Masergy Launches Polycom Phone Rental Program For Enterprises

Managed services provider Masergy is pushing a coordinated strategy to focus on unified communications as a service (UCaaS) to migrate voice services to the cloud. On Wednesday, the Plano, Texas-based vendor launched a new Polycom phone rental program for enterprises.

In an interview, Dean Manzoori, vice president of cloud communications at Masergy, said enterprises are paying increasing attention unified communications because it's a way to boost productivity.

Through the rental program, Masergy will provide midmarket and enterprise clients a way to deploy UCaaS and avoid capital expenditure, Manzoori said.

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"As a true UCaaS solution, it's one flat rate that includes the price of the rate and the service. There is no upfront cost and they start paying on a monthly basis," said Manzoori. "We've seen many of our prospects not wanting to own phones."

The rental program includes Polycom's line of VVX series HD phones. Two recent additions include the Polycom VVX 300/310, an entry-level business media phone with six programmable line keys for low-to-moderate call volumes; and the Polycom VVX 400/410, a mid-range media phone equipped with 12 programmable keys and a 3.5" color display screen.

The latest Polycom 500 and 600 models are equipped with video capability, said Manzoori.

"Now clients can have video calling, not just the phone itself. And it's enhanced with our solution," he said. "Some clients have large video rooms in two different offices, but now, most people can have it at their desks and have the same experience."

UCaaS is good for the channel because it can let VARs add value and solve customer challenges, Manzoori told CRN. Masergy sees opportunity in providing support and management expertise for UCaaS.

"If they want to continue to stay in business they need to listen to customers," Manzoori said of VARs. "The focus has to remain on providing your solutions that make customers more productive, leveraging the latest technologies and tying services to make sure the customers can use that in the way to benefit their business."