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Hitachi Cable, Ltd. has announced that it has begun selling new equipment for next-generation multipoint videoconferencing as of April 25, 2007: the "Polycom RMX 2000 Media Conferencing Platform" (referred to as "Polycom RMX 2000" hereinafter) manufactured by Polycom Inc. US, (headquarters: California, United States) and Conference@Adapter, an appliance server*1 compatible with Polycom RMX 2000 and supporting integrated operation and management of the multipoint videoconferencing system.

Polycom RMX 2000, which Hitachi Cable has now begun to sell, is a server for multipoint videoconferencing based on basic next-generation design. This highly reliable server incorporates AdvancedTCA *2, the industry standard specification for telecommunications equipment. In addition, the machine offers high extensibility in compliance with IMS *3, a protocol that has been standardized for transmitting image and sound data over the NGN (next generation network).

A single Polycom RMX 2000 unit can connect up to 80 videoconferencing terminals *4 and can host two or more videoconferences at the same time. Polycom RMX 2000 also supports HD (high definition) technology, ensuring high-quality videoconferencing.

On the other hand, Conference@Adapter is an integrated management appliance server for multipoint videoconferencing systems. Hitachi Cable has developed this device based on the notion that anyone should be easily able to hold a videoconference. Conference@Adapter is compatible with the Polycom RMX 2000 multipoint videoconference connection server and with the Polycom MGC series.

The user can make reservations using intuitive operations on a PC screen for two or more videoconference terminals that are to take part in the conference. When the reserved time arrives, Conference@Adapter connects the terminals to the multipoint videoconference connection server, and the user can promptly begin the conference *5. As the screen displays the connection and power supply status of the videoconference terminals scheduled to join the conference, measures can be taken smoothly in the event the connection fails.

In addition, Conference@Adapter can be customized according to the customer's needs, such as setting different operational permissions for each user and changing the operation menu according to the conditions of use. As such, with its conference reservation function and integrated management of the connected videoconference terminals, Conference@Adapter reduces the burden on both the user and the administrator in the multipoint videoconferencing system and mitigates the cost of operating this system.

Combining Polycom RMX 2000 and Conference@Adapter makes it possible to hold a multipoint conference easily and stably with high video quality, using IP networks such as corporate networks and the Internet. This combination is thus expected to find wide introduction in a variety of businesses as well as in a wide range of applications, including medical and educational services in remote areas.

Hitachi Cable has been developing and manufacturing network devices, including Ethernet switches, since the 1980s, with sales of network systems to customers ranging from universities to government and other public offices. Taking advantage of this experience and expertise, Hitachi Cable has been selling videoconferencing systems as a sales agent of Polycom Inc. US since 2000 and has accumulated a wealth of integrating techniques. Since 2006, Hitachi Cable has been providing videoconferencing solutions to its customers as a Platinum Reseller *6.

Based on this track record, before beginning sales of Polycom RMX 2000, Hitachi Cable joined a demonstration experiment of the prototype Polycom RMX 2000 conducted by Polycom Inc. US as a beta test customer. Only nine companies worldwide took part in this experiment, with Hitachi Cable as the only representative from the Asian region. In the experiment, we evaluated the system in an environment close to that of realistic operations, contributing to the experiment with feedback on the types of videoconferencing environments that Japanese customers demand.

Hitachi Cable will add Polycom RMX 2000 and Conference@Adapter to its line of videoconferencing systems, taking advantage of its experience in the demonstration experiment to offer proposals tailored to the diverse needs of its customers. In doing so, Hitachi Cable will continue in its efforts to expand its share of the videoconferencing market.

*1	An appliance server is a server dedicated for a specific function.
*2	AdvancedTCA (Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture) is the industry standard specification for telecommunications equipment. It adopts a basic modular design with superior reliability, serviceability, and extensibility. AdvancedTCA is a registered trademark of PICMG (PCI Industrial Computers Manufacturers Group), US.
*3	IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) is a core technology for implementing the next generation network. This basic design is standardized under 3GPP (the Third Generation Partnership Project, a standardization project for the third-generation mobile telecommunications system) to provide image and sound in an IP-based packet network.
*4	In addition to the 80 videoconferencing terminals, the system can connect 320 voice-only conference terminals, for a total of 400 terminals.
*5	The automatic connection from Conference@Adapter to a videoconferencing terminal functions when the power to the videoconferencing terminal is on. If the power to the terminal is off, it is also possible to configure the system to allow automatic connection once the power is turned on.
*6	Platinum Reseller is a sales agent categorized to fulfill the highest requirements concerning product sales and technical support as defined by Polycom Inc. US. According to Polycom Inc., only three companies, including Hitachi Cable, are approved as Platinum Resellers.