Polycom, 3Com Partner to Deliver Joint Enterprise VoIP Solutions Globally
3Com and Its Channels to OEM and Sell Polycom IP Desktop and Conference Phones
PLEASANTON, Calif. and MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Oct. 17 / / -- Polycom, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLCM) and 3Com Corporation today announced a strategic co-branding agreement for 3Com to OEM and jointly market Polycom's wired IP desktop and conference phones. The companies also intend to include future integration in areas such as voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN), mobility and integration of other popular business applications such as CRM and VoIP security.
Today's announcement augments Polycom's distribution channels to include 3Com's network of resellers and distributors, including a worldwide community of service providers who offer both IP trunking and hosted VoIP services. Today's news also adds to 3Com's portfolio Polycom's HD Voice lineup of phones, which enrich the customer communications experience with high definition voice quality that quadruples that of traditional landline phones.
"The combination of 3Com's strong distribution network with Polycom's voice technology expertise makes this the ideal solution for our customers," said Sunil Bhalla, senior vice president and general manager of Voice Communications for Polycom. "Our voice solutions will bring the richness of HD Voice quality to 3Com customers, affording them crystal clear communication that greatly improves productivity. We also share a vision with 3Com of providing open, non-proprietary solutions to our customers. And with the addition of 3Com as a strategic distribution and technology partner, we look forward to deepening our relationship by expanding our efforts into key areas such as wireless and business productivity applications."
Polycom phones will be seamlessly integrated with all 3Com VoIP platforms, including the newly announced 3Com(R) VCX(TM) Connect 100, VCX Connect 200 and 3Com Asterisk Appliance, as well as its existing 3Com VCX Enterprise system, including a 3Com IP Telephony Solution for IBM System i. 3Com's family of IP Telephony servers are used by companies of all sizes worldwide.
"The addition of Polycom's voice solutions to our portfolio of 3Com IP telephony solutions and handsets will enable us to offer customers a wide range of choices to meet their unique communications needs," said Bipin Mistry, vice president of 3Com's voice business. "Coming on the heels of our introduction of the new 3Com VCX Connect platforms and the 3Com Asterisk Appliance, this partnership means that organizations with as few as five employees will enjoy the same robust VoIP offering as those with thousands of employees. With its technical innovation, expertise, and market leadership, Polycom is a natural partner for us. 3 Com is looking forward to the integration of Polycom's family of Wi-Fi and DECT phones into our VCX product lines, which will provide our Wi-Fi infrastructure customers even still greater choices when it comes to complete, turnkey IP telephony solutions."
The co-branded 3Com/Polycom phones will be generally available for purchase through 3Com North American channels beginning in November 2007 and are expected to be available on a worldwide basis no later than Jan. 1, 2008.
About 3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation is a leading provider of secure, converged voice and data networking solutions for enterprises of all sizes. 3Com offers a broad line of innovative products backed by world-class sales, service and support, which excel at delivering business value for its customers. 3Com also includes H3C Technologies Co., Limited (H3C), a China-based provider of network infrastructure products. H3C brings high-performance and cost-effective product development and manufacturing and a strong footprint in one of the world's most dynamic markets. Through its TippingPoint division, 3Com is a leading provider of network-based intrusion prevention systems that deliver in-depth application protection, infrastructure protection, and performance protection. For further information, please visit www.3com.com/, or the press site http://www.3com.com/pressbox.
About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. is the worldwide leader in unified collaborative communications (UCC) that maximize the efficiency and productivity of people and organizations by integrating the broadest array of high definition video, wired and wireless voice, and content solutions to deliver the ultimate collaborative experience. Polycom's high quality, standards-based conferencing and collaboration solutions are easy to deploy and manage, as well as intuitive to use. Supported by an open architecture, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony, workplace wireless telephony, and presence-based networks. With its market driving technologies, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations seeking proven solutions and a competitive advantage from on-demand communications and collaboration. For additional information, call 800-POLYCOM or visit the Polycom web site at http://www.polycom.com/.
Copyright (C) 2007 3Com Corporation. 3Com, the 3Com logo, and TippingPoint are registered trademarks, and VCX is a trademark of 3Com Corporation.
Polycom and the Polycom logo are registered trademarks of Polycom in the U.S. and various countries. (C)2007. Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved. All other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners."
Source: Polycom
CONTACT: Robin Raulf-Sager of Polycom, Inc., +1-303-583-5342, robin.raulf-sager@polycom.com; or Kevin Flanagan of 3Com Corp.,
+1-508-323-1101, Kevin_Flanagan@3com.com
Web site: http://www.polycom.com/
http://www.3com.com/
