Polycom puts video on PCs
Distributor Nimans claims products will make videoconferencing easier and cheaper
Audiovisual (AV) distributor Nimans has introduced several new products to its Polycom portfolio, claiming they will help the channel boost margins.
Polycom PVX is a desktop videoconferencing software suite, featuring coder/decoder technology which enables video to run on any PC. Polycom is also pushing its WebOffice 7.0 portal through Nimans.
Polycom claims the software product is "significant" because it integrates with Microsoft Windows Messenger, bringing simple point-and-click access to multi-point conferencing.
Richard Carter, sales and marketing director at Nimans, claimed the products will boost channel revenue because they appeal to both SME and enterprise customers.
"It's going to make videoconferencing more accessible. SMEs will be able to afford it, and corporates will find it easier to put video on everyone's desktop," he said.
Last month Polycom played down claims that the channel was "not ready" to sell videoconferencing. The claims had been made by distributor Midwich, which blamed the inability of IT resellers to sell videoconferencing for the loss of its contract to distribute Sony videoconferencing equipment.
Ed Ellett, general manager of video communications at Polycom, said the technology has extra appeal because it is easy to deploy, manage and use.
"With these products [Polycom PVX software and WebOffice 7.0] we're extending secure rich media communications to the desktop," Ellett said.
"It's about making it easy to deliver high-quality voice and videoconferencing, even over low bandwidth."
Nimans also launched what it called another "market-making" technology, the ClearOne wireless audio conferencing portfolio. This US import comprises two products: Max Ex and Max Ex Wireless.
Max EX can expand by connecting additional phone units, whereas until now audio conferencing could use only microphones. This creates an even distribution of microphones and speakers. The Max Ex Wireless allows audio conference units to be placed 150 feet away from the base unit.
"We expect resellers to make a lot of sales into corporates with this," Carter added.