Plantronics Updates Headset Line to Reflect UC, Video Needs

Headset manufacturer Plantronics has introduced four new headsets to answer the call for styles that fit with the adoption of videoconferencing and other voice-centric tasks.

“We’ve seen a shift in what the traditional enterprise needs,” said Jennifer Adams, product marketing manager at Plantronics. “These days audio is more than just phone calls – it’s unified communications, videoconferencing, webinars, training. Our customers are in transition and we see the next five years as transformative for our business.”

With that in mind, Plantronics has developed headsets that are not only sleek and attractive (as headsets go), but also work with myriad communications devices including softphones, desktop phones and smartphones – all at the same time.

The Savi 700 Series is a UC-enabled headset providing such device compatibility, and can switch between all three seamlessly as needed. It has a 350-foot roaming range, and its Intellistand technology auto-answers when the headset is picked up from the base. The Savi 700 can be worn over the ear, over the head or behind the head, and Plantronics is promoting it as the lightest wireless DECT headset on the market.

The Savi 440, meanwhile, is a USB-enabled wireless headset built for UC applications and can be used to up 300 feet away from the PC.

Not ignoring the deskphone crowd, Plantronics has introduced the CS500, which leverages the same headset design as the Savi and also features the same 350-foot roaming range.

Finally, the Blackwire 435 is a corded USB headset optimized for UC applications and is small enough to be discreet in video calls. “From the landscape of products in marketplace, there is no other USB headset optimized for UC that is this small and deiscreet,” Adams said. “This is also the first alternative-wearing style,” with users able to wear the headset in stereo (two-ear) mode or mono (one-ear) mode. “It’s webcam-friendly, foldable and portable.”

The Savi 700 Series is slated to be available in June 2011, and the 440 is available now. Availability for the Blackwire 435 and CS500 is expected in July and August 2011, respectively.

Unified communications is a technology that practically begs to be accessorized, and companies such as Plantronics are answering the call. That’s good news for channel partners, as upsell opportunities abound – especially with customers going whole-hog on a communications upgrade.

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