Polycom, Microsoft ally for end-to-end unified communications

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Polycom, Inc. has signed a multi-year, strategic global agreement with Microsoft Corp.to deliver integrated end-to-end unified communications (UC) and to improve customers’ business productivity.

Under the agreement, Polycom plans to develop and market standards-based UC solutions – encompassing software, hardware, networking and services – that span the enterprise, small-to-medium business, and government markets; and will enable customers to improve business productivity and reduce travel, telecom and IT operating costs.

Polycom and Microsoft share a vision for business productivity solutions built on standards-based platforms that work with the tools and applications people know and use today. The companies’ strategic agreement is a major step towards streamlining communications across messaging, video and voice with connected applications and devices.

Offering a broad portfolio of integrated solutions spanning voice, video and application integration for Microsoft UC, this agreement makes Polycom a member of Microsoft’s key strategic global alliance for the company’s UC business. As part of this long-term strategic agreement, each company is investing in product development, sales, and marketing.

Through resources, investments, and strong field engagement, Polycom and Microsoft will deliver rich, compelling UC solutions, offering customers the flexibility to deploy the features that help them lower their costs, improve productivity and meet their unique business needs.

Product development
The roadmap entails Polycom developing a broad base of solutions for Microsoft Communications Server “14” and beyond, including:
* New and next-generation Polycom CX series endpoints optimised for Microsoft UC, featuring Polycom’s market-leading HD video and voice technologies.
* New, innovative room-based video systems designed specifically for enabling direct integration with Microsoft Communications Server “14”.
* Additional interoperable solutions between Polycom’s existing and future video conferencing solutions.

Global Polycom/Microsoft UC go-to-market initiatives
* Sales resources and training.
* Integrated marketing campaigns.
* Collaboration to develop and support channel partners.
* Polycom participation in multiple Microsoft Technology Centers around the globe, with active demos already available.
* Global governance and cadence around voice and video UC solutions.
* Common messaging and industry presence to drive adoption of UC.