8x8 offering SMBs new cloud-based video conferencing service

VoIP provider 8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ:EGHT) this week said it is targeting small and medium businesses with a new set of affordable, easy-to-use cloud-based video conferencing services.

8x8 said its "Virtual Room"will combine its SIP-based communications services with Polycom's UC Intelligent Core. The service will let customers add HD video conferencing as another extension to their regular hosted business communications from 8x8.

 "The (service) will make it even easier for SMBs to get the most life-like video experience with the highest uptime," said Sue Hayden, executive vice president at Polycom. "The combination of Polycom's state of the art video technology with 8x8's high quality hosted IP communications services will provide SMBs with a unique and compelling opportunity to benefit from the same productivity and economic advantages enjoyed by larger enterprises using high-end telepresence systems. By offering UC Everywhere to the SMB market in a new cloud-based model, SMBs will have an unsurpassed experience that is affordable and easy to operate and not dependent on on-site IT resources to manage."

The 8x8 service, which comes with a fixed monthly fee for unlimited use, eliminates the need for the customer to configure firewalls, open ports or utilize public IP addresses due to its advanced, built-in NAT/firewall traversal technologies.

"The SMB market is ripe for a practical, high performance video conferencing solution that is easy to install, manage, and use, yet doesn't cost a fortune," said Ira Weinstein, senior analyst and partner at Wainhouse Research. "The combination of 8x8's IP communications services and Polycom's video conferencing products will address these requirements nicely, and should resonate quite well in the underserved SMB market."

For more:
- see this release

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