LifeSize,
a division of Logitech (Nasdaq: LOGI) (SIX: LOGN), today announced the
expansion of its rich video collaboration offerings through qualified
interoperability with Microsoft
Office Communications Server 2007 R2. Customers can now experience
seamless video calling across the enterprise by connecting LifeSize
video systems in conference rooms and meeting spaces to the PC, and vice
versa, delivering a unified communications (UC) experience.
“LifeSize delivered the first HD
video conferencing system in 2005, the first sub-$2,500 HD video
product in 2009, and our commitment to innovation is realized today in
yet another first – delivering on our promise to reach true
interoperability across UC platforms,” said Craig Malloy, chief
executive officer of LifeSize and Logitech senior vice president.
“Through LifeSize and Logitech’s relationship with Microsoft and deep
dedication to UC, we’re delivering on our vision to extend high quality
communication capabilities to anyone, anywhere.”
LifeSize®
Team 220™ is qualified within the Microsoft Office Communications
Server platform. This is the first of many qualifications LifeSize is
pursuing for video systems including LifeSize®
Passport™, LifeSize®
Room 220™ and LifeSize®
Express 220™. These products are on track to reach full Microsoft
qualification status in calendar year 2011.
“Microsoft is pleased to be working with Logitech and LifeSize as a
qualified partner to offer customers more comprehensive UC solutions
through interoperability with Microsoft Office Communications Server and
soon, Microsoft Lync,” said Yancey Smith, director of product management
for Lync at Microsoft Corp. “The combination of LifeSize technology with
Microsoft UC platforms will enable customers to extend their video
conferencing ecosystems from the desktop to the boardroom, and
everywhere in between.”
LifeSize solution qualification for Microsoft OCS 2007 R2 includes
support for:
-
Authentication and Encryption (TLS/SRTP) for secure, reliable
communications
-
Firewall/NAT
Traversal via Microsoft Edge Services to ensure issue-free calling
outside organizations
-
Auto-configuration of systems as they are registered to Microsoft
Office Communications Server, helping simplify deployment to users
-
Unified presence status with the ability to place and receive calls
from one Office Communications Server account between multiple devices
(PC or a LifeSize system)
-
Addition of LifeSize systems to contact lists in the Microsoft Office
Communicator view and vice versa
-
Easy placement of calls from LifeSize systems to third-party systems
within the Microsoft OCS 2007 R2 environment, using commonly supported
video and audio codecs
Today, customers are able to make calls between Microsoft Office
Communications Server 2007 R2 desktops and LifeSize
endpoints, ensuring genuine, face to face interaction within their
existing Microsoft environment and workflow. Later in calendar year
2011, LifeSize will seek qualification to interoperate with Microsoft
Lync. This flexible interoperability will also enable customers
to upgrade from Microsoft Office Communications Server to Lync on their
terms. Moreover, LifeSize has licensed the Microsoft RTVideo codec and
is planning a future server-based product to enable high-definition
interoperability between Microsoft Lync and LifeSize video
systems. Later in calendar year 2011, LifeSize will seek Microsoft Lync
qualification with true HD interoperability.
Along with this portfolio of enterprise video conferencing products from
its LifeSize division, Logitech
offers a wide range of Microsoft Lync-optimized video communications
solutions to businesses to help them maximize the benefits of their UC
investments. Logitech plans to introduce new Lync-optimized corded
headsets and webcams in the first half of 2011 and currently offers the
following UC offerings optimized for Microsoft Lync:
-
Logitech® B910 HD Webcam is available now in the U.S. and Europe for
$99.99 (U.S.)
-
Logitech® B530 USB Headset is available now in the U.S. and Europe for
$49.99 (U.S.)
"LifeSize and Microsoft solutions play a vital role in our existing and
future unified communications strategy," said Tom Umphress, information
services director at Globe University/Minnesota School of Business.
"We're consistently benefiting from improved communication, increased
collaboration and significant ROI based on existing LifeSize and
Microsoft solutions and we look forward to taking advantage of the
expanded offerings from two of our most valued technology partners."
Pricing and Availability
-
LifeSize system software to support Microsoft OCS 2007 R2 is now
globally available for download
Additional Resources
LifeSize
Team 220 datasheet
Unified
Communications Interoperability Forum (UCIF)
LifeSize
Blog: VideoConferencingSpot.com
About LifeSize Communications
LifeSize is a pioneer and world leader in high-definition video
collaboration. Designed to make video conferencing truly universal, our
full range of open standards-based systems offer enterprise-class,
IT-friendly technologies that enable genuine human interaction over any
distance. Founded in 2003 and acquired by Logitech in 2009, LifeSize,
with its commitment to relentless innovation, continues to extend the
highest-quality video conferencing capabilities to anyone, anywhere. For
more information, visit www.lifesize.com.
Note to editors: Photos available at www.lifesize.com/press/media_kit
LifeSize, the LifeSize logo and other LifeSize marks are trademarks or
registered trademarks of LifeSize Communications Inc. Logitech, the
Logitech logo, and other Logitech marks are registered in Switzerland
and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
