Polycom QSX Dimensions

The Wainhouse Research Bulletin
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Editor’s Note: The following article is an excerpt from The Wainhouse Research Bulletin Vol. 6
#15. To gain access to the complete archived issue or to subscribe for free to receive future
issues, visit www.wainhouse.com/bulletin.Andrew W. Davis, [email protected]
Polycom Intro’s Voice+Content
Polycom has announced QSX, a Voice+Content solution that enables anyone using a Polycom
conference phone (1.7 million shipped) to easily and securely share computer content with
remote meeting participants. QSX enables fast, ad-hoc content sharing for anyone in the
conference call without requiring special software
applications, on-going usage fees, or document uploading.
QSX is a small appliance that handles meetings with up to 15
participant locations. The device connects to the conference
phone, projector, and the Internet and after that handles all
the protocols transparently and instantly. A small pod sits on
the table top for laptop VGA connections and for control.
Participants see content in one of two ways: QSX-enabled
rooms (up to 5) see the content automatically though the
room's projector or display system; locations without QSX
(up to 10) can see the content through a standard, Java-
enabled web browser.
Since the presenter connects simply with a VGA cable,
anyone who walks into the room can present content instantly to everyone on the call, even if
they are a visitor using a Macintosh without any individual access to the LAN. QSX enables
people to show virtually any type of computer content instantly and to show changes, or switch
applications as the meeting progresses. QSX is manageable through an individual admin web
page or through Polycom Global Management System. The MSRP is $1,299 for the VTX 1000
compatible version and $1,599 for other Polycom phones.
Here’s What I Think: This is one of the more interesting and innovative announcements I’ve
seen over the past few years. In short, the QSX allows you to bring data into the picture with
the ease of use of a standard telephone – you can share a PC screen by just dialing a Polycom
conference phone – it’s as simple as that. The unit works across NAT-firewalls (QSX uses port
80) and multipoint audio bridges. Set up is very fast, and the connection was flawless and high
performance in the demo I attended. And you don’t need a user account (or training) to use the
device, or any client software running on your PC. I give Polycom credit for designing a web
conferencing system that has minimalist controls, but is still likely to meet the needs of most
users and presenters. While WebEx and Glance offer great desktop solutions, the QSX thrust is
really a bit different – the conference room, or any room that is SoundStation enabled. In
addition, QSX offers a CPE solution in contrast to most of the web conferencing services, but
this is CPE that won’t tax the IT team. I have no idea what QSX stands for, but I’m glad
Polycom decided to not call the product ShowStation II. QSX looks like a real winner.
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The Wainhouse Research Bulletin Page-1 Vol. 6 #15, April 26, 2005