If you didnt see it already, Skype is now support HD in their latest beta code, supporting 720P resolution:
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,39967077,00.htm
This is not surprising. With the advent of lots of cheap horsepower in x86 chipsets, why would one need a DSP based system...much less a single purpose codec.
So..here's my simple prediction for 2010... this will be the decade of video conferencing switching off of single purpose DSP driven codec designs. This seems like a turn of events...i.e. at the start of the last decade Picturetel moved to Windows based systems...and then by 2004, PLCM was abandoning the iPower windows based systems in favor the VSX line. But... now that x86 has lots of power, software has gotten a lot better, and most people expect lots of functionality..you just cant go with a single purpose system.
So...long with that... I also predict that a ton of cloud based services will come out for conferencing. Why should customers buy and operate the infrastructure when they can have it sit in the cloud, saving them both bandwidth, capex, and opex.
Wow...really deep predictions I know ;-) .. but they do have serious consequences for hardware mfgs like PLCM and TAA.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Bold changes going on at PLCM
Today started out with several people returning happy from the holiday break and finding a pink slip on their desk. I only have preliminary info so far, but for certain many in video product marketing were let go.
And in a bold move..or maybe a strange move...or lets just call it unexpected... marketing is now under Andy Miller. While I get the logic... i.e. sales needs full control over marketing in this very heated battle going on against Tandberg... if you look at most companies, its not typical for marketing to be under sales unless you're at a less than $100M company. So be it... its their strategy and hopefully they dont get distracted by it... if you know what I mean.
My condolences to those laid off. BTW... I do run a LinkedIn group called "Polycom Alumni"...if you're a past employee, please join our group!
And in a bold move..or maybe a strange move...or lets just call it unexpected... marketing is now under Andy Miller. While I get the logic... i.e. sales needs full control over marketing in this very heated battle going on against Tandberg... if you look at most companies, its not typical for marketing to be under sales unless you're at a less than $100M company. So be it... its their strategy and hopefully they dont get distracted by it... if you know what I mean.
My condolences to those laid off. BTW... I do run a LinkedIn group called "Polycom Alumni"...if you're a past employee, please join our group!
Google vs Apple
Happy New Year!
I know this is off topic..but it struck me as weird when I saw the following google logo this morning:
I know this is off topic..but it struck me as weird when I saw the following google logo this morning:
If you go there today and watch..the logo is animated and an apple falls off the branch down to the bottom of the screen.
So..do you suppose this is a funny little jab that the apple is going to fall from the tree. I.e. Google is going to upsurp Apple in the mobile phone business? I'm also guessing that since Apple is long waited to release a tablet style device that maybe Google is going to upstage them by releasing one too. Heck...its quite obvious that with Chromium OS that Google is going to go directly after Apple by releasing very simple, very fast, very cheap, very full function devices that are dependent on the cloud.
Should be interesting to watch this playout.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Bob's golden parachute is modified
Yesterday brought us a 8K filing from Polycom:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112660&p=irol-SECText&TEXT=aHR0cDovL2NjYm4uMTBrd2l6YXJkLmNvbS94bWwvZmlsaW5nLnhtbD9yZXBvPXRlbmsmaXBhZ2U9NjY2NTkxNyZhdHRhY2g9T04mc1hCUkw9MQ%3d%3d
Looks like they have ammended Bob's golden parachute to pay him immediately instead of with an installment plan if he is terminated. The 8k says its for tax reasons... but you think about 2ms about it.... if they are sitting there spending time thinking about Bob's severance agreement... they are probably doing that in preparation of Bob leaving.
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112660&p=irol-SECText&TEXT=aHR0cDovL2NjYm4uMTBrd2l6YXJkLmNvbS94bWwvZmlsaW5nLnhtbD9yZXBvPXRlbmsmaXBhZ2U9NjY2NTkxNyZhdHRhY2g9T04mc1hCUkw9MQ%3d%3d
Looks like they have ammended Bob's golden parachute to pay him immediately instead of with an installment plan if he is terminated. The 8k says its for tax reasons... but you think about 2ms about it.... if they are sitting there spending time thinking about Bob's severance agreement... they are probably doing that in preparation of Bob leaving.
Me
Well, I have changed positions and employers. I am now working for 3com. For those who know me personally, you probably already know why I left NET. I am back to my roots of working with network transport. 3com also is fairly strong in security and in Voice as well.
As you know, HP & 3com are working on a merger so with that I will cease talking about what I think HP is going to do. Same with 3com. Unless its public information, I wont be posting.
But, lets just say, I'm pretty bullish on what HP & 3com are going to do as they go up against Cisco.
As you know, HP & 3com are working on a merger so with that I will cease talking about what I think HP is going to do. Same with 3com. Unless its public information, I wont be posting.
But, lets just say, I'm pretty bullish on what HP & 3com are going to do as they go up against Cisco.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sorry to see you go Sunil
http://phoenix.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112660&p=irol-SECText&TEXT=aHR0cDovL2NjYm4uMTBrd2l6YXJkLmNvbS94bWwvZmlsaW5nLnhtbD9yZXBvPXRlbmsmaXBhZ2U9NjYyNjM1MiZhdHRhY2g9T04mc1hCUkw9MQ%3d%3d
"On November 25, 2009, Polycom, Inc. (“Polycom” or the “Company”) entered into a Severance Agreement with Sunil K. Bhalla, the Company’s former Senior Vice President and General Manager, Voice Communications Solutions. Pursuant to the terms of the Severance Agreement, Mr. Bhalla will resign his employment with the Company effective the earlier of (1) February 28, 2010 or (2) the date on which Mr. Bhalla commences a full-time job for another employer prior to February 28, 2010. During the interim period, Mr. Bhalla will no longer serve as an officer of the Company and will be on paid time off and notice through February 28, 2010, or such earlier date upon which Mr. Bhalla commences a full-time job for another employer. Robert C. Hagerty, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, will continue Mr. Bhalla’s duties as Interim General Manager of the Voice Division.
"On November 25, 2009, Polycom, Inc. (“Polycom” or the “Company”) entered into a Severance Agreement with Sunil K. Bhalla, the Company’s former Senior Vice President and General Manager, Voice Communications Solutions. Pursuant to the terms of the Severance Agreement, Mr. Bhalla will resign his employment with the Company effective the earlier of (1) February 28, 2010 or (2) the date on which Mr. Bhalla commences a full-time job for another employer prior to February 28, 2010. During the interim period, Mr. Bhalla will no longer serve as an officer of the Company and will be on paid time off and notice through February 28, 2010, or such earlier date upon which Mr. Bhalla commences a full-time job for another employer. Robert C. Hagerty, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, will continue Mr. Bhalla’s duties as Interim General Manager of the Voice Division.
Pursuant to the terms of the Severance Agreement. Mr. Bhalla (1) will receive a severance payment in the amount of $326,667 (equivalent to approximately 10 months’ base salary), less applicable withholdings, payable in two installments; (2) will receive executive outplacement services for a period of twelve months, which are valued at approximately $9,500; and (3) has agreed to a non-solicitation of Polycom employees provision for a period of one year following the termination of his employment."
Everyone that knew Sunil certainly liked him. Its too bad he is leaving under these circumstances. I hope he lands somewhere quickly and makes it through whatever issues he is going through.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Kudos to the taa shareholders
Wow...again...wow! I honestly thought it was a bluff. Who in their mind would want to try to bluff Cisco to increasing the bid for a buyout...but they did. CSCO's M&A is very successful. They've bought at least 100 companies:
http://investor.cisco.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=424298
Lets say, they are no dummies. but...looks like CSCO is giving up another 400M.
I honestly thought that CSCO would walk away and call their bluff. You have to look at it this way, they are going to buy another 100 companies...TAA is just one of many... when this is your MO, you cant show fear. This deal could affect not only how CSCO prices acquiring companies, but also how acquired companies will negotiate for years to come. That $400M could turn into $Bs of dollars in extra costs for future acquisitions.
http://investor.cisco.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=424298
Lets say, they are no dummies. but...looks like CSCO is giving up another 400M.
I honestly thought that CSCO would walk away and call their bluff. You have to look at it this way, they are going to buy another 100 companies...TAA is just one of many... when this is your MO, you cant show fear. This deal could affect not only how CSCO prices acquiring companies, but also how acquired companies will negotiate for years to come. That $400M could turn into $Bs of dollars in extra costs for future acquisitions.
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