Polycom Video Infrastructure Solutions Achieve Industry's First Microsoft Video Infrastructure Qualification for Lync 2013

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Polycom, Inc. PLCM today announced two of its Polycom® RealPresence® Platform software solutions, Polycom® RealPresence® Collaboration Server and Polycom® RealPresence® Distributed Media Application™ (DMA®), have become the industry's first video infrastructure solutions qualified by Microsoft for Lync 2013. Polycom RealPresence Collaboration Server supports the broadest range of standards, applications, protocols and devices, enabling people to collaborate at highest quality for lowest cost, and Polycom DMA is a network-based virtualization application for managing and distributing calls in collaboration networks.

Featured in the RealPresence qualification is Polycom® RealConnect™ for Microsoft Lync. While video use is becoming more prevalent, in part through a greater number of video platforms available, lack of interoperability remains a hurdle to widespread video use. Polycom RealConnect for Microsoft Lync, a new solution designed to seamlessly unify video and content collaboration across Lync and non-Lync environments, is eliminating that challenge by connecting end users under one workflow. Polycom RealConnect for Microsoft Lync benefits from the power of the RealPresence Platform and the flexibility of Microsoft Lync's audio/video multi-point control unit (MCU), resulting in an interoperable and scalable solution that is expected to foster greater use of video collaboration.

“The lack of interoperability among video conference systems is one of the barriers to adoption,” said Zeus Kerravala, Founder and Principal Analyst at ZK Research. “Polycom's infrastructure qualification and its RealConnect solution for streamlining Lync 2013 workflows helps to break down those barriers.”

During a decade-long partnership with Microsoft, Polycom has developed close to 40 solutions that interoperate with Microsoft Lync. Since Microsoft announced Lync in 2007, the two companies have worked in tandem, listening to customer needs and develop UC solutions that make collaboration easier and more intuitive. Polycom RealConnect for Microsoft Lync provides end users in both environments a shared experience while preserving the familiarity of a desired platform.

“Video is on pace to become the preferred means of business communication over the next two years and unified communications solutions have never been more important to business success,” said Ted Colton, Group Vice President, Strategic Alliances at Polycom. “Polycom and Microsoft share the same vision that collaboration should be easy and natural to use. Polycom RealConnect for Microsoft Lync eliminates end-user frustration and helps facilitate more use of video by making it easier to receive a high-quality experience while preserving the familiarity of how to join a video call.”

The partnership between Microsoft and Polycom will continue to strengthen in 2015 with new solutions expected to enter the market in the coming year.

About Polycom

Polycom helps organizations 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.com or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to learn more.

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 the impact of Polycom RealConnect for Microsoft Lync on greater use of video collaboration and the partnership between Microsoft and Polycom continuing to strengthen with new solutions expected to enter the market in the coming year. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the impact of competition on our product sales and for our customers and partners and any resulting loss of business; the impact of increased competition due to consolidation in our industry or competition from companies that are larger or that have greater resources than we do; potential fluctuations in results and future growth rates; risks associated with global economic conditions and external market factors; the market acceptance of our products and changing market demands, including demands for differing technologies or product and services offerings; our ability to successfully implement process improvements and cost containment initiatives; changes to our strategic areas of focus; our ability to successfully integrate our acquisitions into our business; possible delays in the development, availability and shipment of new products due to engineering, manufacturing or other delays; increasing costs and the availability and differing uses of capital; changes in key personnel that may cause disruption to the business; the impact of restructuring actions; and the impact of global conflicts that may adversely impact our business. Many of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2014, 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.

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