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Polycom and HP Announce Broad Strategic Alliance
Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
  • Polycom to Acquire HP's Visual Collaboration Business and Become an Exclusive Partner to HP for Telepresence and Certain Video Unified Communications Solutions
  • HP to combine its industry leading networking with Polycom's leading UC to deliver comprehensive communication solutions to its customers
PLEASANTON, Calif. - Jun 01, 2011 : HP (NYSE:HPQ) and Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM), a global leader in unified communications (UC), today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Polycom will acquire the assets of HP's Visual Collaboration business, including the Halo Products and Managed Services business.
 
In conjunction with this acquisition, HP and Polycom have agreed to establish a strategic relationship in which Polycom will serve as an exclusive partner to HP for telepresence and certain video UC solutions, including both resale and internal HP deployments. The two companies have also agreed to make available Polycom's video applications for HP's WebOS platform.
 
The alliance extends Polycom's leadership in the Unified Communications and Collaboration market with HP's installed base of visual collaboration products and technology. The exclusive partnership broadens the company's strategic relationship with HP and expands the UC solutions HP offers its global customer base.
 
Under the terms of its agreements with HP, Polycom will provide expertise in software technology and UC infrastructure, covering the full continuum of integrated and secure mobile, desktop, room and telepresence solutions. HP will provide its expertise and leadership in go-to-market strategies for UC solutions and will resell Polycom's UC solutions including: personal and group UC devices, UC infrastructure, UC managed services, and audio/video software.
 
This alliance combines HP's networking scale and global reach with Polycom's expertise in video conferencing to provide customers world-class video and UC solutions through Polycom infrastructure deployed on HP networking and systems. This also allows customers to capitalize on the critical importance of networking as the foundation for a superior video experience and tap the global services of HP for turnkey communications solutions.
 
"This announcement is a truly groundbreaking development in the UC industry, creating a path for Polycom and HP to offer customers an end-to-end UC solution with an unparalleled user experience, interoperability, investment protection, and ease of deployment," said Andrew Miller, Polycom president and CEO. "The transaction makes the most of the strength of two industry leading, customer-centric organizations to offer a seamless UC experience with high-quality, enterprise-class telepresence solutions to millions of customers. Our broadened relationship with HP underscores Polycom's focus and commitment to bring the most advanced and innovative UC solutions to market."
 
"Customers will benefit from this transaction and alliance because they will receive the focus of two world-class technology companies through greater service and product opportunities," said Shane Robison, HP executive vice president and chief strategy and technology officer. "This transaction and alliance allows us to focus on executing our strategy in cloud computing and connectivity, while ensuring the long-term care of our customers and development of our services business."
 
Polycom expects this acquisition to be slightly accretive to earnings upon closing. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close in Q3 2011.
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Douglas Fearing- Co-Founder / President

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.

Lois Fearing- Co-Founder/Accounting, Human Resources

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 Tresner-VP of Technology and Innovation

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.

Ben Voeck-Director of Commercial AV

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 Matson-Senior VP of Sales

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.