Today I awoke and learned that Polycom has been making some moves in video. Here’s my take.
First, Polycom is becoming far more partner friendly. That’s the subtext when you see Android, Samsung, Broadsoft and Microsoft all in one e-mail.
Second, Polycom wants to extend their enterprise footprint anywhere they can.
Third and most important, this is a company that wants to be in play to be bought now that Tandberg, which possibly was their only true developmental rival, was acquired by Cisco.
Fourth-the Skype Video Affect (aka SVA) is telling. Polycom is playing the video card and has been for some time. They recognize that as voice minutes keep dropping to next to nothing that they need to a differentiator, and video could be theirs.
Fifth-Apple. Don’t let anyone kid you. FaceTime is going to be more than one to one video, and as more Apple laptops make their way into business, so with FaceTime, and that mean multiparty.
Lastly, Google. As Google begins to ratchet up more and more software only based Unified Communications into their Apps suite, either directly or through partners, companies like Polycom have to cooperate or be left in the dust. Being cross platform, interoperable is the key and by playing nice in the partner world, Polycom is sending the message out loud and clear.
From their note:
Building on Polycom’s vision and strategy of bringing communication anywhere on any device, the company today made three key announcements that will further the company’s drive into emerging UC markets, mobile, consumer and SMB.
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Polycom UC on Android-based Samsung GALAXY
- Polycom will develop standards-based video applications to be embedded and distributed on the Android-based Samsung GALAXY Tab. Polycom’s unique approach enables mobile (3G and 4G) access to UC applications for consumers and enterprise users alike.
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Cloud solutions with Broadsoft
- Polycom, through the extension of its relationship with BroadSoft, will offer a BroadCloud Video enabled UC cloud solution that will allow service providers to lower the cost and complexity of deploying and using B2B telepresence and HD voice solutions for organizations around the globe
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Microsoft adopts Polycom’s H.264 SVC technology
- To address the device, application and network requirements of mobile, SMB, and consumer networks, Polycom announced it is extending its industry-leading enterprise UC product portfolio by developing standards-based H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC) technology for current and future solutions and UC initiatives.