PLEASANTON, Calif. - Oct 17, 2011 : Polycom, Inc., the global leader in standards-based unified communications (UC), today unveiled a new high-quality multimedia phone that dramatically improves productivity for multi-tasking knowledge workers, giving them something they can always use: more time. The Polycom® VVX® 500 multimedia phone is an all-in-one, desktop productivity tool that combines a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone with streaming video, and instant access to applications and web content. An optional USB video camera, with planned availability in 2012, will transform the new phone into a fully functioning HD video conferencing system. The VVX 500 introduces the lowest price point yet to the industry's first business media phone product line, which Polycom debuted in 2009.

 

 

"The Polycom VVX 500 delivers the legendary Polycom user experience with one-touch access to the essential features of a company's UC environment, and the HD voice and content quality that only Polycom provides," said Michael Seto, vice president, Product Management for Personal Products and Alliance Solutions, Polycom. "The new Polycom VVX 500 will help companies reclaim hours lost to inefficiency and miscommunication by streamlining everyday tasks and delivering access to web applications independent of employees' PCs into a single communications device."

 

The Polycom VVX 500 lets users check their calendars; dial up contacts; watch video files; check stocks, sports and weather; and launch conference calls, all from a simple touch screen interface. Easy-to-use, enterprise-grade features make the phone an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes, from large enterprises to small and medium-sized organizations. Polycom's patented HD video and voice technologies ensure calls and conferences are crystal clear, whether they occur on H.323 or SIP networks.

 

Like all Polycom® RealPresence™ desktop solutions, the Polycom VVX 500 is based on open standards, and interoperable with millions of other internet protocol (IP) private branch exchange business telephone systems already deployed. The open architecture allows developers to introduce applications that take full advantage of the telephony capabilities and functions in the phone to create full-featured, context-aware applications for performance business media phones. The phone is also protected with security features to reduce costly downtime, can be personalized to speed user adoption, and enables knowledge workers to remain productive by integrating with third-party UC and productivity applications.

 

The new phone ships with the Polycom Productivity Suite, a set of tools that helps users stay connected with access to calendar information that is stored on their PC, phone and the web; the ability to quickly and easily set up and manage local, ad-hoc conferences of up to four parties; and a built-in browser for easy access to web content, streaming video and more.

 

With high-performing workers becoming increasingly mobile, Polycom UC solutions bring a new level of portability, usability and scalability. The Polycom VVX system includes support for digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT) wireless and Bluetooth headsets via third-party solutions. The phone is also equipped with two additional USB ports, two Ethernet ports, and handset and headset jacks.

 

The Polycom VVX 500 business media phone will be available through certified Polycom reseller partners at US$379 in November.

 

Polycom is demonstrating the new Polycom VVX 500 performance business media phone this week at Broadsoft Connections 2011 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, Ariz.