New wireless audio solution for unified communications unveiled

Plantronics has introduced the industry’s first suite of unified communications wireless headset systems that integrate multiple devices and applications for improved business collaboration and cost savings. Designed for today’s distributed workforce, the Plantronics Savi Series provides a new level of communication versatility combined with superior audio and reliability.

“As unified communications becomes more prevalent in the enterprise, professionals are increasingly using a mix of communication tools, including desk phones, softphones and mobile phones, on an everyday basis,” said Melanie Turek, industry principal, Unified Communications at Frost & Sullivan. “Intelligent headsets that can unify devices and applications to help eliminate costs and improve workforce collaboration are truly essential for successful UC deployments.”

Revenues for the worldwide unified communications application and service markets grew by 294 per cent in 2008, according to Frost & Sullivan. The analyst firm forecasts a CAGR of 72 per cent for the market (2008-2014).

The Plantronics Savi Series features two wireless headset systems: Savi Office and Savi Go. Savi Office is designed for office workers and provides a single wireless headset for mixing desk phone calls with PC audio and softphone calls. Savi Go gives mobile professionals a simple-to-use wireless headset to connect to PC and mobile phone communications.  Both products have variants that support UC offerings from leading providers, including Avaya, Cisco, IBM, and Microsoft, and other popular services, such as Google Talk and Skype.

“Plantronics is participating in numerous unified communications pilot projects, helping IT departments increase adoption by understanding end-user needs and preferences,” said Chuck Yort, vice president and general manager, B2B Solutions at Plantronics. “Experience is teaching us that the last leg of UC – how well end users interface with devices – is just as critical as the infrastructure. Our new Savi products are reliable, minimise risk and spur adoption for IT decision makers, and deliver great audio, comfort and ease of use for end users.”

Plantronics Savi Office – PC and desk phone integration

As the PC emerges as an audio platform for business, professionals require a way to seamlessly transition between the various audio-intensive functions performed during the workday. With the Savi Office headset system, professionals can use a single wireless headset for PC audio, including web conferencing, multimedia streaming and music listening, and switch to/from both desk phone and softphone calls at the touch of a button.

Plantronics Savi Office features a new software application, PerSono® Suite, to manage calls and audio. PerSono Suite provides an intuitive, one-click interface to let users mix desk phones and softphone calls, mute a call, or put a call on hold with a single click. Users can personalise PerSono Suite and save ring tones, volume levels, and default settings.

Additional Savi Office features and benefits include:

• Mobility: All communications and PC audio listening on Savi Office are wireless, giving professionals the freedom to talk hands-free and work without the hassles of a cord, up to 350-feet away from the desk.
• Audio Quality: Savi Office is built on digitally encrypted, voice-dedicated DECT 6.0 technology for exceptional audio quality and lower interference with other wireless devices.
• Personal Choice: Savi Office is offered with two different wearing styles: convertible includes over-the-ear and over-the-head styles and a discreet over-the-ear style, both with noise-cancelling microphones.

Plantronics Savi Go – Wideband PC audio and mobile connections

Designed for the more than 47.3 million mobile professionals,* the Plantronics Savi Go headset system enables users to unify their PC softphone and mobile phone communications with excellent audio quality. Savi Go includes a plug-and-play Bluetooth® USB adapter that reduces support costs by eliminating cumbersome software set-up processes and provides life-like, wideband calling through any UC application. The Class 1 Bluetooth adapter provides up to 200 feet of range from the PC for extended mobility, and also features A2DP for wireless stereo streaming.

Additional Savi Go features and benefits include:

• Device Simplification: The Savi Go headset includes multipoint technology that allows users to switch between their mobile phone and PC calls with the touch of a button.
• Audio Quality: The headset features an extended boom and noise-cancelling microphone for call clarity, and a single button on the headset provides remote answer/end, volume up/down and mute.
• Ease of Use: Savi Go also comes with the PerSono Suite software to help manage PC audio and calling.

Plantronics Savi Go will be available in two versions: Optimised for Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 and enhanced for other unified communications platforms.

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