanding interoperability, features and functionality for its conference phone portfolio, Polycom is well positioned to maintain its dominant leadership in this space.”

New SoundStation 2W featuring DECT 6.0
Polycom will begin shipping its SoundStation 2W conference phone featuring digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT) technology next month. Using DECT 6.0 technology means that there is no risk of interference with wireless LANs or other wireless networks. The new DECT 6.0 model offers the same high-quality voice calls as other SoundStation conference phones but with the added flexibility of placing the call anywhere within 150 feet (45 meters) of the included base station. With up to 24 hours of talk time, the SoundStation 2W DECT 6.0 can also be connected to a standard cell phone for a truly mobile conference phone experience.

Broader Interoperability
Polycom is committed to interoperability and open standards, and offers by far the largest number of tested and certified IP platforms based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) technology of any conference phone vendor in the industry. Adding to this growing list of VoIP interoperability partners are several new partners who have verified the SoundStation IP conference phones for use with their platforms. These new platforms include Avaya Communications Manager with SIP Enablement Services, ShoreTel Unified Communications solution, Siemens Enterprise Communications OpenScape Voice, Mitel Communications Director and Alcatel-Lucent OmniPCX Enterprise. For more information on partners certified for interoperability on Polycom’s SoundStation IP conference phones, click here.

“Even amidst the current economic climate and travel restrictions, global business has not slowed down, making conference phones a more important collaboration tool than ever before,” said Sunil Bhalla, senior vice president and general manager for Polycom Voice Communications Solutions. “By expanding our conference phone portfolio, we’re enhancing the options our customers have for deploying the ultimate in conference phone equipment regardless of their network infrastructure. Polycom leads the conference phone market because we offer the highest quality products available with unmatched performance, features and integration, and these days more than ever, customers are depending on Polycom conference phones to work more productively and efficiently.”

Pricing & Availability
The DECT 6.0 version of the SoundStation 2W will be available next month in North America through Polycom’s certified reseller partners at a starting list price of U.S. $739.

SoundStation IP conference phone integration with Avaya Communications Manager with SIP Enablement Services, ShoreTel Unified Communications solution, Siemens Enterprise Communications OpenScape Voice, Mitel Communications Director, and Alcatel-Lucent OmniPCX Enterprise is now available.

About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM) is the global leader in telepresence, video, and voice solutions and a visionary in communications that empower people to connect and collaborate everywhere. Please visit www.polycom.com for more information.