Polycom to bring Video as a Service to the UK through Imago Group
· True flexibility provides businesses with the ability to scale video services up and down in line with their needs
· Monthly subscription model through VaaS-t enables businesses of any size to gain access to advanced video solutions easily
LONDON, UK – 8 September 2014: Today Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM) launches RealPresence Cloud, Video as a Service (VaaS) in the UK. Polycom is partnering with specialist distributor, Imago Group plc to enhance its VaaS-t cloud video service to be the first to market with Polycom RealPresence® Cloud Video Meeting Services, a Polycom Powered™ subscription-based cloud video service.
RealPresence Cloud Video Meeting Services is offered to Polycom partners in response to customer demand for a cloud video service that is flexible, scalable and provides the same enterprise-grade security and interoperability that all Polycom® RealPresence® Platform solutions deliver with click to connect simplicity, immediate deployment and universal access.
“Polycom prides itself on responding to market demand,” said Glynn Jones, Vice President Advanced Technology Group, Polycom Europe, Middle East and Africa. “We’ve listened to our customers, and we recognise that in today’s business environment, organisations need to be flexible, both in terms of work styles and IT services. That’s why we have rolled out our VaaS offering in the UK, after a successful launch in North America. The scalability and flexibility offered by software in a virtualised environment, coupled with a subscription-based pricing model is a great option for many of our customers.”
Through the partnership with Imago and its VaaS-t service, Polycom is able to offer a set of always-on virtual meeting rooms or VMRs connecting a variety of voice and video endpoints, priced by participant or by the minute.
“We are excited to be working with our long-term partner Polycom to launch this Video as a Service offering in the UK,” said Ian Vickerage, Managing Director of Imago Group. “Video as a service is not new but VaaS-t powered by Polycom changes the game. Up until now end users have had to choose from services available from suppliers with limited financial resources and stability. Polycom users can be totally confident that this service will be compatible with their existing video estate whilst accessing support for their video endpoints and video service from the same supplier. Polycom and Imago have an extensive history of working together to provide leading video collaboration solutions and this project will bring the business benefits of video conferencing to a whole new range of organisations.”
With the addition of RealPresence Cloud, available through its partners, Polycom can now deliver the complete suite of video collaboration solutions, allowing businesses to deploy video options that promote their commercial success and enable their workforce to collaborate at home, in the office or on the road.
As a commitment to its partners, Polycom offers RealPresence Cloud as a wholesale, white-labeled solution that allows them to bring their cloud video service to market quickly.
“Partners are a critical component of Polycom’s success. Together, we serve a diverse customer base with unique challenges to solve. Our combined efforts help them succeed, and we will continue to drive growth and broader adoption of Polycom’s video, voice and content collaboration solutions,” said Jones.
Customer benefits of a Polycom Powered™ cloud video service include:
· OPEX model with no upfront costs
· Frequent software upgrades with additional features and new functionality
· IT prioritisation – the ability for IT to focus on core business requirements
· Ease of use – faster time to adoption
· Investment protection – backwards and forwards compatible with seamless integration into existing UC environments like Microsoft Lync
· Interoperable with standards-based endpoints
· Reservationless – dedicated virtual meeting rooms
Polycom’s highly customisable RealPresence platform is built for the rigors of today’s dynamic business climate. In addition to the RealPresence Cloud, customers can select Polycom® RealPresence One™ or Virtual Editions for on-premises or virtualised video. These video delivery options are available via CAPEX or OPEX.
Polycom RealPresence Cloud, an enterprise grade cloud-based Video as a Service offer, delivers all the benefits of the RealPresence Platform without the on-premises setup, deployment and operational costs.
About Polycom
Polycom helps organisations unleash the power of human collaboration. More than 400,000 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.co.uk or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to learn more.
About Imago
Imago Group plc is Europe’s largest video solutions company. Services offered by Imago include video conferencing and online meeting technology including video streaming, audio conferencing and IPTV and the company also provides projectors and presentation systems, HD cameras, interactive whiteboards and LCD displays. Imago has achieved certification under ISO9001 and Investors in People. The company has been operating successfully in the UK market since 1991 and in the French market since 2003 and has recently acquired Vitec, one of Germany’s largest video solutions distributors. Imago has been included in The Sunday Times International Track 200 2012, a league table ranking Britain’s private companies according to the growth of their overseas sales. Imago is the only company involved in the distribution of video solutions to be included in the list. This year Imago has also been ranked 70th in the Thames Valley 250 list which ranks companies in the Thames Valley area according to their sales. www.imagogroupplc.com
