Polycom promises 50 per cent less bandwidth with RealPresence Ready for SMBs

Unified communications vendor Polycom is hoping to bring its videoconferencing platforms into the small and medium-sized business (SMB) space with specialised hardware bundles and accompanying partner services.

RealPresence Ready is a starter system aimed at companies looking to install office-based videoconferencing hardware, providing three telepresence room conferencing systems along with five desktop connections.

The bundle is available as a one-time $17,999 purchase or a three-year monthly leasing option.

Polycom is hoping that the videoconferencing platform, which it claims uses up to 50 per cent less bandwidth than competing services, will appeal to smaller firms.

"We know that bandwidth consumption is a concern for SMBs, so that is a core part of our solution and total cost of ownership," Jim Kruger, Polycom's senior vice president of global solution marketing, told V3.co.uk.

Polycom is also looking to extend its partner programmes and cloud-based services, teaming up with service providers to offer conferencing services based on the Polycom UC Intelligent Core platform.

Kruger explained that the product is valuable for improving communications and limiting employee travel. Companies can save money over the long term by using the videoconferencing systems instead of flying employees between locations.

"If an SMB wanted to lease this, it's actually less than one business trip within the US," he said. "If you are travelling internationally it's a no-brainer. The return on investment is there."