Computer Headsets From Plantronics
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is quickly changing the way we make and take telephone calls. Today a phone on the desk is technically unnecessary. It has moved into the PC as an application (soft phone). Most people still have a phone on their desk and will for many years to come but some groups, including home workers, road warriors and executives are using their PC as their phone. All of the major phone manufacturers like Avaya, Cisco, Nortel, Siemens, and others have a soft phone option with their VoIP systems. They were joined by Microsoft which recently announced its new phone application: Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 which is a PC based telephone.
Heavy users, defined as people who will use a soft phone as their primary business phone all day every day (like home workers) need to first make a decision about whether they need mobility or not. If mobility is necessary or desired the CS50 USB is the all day, every day wireless solution. If a corded option is selected any of the Plantronics Professional corded headsets can be connected to the computer via a USB-to-Headset adaptor cable. The DA45 is our newest offering in this line and it has been optimized for wide or narrow band connectivity. Pairing the DA45 with our new SupraPlus Wideband USB headset will maximize the sound quality, but all Plantronics professional “H” series headsets will sound great on both ends of the call. These headsets are designed for all day professional use so they are not only comfortable but durable and come with a 2 year warranty.
Casual users, defined as people who will only use the soft phone sometimes, like when they travel, have more options because they can use the products listed above or go with a Bluetooth or a .Audio “plug and play” option.
The .Audio line of headsets has recently been refreshed and now includes all the (plug and play) computer headsets Plantronics makes. New products have been added and the categories have been divided up between Analog, Digital, Gaming, and Internet Calling (for consumers, not businesses). The Digital category is the one the casual business user should consider and I have attached the brochure which gives 9 headset options including a Voyager USB Bluetooth headset - herein called the .Audio 910. Although these products are sometimes employed for all day use they are not designed for it.
Bluetooth headsets is another wireless option for the casual user on a soft phone and it can be very convenient. The Voyager USB has a bluetooth dongle, a wall and USB charger and software to enable the user to answer and end a call with the headset rather than the keyboard on most soft phones. The .Audio 910 does not have the software or the USB charging option. Multi point on both enable them to pair with multiple devices giving the user a “one headset” solution for their cell, desk and soft phones. Nice, unless they lose it or it runs out of power. Bluetooth is for casual users. The sound quality is very good but it cannot compare to a CS50 USB or a corded headset solution. |
