Polycom Announces Soundstation Premier Interoperable With Nortel Networks Meridian 1 Pbx
MILPITAS, Calif., March 25, 2002 — Polycom®, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCM), a worldwide
leader in the convergence of interactive voice, video and data communications,
today announced the newest members of its industry-leading SoundStation®
voice communications family, the SoundStation Premier® 500D and the SoundStation
Premier 550D. Both products have a licensed Time Compression Multiplexing (TCM)
interface enabling direct-wall connectivity to any Meridian 1 PBX from Nortel
Networks, providing customers with simple digital connectivity for full-duplex,
two-way communications, as well as connectivity for multipoint voiceconferencing
capability through the Meridian 1.
The SoundStation Premier 500D is the non-expandable base model, while the 550D
features connections for two additional microphones for extended room coverage.
These SoundStation products are the first in the industry to enable companies
to connect a voice conferencing phone right out of the box to the digital wall
jack of their Nortel Networks Meridian 1. This eliminates the expense and hassle
of using additional connectors, adapters and analog line cards. It also adds
convenience and can reduce multi-line conference call costs by supporting Meridian’s
multipoint conferencing features, connecting up to six locations. In order to
develop these new products, Polycom obtained a license from Nortel Networks
to utilize Nortel Networks TCM interface technology and associated intellectual
property rights.
“As a result of the Nortel Networks TCM interface license, Polycom’s
new SoundStation products, renowned for their full-duplex sound clarity, will
give our customers expanded phone set options, with phones that are better able
to integrate with the Meridian desktop feature sets and, as such, provide more
value to end users than standard analog phones. This expanded choice provides
further enhancement to the rich, high-quality feature set that has made Meridian
a leader in PBXs and IP-enabled solutions in North America,” said Alex
Pierson, general manager, Enterprise Business Networks, Nortel Networks.
“Polycom is committed to meeting the needs of its customers through enhancements
to our SoundStation product line,” said Sunil Bhalla, senior vice president
and general manager of voice communications at Polycom. “By having obtained
the right to use Nortel Networks TCM interface with our SoundStation Premier
phones, we’re able to provide the level of connectivity our customers require
through our high-quality and easy-to-use SoundStation Premier 500D and 550D
solutions.”
Along with new connectivity and enhanced convenience and ease of use, the SoundStation
Premier 500D and 550D offer all of the functionality of the world’s best-selling
conference phone.
Availability
The SoundStation Premier 500D and 550D products are available now in North America
for Nortel Networks Meridian, Meridian 1, Meridian SL-1* and SL-100 PBXs, and
starting at a manufacturers’ suggested resale price (MSRP) of U.S. $1099.
About Polycom’s SoundStation Premier
Polycom’s SoundStation voice communications products are high-quality,
full-duplex, easy-to-use conference phones. The product line includes the SoundStation,
SoundStation Premier, SoundStation Premier 550D and 500D for the Nortel Meridian
PBX, SoundStation Premier for the Avaya DEFINITY Server, VoiceStation™
and SoundPoint Pro™. The product family features Polycom’s patented
Acoustic Clarity Technology™ and proprietary speaker technology, both of
which minimize background echoes, word clipping and distortion. The SoundStation
product line is the leader in the tabletop voiceconferencing industry, offering
a full range of high-quality communications solutions for small offices to executive
offices, and small conference rooms to large boardrooms.
About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets a full range of high-quality,
easy-to-use and affordable voice and video communication endpoints, video management
software, web collaboration software, multi-network gateways, and multi-point
conferencing and network access solutions. Its fully integrated end-to-end solution,
The Polycom Office™, is supported by the Polycom Accelerated Communications
Architecture, and enables business users to immediately realize the benefits
of integrated video, voice, data and web collaboration over rapidly growing
converged networks. For additional information, call 1-800-POLYCOM (765-9266)
or +1-408-526-9000, or visit the Polycom web site at www.polycom.com.
Polycom, the Polycom logo and SoundStation Premier are registered trademarks
and VoiceStation, SoundPoint Pro and Acoustic Clarity Technology are trademarks
of Polycom in the U.S. and various countries. ©2002, Polycom, Inc. All
rights reserved. Nortel Networks, Meridian, Meridian 1 and Meridian S-L1 are
trademarks of Nortel Networks.
This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are subject
to many risks and uncertainties, including the potential fluctuations in results
and future growth rates, the market acceptance of the company’s products, possible
delays in the development and shipment of new products and risks associated
with changes in general economic conditions. Further risks are detailed from
time to time in Polycom’s SEC reports, including the Form 10-K, for 2001, and
subsequent Form 10-Q filings.
