Indiana University Deploys PathNavigator to Simplify the Use and Management
Of Its IP Video Network
MILPITAS, Calif., March 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Polycom(R) Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM), a worldwide leader in the convergence of
interactive voice, video and data communications, today announced the general
availability of Polycom PathNavigator(TM) (PathNavigator), the revolutionary
call-processing server application that simplifies the deployment, management
and use of interactive video communications over both IP and ISDN networks.
PathNavigator, with the Polycom OneDial(TM) feature, greatly simplifies the
use of video communications, including the process of making point-to-point
and multipoint calls across single and multi-network environments.
Additionally, for IT administrators, it provides them with greater control
over how video communications operates on their network, and its functionality
can significantly reduce costs, and improve reliability.
Polycom will demonstrate PathNavigator at the FOSE government trade show,
March 19-21 at the Washington D.C. Convention Center - Booth #1450.
"Polycom PathNavigator delivers the ease of use, control, and reliability
that customers have been asking for, and that only Polycom can provide," said
Gary Alt, vice president and general manager of network solutions at Polycom.
"Over 25,000 seat registrants for PathNavigator were ordered prior to our
first shipment. It has been installed at numerous organizations in a cross
section of commercial, education, and government accounts, including Indiana
University and China Unicom."
"Polycom PathNavigator eliminates the complexity of video communications,
making the systems much more accessible and easy for our users, and giving our
systems administrators the tools to maintain control over our IP network
environment," said Brian Voss, associate vice president for telecommunications
at Indiana University, a beta customer of the new PathNavigator software. "The
Polycom OneDial and Conference-On-Demand features of PathNavigator have
greatly simplified scheduling and managing multipoint conferences, which can
be time-consuming and resource-intensive in a large environment like ours. In
addition, PathNavigator's detailed diagnostic, logging and reporting
capabilities have significantly enhanced our ability to troubleshoot problems
in the network, and its web-based management interface is robust and
full-featured."
Indiana University uses Polycom systems exclusively for its IP-based
(H.323) video communications needs and has deployed a complete, end-to-end
videoconferencing solution for distance learning, research support and
university administration. The university uses Polycom's ViewStation(R) and
ViewStation FX group video communications systems, ViaVideo(TM) desktop video
appliances, MGC-100(TM) multipoint control units and the Global Management
System(TM) software for managing its video communications network.
About Polycom PathNavigator
Available now, Polycom PathNavigator is a call processing server that runs
on Windows NT or Windows 2000 servers and works in conjunction with Polycom's
Global Management System. The heart of PathNavigator is an exclusive
Intelligent Network Routing Engine, which combines provisioning, gatekeeper
functionality, addressing and routing functions into a single product for IP
and ISDN video calls. It includes call routing features such as least-cost
routing and alternate routing to optimize calls for lowest cost and best
quality, seamlessly to end-users. Its policy-based call routing with network
topology knowledge gives IT managers control over their video communications
bandwidth and costs.
With a wide diversity of video products available today, PathNavigator is
designed to interoperate with virtually any video endpoint, gateway,
gatekeeper or MCU regardless of manufacturer. However, when using
PathNavigator in conjunction with a Polycom MCU, iPower(TM), ViewStation or
ViaVideo, setup and multipoint communications work seamlessly. PathNavigator
can register with third-party gatekeepers, such as the Cisco Multimedia
Conference Manager (MCM).
Polycom PathNavigator introduces a range of industry-first functionality,
including:
-- Polycom OneDial(TM) - enables users to easily place calls without
complex codes. Polycom OneDial hides all the complicated numbers,
prefixes, area and country codes, network choices (IP or ISDN) and
other steps that are actually processed behind the scenes to complete
the call. Users simply select a name from a directory or dial just like
a telephone.
-- Conference-On-Demand - enables on-demand multi-point conference calls,
thus turning any Polycom endpoint into a multipoint system, when used
in conjunction with the Polycom MGC-100 MCU.
-- Automatic Least-Cost Routing/Alternate Routing - enables the
administrator to pre-define the least-cost routes between all network
locations. PathNavigator uses this data to seamlessly route calls based
on network availability or the most cost-effective route and to use
alternate ISDN networks when primary IP call routes are not available.
-- Telephony Features - users can forward video calls to their voicemail
or cell phone when unavailable or if the line is busy. PathNavigator
also has video call center capabilities with simple endpoint control to
add or remove the endpoint from a hunt group.
-- Policy Management - enables administrators to create policy management
parameters to control bandwidth through segments of their video
network, apply network policies and provide access to resources based
on individual, group or corporate-wide settings.
-- Auto Provisioning - allows automatic provisioning of DID (ISDN) and
E.164 numbers for automated deployment of video endpoints.
-- Increased Security - PathNavigator can flag or deny call attempts from
unregistered endpoints according to administrator criteria.
Administrators can also keep NAT IP addresses confidential, preventing
internal IP addresses from being accessed or sent outside the
enterprise.
Pricing and Availability
Polycom PathNavigator is available worldwide now through Polycom's
extensive channel partner network for a manufacturers' suggested resale price
(MSRP) of US $9,999 to $49,999, depending on the number of concurrent users.
About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets a full range of high-
quality, easy-to-use and affordable voice and video communication endpoints,
video management software, multi-network gateways, and multi-point
conferencing and network access solutions. Its fully integrated end-to-end
solution, The Polycom Office(TM), is supported by the Polycom Accelerated
Communications Architecture, and enables business users to immediately realize
the benefits of integrated video, voice and data over rapidly growing
converged networks. For additional information, call 1-800-POLYCOM (765-9266)
or +1-408-526-9000, or visit the Polycom web site at http://www.polycom.com.
About Indiana University
Indiana University is one of the oldest state universities in the Midwest
and also one of the largest universities in the United States, with more than
110,000 students, faculty, and staff on eight campuses. IU has a growing
national and international reputation in the areas of information technology
and advanced high performance networking. For more information, visit
http://www.indiana.edu .
NOTE: Polycom, the Polycom logo and ViewStation are registered trademarks
and Polycom PathNavigator, ViaVideo, iPower, Global Management System, Polycom
OneDial, Polycom Office and MGC-100 are trademarks of Polycom in the U.S. and
various countries.
SOURCE Polycom, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.polycom.com
CONTACT:
Kevin Young of Polycom, Inc.,
+1-408-474-2826, or kyoung@polycom.com; or Nicole Burdette of
O'Keeffe & Company, +1-610-325-6550, or nburdette@okeeffeco.com,
for Polycom, Inc.
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