New Wideband Handset Eases Unified Communications Adoption by Providing a Familiar Option to Professionals
.Audio 1100M USB Handset Optimized for Microsoft Office Communicator
SANTA CRUZ, CA--(Marketwire - February 3, 2009) - 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:
-- .Audio 1100M USB phone handset
-- MCD 100 USB speakerphone
-- .Audio 630M USB wideband binaural headset
-- .Audio 615M USB wideband monaural headset
-- 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
About Plantronics
In 1969, a Plantronics headset carried the historic first words from the moon: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Since then, Plantronics has become the headset of choice for mission-critical applications such as air traffic control, 911 dispatch and the New York Stock Exchange. Today, this history of innovation is the basis for every audio product we build for the office, contact center, personal mobile, entertainment and residential markets. The Plantronics family of brands includes Plantronics, Altec Lansing and Clarity. For more information, go to www.plantronics.com or call (800) 544-4660.
Altec Lansing, Clarity, Plantronics, and Sound Innovation are trademarks or registered trademarks of Plantronics, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of the respective owners.
