New Wideband Handset Eases Unified Communications Adoption by Providing a Familiar Option to Professionals
Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) today expanded its growing portfolio of
Unified Communication products Optimized for Microsoft Office
Communicator with the new wideband .Audio™ 1100M USB phone handset.
Plantronics’ unified communication product portfolio also includes
corded and wireless headsets, giving IT purchasers a broad selection of
PC audio products as they deploy Microsoft Office Communicator 2007.
The Plantronics .Audio 1100M USB phone handset is optimized for Office
Communicator 2007 to provide the functionality of a familiar phone
interface for business users adopting PC telephony. The .Audio 1100M
features a standard, 10-key dial pad combined with call-answer and
call-end keys, a visual ring indicator, a speakerphone activation key
and ringer volume control. A headset jack is also available on the
handset for users who want a hands-free option.
The Plantronics MCD 100 USB speakerphone, also announced today, is an
option for those conducting group conference calls via Office
Communicator 2007. It provides 360-degree room coverage so more than one
person can participate in a PC-based audio conference. To achieve call
clarity, the MCD 100 includes acoustic echo cancellation, noise
suppression and equalizer algorithms embedded within the product.
“Plantronics expects an increased adoption of unified communication
applications as distributed workforces become more prevalent,” said Amy
Huson, director of UC Product Marketing at Plantronics. “More companies
will consider implementing Office Communicator 2007, a cost effective
method for increasing virtual collaboration. We’ve developed these
products to give IT decision makers and business users cost-effective
and familiar options for those transitioning to PC telephony.”
Options for IT Departments Deploying Office Communicator
The Microsoft Corp. qualification process addresses IT professionals’
concerns about software to hardware interoperability and cross-vendor
support. The new .Audio 1100M phone handset and the MCD 100 USB
speakerphone offer an enhanced user experience with integrated call
control from the Office Communicator 2007 software. These products join
the growing portfolio of Plantronics products Optimized for Microsoft
Office Communicator announced in 2008.
Enterprise IT buyers can now choose from the following Plantronics
products Optimized for Microsoft Office Communicator:
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.Audio 1100M USB phone handset
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MCD 100 USB speakerphone
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.Audio 630M USB wideband binaural headset
-
.Audio 615M USB wideband monaural headset
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SupraPlus Wideband USB monaural headset
“Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Release 2 is creating
tremendous opportunities in the unified communications marketplace for
companies like Plantronics,” said Eric Swift, senior director of the
Microsoft Unified Communications Group at Microsoft Corp. “We look
forward to working with Plantronics to reduce communications chaos and
increase business productivity for our mutual customers.”
Pricing and Availability
All Optimized for Microsoft Office Communicator Plantronics
products are now available and may be purchased through authorized
Plantronics resellers. The .Audio 1100M, a USB phone handset, has an
MSRP of $79.00. The MCD 100, a USB speakerphone, has an MSRP of $179.00.
Announced in September 2008, the .Audio 630M, a multi-purpose binaural
headset featuring stereo, has an MSRP of $49.95. The .Audio 615M, a
monaural headset, has an MSRP of $44.95. The SupraPlus Wideband USB
monaural noise canceling headset has a MSRP of $169.00.
Plantronics – The Voice of Unified Communications
Plantronics offers one of the industry’s most complete families of
corded and wireless products for unified communications. Widely
recognized for their sound quality, reliability and comfort,
Plantronics’ audio solutions help companies extend the benefits of IP
communications throughout the extended enterprise, fostering better
business communication and efficiency regardless of where professionals
are working.
For more information about Plantronics’ UC-ready products, visit: http://www.plantronics.com/uc
