HP signs video conferencing deal

High-end telepresence services provider Hewlett-Packard has signed a strategic deal to sell video conferencing company Polycom's products.

HP is joining seven of Polycom's strategic partners, which include Microsoft, Juniper, Avaya, Broadsoft, IBM and Siemens, in a deal which boosts Polycom's position against its main competitor Cisco-Tandberg. The deal also broadens HP's reach in the video conferencing market.

Polycom has strengthened its partnerships following Cisco's planned acquisition of Polycom's main rival Tandberg which has been a key partner of HP.

"What's changed in the relationship is we've now chosen to go with Polycom," said Richard Skoba, director, Worldwide Strategy Unified Communication and Collaboration, HP Services.

HP's deal is a strategic one as Polycom and HP have relationships with Microsoft, Mr Skoba told Reuters.

HP and Microsoft have already, in 2009, launched a four-year project to deliver unified communications and collaboration services, and they expect to invest up to an additional $180 million in the initiative.

Copyright © Press Association 2010