Polycom conference phones are also known as star phones because of their unique shape.
Polycom is a manufacturer of telecommunication products. The company has a wide range of products to fit most business applications. Its most identifiable product is the conference telephone--often called a "pod" or "star" phone. This conference telephone looks similar to a starfish and comes in either a wired or wireless configuration. Polycom offers other products for video and teleconferencing in small and large businesses.
Teleconferencing
The Polycom phone is a fixture in conference rooms worldwide. These phones provide multiple users the ability to hear, and be heard, at a range of 12 to 20 feet, and can be customized with the addition of wireless microphones. Recent innovations include voice over Internet protocol (VOiP) compatibility. VOiP refers to telecommunications via the Internet, instead of the traditional public-switched telephone network.
Telecommuting
A relatively new application in communications tools is for people who telecommute. Polycom offers a combination telephone and video interface in a single, compact unit. This platform allows the employee to communicate with colleagues, customers and the home office and uses the employee's existing home-phone connection. The video screen interfaces with any other compatible set up on the other end of the connection, and allows the telecommuter to use visual aids, such as charts and graphs, during meetings or sales presentations.
Wireless Communications
Polycom offers wireless solutions for healthcare facilities, warehouse operations, the hospitality industry and retail outlets. The system is easily integrated into existing telephone systems using VOiP, session initiation protocol (SIP) and local area network (LAN) software and hardware. Wireless, hand-held devices allow employees total access from anywhere on the company property.
Secure Communications
For employees of a company with multiple locations, telephone- and video-conferencing is not without challenges. Most companies employ firewalls and other types of security to protect proprietary information from being stolen. Compromised security may mean loss of employee personal data, product information, or research-and-development information. Polycom offers hardware that works with most companies' existing security measures. That allows remote users to make secure telephone and video connections across a company's network. Seamless integration means a company's security measures remain in place, with no interruption in communications.
Videoconferencing
Polycom produces a full line of video products for on-demand and live-stream viewing. Interactive broadcasts can be designed using these systems. Question-and-answer sessions can be conducted linking several remote locations at once. Large high-definition video screens allow users to see each other, and teleconferencing equipment allows them to speak directly at the same time. Additionally, companies can use this equipment to capture training sessions, speeches, and other activities for archiving and later use.
Cost Savings
Through high-definition equipment, Polycom offers a variety of products for interactive videoconferencing. These video devices are intended to provide clear pictures of meeting participants in real time. In this way, employees in multiple locations are able to collaborate. Travel costs are minimized, and companies realize greater cost savings.
Business-Continuity Planning
Precautionary measures to prevent the spread of illness--and the related economic problems with that--include the closing of schools, courtrooms, public transportation and canceling sporting and entertainment events. For businesses, Polycom's integrated voice-and-video-conferencing solutions can be easily integrated into a company's business-continuity plan. In 2009, even one of the offices of Polycom, located in the United Kingdom, was struck with an outbreak of swine flu. With the use of their own equipment, Polycom was able to continue conducting business from remote locations, as workers were sent home to prevent further infection.
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