New Polycom’s Video-Enabled Carts For Education Sectors

 Polycom, Inc. has announced the availability of the Polycom RealPresence Utility Cart 500 and the Polycom RealPresence EduCart 500 in India – two new video-enabled solutions, designed specifically for use in the enterprise and education sectors.

 These packaged solutions from Polycom are standalone units, which allow users to easily bring High Definition room-based video conferencing and content sharing to a variety of locations beyond a dedicated conference room. The units have been designed to provide an affordable, mobile solution for customers looking to implement video collaboration in any available space of their choice across their business or education environment. In addition, the carts can be customised with peripherals such as HD document cameras or projectors, for use in detailed inspections and presentations. 

 “More organisations and industries now demand to use video collaboration outside the conference room, and have it embedded into their operational and business processes,” said Tony Sandberg, Director, Industry Solutions and Market Development, Polycom Asia Pacific. “Technology solutions such as the Polycom Utility Cart 500 and EduCart 500, enable people to visually interact from a variety of locations, be it a factory floor, a project site, or a lecture theatre.”

 RealPresence Utility Cart 500

The RealPresence Utility Cart 500 provides a high-quality video collaboration solution, featuring Polycom’s RealPresence Group 500 series video system and Polycom EagleEye IV cameras. For applications such as detailed product inspections, and remote expert consultations, the solution provides a breakthrough user experience, allowing the video and audio system to be easily moved from location to location. This flexibility allows for video collaboration solution to be enabled across several industries and business functions – from quality inspections in manufacturing and stock control in retail, to site and equipment inspections in oil and gas and construction. 

 Among the cart’s standard features are a single 27-inch or dual 22-inch 1080p full HD LED backlit monitors, mounting points for wireless access, and an access panel that includes two USB ports, HDMI, VGA and audio from codec, for multiple peripheral connectivity. The battery module gives up to five hours of operation, and is available in 110 or 230 volt AC versions. For easy maneuverability and durability, the Utility Cart 500 also comes fitted with sturdy stainless steel handles, and five casters for enhanced stability.

 “The Utility Cart can, for example, enable a manufacturing floor technician to move HD video to a specific area in the plant, and connect an external camera to view and share details or components not easily accessible to external parties. This capability can allow remote experts to overcome the obstacle of distance and enhances productivity and drives efficiency in the manufacturing process, with impact to the bottom line,” said Sandberg. 

RealPresence EduCart 500
Designed specifically for classrooms and training departments, the RealPresence EduCart 500 is a videoconferencing solution for use in education environments. This includes distance learning, teacher conferences, virtual field trips, and enhanced individual and group learning with remote experts. 

 The cart features adjustable screen height and high-powered amplified speakers, allowing clear audio in large classrooms or lecture theatres, and provides the flexibility to easily move the unit to different classrooms or campus locations. The electronics and power for the unit are integrated behind a protective metal shield to avoid tampering. The cart is also safely-designed to be a self-contained unit, avoiding numerous wires around a classroom, and equipped with a dual pole to ensure maximum stability. 

 “The RealPresence EduCart 500 makes it easier than ever to enrich lessons and increase student engagement with the ability to connect to other classrooms, peers, or experts in other locations,” said Sandberg. “Video collaboration in the education space can take students beyond their classrooms, to experience everything from virtual field trips to sharing project work with schools in other parts of India or abroad. Collaboration technology such as the EduCart addresses a great need in providing more learning opportunities, and making education and resources more accessible to students, particularly across vast distances in countries such as India.”