BT Group and Polycom have entered into a three-year agreement which the companies say will accelerate the growth of unified conferencing offerings within enterprises and public sector organisations.
Under a new global agreement, the companies will combine Polycom’s voice and video communications and telepresence services with BT’s managed services and MPLS network. It will include jointly developed innovations that enable collaboration for multinational companies, large organisations, and small- and medium-sized enterprises.
The companies have collaborated on software development that brings BT’s Bridge Connect services to the Polycom RMX conference infrastructure. This joint development on the Polycom RMX also allows BT to deliver VNOC services and intercompany B2B services, through its global video exchange, in support of Polycom immersive telepresence services. Polycom RMX has been chosen by BT in its initiative to upgrade existing video bridging infrastructure.
With the first set of offerings, expected to be available by year’s end, the companies’ unified communications offerings will be powered by BT’s global multi-protocol label switching network, which is available in more than 120 countries worldwide. Both companies are continuing joint development on Polycom immersive platforms and will be releasing additional value-add services in the near future, the companies said.
In addition, the agreement also includes plans to add Polycom-certified technical support specialists to BT’s global support operation, including its help desk services as well as leverage a new global support program that is also part of the agreement.
Aaron McCormack, CEO of BT Conferencing, said: BT and Polycom have the unique ability to provide our customers with the unified conferencing solutions that they require. Working closely with BT’s global sales force, I am pleased with our partnership and the significant potential revenue stream it will represent for both BT and Polycom.
