SAN JOSE, Calif. - Dec 07, 2015: Building on the strength of a decade-long relationship, Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM) announced today that its voice desktop and conferencing portfolios will be the first that support and interoperate with the Microsoft Office 365 Cloud PBX services. Organizations migrating to Office 365 will be searching for voice solutions that meet or exceed those they currently experience on traditional PBX lines; Polycom’s solutions portfolio uniquely addresses the needs of new Office 365 Cloud PBX service customers with rich collaboration features that work both on the desktop and in the conference room.
The Polycom® VVX® business media phones are the first Open-SIP interoperability phones to support Office 365 Cloud PBX services, giving customers the key additional features that they have been looking for including a touchscreen interface, intercom, group paging and a shared line experience.
The recently announced Polycom® RealPresence Trio™, the first smart hub for group collaboration that transforms the iconic three-point conference phone into a voice, content-sharing and video system that can fit into any team environment, will provide a state-of-the-art conference room experience for businesses of any size (read the related press release).
“Our relationship with Polycom has provided our customers with innovations that have allowed for the highest quality in human collaboration across the world,” said Giovanni Mezgec, General Manager of Applications and Services Marketing at Microsoft. “Polycom solutions, like the Polycom VVX business media phones and the Polycom RealPresence Trio, already interoperate with Skype for Business and will provide enhanced desktop and conference room applications that will offer a superior user experience for our Office 365 Cloud PBX customers.”
Polycom’s portfolio includes more than 40 existing voice, content collaboration and video solutions that deeply integrate with Skype for Business/Microsoft Lync and are qualified by Microsoft. Polycom also remains the only industry partner to offer Skype for Business conference phones. Currently, seven Polycom VVX media phone models come pre-configured with Skype for Business and the RealPresence Trio smart hub will be the first to offer deep integration across multiple UC platforms including Skype for Business and Microsoft Lync that will allow for industry-leading conference features. For more information about Polycom’s solutions for Skype for Business, visit Polycom.com.
“We are witnessing a disruptive technology transformation that continues the trend of the demise of traditional PBX’s,” said Ashan Willy Senior Vice President, Product Management & Worldwide Systems Engineering at Polycom. “The new cloud-based communications services from Microsoft are truly game changing and Polycom is proud to participate in this journey to provide the richest, highest quality and most natural solution in the industry.”
Availability
Polycom® VVX® business media phones (Skype for Business edition) and RealPresence Trio smart hubs are shipping today. Availability may vary by country. The new software release for the RealPresence Trio enabling integration with Office 365 Cloud PBX, and Skype for Business 2015 is planned to be available later this month. For more information, visit www.polycom.com or call 1-800-POLYCOM.
About Polycom
Polycom helps organizations unleash the power of human collaboration. More than 415,000 companies and institutions worldwide defy distance with secure video, voice and content solutions from Polycom to increase productivity, speed time to market, provide better customer service, expand education and save lives. Polycom and its global partner ecosystem provide flexible collaboration solutions for any environment that deliver the best user experience, the broadest multi-vendor interoperability and unmatched investment protection. Visit www.polycom.com or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to learn more.
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding future events, including statements regarding the global availability of the Polycom® RealPresence TrioTM solution and the future availability and functionality of the new software release. These forward-looking statements reflect our current intentions and are identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “planned” and other similar statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including future agreements; changes to our strategic areas of focus; and possible delays in the development, availability and shipment of new products due to engineering, manufacturing or other delays. Many of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015, and in other reports filed by Polycom with the SEC. Polycom disclaims any intent or obligations to update these forward-looking statements.
NOTE: The product plans, specifications, and descriptions herein are provided for information only and subject to change without notice, and are provided without warranty of any kind, express or implied. Polycom reserves the right to modify future product plans at any time. Products and related specifications referenced herein are not guaranteed and will be delivered on a when and if available basis.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
