NEW YORK -- Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq:PLCM - News), the world's leading provider of unified collaborative communications solutions, today announced its award winning VSX group video systems and MGC multi-point bridges have achieved Nortel Compatible Product status with the Nortel MultiMedia Communications Server (MCS) 5100, and the MCS 5100 in a Converged Desktop Mode, with the Nortel Communication Server (CS) 1000 IP PBX, resulting in the seamless integration of the two companies' solutions.

The Nortel/Polycom joint solution migrates video conferencing to an organization's IP telephony backbone and seamlessly integrates Nortel's multimedia PC client with traditional video conferencing capabilities both at the desktop and in the conference room. The solution provides enterprises with high quality video telephony, IP multimedia collaboration, presence-based instant messaging and enhanced audio conferencing for rich media, real-time communications among dispersed employees. Collaborative communications is a strategic competitive advantage to organizations, helping them eliminate the barriers to cooperation, increase productivity, speed decision making, and reduce cost. The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) solution also works with H.323 and H.320 video environments allowing an enterprise to leverage prior investments in their video infrastructure.

"The Nortel and Polycom video conferencing solutions have provided our schools with an integrated video, voice, and Web solution for collaborative learning over distances. It allows our teachers and students maximum flexibility and ease of use while providing a high quality instructional experience. Nortel and Polycom collaboration tools have enabled administrators and teachers in our schools to maximize their effectiveness and productivity with an easy and affordable conferencing solution," said Kenneth Ford, Director for Information and Technology, Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES.

The interworking between Polycom platforms and MCS 5100 video clients provides a simplified end-user experience. Multi-point as well as point-to-point video conferencing can be initiated directly from the MCS 5100 multimedia client with the click of an icon on the desktop computer. The same MCS multimedia client is used for other real-time communications such as presence, instant messaging, Web collaboration and white-boarding, and audio conferencing will now offer video communications compatible with Polycom equipment.

"Integrating video capabilities on top of SIP-enabled IP multimedia creates an environment similar to actually being gathered together in the same room for the purposes of creating partnerships and fostering a sense of teamwork. Given the MCS 5100's open SIP architecture, Polycom was able to bring their video expertise to the table to enable a powerful multimedia solution," said Alex Pierson, vice president and general manager, Enterprise Networks, Nortel. "In many respects, this method is preferable, sparing collaborators the expense and opportunities lost to travel, as well as shortening decision and development cycles associated with collaborative activities among dispersed teams. This approach also allows businesses to truncate time and activities to establish discrete, yet dynamic teams, as well as provides endless possibilities for new video-based applications. Beyond the business considerations, providing a wide array of communications media in an integrated product enhances the human condition, allowing people to communicate via the best means suited to their preferences and activities."

"Our market-leading expertise in conferencing technology has eliminated many of the hurdles to business quality on-demand communications," said Ed Ellett, senior vice president and general manager of the Video Systems Division at Polycom. "Thanks to the integration work we are announcing today, Nortel and Polycom customers will enjoy the ultimate communications experience wherever they may be. Customers can now seamlessly integrate existing video solutions with emerging SIP-based video solutions with their core IP PBX infrastructures, helping them leverage investments and make the smart choice for the future. Whether we're talking about boardrooms, executive offices, or even desktop users within or between companies, there is now a solution that is easy to deploy, use and manage that can raise productivity and improve relationships."

Polycom Inc.

Nortel Networks Ltd.