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Polycom Frees Users from Vendor Lock-In with Support for TIP, Allowing Non-Standards-Based Video Systems to Connect with Polycom Standards-Based Video
Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Polycom® RealPresence™ Platform software update connects non-standard TIP TelePresence Systems to standards-based video systems, extends interoperability across UC environments
 
PLEASANTON, Calif. - Nov 16, 2011 : Polycom, Inc., the global leader in standards-based unified communications (UC), announced a new software update to the Polycom® RealPresence™ Platform that allows customers using Polycom and other standards-based video collaboration solutions to join calls with non-standard Cisco telepresence systems, and vice-versa. The latest RealPresence Platform software update, released today, also further extends interoperability across Microsoft and IBM UC environments.
 
The Polycom RealPresence Platform is the most comprehensive software infrastructure for universal video collaboration, and this software update builds on Polycom's strategy to enable universal video collaboration across the widest range of business, video, mobile, and social networking applications, and delivers on the promise Polycom made earlier this year to liberate users who for years have been locked into proprietary telepresence solutions. The interoperability with Cisco TelePresence Systems is made possible by Polycom's support for the Telepresence Interoperability Protocol (TIP), which is a communications protocol developed by Cisco and only implemented on Cisco TelePresence System suites.
 
"This is a great win for anyone using video collaboration. Our support for TIP is freeing users of non-standard Cisco telepresence by allowing them to connect to millions of other standards-based video systems that are deployed worldwide," said Sudhakar Ramakrishna, executive vice president and general manager of UC solutions and chief development officer, Polycom. "This solution further establishes Polycom as the leader of open standards and interoperability, and provides investment protection for our customers."
 
A Simpler Enterprise UC Environment
"Enterprises need to ensure they use open and interoperable protocols between network building blocks to ensure that they can achieve a high degree of functionality while preserving or migrating their existing investments," said Mark Fabbi, vice president, distinguished analyst, Gartner. "By leveraging multi-vendor networks rather than a single-vendor approach, enterprises can improve network capabilities while significantly reducing costs and simplifying network complexity."
 
TIP integration was initially enabled on Polycom desktop, room-based and immersive-telepresence endpoints for point-to-point calls. The latest Polycom software releases include full native TIP support for video calls, and extended support for H.323 and SIP networks, which allows organizations to access shared UC environments such as IBM® Sametime® and Microsoft® Lync™, even if participants are using legacy systems. Benefits of the software update include:
  • Affordable interoperability. The Polycom software helps reduce costs and complexity by eliminating the need for gateways and licenses.
  • Ease of use. By deploying the Polycom® RMX® universal collaboration server within the platform, organizations can connect non-standard TIP systems to multi-party calls–simply by dialing into a video conference virtual meeting room.
  • Reliable, enterprise-quality multi-party collaboration. Polycom's virtualization management capabilities (Polycom® DMA™ 7000) efficiently distribute calls across massively scaled networks, while auto failover protections ensure that services remain available even if servers go down.
  • Investment Protection. Organizations can add standards-based Polycom video solutions that work seamlessly with existing equipment.
Broadening the Reach of the First Open 'Video Cloud'
Polycom's latest software update also benefits the fast-growing community of "video as a service" providers. For enterprises and service providers alike, increased interoperability is a valuable roadblock-remover, as demonstrated by the newly incorporated Open Visual Communications Consortium™ (OVCC™). The OVCC is an independent, expanding group of global video exchange providers, network providers, and equipment providers that was co-conceived by Polycom and leading global service providers to expand open video communications across any network, vendor platform, and device.
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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.