Polycom Offers System for Managing Video Conferencing

Polycom Inc. yesterday introduced management software forcorporate video conferencing systems based on its ViewStation line of conferencing products. The Global Management System will let IT staff monitor video systems in real time, as well as monitor and control individual conferencing systems. The management software also includes a directory that can contain up to 50,000 IP addresses, ISDN numbers, and other information about video equipment on the corporate network.

As corporations consider distributing video conferencing systems at remote locations where IT staff may not be trained to support video applications, centralized management will become critical. The Global Management System lets managers view the conferencing systems on the network, monitor those being used in a given conference, and receive networks error reports. The software will start shipping in September and will cost about $250 per seat.