Microsoft-Polycom deal to provide best unified communications solutions in Vietnam

How would you evaluate the demand for video conferencing in Vietnam compared to other countries in the region and in the world?

Asia in general and Vietnam in particular is considered the booming markets for video conferencing equipment in recent years. With the development of network infrastructure, the demand for video conferencing equipment is forecasted to grow strongly in Asia Pacific, especially in India, China and Vietnam. Video conferencing market will keep booming in the future. The governments in Southeast Asia is generally investing more in technology and in Vietnam, it’s clear that this is developing fast, being one of the fastest to offer VaaS in the region. The overall ICT spending climate according to IDC predictions for Vietnam in 2014 is positive, projected at a growth rate of 15.5 per cent in 2014, reaching $13.05 billion. This will make Vietnam among the top ICT spender in APAC in 2014 if forecast materialises.

What are your expectations of Microsoft and Polycom partnership in Vietnam?

Flourish as this is a global partnership and not just in Vietnam, it’ll continually develop. Microsoft has a variety of partner programmes and certifications. Traditionally, IT integrators have been the ones participating in these programmes.  However, with the introduction of the Polycom CX8000, a room-based video collaboration system optimised to work with Microsoft Lync, customers have more options to take Microsoft Lync from the desktop to the room. With the move from desktop to room, we are seeing more opportunity for AV Integrators to either develop their Microsoft competencies or partner with other Microsoft Certified integrators to satisfy customer needs.

Polycom enhances its partnership with Microsoft by provide collaboration solution optimised for Microsoft Lync. What are those solutions and their efficiency?

Through specifically-built developments optimised for Microsoft Lync and a wide set of interoperable voice and video choices, Polycom gives you unsurpassed flexibility in deploying enterprise voice, video, conferencing and collaboration solutions. Also, the Polycom® RealPresence® Platform adds universal video collaboration for Microsoft Lync and non-Lync systems, which allows your organisation to plan Lync migration without disruption and provide mobile to immersive telepresence connectivity.

Some of the benefits of Polycom solutions include:

• Broadest portfolio of voice solutions qualified by Microsoft to be optimised or compatible with Microsoft Lync 2013 and Microsoft Lync 2010 from USB devices to desktop phones, conference room phones, and to installed audio solutions, enabling maximum flexibility and choice for customers;
• Direct integration of Polycom RealPresence video solutions with Microsoft UC platforms for high quality user experiences and low total cost of ownership;
• Access team members easily from anywhere on any compatible device with presence-based workflow;
• Extend familiar, easy-to-use application interfaces to mobile, desktop, conference room, and immersive video environments. No need for parallel platforms—Microsoft applications and infrastructure are leveraged for corporate directory, firewall traversal, and calendaring;
• Increase productivity by enabling users on Lync as well as conference room systems to fully collaborate via voice, video, and content sharing through Polycom’s content sharing solution
• Connect multi-vendor environments endpoints for investment protection; and
• Manage video throughout the content lifecycle from capture, approval, and distribution across diverse network environments and devices.