Kathea announces new Polycom VVX 600 business media phone

Kathea, a distributor of video communications solutions, has announced the next-generation business media phone from Polycom. The Polycom VVX 600 and Polycom VVX Camera delivers the familiar tap-and-swipe usability of smart phones and tablets to the desktop, while offering advanced Unified Communications & Collaboration (UC&C) features and a new optional video camera that accelerates the speed of business and enables face-to-face collaboration via video conferencing.

With the new Polycom VVX 600 solutions, workers have a flexible and intuitive phone that integrates seamlessly with popular UC&C productivity applications and Bluetooth headsets for hands-free privacy. Users can also join video conferences via the optional Polycom VVX Camera, which Polycom also unveiled for both Polycom VVX 600 and Polycom VVX 500 business media phones.

“Mobility in the workplace has increased substantially and the need to integrate technology into today’s smartphones and tablets is vital. The unveiling of Polycom’s VVX 600 business media phones has targeted the user who is continuously on the move and requires innovative technology in their business environment, further providing functionality and affordability,” says Mandy Pretorius, Product Manager – Voice at  Kathea.

“The simple and intuitive experiences people have with their mobile devices are shaping their expectations for the workplace,” says Jim Kruger, Senior Vice President, Solutions Marketing, Polycom. “The Polycom VVX 600 represents a new generation of solutions that merge consumer-like simplicity with enterprise-class reliability, performance and UC&C integration. Now organisations from SMBs to the largest enterprises can put Polycom’s renowned HD voice and video on desktops at a very affordable price.”

The Polycom VVX solution includes several new enhancements:

• Larger multi-touch screen. Featuring a touch screen interface on a desktop phone, the Polycom VVX 600 incorporates a 4.3-inch LCD screen that is 23 per cent larger than other business media phones for ease of use and greater functionality.
• Easier and faster access to contacts. The Polycom VVX 600 supports up to 16 line appearances for speed dialling, as well as access to corporate directories, instant messaging and presence status.
• Built-in Bluetooth integration. Now Polycom VVX 600 users can conduct calls with the same Bluetooth headset that they use with their smart phone.

The VVX 600 will feature the recently announced Polycom UX (new user experience), which delivers the industry’s best video collaboration experience with more than 20 new user innovations and features, including  a completely redesigned user interface, the industry’s most lifelike HD image quality, and innovative only-from-Polycom video, content sharing and audio features, all while minimising IT management and support requirements.  For IT managers, Polycom’s zero-touch provisioning and Web-based configuration tool make the VVX 600 simple to deploy and easy to administer, upgrade and maintain. Because organisations can deploy VVX 600 solutions on their existing networks without having to upgrade their call control platforms, the new phone reduces cost of ownership.

Collaborating Face-to-Face in Seconds
The new VVX business media phone also accommodates the Polycom VVX Camera, an optional 720p HD video camera that transforms Polycom VVX 600 and VVX 500 business media phones into cost-effective, high-resolution video collaboration environments. Users install the camera simply by plugging it into the integrated USB port at the top of the phone, and no software drivers are required, which means they can join a video conference in a matter of seconds. With this interoperable video solution, users can easily tap into their organisation’s infrastructure to collaborate face-to-face with colleagues, partners and customers across a broad range of standards-based video platforms. Video features include a privacy shutter, adjustable tilt, multiple video screen modes, side-by-side and PIP (picture-in-picture) window modes, and adjustable frame rates.

Accelerating the Speed of Business
The Polycom VVX 600 solution improves personal productivity by providing access to the key workplace applications that users rely on daily directly from the phone. Through a built-in Web browser, users can view and manage their calendars, receive meeting reminders and alerts, and search the corporate directory. The Polycom VVX 600 also features open APIs to enable third-party applications developers to integrate the VVX 600 with business and UCC applications, and personalised information tools. Additionally, VVX 600 users can access content using the included video playback feature.

In addition to daily use on the desktops of executives, managers and administrative staff, the Polycom VVX 600 phone can transform a variety of environments:

• Healthcare providers can equip phones with the VVX Camera to offer remote therapy or follow-up consultations for patients with chronic conditions.
• Banks can use camera-equipped phones to engage customers with remote loan specialists, brokers and title processors.
• Retailers can offer in-store customers a chance to speak face-to-face with a remote technical support or customer care representative.
• Distributed organisations can use the phones to conduct regular meetings with branch managers, warehouse managers and other field personnel.
• For almost any company, Polycom VVX 600 phones can serve as virtual receptionists in an office lobby.

For many organisations, such as law firms with offices, clients and partners around the world, using enterprise-quality video and voice technology is the best way to remove distance barriers for real-time collaboration.

The Polycom VVX 600 business media phone is part of Polycom’s next-generation portfolio of video endpoints.

Availability
The Polycom VVX600 business media phone and Polycom VVX Camera is available from Kathea. To operate the camera, the VVX500 and VVX600 media phones require UC Software 4.1.3, which will be available to customers immediately through a download at no charge.