VZ: Verizon Business Takes Enterprise Collaboration to the Cutting Edge

Verizon Business is now offering its large-business customers a video "telepresence" system that creates lifelike virtual meetings for participants and makes them feel as though they are all in the same room with one another. The solution, developed by Polycom (NASDAQ: PLCM), is enhanced by Verizon Business's advanced IP network services and can help businesses - especially those with employees stationed around the world - increase collaboration and productivity.

The new offering, the Polycom RPX modular conference suite, combines Verizon Business' intelligent Private IP network and Ethernet services with Polycom's standards-based RealPresence(tm) Experience (RPX(tm)) family of telepresence solutions. RPX systems simulate face-to-face communications via crystal-clear video transmissions and are sold as custom rooms with flat-screen projection displays, ceiling microphones and pop-up LCD screens for sharing data. The modular rooms come in six configurations to accommodate from four to 28 participants.

"Quality collaboration can improve a company's overall business performance," said Nancy Gofus, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Business. "By tying together our advanced IP network services with Polycom's state-of-the-art telepresence equipment, Verizon Business is helping to unleash the power of IP and provide new ways for its customers to use collaboration for creating competitive advantages."

Collaboration has strategic value and is a key driver of business performance, according to a June study sponsored by Verizon Business and conducted by Frost & Sullivan, "Meetings Around the World: The Impact of Collaboration on Business Performance." The study found that professionals from seven countries around the world see their collaborative efforts linked to sustainable competitive advantages for their companies. To download the full report, visit Verizon Business at http://www.verizonbusiness.com/us/about/news/presskits/meetings/.

Bob Hagerty, chairman and CEO of Polycom, said, "Verizon Business is a longstanding and important relationship of Polycom's, and we are excited they are now offering our new RPX telepresence suites to enterprises. Verizon Business is well-suited to helping enterprise customers enhance the value of next-generation virtual-meeting solutions. Because of their advanced networking services and experience, Verizon Business will help ensure the RPX is easy to deploy and use, and that it delivers high Quality of Service (QoS) and security."

Verizon Business is offering the combined suite of services in the United States and will support a company's multimedia traffic at video conferencing suites around the world. The Verizon Business Private IP network allows for a uniform communication platform that is ideally suited for carrying voice, video and data over a single network - making it easy for customers to prioritize applications.

Available in more than 116 countries, the Private IP Layer 3 service is based on multi-protocol label switching technology, which integrates performance and traffic management capabilities into a fully meshed environment.

In addition, Verizon Business can deploy the Polycom telepresence system and other unified collaborative communications applications over Verizon Business' Ethernet offerings, enabling customers to cost-effectively take advantaged of emerging workforce collaboration tools. Verizon Business Ethernet solutions include Ethernet LAN Service, Ethernet Virtual Private Line, Ethernet Private Line and Ethernet Over SONET.

Verizon Business also enables enterprises to mix and match unified collaborative communications systems, including conference room and desktop solutions, from Polycom and other leading vendors. Also supported are point-to-point conferencing tools as well as simultaneous multisite conferencing and content sharing.

The expanded relationship with Polycom further expands Verizon Business' portfolio of conferencing and collaboration solutions offered globally and featuring a range of audio, video and net conferencing offerings, IP-based services and some of the most advanced meeting tools available. With more than 30 years of experience delivering conferencing services, Verizon Business today handles millions of meetings each month.

About Polycom
Polycom Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCM) 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 video, voice, data and Web solutions to deliver the ultimate communications 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 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 in real-time communications and collaboration. For more information, visit the Polycom Web site at www.polycom.com