Market Update: National Institutes of Health Releases Unified Communications RFI

Polycom Introduces Polycom RealPresence Platform: Polycom, Inc., the global leader in standards-based unified communications (UC), today introduced the Polycom RealPresence Platform -- the most comprehensive software infrastructure for universal video collaboration. The Polycom RealPresence Platform (formerly referred to as the Polycom UC Intelligent Core) is the software infrastructure that powers Polycom's market-leading HD telepresence and video solutions.

Integrated Desktop Videoconferencing Now a Reality with Openscape UC Suite: Extending its leadership in unified communications (UC) solutions, Siemens Enterprise Communications introduced OpenScape Desktop Videoconferencing as part of the updated OpenScape UC Suite, making it easier and more affordable for enterprises to deploy videoconferencing to every desktop. The OpenScape UC Suite also includes powerful new security and management updates to build upon the industry's most complete and proven integrated multimedia SIP platform based on next-generation, software server-based architecture with unified management tools.

LightEdge Achieves Advanced Unified Communications Specialization from Cisco: LightEdge Solutions, Inc.announced that it has achieved the Advanced Unified Communications Specialization from Cisco. This specialization recognizes LightEdge as having fulfilled the training requirements and program prerequisites to sell, deploy and support comprehensive Cisco Unified Communications solutions.

Azaleos Survey Says One Third of Companies Looking for New Unified Communications System: Azaleos Corporation, the managed messaging, collaboration and unified communications services company, today released the findings of a survey of IT professionals on unified communications (UC) usage trends that was conducted at the recent VMworld 2011 Conference. The research found that 31 percent of the organizations surveyed are currently evaluating and/or are in the process of switching to a new UC system, with cost reduction cited as the number one reason (27 percent) for the move. In addition, one quarter of all respondents reported that UC outsourcing represents up to 30 percent of their overall IT cost savings.

snom technology Introduces New IP Desktop Phone Portfolio Qualified for Microsoft Lync Server 2010: snom technology AG, a leading developer of IP desktop phones and IP communications solutions, announced today snom UC -- a new edition of snom IP desktop phones designed for unified communications (UC) and qualified for use with Microsoft Lync Server 2010. The new line includes the snom 821 UC edition and the snom 300 UC edition, both of which work with Lync Server 2010 and are currently the only phones on the market compatible with both Microsoft Lync and other SIP based PBXs. The snom UC edition also includes the new snom UC600, a purpose-built USB desktop phone that provides operation with the Lync soft client.

StarView Solutions Releases Shango, a Cloud-Based Service Activation Offering for Telco Service Providers: StarView Solutions, an industry leader of business-ready Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) solutions, today announced the unveiling of its latest product offering, Shango, a hosted service orchestration software designed for service providers and carriers looking to centralize their front end and back end systems into a unified environment.

Phybridge UniPhyer Achieves Certification with Siemens Enterprise Communications: Phybridge Inc. today announced it has been certified with Siemens Enterprise Communications, a global leader in Unified Communications (UC) solutions, to integrate the Phybridge UniPhyer solution with their extensive OpenScape portfolio. The patent-pending Phybridge UniPhyer is the only networking switch in the world to deliver Ethernet and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) over a single, traditional twisted pair telephone line with 1,200 ft reach. This allows customers to transform their existing, proven reliable voice infrastructure into an IP network with PoE and reduce the complexity and cost of deploying Siemens Enterprise Communications award winning OpenScape UC solutions.