Kathea, a distributor of video communications solutions, has announced the availability of the Polycom RealPresence CloudAXIS Suite, a software addition to the Polycom RealPresence Suite that extends secure, reliable and high-quality enterprise-grade video collaboration (VC) to anyone with a Web browser and Web camera.
This innovative solution brings the business benefits of VC within reach of a far wider audience, enabling users to take part in content-rich collaboration on tablets, notebooks, PCs and even smartphones and other mobile devices, from wherever they are in the world.
“One of the biggest barriers to the uptake of VC solutions has been the limited application of these tools. Traditionally, to participate in a videoconference, all users had to be present in a VC room with the necessary end-point devices.
“The Polycom RealPresence CloudAxis Suite now enables universal access to enterprise-grade, interoperable video collaboration with the highest quality, reliability and security. Businesses simply send a URL link in an e-mail or calendar invitation to anyone with a browser and camera, allowing others to join a secure, video meeting using their Smartphone, tablet, computer or video-room system,” says Alain Schram, chief operating officer at Kathea.
The Polycom RealPresence Platform allows users to easily meet face-to-face with any business (B2B) or consumer (B2C).
In addition, by integrating Skype, Facebook and Google Hangouts contacts in the industry’s first global presence-aware personal directory, the solution combines the click-to-connect convenience of a Web app with the secure experience required for businesses to scale to hundreds or thousands of video users.
“Polycom RealPresence CloudAXIS Suite makes it easy for businesses to collaborate face-to-face via video with colleagues, customers, partners, students, patients and consumers around the world, with the security, reliability, scalability and quality that is expected from an enterprise-grade solution,” says Stanton Naidoo, Polycom’s in-country manager, southern Africa – president and CEO, Polycom.
“With the availability of Polycom RealPresence CloudAXIS Suite, we are delivering on our vision and promise to make enterprise-grade video collaboration ubiquitous and available to anyone, which we believe will help drive a network effect of video and transform how people and industries collaborate and work.”
Polycom has also released Video SmartStart, a new turnkey all-inclusive offering that makes it simple and affordable for customers to install Polycom RealPresence CloudAXIS Suite.
The solution provides everything a customer needs to deploy Polycom RealPresence CloudAXIS Suite, including the Polycom RealPresence Platform, and implementation and adoption services. Video SmartStart is available in two sizes: Video SmartStart 100 (for up to 100 video users) and Video SmartStart 500 (for up to 500 video users).
Initially available to enterprises for private cloud deployments, Polycom CloudAXIS Suite features include:
* Enterprise-grade security, reliability and quality – lets businesses invite users outside the firewall into their enterprise-grade video collaboration sessions, which are set up with the same security layers the host organisation has already built into their RealPresence Platform.
* Global presence-aware directory – this unique feature lets users add their contacts from social apps including Skype, Google Talk and Facebook, as well as input business e-mail addresses, into any video collaboration session. Hosts can click-to-connect from the integrated directory, sending a video conference link via a calendar invite, instant message through social or business apps, or an e-mail.
Users join the pre-scheduled or ad hoc meeting simply by clicking on the URL sent by the host.
* Simple and intuitive video collaboration experience – joining the call as an invitee is as simple as clicking the URL sent by the meeting host. The intuitive browser-based user interface makes it easy to participate in video meetings, and includes features such as group chat, content sharing, mute/screen view controls, and the ability to record meetings.
* Investment protection – enables enterprises to leverage their investment in existing standards-based video systems including room/group, desktop or mobile video solutions for video collaboration and content-sharing sessions.
“This offering brings a new level of usability and scalability to many industry verticals and business functions. Retailers and financial institutions can now stay visually connected to their customers to improve service levels and extend service reach.
“Manufacturers can collaborate with remote vendors and suppliers to streamline processes and reduce time-to-market. HR and organisations can interview candidates face-to-face regardless of location to save time and make better hiring decisions. Educational institutions can now connect teachers with students to personalise and enrich the overall learning experience,” says Schram.
Polycom RealPresence CloudAXIS Suite is designed to run as a virtual edition on industry-standard hardware and represents a significant step forward in delivering video collaboration virtualised from the data centre.