Polycom MGC/MGC+ Unified Conferencing Bridges Solution Overview Solution Overview Polycom, Inc. 4750 Willow Road Pleasanton, CA 94588 1.800.POLYCOM This document provides a high level overview of the Polycom MGC/MGC+ Unified Conferencing Bridges, including a brief product description of each video MCU platform, and focusing on end-user "ease of use" attributes inherent to the Polycom MGC bridge. A quick look at on-demand MGC "meeting rooms" is provided to illustrate how easy it can be for end users to initiate their own multimedia conferences, including an end user scenario based on a typical day of a Polycom employee, as well as a description of the "behind the scenes" technology that enables this function (Unified Conferencing Suite.) Polycom MGC/MGC+ Unified Conferencing Bridges Solution Overview TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview - Video Conference Network Infrastructure (sample diagram on page 4) ...... 3 Introduction ­ MGC/MGC+ Multipoint Unified Conferencing Bridges ............................... 5 Overview of MGC-25, MGC+50 and MGC+100 ................................................................... 6 Ease of Use with MGC/MGC+ Conferencing Bridges ......................................................... 7 Managing the MGC+ Conference Bridges with MGC Manager ....................................... 11 Summary ­ The Value Proposition of Deploying A Polycom Multipoint Conferencing Bridge .................................................................................................................................................... 12 Polycom, Inc. 4750 Willow Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588. 1.800.POLYCOM www.polycom.com Page 2 of 12 Polycom MGC/MGC+ Unified Conferencing Bridges Solution Overview Polycom MGC/MGC+ Unified Conferencing Bridges Solution Overview OVERVIEW - VIDEO CONFERENCE NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE (SAMPLE DIAGRAM ON PAGE 4) As companies continue to depend upon communication technologies to allow them to effectively utilize and leverage their employees, the deployment and use of multipoint videoconferencing is quickly becoming mainstream in many organizations. Until recently, owning and operating a multipoint video bridge (commonly referred to as an MCU) was too expensive and too technically complex for most organizations. Today, deploying a video MCU is not only much less expensive than only a few short years ago, but easier to deploy and manage as well, often taking advantage of an organization's existing IP network. Companies both large and small can benefit from video bridges designed specifically to meet their needs, from simple IP-only networks that are low-cost and focus on ease of use, to large, complex "unified" networks (voice, video, data over IP/ISDN/PSTN). These larger video networks may require not only basic bridging, gateway and gatekeeper functionality, but other functions such as seamless interoperability with legacy equipment, full redundancy, firewall traversal solutions, high levels of security and sophisticated management and scheduling tools, to name a few. Choosing the right conference network infrastructure products is an important first step towards building a reliable and high quality video conference network, with the video conference bridge providing the core of the conference network. This overview provides high level information on Polycom's unified conferencing bridges (MGC/MGC+) - please refer to product specific documentation for more information on other Polycom network infrastructure products. Polycom, Inc. 4750 Willow Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588. 1.800.POLYCOM www.polycom.com Page 3 of 12 Polycom MGC/MGC+ Unified Conferencing Bridges Solution Overview Sample ­ Video Conference Network Infrastructure Regional Offices Audio-Only Participants IP/SIP US Corporate Headquarters ISDN/ PSTN MGC-25 MGC+50 MGC+100 Partner Agency Polycom Unified Conferencing Bridges ReadiManager SE200 Scheduling and Management RSS 2000 Recording and Streaming IP IP Client Agency or Partner V2IU Firewall Traversal Streaming Clients Road Warrior Polycom, Inc. 4750 Willow Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588. 1.800.POLYCOM www.polycom.com Page 4 of 12 Polycom MGC/MGC+ Unified Conferencing Bridges Solution Overview INTRODUCTION ­ MGC/MGC+ MULTIPOINT UNIFIED CONFERENCING BRIDGES Polycom has a range of multipoint conferencing bridges which are purpose-built to meet the differing needs of small to large conferencing networks. The MGC/MGC+ platforms are unique in their ability to support voice, video and data ­ multipoint and gateway ­ scheduled and on-demand ­ over ISDN, IP, and VoIP/PSTN ­ including conference network management and scheduling software ­ on a single, flexible platform. The flexibility and scalability of the Polycom MGC platforms enables them to be positioned at the center of the conferencing network, and deliver a complete range of conference services without the need for additional external technology. It also ensures that users receive a consistent conferencing experience no matter how they connect, as the same single platform is delivering service to them. KEY COMPETITIVE DIFFERENTIATORS · Unsurpassed platform architecture with both hardware and software resource sharing · Superior flexibility and scalability with open slot chassis (MGC+50 and MGC+100) · Proven reliability ­ over 4000 MGCs shipped to date worldwide · Feature-rich conferencing services, for both audio and video conferences · Multiple security options, from the user and conference level to network level · Multiple call types ­ concurrent on-demand and scheduled conferencing The MGC+ is the market leader today in delivering voice, video, data and web conference integration across circuit switched and packet switched networks. This enables enterprises and service providers to implement a solution that can meet their conferencing needs today, and expand both in terms of capacity and media as their needs grow. MGC+100 MGC+50 MGC-25 Large Small Or Distributed Network Small/Medium Network Polycom, Inc. 4750 Willow Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588. 1.800.POLYCOM www.polycom.com Page 5 of 12 Polycom MGC/MGC+ Unified Conferencing Bridges Solution Overview OVERVIEW OF MGC-25, MGC+50 AND MGC+100 Polycom MGC-25 The MGC-25 is an economical and easy to use multi-network conferencing bridge, which while smaller in capacity than the MGC-50 and MGC-100, provides enormous value by supporting all the same features as the larger platforms. The MGC-25 is intended for either small bridging networks, such as work group environments, or large enterprise with distributed network requirements. Highlights · 2U, 19" closed chassis · Orderable in 10 pre-set configurations · Supports IP(SIP, H.323) and ISDN/PSTN · Capacity - Up to 24 IP ports @ 384kpbs · Fast Set Up Wizard · Continuous Presence and Video Transcoding · Virtual Meeting Rooms with entry queue "greet and guide" · IVR/DTMF conference management · Supports dial in, dial out, on-demand and scheduled conferencing Polycom MGC+50 (ReadiConvene) The Polycom MGC+50 multipoint conference bridges are high performance, highly scalable MCU and gateway platforms that are world-renowned for reliability and quality. The MGC+50 conference bridge solution, complete with integrated gateway, is targeted at general enterprise as well as specialized vertical markets (education, government, healthcare, financial, insurance, manufacturing, engineering, retail, etc.) who are looking for a robust and flexible conference bridge. Easy to install and deploy with the new "install wizard" and pre-configured "meeting rooms", the MGC-50 is suitable for mid-sized to large networks. As with all Polycom MGC platforms, the MGC+50 supports IP (SIP and H.323) and ISDN/PSTN on a single platform. Both the MGC+50 chassis and the MGC+100 chassis include an extra slot for the "IAM" module, which provides embedded voice/video conference management and scheduling software, comprised of the ReadiManager SE200 software suite. Highlights · Modular, 8 universal slot chassis · IP (SIP, H.323) ISDN/PSTN, integrated gateway · Up to 95 IP ports at 384kbps; 192 sites at 384K (e.g. 4 x audio+48, 4 x IP+48) in voice switched mode · Hot swap modules · Ease of use features include pre-configured virtual meeting rooms, with optional entry queues · IVR/DTMF conference management · Continuous Presence and Video Transcoding · Supports dial in, dial out, on-demand and scheduled conferencing Polycom MGC+100 (ReadiConvene) The Polycom MGC+100 multipoint conference bridge offers the utmost in scalability, reliability and redundancy, and is targeted towards large, growth-oriented enterprise and service provider customers. Both the MGC+50 and MGC+100 share the same features and functionality, with the MGC+100 offering twice the port capacity and redundant power. Both platforms also support High Definition video (up to 2Mbps). Polycom, Inc. 4750 Willow Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588. 1.800.POLYCOM www.polycom.com Page 6 of 12 Polycom MGC/MGC+ Unified Conferencing Bridges Solution Overview Highlights · Modular, 16 universal slot chassis · IP (SIP, H.323) ISDN/PSTN, integrated gateway · Up to 190 IP ports at 384kbps; 300 sites in voice switched mode @ 384kbps · Hot swap modules · Redundant power supplies · Hardware and software resource redundancy · Ease of use features include pre-configured virtual meeting rooms, with optional entry queues · IVR/DTMF conference management · Continuous Presence and Video Transcoding · Supports dial in, dial out, on-demand and scheduled conferencing Control Module 16 Universal Slots Hot-Swappable Self-Configuring Dynamic Resource Allocation 3 Power Supplies Hot-Swappable Load-Sharing Redundancy Integrated Application Module (IAM) MGC+100 Unified Conferencing Bridge EASE OF USE WITH MGC/MGC+ CONFERENCING BRIDGES Scheduled and On-Demand Conferencing The MGC platforms support multiple call scenarios, including both Scheduled and On-Demand (reservationless) conferencing. Both scenarios can be supported simultaneously on all platforms, with options for entry queues, password protection, and virtual "meeting rooms", which allow users to initiate an on-demand conference at any time, from any endpoint (audio or video). Many organizations have a need for scheduled conferencing, meaning both people and resources (rooms, endpoints, bridge resources) are confirmed in advance. Polycom has multiple options for scheduling, including MGC Manager (which is included with all MGC platforms), Polycom WebCommander (which allows for end user scheduling through a web-browser or Outlook) and Polycom ReadiManager SE200, an "all-in-one" network appliance that provides an integrated suite of management and scheduling applications on a single platform ­ gatekeeper, device management, scheduling and conference management. With on-demand conferencing, users initiate their own conferences without reserving MCU resources. Users can either dial the MGC directly ("meet me on the bridge"), or call individual end points directly ("conference on demand") to initiate the conference. Polycom, Inc. 4750 Willow Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588. 1.800.POLYCOM www.polycom.com Page 7 of 12 Polycom MGC/MGC+ Unified Conferencing Bridges Solution Overview On-Demand MGC "Meeting Rooms" MGC meeting rooms are pre-configured by the administrator, and assigned to individuals or groups. Meeting rooms do not use up resources on the bridge ­ they are dormant until activated. Users access the meeting room either by the assigned ISDN/PSTN number, or IP address (usually an H323 alias to enable easier dialing). Meeting rooms can be configured to include entry queues with IVR prompts for greetings, password/PIN entry, etc if required. When the first participant dials into the conference, the conference is automatically activated. Other participants may join the conference by dialing in. If dial-out participants are also defined for the conference, the system automatically dials out to these participants the moment the conference is activated. An IVR-enabled Meeting Room can be configured to start only when the chairperson connects to the Meeting Room. In such a case, participants connecting to the Meeting Room prior to the chairperson connection are placed on hold and hear background music (when available). If the chairperson does not connect in a predefined time period the conference is automatically terminated. The conference is automatically terminated when the last participant quits the conference, when the chairperson exits the conference or manually by the operator - or conference chair. IVR-enabled Meeting Room with Entry Queue PIN Polycom, Inc. 4750 Willow Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588. 1.800.POLYCOM www.polycom.com Page 8 of 12 Polycom MGC/MGC+ Unified Conferencing Bridges Solution Overview On-Demand Unified Conferencing ­ User Scenario Let's take a look at what "on-demand unified conferencing" means to a typical Polyco ...