Poly Inc.

Corporate brand

Polycom is a U.S. communications-technology brand best known for enterprise voice, video-conferencing, and collaboration systems.

Last updated October 14, 2026

Overview

Poly Inc. is an American enterprise communications technology brand focused on voice, video, content collaboration, and workplace communication products. The business traces its origins to Polycom, founded in 1990 by Brian L. Hinman and Jeffrey Rodman, former colleagues at PictureTel. Polycom initially concentrated on audio-conferencing equipment and became particularly well known for the triangular SoundStation speakerphone, whose full-duplex audio made simultaneous conversation practical in meeting rooms. It subsequently expanded into desktop telephones, IP phones, video-conferencing endpoints, multipoint bridges, telepresence systems, network-management software, and collaboration platforms. Polycom’s product strategy was built around interoperability. Its systems supported established communications standards and technologies including SIP, H.323, high-definition voice, high-definition video, content sharing, and integration with legacy conferencing infrastructure. This allowed organizations to connect conference rooms, offices, desktop users, and distributed workforces without depending entirely on one communications network or software environment. The company served corporate, public-sector, education, healthcare, financial, and other institutional customers through direct sales, channel partners, systems integrators, and technology alliances. The company entered the video-conferencing market with the ViewStation family after acquiring ViaVideo in 1998. It later developed room systems, desktop software, immersive telepresence, multipoint infrastructure, and management tools. Important technology and product additions came through acquisitions including Accord Networks, PictureTel, ASPI Networks, Spectralink, and Destiny Conferencing. Polycom also acquired the assets of HP’s Visual Collaboration business in 2011, adding the Halo products and managed-services business. Polycom experienced leadership changes and restructuring as the communications market shifted toward software, cloud services, mobile work, and unified communications. It reduced its workforce in 2015 following a significant decline in sales. In 2016, Polycom was acquired by private-equity firm Siris Capital Group after a proposed Mitel transaction was abandoned. Plantronics acquired Polycom in 2018, combining a major headset and personal-audio business with Polycom’s enterprise voice and video portfolio. The combined company adopted the Poly name in 2019, presenting audio, video, headsets, room systems, and collaboration software as one workplace-communications portfolio. HP announced an agreement to acquire Poly in March 2022, and the transaction was completed in August 2022. Poly therefore became part of HP’s broader hybrid-work and personal-systems strategy. The Poly brand continues to be associated with enterprise headsets, conference phones, video-conferencing room devices, personal collaboration equipment, and related software, although corporate ownership and product positioning are now determined within HP. The brand’s historical identity remains closely tied to Polycom’s conference-room technology and Plantronics’ audio expertise.

History

Poly began as Polycom in 1990, when Brian L. Hinman and Jeffrey Rodman founded the company after working together at PictureTel. The startup was initially based in San Francisco and later moved to San Jose. Its early financing included founder capital, contributions from acquaintances, and venture investment from Oak Investment Partners and Accel Partners. The founders wanted to address the main forms of business communication—audio, video, and shared content—rather than build only a single-purpose telephone company. Polycom’s first major commercial success was the SoundStation conference phone, introduced in 1992. Its triangular design and full-duplex audio helped establish a recognizable category of meeting-room speakerphones. The company expanded the SoundStation family and entered desktop telephony with SoundPoint products in 1998. It moved into IP telephony with the SoundPoint IP 500 in 2001 and developed products using the open SIP protocol. High-definition voice became another important theme, beginning with the SoundStation VTX1000 and continuing through later IP conference phones and business-media devices. The company entered video conferencing in the late 1990s. Its acquisition of ViaVideo in 1998 provided the basis for the ViewStation product line, a compact system combining a camera, codec, and communications electronics. Polycom later added multipoint infrastructure through Accord Networks, acquired PictureTel, and developed products for content sharing, telepresence, video routing, and network management. Its video portfolio included ViewStation, RealPresence, RMX multipoint bridges, RPX and OTX immersive telepresence, the Converged Management Application, and the Distributed Media Application. Polycom broadened its audio and systems-integration capabilities by acquiring ASPI Networks in 2001 and later introducing the SoundStructure installed-audio platform. It acquired Spectralink in 2007, gaining Wi-Fi and DECT communications products, and acquired Destiny Conferencing to support immersive telepresence. In 2012, the Wi-Fi and DECT operations were separated into a new Spectralink business. Polycom also acquired assets from HP’s Visual Collaboration operation in 2011, including Halo products and managed services. The business went through several leadership transitions and faced pressure from changing enterprise communications markets. In 2015 it reduced its workforce after a substantial sales decline. In 2016, a proposed acquisition by Mitel was terminated and Polycom was instead acquired by Siris Capital Group. Plantronics announced its acquisition of Polycom in 2018. The combination joined Polycom’s conference-room and enterprise collaboration portfolio with Plantronics’ headsets and personal audio products. The corporate identity was changed to Poly in 2019. HP announced its acquisition of Poly in March 2022 and completed the transaction in August of that year. Poly became an HP subsidiary, with its products supporting HP’s strategy for hybrid work, collaboration, and personal computing. The business’s historical product families remain important to its identity, especially SoundStation, SoundPoint, VVX, ViewStation, RealPresence, Studio, and Voyager.

2022
Poly becomes an HP subsidiary
[3]HP Completes Acquisition of Polyinvestors.hp.com
HP announces and completes the acquisition of Poly, adding its collaboration devices and communications portfolio to HP.
2022
HP acquires Poly
[7]HP completes acquisition of Polyhp.com
HP completes the acquisition of Poly, including the former Polycom conferencing portfolio.
2019
The Poly brand is introduced
[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
The combined Plantronics-Polycom company adopts Poly as its corporate and market-facing name.
2019
The combined company becomes Poly
[8]Poly acquisition backgroundhp.com
The former Plantronics and Polycom businesses operate under the Poly brand.
2018
Plantronics acquires Polycom
[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Plantronics purchases Polycom and combines headset, personal-audio, voice, and video-collaboration businesses. Plantronics completes a transaction combining Polycom’s conferencing business with its own audio and headset portfolio.
2016
Siris Capital acquires Polycom
[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
A proposed Mitel transaction is abandoned and Polycom is acquired by Siris Capital Group.
2011
HP Visual Collaboration assets acquired
[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Polycom acquires assets associated with HP's Visual Collaboration business, including Halo products and managed services.
2008
RealPresence-era video strategy develops
[6]Polycomen.wikipedia.org
Polycom continues integrating voice, video, infrastructure, and management capabilities for standards-based enterprise collaboration.
2007
Telepresence and wireless communications expansion
[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Polycom expands telepresence products and acquires Spectralink and Destiny Conferencing.
2006
First Polycom high-definition video system
[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Polycom introduces its first HD video-conferencing system.

Showing the 10 most recent.

Products and positioning

Enterprise-grade voice, video, and collaboration technology emphasizing room coverage, interoperability, manageability, and integration with business communications systems.

Conference phones · 1992
SoundStation
SoundStation was Polycom’s foundational conference-phone family. Its triangular housing and full-duplex audio enabled participants to speak and listen at the same time, helping make it a familiar fixture in corporate meeting rooms. Later versions included SoundStation Premier, SoundStation 2, SoundStation 2W, and SoundStation VTX1000. The family evolved from analog telephone connections toward wireless and higher-bandwidth voice capabilities. Polycom’s SoundStation family became one of the most recognizable enterprise conference-phone lines. These tabletop systems were designed for group conversations in meeting rooms, with multiple microphones, room-oriented speaker output, and features intended to improve intelligibility over conventional speakerphones. The family was offered in different generations and configurations for analog, digital, and IP-telephony environments. SoundStation was Polycom's foundational conference-phone family. Its triangular housing and full-duplex audio enabled participants to speak and listen at the same time, helping make it a familiar fixture in corporate meeting rooms. Later versions included SoundStation Premier, SoundStation 2, SoundStation 2W, and SoundStation VTX1000. The family evolved from analog telephone connections toward wireless and higher-bandwidth voice capabilities. These tabletop systems were designed for group conversations in meeting rooms, with multiple microphones, room-oriented speaker output, and features intended to improve intelligibility over conventional speakerphones, and were offered in different generations and configurations for analog, digital, and IP-telephony environments.
Business telephones · 1998
SoundPoint and SoundPoint IP
SoundPoint was Polycom's desktop telephone line, followed by SoundPoint IP products for Voice over IP. The IP range used open SIP standards to support interoperability with different call-control platforms. These phones extended Polycom beyond meeting-room audio into everyday business communications and helped establish the company as an enterprise voice-equipment supplier.
Video-conferencing systems · 1998
ViewStation
ViewStation was Polycom's early room and desktop video-conferencing platform. It combined a camera, codec, and communications electronics in a compact unit designed to connect to a customer-provided display. Later variants added multipoint capability, content sharing, and support for IP video protocols. The line helped Polycom establish a position in video conferencing after its acquisition of ViaVideo.
Video collaboration platform
RealPresence
RealPresence encompassed Polycom’s later video-collaboration systems, software clients, infrastructure, and management capabilities. The portfolio included room systems, desktop endpoints, multipoint platforms, telepresence products, and network applications. It represented Polycom’s effort to connect traditional conference rooms with software-based collaboration and distributed enterprise video networks. RealPresence represented Polycom’s broader video-collaboration platform, covering endpoints, infrastructure, management, and interoperability capabilities. It was aimed at organizations operating multiple rooms, locations, and device types. The platform emphasized standards-based communication and integration with enterprise unified-communications systems rather than a single standalone video appliance. RealPresence encompassed Polycom's later video-collaboration systems, software clients, infrastructure, and management capabilities. The portfolio included room systems, desktop endpoints, multipoint platforms, telepresence products, and network applications. It represented Polycom's effort to connect traditional conference rooms with software-based collaboration and distributed enterprise video networks. It was aimed at organizations operating multiple rooms, locations, and device types, emphasizing standards-based communication and integration with enterprise unified-communications systems rather than a single standalone video appliance.
Video bars and room devices
Poly Studio
Poly Studio is a family of video bars and collaboration devices designed for meeting rooms and hybrid-work environments. Products combine cameras, microphones, speakers, and software-oriented meeting controls in compact systems intended for common collaboration platforms. Studio extends the company's historical conference-room expertise into simpler room deployment and personal or small-group video meetings.
Headsets
Poly Voyager
Poly Voyager is a headset family inherited from the Plantronics side of the combined company. It includes wireless and business-oriented headsets designed for calls, unified communications, mobile work, and office or contact-center use. The line complements Poly's room systems by addressing the individual worker's audio, microphone, mobility, and device-connectivity needs.
Business media phones
VVX
VVX business media phones combined IP voice calling with features such as color displays, programmable keys, directory access, conferencing, and integration with unified-communications platforms. The range served users from standard office workers to executives and attendants, and was commonly deployed through enterprise telephony channels and managed communications environments.
Room-based video conferencing
HDX
HDX systems were Polycom's high-definition room video-conferencing products. They supported camera, display, microphone, codec, and network functions in configurations intended for meeting rooms and larger collaboration spaces. HDX helped Polycom compete in the enterprise video market before the company's later RealPresence-centered portfolio.
Audio processing and room systems
SoundStructure
SoundStructure products provided digital signal processing and configurable audio-routing capabilities for conference rooms and specialized collaboration spaces. They addressed installations requiring more microphones, loudspeakers, sources, and room-control integration than a conventional tabletop conference phone could provide.

Controversies

2019
Cisco amends trade-secret lawsuit to add Poly
Cisco amended its ongoing US lawsuit to add Poly and its executive vice president Thomas Puorro, alleging trade-secret misappropriation and related conduct. Poly disputed the allegations and said it intended to defend itself in court.
Source
2018
Foreign bribery investigation settlement
Plantronics agreed to pay a civil settlement related to alleged improper conduct connected with Polycom during 2006–2014. Polycom had voluntarily disclosed the matter, and the U.S. Department of Justice declined to pursue criminal charges.
Source
2012
SEC action involving former chief executive Andy Miller
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged former Polycom chief executive Andy Miller over expense and accounting violations. Miller agreed to restrictions including a five-year prohibition on serving as an officer of a public company.
Source

2022
Sell Poly to HPM&A
Background
HP sought to expand its hybrid-work and personal-systems offerings with enterprise collaboration devices and communications technology.
Action taken
HP announced and completed the acquisition of Poly.
Aftermath
Poly became an HP subsidiary and was incorporated into HP’s broader hybrid-work strategy.
Total transaction value including debt. US$3.3 billion (Completed August 2022)
Source
2022
Become part of HP through the acquisition of PolyM&A
Background
HP sought to expand its portfolio of hybrid-work, collaboration, and peripherals products.
Action taken
HP completed its acquisition of Poly, the Plantronics and Polycom successor business.
Aftermath
The former Polycom product and technology portfolio became part of HP’s broader hybrid-work and device strategy.
Source
2019
Adopt the Poly corporate brandStrategy
Background
The Plantronics-Polycom combination brought together personal audio, enterprise telephony, and video collaboration.
Action taken
The company changed its name and branding to Poly.
Aftermath
Poly became the umbrella identity for the combined communications portfolio.
Source
2018
Combine Polycom with PlantronicsM&A
Background
Plantronics sought to combine its headset and personal-audio operations with Polycom’s enterprise voice and video-conferencing business.
Action taken
Plantronics announced and completed the acquisition of Polycom.
Aftermath
The combined business adopted the Poly name in 2019 and marketed audio, video, headset, and collaboration products together.
Announced transaction value. Approximately US$2 billion (2018)
Source
2018
Accept acquisition by PlantronicsM&A
Background
Polycom operated in an enterprise communications market increasingly shaped by unified communications, software, cloud services, and personal audio devices.
Action taken
Polycom agreed to be acquired by Plantronics, combining enterprise conferencing with headset and personal-audio capabilities.
Aftermath
The combined business later adopted the Poly brand, and Polycom ceased operating as an independent public company.
Source
2016
Replace the proposed Mitel transaction with a Siris Capital saleM&A
Background
Polycom had announced a proposed acquisition by Mitel Networks, but the transaction was abandoned.
Action taken
Polycom accepted an all-cash acquisition by Siris Capital Group.
Aftermath
Polycom continued as a private-equity-owned enterprise communications company until its subsequent sale to Plantronics.
Transaction value. US$1.7 billion (2016)
Source

Recent events

2022
HP announces agreement to acquire Poly[2]HP to Acquire Polyinvestors.hp.com
M&A
HP announced its planned acquisition of Poly to strengthen its hybrid-work and personal-systems portfolio.
2022
HP completes acquisition of Poly[3]HP Completes Acquisition of Polyinvestors.hp.com
M&A
HP completed its acquisition of Poly, bringing Poly’s conferencing, headset, and collaboration-device portfolio into HP’s hybrid-work strategy.
2019
The combined company adopts the Poly name[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Other
Following the Plantronics acquisition of Polycom, the combined business changed its corporate name and branding to Poly.
2019
Polycom and Plantronics adopt the Poly brand[8]Poly acquisition backgroundhp.com
Other
Following the acquisition, Plantronics and Polycom operated under the Poly brand, presenting the combined company as a provider of audio and video collaboration products.
2018
Plantronics agrees to acquire Polycom[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
M&A
Plantronics announced an agreement to acquire Polycom in a transaction that combined Polycom’s enterprise conferencing portfolio with Plantronics’ headsets and personal communications products.
2016
Polycom announces acquisition by Mitel[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
M&A
Polycom announced a proposed acquisition by Mitel Networks, but the transaction was later abandoned and replaced by a cash acquisition from Siris Capital Group.
2016
Siris Capital completes acquisition of Polycom[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
M&A
Siris Capital Group acquired Polycom after the proposed Mitel transaction was withdrawn.

Sources12 sources

Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/poly-inc · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled

Overview

History

2022
Poly becomes an HP subsidiary
[3]HP Completes Acquisition of Polyinvestors.hp.com
HP announces and completes the acquisition of Poly, adding its collaboration devices and communications portfolio to HP.
2022
HP acquires Poly
[7]HP completes acquisition of Polyhp.com
HP completes the acquisition of Poly, including the former Polycom conferencing portfolio.
2019
The Poly brand is introduced
[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
The combined Plantronics-Polycom company adopts Poly as its corporate and market-facing name.
2019
The combined company becomes Poly
[8]Poly acquisition backgroundhp.com
The former Plantronics and Polycom businesses operate under the Poly brand.
2018
Plantronics acquires Polycom
[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Plantronics purchases Polycom and combines headset, personal-audio, voice, and video-collaboration businesses. Plantronics completes a transaction combining Polycom’s conferencing business with its own audio and headset portfolio.
2016
Siris Capital acquires Polycom
[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
A proposed Mitel transaction is abandoned and Polycom is acquired by Siris Capital Group.
2011
HP Visual Collaboration assets acquired
[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Polycom acquires assets associated with HP's Visual Collaboration business, including Halo products and managed services.
2008
RealPresence-era video strategy develops
[6]Polycomen.wikipedia.org
Polycom continues integrating voice, video, infrastructure, and management capabilities for standards-based enterprise collaboration.
2007
Telepresence and wireless communications expansion
[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Polycom expands telepresence products and acquires Spectralink and Destiny Conferencing.
2006
First Polycom high-definition video system
[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Polycom introduces its first HD video-conferencing system.

Showing the 10 most recent.

Products and positioning

Enterprise-grade voice, video, and collaboration technology emphasizing room coverage, interoperability, manageability, and integration with business communications systems.

Conference phones · 1992
SoundStation
SoundStation was Polycom’s foundational conference-phone family. Its triangular housing and full-duplex audio enabled participants to speak and listen at the same time, helping make it a familiar fixture in corporate meeting rooms. Later versions included SoundStation Premier, SoundStation 2, SoundStation 2W, and SoundStation VTX1000. The family evolved from analog telephone connections toward wireless and higher-bandwidth voice capabilities. Polycom’s SoundStation family became one of the most recognizable enterprise conference-phone lines. These tabletop systems were designed for group conversations in meeting rooms, with multiple microphones, room-oriented speaker output, and features intended to improve intelligibility over conventional speakerphones. The family was offered in different generations and configurations for analog, digital, and IP-telephony environments. SoundStation was Polycom's foundational conference-phone family. Its triangular housing and full-duplex audio enabled participants to speak and listen at the same time, helping make it a familiar fixture in corporate meeting rooms. Later versions included SoundStation Premier, SoundStation 2, SoundStation 2W, and SoundStation VTX1000. The family evolved from analog telephone connections toward wireless and higher-bandwidth voice capabilities. These tabletop systems were designed for group conversations in meeting rooms, with multiple microphones, room-oriented speaker output, and features intended to improve intelligibility over conventional speakerphones, and were offered in different generations and configurations for analog, digital, and IP-telephony environments.
Business telephones · 1998
SoundPoint and SoundPoint IP
SoundPoint was Polycom's desktop telephone line, followed by SoundPoint IP products for Voice over IP. The IP range used open SIP standards to support interoperability with different call-control platforms. These phones extended Polycom beyond meeting-room audio into everyday business communications and helped establish the company as an enterprise voice-equipment supplier.
Video-conferencing systems · 1998
ViewStation
ViewStation was Polycom's early room and desktop video-conferencing platform. It combined a camera, codec, and communications electronics in a compact unit designed to connect to a customer-provided display. Later variants added multipoint capability, content sharing, and support for IP video protocols. The line helped Polycom establish a position in video conferencing after its acquisition of ViaVideo.
Video collaboration platform
RealPresence
RealPresence encompassed Polycom’s later video-collaboration systems, software clients, infrastructure, and management capabilities. The portfolio included room systems, desktop endpoints, multipoint platforms, telepresence products, and network applications. It represented Polycom’s effort to connect traditional conference rooms with software-based collaboration and distributed enterprise video networks. RealPresence represented Polycom’s broader video-collaboration platform, covering endpoints, infrastructure, management, and interoperability capabilities. It was aimed at organizations operating multiple rooms, locations, and device types. The platform emphasized standards-based communication and integration with enterprise unified-communications systems rather than a single standalone video appliance. RealPresence encompassed Polycom's later video-collaboration systems, software clients, infrastructure, and management capabilities. The portfolio included room systems, desktop endpoints, multipoint platforms, telepresence products, and network applications. It represented Polycom's effort to connect traditional conference rooms with software-based collaboration and distributed enterprise video networks. It was aimed at organizations operating multiple rooms, locations, and device types, emphasizing standards-based communication and integration with enterprise unified-communications systems rather than a single standalone video appliance.
Video bars and room devices
Poly Studio
Poly Studio is a family of video bars and collaboration devices designed for meeting rooms and hybrid-work environments. Products combine cameras, microphones, speakers, and software-oriented meeting controls in compact systems intended for common collaboration platforms. Studio extends the company's historical conference-room expertise into simpler room deployment and personal or small-group video meetings.
Headsets
Poly Voyager
Poly Voyager is a headset family inherited from the Plantronics side of the combined company. It includes wireless and business-oriented headsets designed for calls, unified communications, mobile work, and office or contact-center use. The line complements Poly's room systems by addressing the individual worker's audio, microphone, mobility, and device-connectivity needs.
Business media phones
VVX
VVX business media phones combined IP voice calling with features such as color displays, programmable keys, directory access, conferencing, and integration with unified-communications platforms. The range served users from standard office workers to executives and attendants, and was commonly deployed through enterprise telephony channels and managed communications environments.
Room-based video conferencing
HDX
HDX systems were Polycom's high-definition room video-conferencing products. They supported camera, display, microphone, codec, and network functions in configurations intended for meeting rooms and larger collaboration spaces. HDX helped Polycom compete in the enterprise video market before the company's later RealPresence-centered portfolio.
Audio processing and room systems
SoundStructure
SoundStructure products provided digital signal processing and configurable audio-routing capabilities for conference rooms and specialized collaboration spaces. They addressed installations requiring more microphones, loudspeakers, sources, and room-control integration than a conventional tabletop conference phone could provide.

Controversies

2019
Cisco amends trade-secret lawsuit to add Poly
Cisco amended its ongoing US lawsuit to add Poly and its executive vice president Thomas Puorro, alleging trade-secret misappropriation and related conduct. Poly disputed the allegations and said it intended to defend itself in court.
Source
2018
Foreign bribery investigation settlement
Plantronics agreed to pay a civil settlement related to alleged improper conduct connected with Polycom during 2006–2014. Polycom had voluntarily disclosed the matter, and the U.S. Department of Justice declined to pursue criminal charges.
Source
2012
SEC action involving former chief executive Andy Miller
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged former Polycom chief executive Andy Miller over expense and accounting violations. Miller agreed to restrictions including a five-year prohibition on serving as an officer of a public company.
Source

Brand decisions

2022
Sell Poly to HPM&A
Background
HP sought to expand its hybrid-work and personal-systems offerings with enterprise collaboration devices and communications technology.
Action taken
HP announced and completed the acquisition of Poly.
Aftermath
Poly became an HP subsidiary and was incorporated into HP’s broader hybrid-work strategy.
Total transaction value including debt. US$3.3 billion (Completed August 2022)
Source
2022
Become part of HP through the acquisition of PolyM&A
Background
HP sought to expand its portfolio of hybrid-work, collaboration, and peripherals products.
Action taken
HP completed its acquisition of Poly, the Plantronics and Polycom successor business.
Aftermath
The former Polycom product and technology portfolio became part of HP’s broader hybrid-work and device strategy.
Source
2019
Adopt the Poly corporate brandStrategy
Background
The Plantronics-Polycom combination brought together personal audio, enterprise telephony, and video collaboration.
Action taken
The company changed its name and branding to Poly.
Aftermath
Poly became the umbrella identity for the combined communications portfolio.
Source
2018
Combine Polycom with PlantronicsM&A
Background
Plantronics sought to combine its headset and personal-audio operations with Polycom’s enterprise voice and video-conferencing business.
Action taken
Plantronics announced and completed the acquisition of Polycom.
Aftermath
The combined business adopted the Poly name in 2019 and marketed audio, video, headset, and collaboration products together.
Announced transaction value. Approximately US$2 billion (2018)
Source
2018
Accept acquisition by PlantronicsM&A
Background
Polycom operated in an enterprise communications market increasingly shaped by unified communications, software, cloud services, and personal audio devices.
Action taken
Polycom agreed to be acquired by Plantronics, combining enterprise conferencing with headset and personal-audio capabilities.
Aftermath
The combined business later adopted the Poly brand, and Polycom ceased operating as an independent public company.
Source
2016
Replace the proposed Mitel transaction with a Siris Capital saleM&A
Background
Polycom had announced a proposed acquisition by Mitel Networks, but the transaction was abandoned.
Action taken
Polycom accepted an all-cash acquisition by Siris Capital Group.
Aftermath
Polycom continued as a private-equity-owned enterprise communications company until its subsequent sale to Plantronics.
Transaction value. US$1.7 billion (2016)
Source

Recent events

2022
HP announces agreement to acquire Poly[2]HP to Acquire Polyinvestors.hp.com
M&A
HP announced its planned acquisition of Poly to strengthen its hybrid-work and personal-systems portfolio.
2022
HP completes acquisition of Poly[3]HP Completes Acquisition of Polyinvestors.hp.com
M&A
HP completed its acquisition of Poly, bringing Poly’s conferencing, headset, and collaboration-device portfolio into HP’s hybrid-work strategy.
2019
The combined company adopts the Poly name[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
Other
Following the Plantronics acquisition of Polycom, the combined business changed its corporate name and branding to Poly.
2019
Polycom and Plantronics adopt the Poly brand[8]Poly acquisition backgroundhp.com
Other
Following the acquisition, Plantronics and Polycom operated under the Poly brand, presenting the combined company as a provider of audio and video collaboration products.
2018
Plantronics agrees to acquire Polycom[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
M&A
Plantronics announced an agreement to acquire Polycom in a transaction that combined Polycom’s enterprise conferencing portfolio with Plantronics’ headsets and personal communications products.
2016
Polycom announces acquisition by Mitel[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
M&A
Polycom announced a proposed acquisition by Mitel Networks, but the transaction was later abandoned and replaced by a cash acquisition from Siris Capital Group.
2016
Siris Capital completes acquisition of Polycom[1]Poly Inc.en.wikipedia.org
M&A
Siris Capital Group acquired Polycom after the proposed Mitel transaction was withdrawn.

Overview

History

Products and positioning

Controversies

Brand decisions

Recent events

Related entries

Sources12 sources

Overview

History

Products and positioning

Controversies

Brand decisions

Recent events

Related entries

Sources12 sources