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Coms plc, a provider of Internet telephony services to business customers, has launched a new video conferencing service based on a video conferencing phone from a Pleasanton, Calif.-based provider of provider of telepresence, video and voice communication solutions.

 

The company’s video conferencing service is based on the Polycom CX5000 video conferencing phone, which was developed in partnership between Polycom (News - Alert) and Microsoft, officials said. The Coms Hosted Video Conferencing service blends the Polycom CX5000 Conference Station and Microsoft Live Meeting to offer voice and video collaboration experience. The technology gives participants a panoramic view of the conference room and video feed, allowing for more productive and efficient meetings.

 

In addition, a second video view of the speaker is sent. The technology can track the flow of conversation so the active speaker is always identified. Both video views, as well as content shared among users, are displayed on the same screen for remote participants.

 

The design, which features plug-and-play functionality, is easy to deploy. The Polycom CX5000, which requires little or no training, is a USB device that connects to any PC running the Live Meeting.  Users can plug the Polycom CX5000into their PC and share voice, video, and content with remote participants. Remote participants just need a computer and a network connection to join the meeting.

 

Because the conference is a Microsoft Live Meeting session, participants can access shared notes, white boards, desktops, PowerPoint presentations, and handouts. Meetings can also be recorded, company officials said.

 

Jason Drummond, executive chairman for Coms, predicted the market for low cost video conferencing would grow exponentially.

 

“The new Polycom video conferencing device will become as ubiquitous as the existing iconic triangular conference phone,” Drummond said in a statement. “Coms's video conferencing service combined with Polycom's CX5000 will generate a new long term recurring revenue stream for the company."

 

"We are delighted to build upon our successful relationship with Coms,” Glynn Jones Vice President, EMEA Voice Solutions, Polycom, said in a statement. “Video Telepresence (News - Alert) improves communication within businesses, combined with increased availability of bandwidth and the need to reduce travel costs, video conferencing will be one of the fastest growing sectors of the IP communications market."