Polycom ReadiSeries Provides State-of-the-Art IP Infrastructure for Mi

    Business Editors/High-Tech Writers/Media Writers

    PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2005--

    ReadiSeries Integrates Power of Industry Leading MGC Voice/Video Bridge with Gatekeeper, Scheduling, Management, Recording to Simplify
    Deployment of Highly Scalable Rich Media Networks

    Polycom(R), Inc. (NASDAQ:PLCM), the world's leading provider of unified collaborative communications solutions, today announced the Polycom ReadiSeries platform of conferencing and collaboration infrastructure products. The only integrated suite of solutions for mission critical rich media networks, ReadiSeries enables organizations to easily deploy, manage, and scale rich media conferencing and collaboration services over IP-based networks. The Polycom ReadiSeries includes the ReadiConvene(TM) multipoint conference bridge, ReadiManager(TM) SE200 conference scheduling and management system, and ReadiRecorder(TM), an audio conference recording and playback solution.
    "Organizations are increasingly deploying rich media -- voice, video, data and Web -- conferencing and collaboration solutions to increase productivity and reduce costs," said Phil Keenan, senior vice president and general manager of network systems at Polycom. "As these conferencing networks grow in size and complexity, becoming mission critical to an organization's competitiveness, administrators need efficient, scaleable ways of managing their networks, in order to ensure conferencing reaches its key goal -- providing the end user with an easy-to-use, always available, and reliable conferencing experience. No one knows more about networking voice, video, web and data in real time and across more telephony or instant messaging environments than Polycom."
    The uniqueness of ReadiSeries is its integration of core conferencing components. ReadiConvene integrates industry-leading Polycom MGC features, such as on-demand or scheduled conferences, automatic transcoding, security, reliability and redundancy, with ReadiManager scheduling and management applications onto a single platform; simplifying conference network set-up and usage. ReadiRecorder uses the MGC configuration manager to set up session recordings. Powerful, scalable and easy to deploy, manage, and use, ReadiSeries products help lower the cost and complexity of conferencing and collaboration for the enterprise customer.
    "One of the primary barriers to videoconferencing relates to the complexity of installing and managing a conferencing network. As corporate IT staff are already stretched to the limit, the enterprise customer is looking for ways to reduce conference management overhead," said Roopam Jain, Senior Analyst, Frost and Sullivan. "Polycom has addressed these issues with their new suite of ReadiSeries products. ReadiSeries not only lets administrators deploy what in effect is 'self-service conferencing' with Polycom's on-demand applications, but also provides a singular management solution that simplifies and automates the deployment and management of the enterprise conference network."

    ReadiManager SE200 -- Appliance-based conference scheduling, deployment and management applications

    The new Polycom ReadiManager SE200 video/voice scheduling and management system delivers a full suite of advanced conference management functions through a tightly integrated set of applications -- gatekeeper, device management, scheduling and conference management -- on a single stand-alone platform.
    This same suite of software is available on a dedicated application module integrated within the new Polycom ReadiConvene MCU platform. This dual-use design provides organizations with the flexibility to choose the type of deployment that best suits their conferencing network needs. ReadiManager SE200 also works seamlessly with Polycom's MGC product family.
    The ReadiManager SE200 solution provides all the features needed to make IP video conferencing easy to deploy and manage, on a single, cost-effective platform which mitigates the need to purchase and maintain multiple servers. Network set up times are drastically reduced with the provision of an intuitive web-based wizard interface for one-time data entry, as all applications now share a common database. Other features such as auto-registration of endpoints and integration with LDAP/AD for automated user directory maintenance also contribute to lower administrative overhead. Network health is assured -- and makes for a more reliable conferencing experience -- with proactive 24x7 network monitoring, which can automatically alert remote support personnel to current or potential problems.

    ReadiConvene -- Multipoint conferencing bridge with new integrated conference scheduling and management applications

    An addition to Polycom's industry-leading MGC(TM) family, ReadiConvene is an all-in-one IP-based conferencing bridge that includes integrated conference scheduling, deployment and management applications. ReadiConvene is packaged and priced to provide customers with an easy-to-order, cost-effective, single-platform solution that is optimized for IP, while still offering all the industry-leading features of the Polycom MGC, including both on-demand and scheduled conferencing.
    Ease of use for end users is key to the adoption of conferencing services, and the migration of video and voice conferencing to IP networks makes it possible to offer end users on-demand access -- anytime, anywhere -- from almost any communication device. On-demand conferencing services increase work day productivity, and are simple with ReadiConvene's one-number dialing from any type of endpoint, or point and click from "buddy list" desktop applications. Conferencing is very easy to do with ReadiConvene whether on-demand "virtual meeting rooms," or alternatively, scheduled conferencing with integrated Outlook or Lotus Notes scheduling tools.
    ReadiConvene offers a full array of voice, video, data and Web conferencing applications and also includes all the scheduling and management tools required for deploying and managing today's complex conferencing networks. These applications come pre-installed and pre-configured on the ReadiConvene "Integrated Application Module" (IAM), providing customers with an IP conferencing solution that is easy to install and support.
    The ReadiConvene single platform solution is optimized for IP networks, but includes optional upgrades for the support of ISDN and PSTN networks.

    ReadiRecorder -- Audio recording and playback solution

    The new ReadiRecorder audio recording and playback platform works in conjunction with a Polycom MCU (Polycom MGC and Polycom ReadiConvene) to enable the recording of audio conferences (or the audio stream of video conferences) that take place over PSTN and IP networks. A low-cost, easy-to-deploy solution, ReadiRecorder is easy to manage through simple touch-tone DTMF commands, and integrates with the ReadiConvene configuration manager for simplified set up. Recorded conferences may be accessed from the user's phone, or may be downloaded from ReadiRecorder's web portal and replayed from any standard desktop media player.

    Pricing and Availability

    ReadiConvene and ReadiRecorder are scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 2005 through Polycom Certified Partners, authorized to sell Polycom MGC products, for a manufacturer's suggested retail price starting at US$36,000 and US$24,000 respectively. ReadiManager SE200 is scheduled to be available in the third quarter of 2005 for a manufacturer's suggested list price starting at US$34,000.
    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.

    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 video, voice, data and Web solutions to deliver the ultimate communications 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 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 in real-time communications and collaboration. For additional information call 1-800-POLYCOM (765-9266) or +1-408-526-9000, or visit the Polycom website at www.polycom.com.

    Polycom and the Polycom logo are registered trademarks and MGC, ReadiConvene, ReadiManager and ReadiRecorder are trademarks of Polycom in the U.S. and various countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. (C)2005, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved.

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CONTACT: Polycom, Inc. Kevin Young, 925-924-5706 kyoung@polycom.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE NETWORKING PRODUCT SOURCE: Polycom, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005