SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Hello Direct, Inc.
(Nasdaq: HELO) the leading direct marketer of telecommunications products and
services, and Polycom(R), Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM), the global leader in group
conferencing, today announced an extension of the companies' distribution
partnership to include Polycom's award-winning ViewStation(TM) group
videoconferencing systems. Augmenting the companies' current distribution
agreement for Polycom's market-leading audioconferencing products, Hello
Direct will now offer Polycom ViewStation group videoconferencing systems to
its business customers through its award-winning catalog, Web site and
outbound telemarketing group.
"Our partnership with Polycom has been successful for both companies and
for Hello Direct customers, and this addition to our product offering extends
our enterprise and reinforces our position as the premier source for the
latest telecommunications technology," said Ron Becht, vice president of
product marketing for Hello Direct. "As one of Polycom's largest
audioconferencing system resellers, we are strategically positioned to
capitalize on our huge installed-base of audio users who are the key to the
future success of this revolutionary videoconferencing product. The addition
of the ViewStation product demonstrates both the success of Hello Direct's
existing relationship with Polycom and the technical excellence of Polycom
products. We are delivering the right product at the right time for Hello
Direct customers."
"Hello Direct and Polycom have been successful partners for many years,
and we are pleased that Hello Direct is moving into the burgeoning
videoconferencing market," said Dale Bastian, Polycom's vice president
worldwide sales and service. "This strategic partnership will help both
companies deliver superior growth. Polycom and Hello Direct are committed to
delivering innovative videoconferencing products at a price that business
customers can afford."
Beginning in March 1999, Hello Direct will deliver ViewStation systems to
its customers through a dedicated outbound telemarketing team, in partnership
with Polycom-approved installation and maintenance providers.
Fully H.323-ready since its inception, Polycom's ViewStation group
videoconferencing systems continue to set the standard for high-performance
videoconferencing. Available in several versions that offer video performance
from 128kbps up to 768kbps full motion video, ViewStation incorporates unique
innovations that set it apart from any other videoconferencing system.
The new ViewStation MP provides high-quality, standards-based multipoint
videoconferencing on demand simply by using ViewStation's remote control and
graphical user interface, without the need for a bridging service or IS
support. ViewStation MP also provides continuous presence videoconferencing
capability for four sites at 128Kbps, three sites at 256Kbps or point-to-point
at 384/512kbps, allowing all sites in a conferencing to see other connected
sites simultaneously.
The entire line of ViewStation products includes voice-activated camera
tracking and the industry's first implementation of an embedded Web server as
standard features. ViewStation's innovative embedded Web server enables easy
access for remote system management and diagnostics, simple software upgrades
via the Internet or intranet, and also provides a convenient and reliable way
to display presentations from local or remote connections.
About Hello Direct
Hello Direct, Inc. is the leading direct marketer of telephone
productivity solutions, including headsets, teleconferencing, wireless and
other telecommunications products and services. Through its distinctive
catalogs, unique Internet buyer's guide ( http://www.hellodirect.com ) and outbound
telemarketing programs, the Company offers a broad selection of commercial
grade, brand name, and private label products at competitive prices that
provide solutions to its customers' evolving communications needs.
About Polycom
Leading the conferencing industry, Polycom is the only company in the
world that develops, manufactures and markets a full range of high-quality
group audio, data and videoconferencing products. Polycom's innovative, award-
winning conferencing products provide customers with high performance and ease
of use at an affordable price. For additional information, call 800-POLYCOM or
408-526-9000 or visit the Polycom web site at http://www.polycom.com.
Polycom and the Polycom logo design are registered trademarks and
ViewStation is a trademark of Polycom, Inc. in the U.S. and various countries.
All rights reserved.
SOURCE Hello Direct, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.hellodirect.com
CONTACT:
Matt McDowell of Hello Direct, Inc.,
408-363-2082, or email, matt.mcdowell@hellodirect.com; Sue O'Neil
of Polycom, Inc., 408-474-2746, or email, soneil@polycom.com;
Allison Niday of Impact Communications, 839-439-0977, or email,
allison@impactcommpr.com; or Molly Wilcox of Phase Two
Strategies, 415-772-8420, or email, molly_wilcox@p2pr.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information on Hello Direct, Inc. via
fax at no cost, dial 800-PRO-INFO (908-544-2850 outside the
U.S.), ticker symbol: HELO.
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