Driving towards a more innovative approach to its virtual collaboration efforts while boosting current business capabilities, NATO has historically turned to Polycom to deliver next-generation best-in-class collaboration technology. Continuing to elevate NATO’s “new ways of working” program with advanced communication technology, Polycom announced today NATO has become the first organization to deploy a commercially available Polycom® RealPresence Centro™, the industry’s first solution purpose-built to put people at the center of collaboration.
Following the announcement of the RealPresence Centro solution in October, and recognizing NATO’s emphasis on establishing a greater, more cohesive virtual collaboration program, Polycom provided NATO an opportunity to be the first to deploy the solution prior to general availability, which is targeted for late February. Now fully operational on NATO’s Restricted Network, a highly protected and secure network within NATO’s infrastructure, the RealPresence Centro system is at the center of NATO’s most important communications. This center of the room solution serves as a collaboration focal point for command and control meetings, training and administrative sessions, international communication and operational mission collaboration.
“Critical to the success of our missions at NATO is directly impacted by the collaboration technology we use,” said Gus Mommers, Branch head CMS, NCI Agency, NATO. “NATO relies on the advanced capabilities of Polycom’s collaboration solutions to instantaneously bring our teams and nations together to carry out highly secure, highly critical missions.”
In an increasingly insecure and threatening environment, NATO must be meticulous in evaluating communications solutions. With highly confidential information being shared across its Restricted Network, heavy emphasis is placed on solutions that hold up against attempts to intercept information. The security assurance and experience presented with the RealPresence Centro system has allowed the solution to be tested, certified and approved by NATO for use.
“The RealPresence Centro system provides the highly secure, highly interactive collaboration solution we’ve been seeking to help advance our new ways of working program even further,” said Catherine Galoppin, Section Head CMS NCI Agency. “For the Agency this means saving time, resources, working securely from almost anywhere and an exceptional user experience. You walk into the room and you will realize this is not a traditional VTC room – Polycom has created a unique environment that takes collaborating from a distance to the next level.”
The RealPresence Centro solution is designed to create a more comfortable, intimate and natural means to collaborate and ideate. Polycom’s 360-degree voice and video technology automatically tracks the speaker, while also showing the entire meeting space on the same screen. Four touch screens are strategically placed in the middle of the room to create a unique intimate experience that drives deeper collaboration and better outcomes.
“We continued to be awe-inspired by the extremely difficult and important work NATO does daily to serve the Nations throughout the Alliance,” said Sean Berg, Vice President, Public Sector at Polycom. “We are also incredibly honored to help NATO achieve success in these mission critical programs by offering highly-secure audio, content, and video collaboration solutions like the RealPresence Centro.”
RealPresence Centro systems will be available in select countries globally starting in February 2016.
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.
