Poly Archives - My TechDecisions https://mytechdecisions.com/tag/poly/ The end user’s first and last stop for making technology decisions Thu, 15 Jun 2023 03:51:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://mytechdecisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cropped-TD-icon1-1-32x32.png Poly Archives - My TechDecisions https://mytechdecisions.com/tag/poly/ 32 32 Poly’s InfoComm 2023 Highlighted By New X52 Videoconferencing Bar https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/polys-infocomm-2023-highlighted-by-new-x52-videoconferencing-bar/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/polys-infocomm-2023-highlighted-by-new-x52-videoconferencing-bar/#respond Thu, 15 Jun 2023 03:51:51 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=48794 Conferencing and collaboration manufacturer Poly, at its first InfoComm since officially becoming part of HP, announced several new professional-grade audio and video solutions leveraging AI-driven software to help organizations support hybrid work. The company, largely known for its line of all-in-one videoconferencing bars, announced the Poly Studio X52, a new all-in-one device designed for the […]

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Conferencing and collaboration manufacturer Poly, at its first InfoComm since officially becoming part of HP, announced several new professional-grade audio and video solutions leveraging AI-driven software to help organizations support hybrid work.

The company, largely known for its line of all-in-one videoconferencing bars, announced the Poly Studio X52, a new all-in-one device designed for the mid-sized meeting space.

According to the company, new Poly DirectorAI smart camera technology in the X52 offers automated camera framing modes like group, speaker, and people framing. The 4K, 20MP camera is designed to provide clear visibility of every participant, even those far away from the camera in the farthest corners of a conference room.

Updates to the AI-driven software for group and speaker framing capabilities include the new Poly DirectorAI Perimeter feature and other audio enhancements. The Poly Studio X52 is certified for Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Zoom, with pending certification for native support for BlueJeans by Verizon, GoTo, and RingCentral.

The Poly Studio X52 is expected to be available late summer, starting at $4,300.

The company also announced an update to its Poly Video OS software, launching version 4.1 to enable IT administrators to leverage Poly DirectorAI Perimeter technology to input room dimensions and define parameters accurately and prevent capturing faces beyond glass walls or windows.

Poly Video OS 4.1 is expected to be available worldwide across the Poly Studio X Series of video bars and the Poly G7500 modular video conferencing systems in late summer.

Additionally, Sound Reflection Reduction minimizes echo and reverberations caused by glass and hard surfaces, the company says.

Other video announcements include the ability to connect the Poly Studio E70 smart camera to the Poly G7500 modular videoconferencing systems via a standard Ethernet cable for flexible room configurations and easier installation, according to Poly.

The company’s TC10 touch control panel now supports meeting control for Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android, and it can also function as a room scheduling panel for Microsoft Teams, the company adds.

For large rooms, Poly announced a new bundle with the G7500 Modular Video Conferencing System and the Shure Microflex Large Room, which are jointly certified for Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android. This gives customers a multi-vendor solution that integrates video, compute and DSP audio solutions.

In addition, the Poly Studio E70 and HP Mini Conferencing PC have been certified for Zoom for large meeting rooms, the company says.

For audio features, Poly announced the Poly Voyager Surround 80 UC headset, which it calls the first boomless headset cerified for Microsoft Teams Open Office. The headset features the company’s audio and adaptive noise cancelling features with a more comfortable headset design, according to Poly.

The Poly Voyager Surround 80 is expected to be available worldwide in August, starting at $449.95.

To manage these devices, Poly offers its Poly Lens tool for remote device management so IT professionals can monitor and troubleshoot Poly devices, and the company is adding to that by expanding its API integration partners with Ubiqisense and Vyopta to deliver insights for customers leveraging Poly Lens on the Poly Studio X30 and Studio X50 video bars.

“HP is committed to delivering solutions that eliminate the barriers inside and outside the room so you can look and sound your best,” says Andy Rhodes, Division President of Hybrid Systems at HP. “We are thrilled to offer the next generation of audio and video technology, enhanced with innovative AI capabilities so everyone can be seen and heard with total clarity.”

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Seven Ways to Enable a Future-Ready Workforce  https://mytechdecisions.com/it-infrastructure/seven-ways-to-enable-a-future-ready-workforce/ https://mytechdecisions.com/it-infrastructure/seven-ways-to-enable-a-future-ready-workforce/#respond Tue, 13 Jun 2023 12:00:43 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=48764 While many of us are returning to the office in various capacities, hybrid work has become our new reality. However, according to a recent IDC report, only 22% of individuals feel that they are reaching their maximum potential within the current hybrid work structures.  Even though 80% of workers prefer the hybrid work model, a […]

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While many of us are returning to the office in various capacities, hybrid work has become our new reality. However, according to a recent IDC report, only 22% of individuals feel that they are reaching their maximum potential within the current hybrid work structures. 

Even though 80% of workers prefer the hybrid work model, a significant 58% often experience a lack of necessary infrastructure to effectively support their hybrid work-life. To successfully transition into a thriving hybrid workforce, IT teams need to thoroughly analyze their entire work communication experience and embrace new technologies that enhance productivity both at home and in the office. 

Here are seven ways organizations can ensure their long-term success in a future that is clearly very different from the past: 

  1. Conduct a technology assessment: Organizations can conduct a thorough assessment of employees’ workstyles, technology needs, and preferences – identifying gaps in technology infrastructure and insights into the types of hardware, software, and peripherals that employees need. If in-office technology isn’t providing as optimal of an experience as working from home, it must be addressed.
  1. Offer flexible hardware options: Provide employees with hardware options that suit their workstyles and workspace, enabling them to work more comfortably and efficiently.
  1. Invest in collaboration tools: To facilitate effective communication and teamwork, organizations can invest in tools such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management platforms. In-office tools should be modernized to leverage recent advancements in technology and enhance the user experience.
  1. Offer training and support: Boost employees’ confidence and productivity by providing training sessions, user guides, and help desk support to troubleshoot common tech issues.
  1. Ensure secure remote access: To protect sensitive company information as more employees work from different locations, IT teams can implement security measures such as multi-factor authentication, virtual private networks (VPNs), and data encryption, to provide secure remote access to company resources.
  1. Monitor and optimize network performance: IT teams can monitor network performance and identify any issues that may be impacting employee productivity. This can involve optimizing network settings, updating software and firmware, and troubleshooting network connectivity issues.
  1. Request ongoing feedback: Finally, organizations should regularly ask for employee feedback on their experiences with their technology and work environments so changes can be made if necessary.

Hybrid work is a game-changer, offering employees flexibility and convenience. But it also requires seamless collaboration for both in-person and remote attendees. Companies that fail to adapt and offer modern technology and dedicated collaboration spaces risk being left behind. 

This shift in work models is the biggest in our lifetime, and companies must find new ways to maintain culture and drive productivity. By adopting robust strategies and learning from experiences, organizations can thrive. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Andy Rhodes is General Manager and Global Head of HP Hybrid Systems & HyperX.

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Poly’s New Voyager Free 60+ Earbuds Fit the Bill for Hybrid Work https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/polys-new-voyager-free-60-earbuds-fit-the-bill-for-hybrid-work/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/polys-new-voyager-free-60-earbuds-fit-the-bill-for-hybrid-work/#respond Fri, 05 May 2023 21:05:50 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=48284 Since the pandemic, I have been searching for a headset/earbud solution that allows me to take video calls without disturbing others, as I work from home office. The earbuds must provide professional-grade audio that picks up my voice clearly and delivers the same clarity from the other end. Enter the Poly Voyager Free 60 line […]

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Since the pandemic, I have been searching for a headset/earbud solution that allows me to take video calls without disturbing others, as I work from home office. The earbuds must provide professional-grade audio that picks up my voice clearly and delivers the same clarity from the other end. Enter the Poly Voyager Free 60 line of earbuds.

In between calls while I’m nose-deep in a Word document, I typically throw on some tunes to put me in the zone. However, my home’s acoustics are a little wonky. Noise from my speakers travels very clearly from my home office down the stairwell to the rest of the house.

I’ve experimented with a few different headset/earbud solutions. My first experiment to equip myself for remote working was a gaming headset that I rarely used. In all honestly, it did the trick for a few weeks during the initial lockdown phase of the pandemic. However, the gaming headset was huge and didn’t have the luxury of Bluetooth. I tried a few different other headsets from audio and collaboration manufacturers, which were significantly better. Despite all that, I wanted something that could transition conveniently from taking work calls at my desk, to quickly leaving the house to walk my dogs while listening to podcasts.

About the Poly Voyager Free 60 Series

Poly has an extensive portfolio of videoconferencing and collaboration devices for a variety of different scenarios, but much of the company’s new releases center around one idea: simplicity and flexibility. The Voyager Free 60 earbuds are no different.

The Voyager Free 60 series are wireless earbuds designed for work, but are equally suited to be taken on walks, bike rides, or the gym. (Poly doesn’t recommend hard workouts with these in your ears, but they seem to hold up just fine.) These earbuds are versatile enough to replace multiple sets of earbuds or headsets that hybrid or remote workers usually have for different scenarios.

The company’s newest earbuds come in three versions:

  • Poly Voyager Free 60 with a standard charge chase, support for premium calls and music.
  • Poly Voyager Free 60 UC with the same standard charge case but equipped with enterprise-grade audio and music and certifications for Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
  • Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC with the same features as the Free 60 UC but with a touchscreen charge case.

Poly Voyager Free 60+ features

For our purposes here, we’ll focus on the Voyager Free 60+. Poly markets these as built for work, but designed for everyday life, and I’d say that is a very accurate assessment.

The Voyager Free 60+ earbuds feature a stem design with six microphones, as well as noise cancelling technologies that makes the user’s voice the focus of work calls. Specifically, they feature the company’s NoiseBlockAI and Acoustic Fence technology that blocks out unwanted noises and focuses only on the user’s voice.

The Voyager Free 60+ UC earbuds come with a dongle but can also be connected to another device via Bluetooth, so users can seamlessly transition from a work call from their desktop to music streaming from a mobile device.

The company claims up to five hours of talk time with ANC on, and the charge case provides another 10 hours of talk time. I’d say those claims ring true, as I rarely need to charge the charge case itself. However, it seems to charge quickly.

With the company’s Poly Lens app, users can customize their experience with a range of tools, with the ability to change settings such as wearing sensor, active call audio, auto-answer, auto-pause, noise cancellation and a range of other settings.

For control features on the earbuds themselves, the Voyager Free 60+ UC includes gesture controls for volume, ANC, mute and more. A physical button can pause music or start and answers calls.

However, the charge case itself has a touchscreen with even more functionality, such as call control, media playback control, battery status and other features.

If you’re like me and have a few dozen pairs of airline earbuds because you live in 2023 and don’t own any wired headphones to watch in-flight entertainment, the Voyager Free 60 earbuds have you covered! The earbuds come with an option to plug the charge case into a headphone jack that will stream audio to the earbuds.

Another great feature is transparency mode that allows you to hear your surroundings without having to remove an earbud. If you find talking with earbuds or headphones weird, then this feature can help you to hear your own voice. This really does make a difference. It can be configured to pick up any sounds in your environment or just voices.

Seamless Audio Connectivity

Essentially everything Poly says about these earbuds rings true, and they could compete with other earbuds on the market in terms of sound quality. However, what makes these stand out from others is just how simple and intuitive they are in work scenarios, especially with the charge case.

I’ve had some Bluetooth headsets and earbuds that routinely lose connection and can’t easily transition from my laptop to my mobile device, but the Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC earbuds do so seamlessly. This helps me leave the house to run a quick errand with them still in my ears, but also allows me to hop on a work call when I return.

Earbuds can be uncomfortable to wear for more than a few hours. The Voyager Free 60 earbuds have three conical-shaped earbud tip sizes and are comfortable enough to use all day, if you find the right size.

These earbuds are the perfect choice for hybrid and remote workers alike.

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Poly Launches New DECT IP Devices; Video Bar Certifications for Teams and Meet https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/poly-dect-ip-devices-video-bar-certifications-teams-and-meet/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/poly-dect-ip-devices-video-bar-certifications-teams-and-meet/#respond Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:32:26 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=47639 Collaboration device manufacturer Poly, an HP subsidiary, is expanding the Poly Rove family of wireless DECT IP devices and is certifying more of its all-in-one collaboration devices for use with Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. New DECT IP devices The company’s newest additions to the Rove family of DECT IP devices are the Rove 20 […]

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Collaboration device manufacturer Poly, an HP subsidiary, is expanding the Poly Rove family of wireless DECT IP devices and is certifying more of its all-in-one collaboration devices for use with Microsoft Teams and Google Meet.

New DECT IP devices

The company’s newest additions to the Rove family of DECT IP devices are the Rove 20 wireless DECT IP phone and the B1 base station.

According to the company, the Rove 20 wireless DECT IP phone is an entry-level single cell DECT handset with a 2-inch color display, 4-line keys, duplex speakerphone with up to 35 hours of talk time. The device is designed to be an entry-level option to other existing phones in the Rove lineup, which includes the Rove 30 and Rove 40.

The Rove 20 is designed for small and medium-sized businesses, but also offers the flexibility to scale to the needs of any sized organization, according to Poly. The Rove 20 and B1 are specifically meant for warehouse staff, retail staff, clinic staff and other vertical shift-based or front-line workers.

Poly’s new devices in the Rove family also feature security, leveraging the latest standards in DECT wireless security, such as end-to-end encryption.

The Rove 20 is also designed to be interoperable with other Rove devices, allowing the new solutions to work with existing Poly DECT phones in an organization.

For IT departments, the Rove 20 and B1 allow for easy IT management due to their scalability and compatibility with the Poly PDMS-SP, a device management platform designed for IT teams.

Both devices are expected to be available globally April 5, with the Rove 20 starting at $139.95, and the B1 starting at $279.95.

More certifications

The company also announced new certifications for its collaboration devices with major videoconferencing platforms, including Google Meet and Microsoft Teams.

According to Poly, the company’s Studio X family of Android-based all-in-one video bars are now certified for Google Meet, enabling organizations to leverage the devices in Poly’s first room solutions for Google Meet.

All of the Poly Studio X devices are now certified under the Works with Google Meet program, which essentially guarantees compatibility of conferencing devices with Google Meet. These are the first Android-based video appliances to deliver a comprehensive meeting experience for Google Meet users, the company says.

The Google Meet app is built into the Poly Studio X family of video bars, allowing users to launch Google Meet meetings right from  the TC8 and TC10 touch interface.

For Microsoft Teams Rooms, Poly’s lineup now includes the newly certified Poly Studio X70 video bar for large rooms and the G7500 modular room solutions, both of which are designed to support hybrid meetings.

These certifications make Poly Studio X70 the only video bar for large rooms certified for Microsoft Teams on Android, according to Poly.

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HP Unveils New Laptops, Collaboration Tools at CES 2023 https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/hp-laptops-collaboration-tools-ces-2023/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/hp-laptops-collaboration-tools-ces-2023/#respond Wed, 04 Jan 2023 17:00:02 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=46384 With a third year of distributed work upon us, HP’s new products being showcased at CES 2023 are largely designed to accommodate the hybrid workforce, including new hybrid work-designed laptops and PCs and wireless earbuds. CES, taking place this week in Las Vegas, comes as organizations and the tech industry supporting them dive into a […]

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With a third year of distributed work upon us, HP’s new products being showcased at CES 2023 are largely designed to accommodate the hybrid workforce, including new hybrid work-designed laptops and PCs and wireless earbuds.

CES, taking place this week in Las Vegas, comes as organizations and the tech industry supporting them dive into a third year of distributed work, with new products and services frequently catering to those organizations and workers embracing a hybrid work model. HP, which acquired videoconferencing peripherals manufacturer Poly last year, appears to be all-in on that trend with its newest products.

Laptops and monitors

This includes the new HP Dragonfly Pro portfolio, which HP says is marketed toward freelancers with needs for multitasking and heavy workloads. According to HP, the new devices are designed to reduce friction in users’ lives, featuring powerful audio, camera and touchscreen; all-day battery life; and 24/67 live concierge support and services. Included in the portfolio are both a Chromebook model and Windows version.

The 14-inch Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is designed with what HP calls the “world’s first” 8-megapixel user-facing camera in a clamshell Chromebook along with the “world’s biggest” touchscreen display.

Meanwhile, the Dragonfly Pro was co-engineered with AMD using the company’s adaptive platform management framework that optimizes performance for real-world productivity scenarios, HP says, adding that this is the first HP device to feature one-touch access to HP’s 24/7 live concierge support directly via hot keys.

Both computers are built with recycled metals and plastics, the company adds.

HP also introduced new monitors, including the new E-Series G5 Monitors designed for both home and offices. The G5 series include displays ranging from 21.5 inches to 44.5 inches with features designed to help hybrid workers stay focused, such as 4K resolution on select models, curved and ultrawide screens, 99% RGB and matching accessories.

Other new monitors are the HP M24h and M27h FHD Monitors designed for home workers, learners and entertainment users.

Collaboration

Also being featured at CES 2023 are the collaboration capabilities featured in the HP Dragonfly G4, HP EliteBook 1040 G10, and HP Elite x360 1040 G10. These features include support for a multi-camera experience that allows users to show their faces and an object or whiteboard simultaneously, intelligent face-tracking, automatic cropping and flattening of whiteboard or document images and more.

HP and Poly are also featuring the Poly Voyager Free 60 Series line of pro-grade wireless earbuds designed for hybrid workers. According to the combined company, the earbuds provide up to five hours of talk time with adaptive noise cancelling and background noise blocking. The earbuds come with a smart charging case and features an OLED touchscreen display with easy access to volume and mute functions, battery life insights and call status.

Speaking on the new Voyager Free 60 Series earbuds, Global Public Relations Lead Shannon Shamoon says they work with all major videoconferencing platforms and can be paired with the company’s Poly Lens mobile app to allow IT managers to remotely manage the devices for wherever employees are.

“It’s really about giving today’s hybrid workers the flexibility that they need to do the best work they can wherever they are,” Shamoon says.

Also in the way of videoconferencing tools is the HP 620/625 FHD Webcam, a Zoom-certified FHD 1080p webcam with dual noise-reduction microphones, an adjustable field of view, auto-focus, intelligent face framing and background light enhancement. The webcam is also designed with security in mind with Windows Hello facial recognition compatibility.

Sustainability

According to HP’s announcement, the company’s new products are designed with sustainable materials such as recycled materials, but the company is going a step further by introducing HP Carbon Neutral Computing Services, a new service designed to help organizations offset their carbon footprint of eligible HP business PCs. According to HP, organizations can choose to offset the carbon released during production and system delivery or through the entire lifecycle so their PCs remain carbon neutral through the end of use.

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Poly Unveils Poly Studio Systems for Zoom Rooms, Powered by HP https://mytechdecisions.com/news-1/poly-studio-systems-zoom-rooms-hp/ https://mytechdecisions.com/news-1/poly-studio-systems-zoom-rooms-hp/#respond Tue, 08 Nov 2022 19:00:48 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=45676 Poly, the Santa Cruz, Calif.-based provider of audio and video solutions, announced Poly Studio Systems for Zoom Rooms, powered by HP. Each Poly Studio System features award-winning solutions, certified for Zoom Rooms, powered by the HP Mini Conferencing PC, plus a Poly TC10 controller and scheduler. Poly Studio Systems for Zoom Rooms provides IT teams […]

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Poly, the Santa Cruz, Calif.-based provider of audio and video solutions, announced Poly Studio Systems for Zoom Rooms, powered by HP. Each Poly Studio System features award-winning solutions, certified for Zoom Rooms, powered by the HP Mini Conferencing PC, plus a Poly TC10 controller and scheduler.

Poly Studio Systems for Zoom Rooms provides IT teams with the flexibility to outfit Zoom Rooms of varying sizes, with access to the operating system of their choice, including Poly support for Android and Windows experiences. Poly Studio Systems for small Zoom Rooms feature the Poly Studio R30, medium rooms feature the Poly Studio USB video bar, and large rooms feature the Poly Studio E70. Poly’s lineup of Studio video bars are equipped with advanced AI capabilities, including Poly DirectorAI technology, designed to deliver meeting equity.

The Poly TC10 controller is a brand new device that is included with Poly Studio Systems for small, medium and large Zoom Rooms. The Poly TC10 provides Zoom Rooms users with the flexibility to use the device as a native Zoom Rooms Controller or easy-to-use Zoom Rooms scheduling display. The Poly TC10 will also be available to purchase separately as an accessory and room scheduling display. As a meeting controller, the Poly TC10 can also be paired with the Poly Studio X Series or G7500 videoconferencing system to control the cloud-based video app on the Poly Video OS system.

“Hybrid work is here to stay, and we are excited to strengthen our portfolio of Zoom Rooms systems powered by Poly and HP to deliver true meeting happiness,” says Cary Bran, global head of Zoom Rooms at Zoom. “By joining forces with Poly and HP, we can offer the ‘total package’ of solutions for Zoom Rooms, Zoom Phone, and Zoom Meetings as we continue to push the boundaries of the future of work.”

Andy Rhodes, SVP and general manager of hybrid work solutions & peripherals at HP says, “The future of meeting collaboration will require innovative solutions that allow everyone to be seen and heard with total clarity. Which is why Poly and HP are joining forces with Zoom to create a complete ecosystem of Poly Studio Zoom Room Systems designed to deliver meeting equity, so you show up and stand out.”

Poly Studio Systems for Zoom Rooms with the Poly TC10 controller/scheduler is now available to order in North America and Europe, shipping in late November 2022, and available worldwide in early 2023. The Poly TC10 touchpanel controller/scheduling display is now available to purchase as a standalone accessory, and comes in black or white.

This article originally appeared on MyTechDecisions’ sister-site CommercialIntegrator.com.

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Poly Studio X Series to Offer Native Google Meet Experience https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/poly-studio-x-series-to-offer-native-google-meet-experience/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/poly-studio-x-series-to-offer-native-google-meet-experience/#respond Wed, 26 Oct 2022 19:21:36 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=45526 Video and audio collaboration solutions provider Poly says its line of Studio X video bars will be the first Android-based single codec video appliances for Google Meet. According to Poly, the Studio X lineup of video bars joins the company’s growing list of devices certified for Google Meet, Google Voice and ChromeOS. The Studio X30, […]

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Video and audio collaboration solutions provider Poly says its line of Studio X video bars will be the first Android-based single codec video appliances for Google Meet.

According to Poly, the Studio X lineup of video bars joins the company’s growing list of devices certified for Google Meet, Google Voice and ChromeOS. The Studio X30, Studio X50, Studio X70, and the TC8 controller will be the first Android-based appliances to offer a native Google Meet experience and provide a streamline and purpose-built experience for any meeting room.

Each bar in the product line features intelligent, broadcast-quality video for meeting rooms of any size, that include automatic framing and speaker tracking and intelligent noise blocking. According to Poly, the company is the only partner that provides people framing with advanced AI capabilities for Google Meet on the Studio X70.

Poly says the Studio X family provides a comprehensive room solution for Google Meet rooms of all sizes, featuring:

  • Full HD video with Poly DirectorAI smart camera experiences
  • Room-filling audio and crystal-clear microphone pickup
  • Poly USB Device Mode for multi-platform flexibility
  • Dual display (X50/X70) to see both people and content full screen
  • One-touch click to join via TC8 controller
  • Managed by Poly Lens and Google Workspace
  • Highly secure with a hardened operating system, secure update distribution, and third-party testing for security vulnerabilities

Poly Studio X family certified for Google Meet will be available worldwide in January 2023.

In addition, Poly says the company offers a wide range of Google Cloud certified solutions, such as:

  • Google Meet: Poly Studio USB video bar, and Poly Studio P5 personal webcam, as well as Voyager headsets and Poly Sync speakerphones are collaboration devices certified for Google Meet.
  • Google Voice: Poly offers a long list of devices certified for Google Voice, and is proud to be the exclusive desk phone manufacturer certified to work with Google Voice. Poly’s Google Voice portfolio also includes headsets, speakerphones, and the Poly Studio P5 webcam.
  • Chrome OS: Poly’s portfolio devices certified to work with Chromebook includes headsets from the Blackwire, Encore Pro, and Savi headset families, and also includes video conferencing gear such as the Poly Studio P15 for focus rooms and personal spaces.

All Poly devices certified for Google Meet and Google Voice are supported by the Poly Lens App on PC and Mac, which allows IT managers to troubleshoot, push software updates, and remotely manage devices. Poly Lens App support will be available for ChromeOS devices in Q2 2023.

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Poly Launches API Marketplace Platform for Dev Community https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/poly-api-marketplace-platform/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/poly-api-marketplace-platform/#respond Tue, 27 Sep 2022 13:00:03 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=45083 Poly has launched a new API Marketplace platform, where the Poly developer community can find, connect to and manage Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) across Poly’s partner ecosystem. The marketplace is an open platform with support for dozens of API types, including those from Poly Lens insights and management platform and Poly Clariti, the secure meeting […]

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Poly has launched a new API Marketplace platform, where the Poly developer community can find, connect to and manage Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) across Poly’s partner ecosystem. The marketplace is an open platform with support for dozens of API types, including those from Poly Lens insights and management platform and Poly Clariti, the secure meeting platform.

Poly says it opened the marketplace in response to hybrid work, transitions to the cloud, divergence from standards and a return to office, which has led to a crowded marketplace of unified communication offerings, which in turn has made managing these separate, yet critical systems incredibly complex.

The platform centralizes Poly APIs into a single location while providing visibility into all the available developer assets across Poly’s products.

Enabling Developers

“The Poly API Marketplace makes it easy to find everything, catalog and access tools, and with the continual expansion of new developer experiences from the teams at RapidAPI, the Poly API Marketplace will only get better over time. Empowering a positive and collaborative developer experience is primarily why we picked RapidAPI to partner with on this initiative,” explains Robert Manassero, director of product management at Poly.

RapidAPI is the world’s largest API hub with more than four million developers that discover test and connect more than 40,000 APIs.

Rory Ferguson, senior product manager at Poly, adds, “The marketplace brings us closer to the developer community allowing them to innovate and customize our products in ways we hadn’t thought about.”

Creating a Community of Developers

According to Poly, another important goal with the marketplace was to build a community, complete with a “playground,” where developers can meet, share ideas, test those ideas, tear them down and rebuild them to continually improve. “We want to facilitate, encourage and support our developer community in every way possible to ensure our mutual success as we build new collaboration experiences together,” says Ferguson.

Poly API Marketplace Origins 

The API Marketplace originated from the company’s private videoconferencing software, Poly Clariti, and its cloud-based device management and insights platform, Poly Lens, where there has been a growing need to share and leverage existing APIs within the Poly ecosystem.

“With the introduction of Poly API Marketplace, we are empowering organizations with the tools they need to create a single pane of glass centered around their entire unified communications infrastructure. This means simplified management, monitoring and reporting—all of which make life easier for IT teams and service providers. With this, IT professionals will be able to customize the end user experience, improve response times, enable faster onboarding and build custom dashboards for return-on-investment calculations,” says Ferguson.

Poly’s hope is for customers with private video infrastructure to look towards the marketplace to further grow custom applications in their specialized environments, as the capabilities for video and voice collaboration continues to evolve.

To learn more about Poly API Marketplace or join the community visit developer.poly.com.

This article originally appeared on MyTechDecisions’ sister-site CommercialIntegrator.com.

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HP Inc. Finalizes Acquisition of Poly https://mytechdecisions.com/news-1/hp-inc-finalizes-acquisition-of-poly/ https://mytechdecisions.com/news-1/hp-inc-finalizes-acquisition-of-poly/#respond Mon, 29 Aug 2022 17:48:29 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=44717 Palo Alto, Calif.-based HP Inc. today announced the completion of its acquisition of Santa Cruz, Calif-based Poly. The latter is, of course, a prominent global provider of workplace collaboration solutions. According to HP, the deal will accelerate its strategy to create a more growth-oriented portfolio. Moreover, the company says, it will strengthen its industry opportunity […]

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Palo Alto, Calif.-based HP Inc. today announced the completion of its acquisition of Santa Cruz, Calif-based Poly. The latter is, of course, a prominent global provider of workplace collaboration solutions. According to HP, the deal will accelerate its strategy to create a more growth-oriented portfolio. Moreover, the company says, it will strengthen its industry opportunity in hybrid-work solutions and position the combined organization for long-term sustainable growth. Word of the transaction broke this past March. HP expects it to be accretive to revenue, non-GAAP operating profit and non-GAAP EPS in FY23 post-merger.

Enrique Lores, president and CEO of HP, calls this “a historic day for our business,” celebrating the union of two hybrid-work-focused organizations. He continues, “Poly brings incredibly strong talent, differentiated technology and a complementary go-to-market system that we believe will further strengthen our position in large and growing markets.”

Adjusting to Hybrid

The merger comes as businesses and employees alike adjust to a hybrid world. Roughly 75% of office workers are investing to improve their home setups. In addition, traditional office spaces are being reconfigured to support hybrid work and collaboration. In particular, there is a heavy focus on meeting-room solutions. Right now, more than 90 million rooms exist. Of those, less than 10% have video capability. As a result, the office-meeting-room-solutions segment is expected to triple by 2024.

Poly, of course, is known for its videoconferencing solutions, cameras, headsets, software and more. In bringing those to HP, customers will be empowered to create meeting equity between those in the room and those not in the room. Indeed, the combined organization will deliver a complete ecosystem of devices, software, and digital services. In so doing, it will create premium employee experiences, improve workforce productivity and provide enterprise customers with better visibility, insights, security and manageability across their hybrid IT environments.

The addition of Poly will help HP drive innovation and scale in two of its key growth areas. First, there are peripherals, which represent a $110 billion segment opportunity. They’re growing 9% annually, driven by the need for more immersive experiences. Second, there are workforce solutions, which represent a $120 billion segment opportunity. They’re growing 8% annually, as companies invest in digital services to set up, manage and secure more distributed IT ecosystems.

Management Updates

With the transaction completed, Poly’s CEO, Dave Shull, will join HP as president, Workforce Services & Solutions, starting November 1. Shull will lead the newly formed organization focused on driving a more expansive growth agenda across HP’s commercial services business. Shull will join the HP executive leadership team and report to Lores. Meanwhile, Andy Rhodes will run the combined HP-Poly business as general manager, Hybrid Work Solutions & Peripherals. Rhodes will continue to report to HP Personal Systems president Alex Cho.

HP completed the deal as an all-cash transaction of $40 per share. That implies a total enterprise value of approximately $3.3 billion, inclusive of Poly’s net debt. The transaction was financed through a combination of balance sheet cash and new debt.

This article originally appeared on MyTechDecisions’ sister-site CommercialIntegrator.com

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Employers Should Aim to Magnetize, Not Mandate, a Return to the Office https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/poly-employers-magnetize-not-mandate-return-to-the-office/ https://mytechdecisions.com/unified-communications/poly-employers-magnetize-not-mandate-return-to-the-office/#respond Mon, 22 Aug 2022 12:00:29 +0000 https://mytechdecisions.com/?p=44593 Short-term incentives for coming into the office like free coffee and doughnuts aren’t going to cut it anymore. Standing silently on the sidelines and hoping people will come back to the office, and clumsily mandating their return won’t work either, according to a new report from Poly, the Santa Cruz., Calif. provider of audio and […]

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Short-term incentives for coming into the office like free coffee and doughnuts aren’t going to cut it anymore. Standing silently on the sidelines and hoping people will come back to the office, and clumsily mandating their return won’t work either, according to a new report from Poly, the Santa Cruz., Calif. provider of audio and video products.

The key to a successful return to office is reliant on an organization’s hybrid work strategy. The “Journey to Hybrid Working” report highlights that getting employees back to the office in a hybrid model is being impacted by a reluctance to return.

Employees became used to making autonomous decisions in lockdown and many now resent and resist being mandated back to the office. They need a powerful reason to go into the office — travel to a central workplace can be expensive compared to staying at home so there is a requirement to “earn the commute” and make it worth their while. Too many companies are overlooking this aspect in issuing back-to-work policies, says Poly.

Poly’s research shows that office-based workers that spend more than half of their time in the office has dropped substantially (down 25%). The cost-of-living and inflation has some employees questioning the value of going to the office, causing them to potentially choose between travelling to work or spending their time and money elsewhere.

Nearly seven out of 10 office workers now accept that 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. has been replaced by anytime working and four out of 10 are prone to ‘noise rage’ if colleagues are too loud.

Employers need to look more closely at the composition and interactions of their workforce, and at their life stages. Demographics are important. Younger cohorts wishing to meet peers in the workplace, as well as build a professional network, are more likely to be open to return to work than older colleagues already with a family and well-established networks who have got comfortable in their home office.

Participants in a roundtable suggested more “espresso offices” — a smaller, but a lot more powerful space for collaboration and “half the office space but twice the experience.” Some also suggested enhancing the experience and build company culture by design than simply reducing the office footprint.

One roundtable participant compared the office experience to that of a prestigious festival explaining that they “sell themselves on the total experience and on the heritage of the amazing acts playing there.” In a similar way, “the office needs to host great experiences every single day.”

The problem, however, is that many organizations remain weak at identifying key aspects of their culture and communicating their values through the environment. Unlocking ‘cultural content’ within a company and using that as the basis for storytelling around return to the office is an important challenge ahead, says Poly.

While some firms are struggling with this task, other organizations are rising to the challenge.

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