Polycom and Microsoft to Extend Video Collaboration in Office 365 and Skype for Business

OREANDA-NEWS. Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM) and Microsoft Corp. announced today plans to expand the reach of Skype for Business meetings so Polycom customers of all sizes will be able to leverage their existing video investments as they move to Microsoft Office 365 and Skype for Business environments. In addition, Microsoft customers new to video collaboration will have the option to use Polycom’s proven technologies in their new deployments. Customers will also be able to collaborate with other existing video platforms using a new cloud video interoperability service built by Polycom and Microsoft.

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Polycom’s industry-leading RealPresence® Group Series in-room video conferencing solutions will be qualified on Skype for Business Server and supported on Office 365. A familiar Skype for Business-like user-interface on the Polycom RealPresence Touch™ device will make it even easier for Skype for Business users to integrate video conferencing into current workflows. RealPresence Group Series solutions are used for meetings of all kinds, from huddle rooms to immersive telepresence rooms, which will enable Skype for Business to extend into conference rooms, boardrooms, and meeting rooms of all sizes.

In addition, as part of Microsoft’s newly announced Project Rigel, Polycom will deliver a new line of room solutions purpose built for Skype for Business that will offer plug-and-play simplicity in a variety of configurations to meet the needs of any sized business and any sized room. Additionally, Polycom’s leading voice and video technologies, such as Polycom® CX5100 and Polycom® RealPresence Trio™, will be certified for Project Rigel solutions.

“Over the course of our 12-year partnership, Polycom and Microsoft have worked in tandem to deliver industry-leading collaboration solutions designed to promote enhanced productivity and workflows, while providing an unmatched user experience,” said Peter Leav, Chief Executive Officer, Polycom. “Our customers have told us that they rely on our combined solutions to reach the highest level of productivity and efficiency. Together, we equip our customers of all sizes with cloud-ready solutions that will help them realize the powerful benefits of collaboration in the workplace of the future.”

Many customers are looking to bridge heterogeneous solution environments as they move to Office 365. The two companies also announced today that Polycom will deliver an industry-first, cloud-based video interoperability service, hosted in the Microsoft Cloud, for Office 365 customers. This enables Office 365 customers to leverage their existing video investments and unite with those of other vendors, including Polycom, Microsoft and Cisco, as they move to the cloud. The service will also offer the capabilities of Polycom® RealConnect™ technology which provides users of Skype for Business and non-Microsoft endpoints with the same Skype for Business collaboration experience.

“Uniting Skype for Business in Office 365 with Polycom’s high-quality audio and video solutions gives customers the most complete collaboration toolkit for the modern workplace,” said Zig Serafin, Corporate Vice President, Skype for Business.

Today’s announcement signifies the next step in the close relationship between the two companies and adds to Polycom’s portfolio of voice solutions certified for Office 365 and Skype for Business. 

Availability
Investment					Planned Availability
Software update for Polycom Group Series to be supported by Office 365					2H 2016
New Video Solution Portfolio for Microsoft Skype for Business					End of 2016
Polycom’s cloud video interoperability service					End of 2016

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. 

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 certification and qualification of Polycom solutions for Microsoft Office 365 and Skype for Business, development and delivery of new room solutions for Skype for Business, expected new product features, functionality and capabilities, expected benefits of integrated solutions and future product availability. These forward-looking statements reflect our current intentions and are identified by terminology such as “designed”, “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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 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.

© 2016 Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved. POLYCOM®, the Polycom logo, and the names and marks associated with Polycom’s products are trademarks and/or service marks of Polycom, Inc. and are registered and/or common law marks in the United States and various other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.