Polycom Video Products Division – Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
ViewStation 2004 Product Line Transition
Intended for Polycom Sales Teams and Channel Partners
Including
ViewStation SP 384
ViewStation 128
ViewStation H.323
ViewStation MP
2004, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved. Polycom and the Polycom logo design are registered trademarks. ViewStation, iPower, VSX,
People+Content, Siren 14 are all trademarks of Polycom, Inc. in various countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
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Rev 1.2 Modified 2/27/04
Polycom Video Products Division – Frequently Asked Questions
Purpose of this document:
The purpose of this document is to detail the ViewStation product line transition that is planned for 2004.
This document will give a clear understanding of which models are affected and alternative models that
meet similar functionality specifications.
Intended audience of this document:
The intended audience for this FAQ document is Polycom sales teams and Polycom Channel Partners.
This document is not intended to be distributed to end users.
2004, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved. Polycom and the Polycom logo design are registered trademarks. ViewStation, iPower, VSX,
People+Content, Siren 14 are all trademarks of Polycom, Inc. in various countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
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Rev 1.2 Modified 2/27/04
Polycom Video Products Division – Frequently Asked Questions
ViewStation 2004 Product Line Transition Questions
(1) Is the entire ViewStation line being discontinued?
Answer: No. Polycom is simply giving advance notice that we will stop taking orders on some older
model ViewStations.
(2) Which models are impacted?
Answer: This varies slightly by geographical region based on market demand.
• ViewStation SP 384 (except EMEA)
• ViewStation 128 (except Asia, China, Japan and CALA)
• ViewStation H.323 (all regions)
• ViewStation MP (all regions)
See the Product Bulletins for your region that specifically outline which products and part numbers
are impacted.
(3) What’s driving this decision?
Answer: Polycom sales teams, channel partners and end users have provided feedback to
Polycom asking for a simplification of the Polycom video product line. In addition, technology
advancements and new product introductions from Polycom offer higher performance and more
competitive features (H.264, Siren 14 audio and People+Content). Polycom will focus more sales
and marketing efforts on the current product line. (See chart on page 6.)
(4) How does this transition plan help the ViewStation product line?
Answer: Now, across the current group product line, Polycom provides strength and focus with
some very key features.
•
•
•
•
•
•
H.264 video support
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) capability
Internal multi-point capability
XGA showing of content from a laptop
10/100 (Auto sensing/Auto switching) Ethernet support
2 Mbps IP support
(5) How does this help our channel partner?
Answer:
•
•
•
•
•
These changes make it easier to discuss “best-fit” products with end users.
Our channel partners have requested a simpler product line for some time.
Simplified lineup with fewer models, price-points and software platforms.
Eliminates clutter in the product line and clarifies our messaging and positioning.
Our channel partners will have a stronger, more focused, competitive product
offering.
2004, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved. Polycom and the Polycom logo design are registered trademarks. ViewStation, iPower, VSX,
People+Content, Siren 14 are all trademarks of Polycom, Inc. in various countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
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Rev 1.2 Modified 2/27/04
Polycom Video Products Division – Frequently Asked Questions
(6) What is the timeline for this product transition announcement?
Answer: Polycom partners are scheduled to be notified Tuesday, March 2nd through the Polycom
Partner Post and through postings on the Polycom Resource Center. There will be no general
announcement to end users. Instead, end users should be notified via Polycom Sales and/or
Polycom Channel Partners on an as-needed basis when planning customer purchases and
deployments.
(7) Does that mean I can share this information with my customers now?
Answer: No. Polycom is giving our channel partners advance notice of this transition plan to allow
time for inventory transition plans to be enacted, to fulfill product needs for long-term projects and to
assist your customers with install base transition and growth plans. Public communication of this
information should take place no sooner than April 30, 2004.
(8) What is the date on which all final orders for these products will be accepted by Polycom?
Answer: June 30, 2004
(9) When will Polycom stop shipping these models?
Answer: Unless there is an unforecasted demand in Q2 2004 for product, Polycom expects final
shipments of these systems to occur by July, 2004.
(10) Will Polycom continue to release new software for these models?
Answer: No. ViewStation Release 7.5 is the last software update that will be offered for these
models.
(11) Will Polycom stop servicing these models in July 2004?
Answer: No. Polycom will generally make Service Offerings available at Polycom’s then current
prices for a period of five years following final delivery of Polycom Products.
(12) How long will Service and Support be available for these products?
Answer: Polycom will generally make Service Offerings available through July 2009 at Polycom’s
then current prices. Polycom will endeavor to give Service Partner one (1) year prior written notice of
Polycom's intent to terminate service for any Polycom Product then under a Partner Service Program.
(13) How will warranty returns be handled?
Answer: There is no change in warranty policy based on this announcement and warranty returns
will be handled according to the current policy. Polycom has manufactured a supply of units to
support any system returns over the life of existing warranties.
(14) What are the recommended replacement models?
In place of offering
a…
ViewStation SP 384
ViewStation 323
ViewStation 128
ViewStation MP
…offer this product as a better fit…
ViewStation VSX 7000 or ViewStation EX
ViewStation VSX 7000 or ViewStation EX
ViewStation SP 128, VSX 7000 or ViewStation EX
ViewStation EX MP or ViewStation FX
2004, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved. Polycom and the Polycom logo design are registered trademarks. ViewStation, iPower, VSX,
People+Content, Siren 14 are all trademarks of Polycom, Inc. in various countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
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Rev 1.2 Modified 2/27/04
Polycom Video Products Division – Frequently Asked Questions
(15) What is the “current” Polycom Product line?
Answer:
ViaVideo II
ViewStation SP 128
VSX 7000
ViewStation EX
ViewStation FX
VS4000
iPower 9000 series
Polycom Media Center Solutions and Executive Collection
Business Quality Video
Conferencing Solutions from Polycom
Executive Collection
VS4000, iPower 9800
ViewStation® EX
and FX
iPower™ 9800
VSX™ 7000
ViewStation®
SP 128
ViaVideo® II
From the Desktop to the Board Room
Desktop
SOHO/SME
Entry
Mainstream
Group
Performance
2004, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved. Polycom and the Polycom logo design are registered trademarks. ViewStation, iPower, VSX,
People+Content, Siren 14 are all trademarks of Polycom, Inc. in various countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
5
Rev 1.2 Modified 2/27/04
