Paul Arens of Polycom Talk About Polycom VVX Phones

Earlier this month Polycom announced the release of four new Polycom VVX Business Media phones and two expansion modules that work with all but one all of the VVX models. These new models helped to round out the VVX Business Media phone line by adding entry level and mid-level phones. They also marked the latest chapter in what has been a busy year for line. To get a better overview of the Polycom VVX Business Media phones VVX Phone Guide and what benefits users can expect from them I sat down with Paul Arens, Polycom National Channel Manager, to talk all things VVX.

VoIP Supply – While many people may be familiar with the Polycom SoundPoint phones, they may not be as familiar with the Polycom VVX phones. Would you be able to provide a quick summary of what separates the VVX phones.

Paul Arens – Polycom VVX endpoints unify voice, video and applications capabilities into an easy to use business media phone. Building on our past experience with the SoundPoint phones, the VVX Series utilize a new intuitive user interface that’s designed to improve productivity and business workflows.  Polycom VVX devices are the ideal, all-in-one desktop productivity tools making high-performance collaboration as simple as a phone call.

VS – What are all of the VVX Business Media Phones and who are their targeted users?
PA – Polycom VVX 1500 is a videoconference-enabled business media phone with a touch screen. It provides busy professionals with lifelike unified communications.
The VVX 600 enhances productivity and enriches collaboration with the ultimate, all-in-one, one-touch desktop UC solution designed specifically for executives, managers and knowledge workers.
The Polycom VVX 500 business media phone is designed for today’s busy managers and knowledge workers. It is a powerful yet intuitive office phone that can keep up with their multitasking and schedule juggling.
The VVX 400/410 are color 12-line mid-range Business Media Phones are for today’s office workers and call attendants who depend on crystal clear communications. They provide your call attendant with a high-quality, cost effective UC solution that will handle their call volume and provide them with the advanced telephony features they expect from a modern media phone.
The VVX 300/310 are powerful 6-line entry-level Business Media Phones are for today’s cubicle workers that handle a low to moderate volume of calls and need crystal clear communications.
The VVX Camera empowers knowledge workers, and executives to collaborate interactively with the best in class personal video communications experience with high definition 720p resolution.
With the VVX Expansion Module (Color and Monochrome) you can give your busy telephone attendants, receptionists, administrative assistants and secretaries the ability to handle high volumes of concurrent incoming calls with ease.

VS – With the Polycom VVX 500 and VVX 600 you have the option of adding the Polycom VVX Camera to turn the phones into video phones. How do you think people could benefit from desktop video conferencing on their VVX phone?
PA – With the Polycom VVX Camera, your existing VVX device becomes an immediate, desktop resource for true HD video conferencing without the costly external equipment or installation costs of traditional video conferencing solutions. The Polycom VVX Camera enables you to connect to video-conference bridges and fully participate in video conferences, right from your desk-phone. This eliminates the need to purchase, manage, and maintain additional video devices while giving employees the benefits of visual communications right at their desk.

VS – As well as the optional VVX Camera there are also two optional Expansion Modules, what are the added benefits of using these Expansion Modules?
PA – Both Expansion Modules offer a great way for telephone attendants and other “power users” who manage multiple simultaneous telephone calls and to dramatically expand the number of lines they control. The expansion module allows users to visualize when lines are busy and to effectively route calls to their optimal destinations instantly.

VS – The VVX phones have an improved Business Media Phones might make the phones seem a bit overkill for some users needs. If you were just looking for a desktop phone and weren’t interested in all of the integration capabilities, would you still recommend people look at the VVX Business Media Phones?
PA – Absolutely yes. While it’s true that not every business is ready to make the jump into using video in all their internal communications, the VVX phones are designed to improve productivity and business workflows with their rich visual organization system. Business that are interested in improving productivity and simplifies operations should look closely at the VVX phone line.

VS – How can companies benefit from Polycom Zero Touch Provisioning on VVX phones?
PA – Companies benefit from Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) because it reduces the time, effort, expense and frustration that can come from the traditional telephone deployment process. ZTP removes the need to “open the box” at a distribution center or send skilled technicians to the customer site. ZTP preloads information through a phone UI or web interface. Customers have a fast and simple deployment process allowing them to be productive with their new telephone in a matter of minutes.