Polycom Real Presence™ Experience High Definition (RPX™ HD) [pictured above, left] is an all-inclusive solution that comes complete with the environmental elements and integrated technology required to create a fully immersive telepresence experience.  The environment assembles as a "room-within-a-room" that requires no building permits and very little make-ready by the customer. 

The RPX series offers a range of configurations supporting different capacity levels, which allows the solutions to be used for applications beyond just meetings, such as telepresence classrooms, interactive training centers, etc. The RPX HD 400 Series accommodates from 4-28 participants with a cinematic 16 foot video wall.  The RPX HD 200 Series accommodates 4-18 participants in a more intimate setting while still providing a cinematic view of up to 8 feet.

The RPX HD solutions are based on open, visual communications standards and offer interoperability with many other standards-based visual communications solutions. With high definition video, StereoSurround spatial audio, and high resolution content displays on attractive multi-purpose conference tables, the RPX series delivers high technology with flexibility.  These conference suites have also been designed to maximize facility space by allowing the room to be utilized as a traditional conference room when not being used for video communications.  RPX solutions "natively" interoperate with other standards-based video conferencing systems and thus provide important investment protection for organizations with existing video conferencing systems.

Pricing: Starting at $299,000 MSRP


Polycom Telepresence Experience™ (TPX™ HD 306M) [pictured left] is a unique free-standing solution with an independent video wall and multi-purpose conference table.  The TPX HD 306M features three 60-inch plasma displays, seating for up to 6 participants on video or 12 participants if used as a traditional conference room.  The solution offers high definition video, StereoSurround spatial audio, and high resolution content displays. TPX is based on open visual communications standards, enabling it to interoperate seamlessly with Polycom RPX and HDX solutions, as well as other standards-based video conferencing endpoints.  There is no on-site construction needed with the TPX HD 306M and it can easily be disassembled and moved to a new location, leaving the original room intact.

Pricing: $199,999 MSRP


Polycom HDX Series - Polycom has expanded its definition of telepresence solutions to include its HDX line [pictured right] of visual communications solutions for executive desktop, small, medium and large conference rooms and custom, integrated room environments. These solutions interoperate seamlessly with the RPX and TPX line and offer the same HD video, voice and content-sharing capabilities without the environmental room components. The HDX 9000™ Series is designed for large and custom meeting environments and meets the needs of systems integrators with flexible input/output connection options for designing a highly customized telepresence environment. The HDX 8000™ Series and HDX 7000™ Series are designed for mainstream conference rooms and collaboration applications. The HDX 9000, 8000 and 7000 series solutions are also available in packaged dual or single-monitor configurations (floor stand or wall mount options).

The HDX™ 4000 Series [pictured left] is designed for executive desktops, offices and small meeting rooms. The HDX 4000 features an integrated 20-inch LCD display that doubles as a PC monitor, a built-in camera, dual microphones, high-fidelity sound system and integrated keypad that allows users to dial video calls like a phone (also comes with remote).

Polycom also offers a range of telepresence solutions designed for vertical applications such as healthcare and telemedicine, educational training and judicial applications.



Network Requirements - Polycom telepresence and HD videoconferencing solutions require high bandwidth and Quality-of-Service (QoS) across a Wide Area Network (WAN) to operate.  Most organizations wanting to deploy Polycom telepresence solutions will need to upgrade their WAN or deploy a dedicated overlay network for each location to support the application.  Customers can typically use their existing network provider or buy the network from several of Polycom's channel partners.

Managed Services - For organizations interested in outsourcing the management and maintenance of their Polycom solution(s), there are a number of firms, including Polycom, that provide managed services around the offerings.  Managed services can be fully hosted outside a customer's environment or hosted within the customers' network but managed from the outside by a Managed Service Provider (MSP).

This service effectively manages the customer's telepresence conferencing environment, including scheduling, launching and management of all conferences. It includes remotely monitoring the solution and conferences, also providing quick problem resolution in case  problems develop. As a result, customers can expect very high success rates for all of their conferences.

Managed Service Providers supporting Polycom telepresence include: EasyNet, Iformata, Glowpoint, and Nortel. Several other channel partners are working towards providing these services as well.

• Standards-based solutions interoperate seamlessly - Polycom RPX HD, TPX HD and HDX telepresence solutions are based on open visual communications standards. They interoperate seamlessly with other standards-based video conferencing solutions at the highest quality levels supported, including high definition, and support important features like H.239 (content sharing).
  

• Range of interoperable solutions for different requirements - Polycom's range of solutions provides options for extended organizations, including mainstream conference rooms, satellite and branch offices, and home offices for teleworkers.
  

• Polycom Videoconferencing and Network Infrastructure - Polycom provides a complete line of videoconferencing and network infrastructure that is completely compatible with all standards-based visual communications solutions.   These video solutions include: traditional videoconferencing systems, videoconferencing Multipoint Control Units (MCUs) [pictured right], media servers, conference management and scheduling tools, firewall traversal, and solutions for recording, streaming, and content management.
  
  

• Enhanced Multi-point for Traditional Videoconferencing - The cinematic video wall of the RPX HD Series provides greater screen real estate than traditional videoconferencing solutions, enabling a more realistic feeling of presence during a multiple-location (multi-point) meeting.  The larger 8 foot (200 Series) to 16 foot (400 Series) video walls display multiple sites at the same time in telepresence environments while the remote videoconferencing participants get an image that is properly lit with enhanced acoustical clarity. 
  

The view to the above shows the RPX HD 200 series in a telepresence multi-point conference with a mix of telepresence and traditional videoconferencing end-points.  On the 8 foot video wall in the picture are an executive videoconferencing system (top left), a traditional videoconferencing group system (top, middle), another Polycom RPX HD where the complete scene has been reduced to the bottom half of the left screen, and another RPX HD system in telepresence multi-point taking up the complete right hand side of the screen.

• Large Capacity Distance Learning - Another important differentiator for Polycom is their ability to seat many participants in a single room, enabling their telepresence solutions to be used for distance learning.  By seating from 18 to 28 participants, the RPX HD 400 Series offers the largest capacity available for group meetings and distance learning applications.  All participants are essentially life-size across the video wall, including presenters standing in the front of the room. 
  

Polycom scored a coup in January of 2007 when the company purchased telepresence innovator Destiny Conferencing (formerly TeleSuite).  The deal locked up the purchase of one of the only telepresence conferencing providers that then existed while cementing Polycom's participation in a market that was gaining momentum from the entrance of HP and Cisco. 

Polycom has both expanded the team working on telepresence solutions and developed a strong, international network of telepresence channel partners including EasyNet, Iformata Communications, Glowpoint, and Nortel Global Services.

Since the Destiny acquisition, Polycom improved the original TeleSuite (now the Polycom RPX HD) by adding new high definition cameras and enhanced audio and video technologies.  Polycom also expanded their telepresence offerings with the launch of a three-screen telepresence solution called the TPX 306M.  Unlike the RPX, which requires on-site construction, the TPX is a stand alone modular telepresence offering, making it more cost effective and easier to deploy in more locations.

Polycom remains well positioned versus their new competitors in telepresence and effective visual collaboration.  One of the strongest advantages that Polycom brings to market is the compatibility to use their telepresence solutions alongside their complete line of traditional videoconferencing end-points and video network infrastructure.  Polycom retains market leadership in the traditional videoconferencing end-point market and for organizations that are already using Polycom, the compatibility of their telepresence  offerings will remain a compelling differentiator.