POLYCOM TO DIVEST ITS ENTERPRISE WIRELESS VOICE SOLUTIONS BUSINESS
Polycom, Inc. (Pleasanton CA), has announced a definitive agreement to divest its enterprise wireless voice solutions business to an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., for gross proceeds of about $110 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the agreement. The sale is expected to close within the third quarter of 2012, following the satisfaction of regulatory requirements and other customary closing conditions. Polycom’s Board of Directors has approved an increase in its current share repurchase authorization to include net proceeds of about $104 million from this transaction, contingent upon the sale of the enterprise wireless voice solutions business and receipt of the net proceeds from the sale.
“Polycom has evolved rapidly over the last 18 to 24 months, and taken actions designed to capture and lead the fast-growing video collaboration market through traditional and new delivery platforms, including mobile, social and cloud. The sale of our wireless handset business is a further step toward focusing our product and technology portfolio on our core unified communications and video collaboration solutions, including extending the reach of the Polycom RealPresence Platform,” said Andy Miller, Polycom President/CEO. “The closing of this transaction will allow Polycom to concentrate on initiatives that support our vision of making video collaboration ubiquitous through open, standards-based software delivered to anyone, across any environment and device. Moreover, the divestiture of the enterprise wireless voice solutions business will allow us to focus on the stronger sales growth and higher gross margins of Polycom’s core unified communications business.”
According to the company, this strategic decision to divest the wireless voice business reflects its focus on initiatives that extend the company’s leadership in its unified communications business. Polycom’s enterprise wireless voice portfolio, which is part of the UC personal product category, includes WiFi and DECT handsets, related infrastructure and accessories, and generated revenues of about $94 million in calendar year 2011.
“This is a logical next step for our business and a strategic decision that should enable the wireless voice organization to flourish as a standalone company,” continued Miller. “Polycom has selected Sun Capital because of its commitment to support Polycom’s wireless handset partners and customers, as well as its strong operational expertise, particularly in corporate divestitures that require seamless transfers of significant business operations.”
“This is a good and not surprising move for Polycom, as it allows them to concentrate their energy and resources on the core, strategic components of their business in order to drive further innovation and adoption of video collaboration,” said Rich Costello, IDC Senior Research Analyst.

INDUSTRY VETS LAUNCH FiROBO CORPORATION
A group of AV and IT industry veterans led by David Robbins (former integrator and Klipsch regional sales manager) and Douglas Bowman (more than 15 years in IT network deployment and management for Fortune 500 companies), has launched FiROBO Corp. (McKinney TX) to provide to residential and commercial AV integrators enterprise-level managed network solutions that are easy to install, maintain, expand and support. The result, they report, is increased productivity, increased profitability and peace of mind for all stakeholders in the value chain.

“We formed FiROBO to address the unique needs of the AV integrator in an IT world,” commented Robbins. “The growth in complex networked entertainment and automation systems has been driving the demand for enterprise-level managed backbone IP networks. However, design, deployment and remote management of those networks is a challenge for AV integrators. FiROBO’s products and services provide the ultimate solution.”


It’s Guaranteed To Overheat Your Display. We Guarantee It Won’t

Your LCD not only needs to look cool, it needs to stay cool. With over 27 years of experience, ITSENCLOSURES has the proven track record to guarantee LCDs will withstand any environment. Our line of ViewStation LCD enclosures protect against rain, snow, extreme heat, frigid temperatures, theft and even the teenage vandal. From stadium to transportation terminal to drive-thru, ViewStation offers customized solutions for any display – large or small, inside or out. And each unit is installed by trained experts, made in the USA and comes with unparalleled customer support. To learn how we can help you, call 1.800.423.9911 or visit ViewStation.com.

INFOCOMM OPENS REVIEW OF DRAFT ENERGY MANAGEMENT STANDARD
InfoComm International (Fairfax VA) has opened the public review and comment period for the proposed draft standard, INFOCOMM 4: 2012 DS1, Audiovisual Systems Energy Management, which addresses power consumption management of AV systems. Although there is no requirement for a specific percentage of energy reduction, the Standard requires preparation of an energy management plan that will assist users in formulating their energy reduction goals by requiring baseline measurements; automation; ongoing monitoring, measurement and analysis; and education/training for owners and users of the AV systems. The Standard addresses power consumption requirements of the AV system as a whole, while allowing the user of the Standard flexibility in system design, as well as selection of individual components.
This public review process is being administered in accordance with the ANSI Accredited Standards Developer process. Commenting procedures and the draft standard are available at www.infocomm.org/standards. Comments are encouraged. The review period will remain open until June 4, 2012.

LG Digital Signage

Your Signage. Our Technology. Ideal Solutions—with LG Digital Signage

As a world leader in the design, development and manufacturing of flat panel displays, LG excels in bringing innovative technology advancements to the digital signage market. From a full line of LED and LCD displays that deliver bright and dazzling pictures, to the award-winning digital signage LG EzSign TV that entertains customers while delivering an impactful message, to a direct LED video wall that can captivate any audience, LG is an ideal solution for your business. For more information, call 1.800.897.8788 or e-mail us at info@LGSolutions.com.


TRIPP LITE ACQUIRES MINICOM ADVANCED SYSTEMS
Tripp Lite (Chicago IL) has acquired Minicom Advanced Systems (Linden NJ). Established in 1922, Tripp Lite is a manufacturer of power products and related items for the IT and telecom markets.
According to Rami Sasson, Executive Vice President, Sales, North America, Minicom Advanced Systems, “We...want to assure you that the Minicom products you have purchased in the past will continue to be sold through Tripp Lite and your preferred reseller with no changes. Sales Administration and Logistics are moving to Tripp Lite HQ in Chicago, so we anticipate the logistics transition will be swift and easy. Ivo Petrov (888.486.2154 x12) has joined Tripp Lite, applying his impressive application skills to handle all pre and post-sales technical support for Minicom products as he has in the past. The Minicom R&D team remains intact and will now have more resources to continue our product development path of bringing more innovative products and solutions to market at an accelerated rate.”

Revolabs

Revolabs HD™ Line of Wireless Microphones Ensures High Quality Audio for Your Infrastructure

Revolabs HD™ line of wireless microphone systems includes the Single/Dual Channel; the rack-mounted, dual-channel Venue; and the Executive, which can support up to 32 (Americas) or 40 (international) microphones, each with an independent channel to operate together in one area without interference.

For the highest audio quality, HD microphones provide the sound fidelity of a wired system and CD-quality frequency response. The systems' wireless design simplifies setup and eliminates the clutter of cables for a clean look, while allowing the freedom of mobility. For fool-proof operation, Revolabs' microphones automatically look for and change frequency to avoid interference. In addition, RF Armor™ technology enables the microphones to operate when in direct contact with other wireless devices known to cause audio interference, such as GSM noise from cell phones. All Revolabs wireless microphones are rechargeable, providing up to eight hours of talk time, and offer the security of 128-bit encryption to ensure that no one will be able to listen in on the wireless signal.

With the HD line, Revolabs has you covered with quality audio solutions to make the most of your infrastructure.


HARRIS TO SELL ITS BROADCAST COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS
On May 1, Harris (Englewood CO) announced its decision to divest the Broadcast Communications business according to Harris Morris, President, Broadcast Communications Division, Harris Corporation: He stated, “I fully support this decision and believe that the timing is right for both Harris and Broadcast Communications.
“Harris has supported us by investing in our business, allowing us to develop some of the market’s most innovative, solution-based technologies. However, over time, Broadcast Communications has become less aligned with the Harris core businesses and long-term strategy.
“Operating independently or as part of a broadcast or media-focused enterprise will provide us with strategic investment, increased competitive flexibility and customer focus to lead the continuing transformation in this competitive marketplace.
“The decision to divest in no way reflects the quality of the work Broadcast Communications performed in support of our customers and our company. Harris simply determined that Broadcast Communications could provide higher value and operate more effectively under a different ownership model.
“In the interim, Broadcast Communications will continue to be a part of Harris Corporation and operate business as usual. Our valued relationships, both longstanding and new, remain our top priority. The global team will continue to work diligently to ensure our commitment to our customers and partners remains steadfast, our execution to fulfill commitments is flawless and our progress against strategic objectives remains focused.”
In exclusive comments to Sound & Communications, Denise MacDonell, General Manager, Digital Out-of-Home Solutions, Harris Broadcast Communications, said, “The Harris digital out-of-home business is a unique media opportunity within the company’s greater broadcast portfolio, and therefore provides a unique opportunity for potential buyers of the Harris Broadcast business.” MacDonell added, “We are not planning to exit the digital out-of-home market per the rumor mill. It’s business as usual. We’ll continue to support our dealers and integrators—as well as our end customers—and provide answers to problems with technologies as we always have. All of our customers can expect the same level of attention and support they are used to receiving from Harris.”

TV ONE

TV One’s new CORIO®master, C3-540 Series Video System

The new C3-540 CORIO®master offers a new, more efficient approach to building video systems. Using  TV One's latest CORIO®3 technology, it gives the user access to new levels of video processing power to achieve new heights of creative and dynamic  video displays. All this is possible in one 4RU chassis.

The C3-540 combines edge blending, video wall processing, multiviewing, windowing, image warping, and video processing with Up, Down, and Cross Conversion in one device. The combination of multiple products into one 4RU unit results in lower rack space, cable, and power requirements with the unit itself consuming very low power. Additionally a high quality modular video matrix is built in using CORIO®softswitch, which provides an industry first firmware based video routing, switching and video conversion and effects platform using multiple canvases and layouts along with PC and Apple compatible control software. 16 AV universal module slots are available and the CORIO®master automatically recognizes the modules inserted as an input or output module. Any analog or digital format from composite video to 3G-SDI is accommodated.


MUSIC GROUP/BEHRINGER TAPS STARIN FOR EUROCOM IN US
MUSIC Group, parent company of Behringer (Singapore), has appointed Starin Marketing (Chesterton IN) as its US distribution partner for the company’s Eurocom product line, built entirely in MUSIC Group’s own factory and backed with the company’s three-year warranty. Aimed toward systems integrators and contractors, according to the company, “The line combines innovative and patent-pending technologies with class-leading energy efficiency and stunning industrial design.” Starin will distribute Eurocom in all regions of the US and alongside other Behringer products in select areas.
“Eurocom is all about innovation; and we wanted an equally creative strategy when it came to marketing the products,” exclaimed Costa Lakoumentas, SVP Marketing at MUSIC Group and the line’s chief architect. “Jim Starin has built a team that is redefining how distribution is managed in the US and we’re thrilled to appoint them to represent Eurocom exclusively.”
Commented Starin Principal Jim Starin, “We have represented Behringer in select regions of the US for some time and couldn’t be more pleased to be selected for this honor. We view Eurocom as the future of installed sound, with the first true innovation this industry has seen in many years.” “Our team is fired up and ready to spread the word about these great new products.”
BEHRINGER’s Eurocom products are designed to set new standards in quality, performance and value for systems integrators who have grown weary of the lack of innovation in the segment. Ushering in a new era of design aimed at today’s user and contemporary interior décor, the products distance themselves from the bland industrial look of the current competitive landscape.

INFOCOMMTV NEWS TO COVER ANNUAL SHOW
InfoCommTV News will air on June 13, 14 and 15 during InfoComm12, offering in-depth coverage of the trade show and related activities in Las Vegas. Produced by Testa Communications, publisher of Sound & Communications and IT/AV Report, and written by the editors, the shows will be seen on buses to and from the Las Vegas Convention Center, on large flat screens around the convention center and in 15,000 hotel rooms 24 hours a day. In addition, the entire InfoComm membership will receive the shows simulcast daily on their desktops, and InfoCommTV News will be streamed during and after the show over the web, to iPhones and on YouTube until next year’s show. Starting on the first day of the trade exhibit, go to http://soundandcommunications.com/infocomm/index.htm.