Service provider 8×8 has launched a new cloud-based videoconferencing service based on 8×8’s voice and video IP service platform together with Polycom’s UC Intelligent Core software platform. The 8×8 Virtual Room service is available in three tiers supporting low, standard and high definition telepresence video. 8×8 Virtual Room is one of four cloud-based services the company offers, adding to its existing portfolio of VoIP, video, contact center and hosting services.
8×8 Virtual Room’s cloud architecture allows up to 20 participants to join from any worldwide location just by clicking on a Web page or dialing a regular 10-digit phone number. Within a Virtual Room conference, everyone can see and be seen by all other participants in the same Virtual Room.
ANALYSIS: Will videoconferencing replace the telephone?
The 8×8 Virtual Room services are enabled by the Polycom UC Intelligent Core software platform, which manages the video collaboration behind the scenes. Virtual Room allows access to the conference from any location over the public Internet using any Web browser from Polycom VVX business media phones or Polycom HDX video solutions. No software downloads are required to use the service. Subscribers can use 8×8’s unified communications technologies to schedule, initiate and manage multi-point conference meetings, allowing participants to join via audio or video.
Flat rate pricing starts at $199 per month and ranges up to $499 a month (depending on configuration) although customers who subscribe before September 30, 2011 are eligible for promotional pricing at $99 per month for the first year of service.
Commenting in a statement, Bryan Martin, chairman and CEO of 8×8, said, “We are excited to collaborate with Polycom to bring our next-generation, cloud-based video conferencing solution to market with so many cutting-edge differentiators, including increased accessibility and reliability, ease of use, and of course, cost savings. The Virtual Room solution makes powerful visual communication a new reality for thousands of businesses who previously lacked the technical and financial resources needed to integrate the technology into their operations.”
Susan Hayden, executive vice president at Polycom, also commented, saying, “Polycom is committed to delivering compelling, cloud-based video collaboration solutions like 8×8 Virtual Room to SMBs. Virtual Room is a great example of a Polycom partner solution that offers SMBs affordable, secure, open-standard and high-quality video solutions on demand.”
A video discussing more about the service is available here.
