Tag Archive for: Collaboration

Beyond the Headset: Key Considerations for Businesses When Choosing Communication Solutions

As someone who has been in the business communications and collaboration industry since 1999, I’ve had the privilege of helping thousands of businesses find the right headsets for their needs. While the specific model of a headset is critical, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. There are several other essential factors businesses should consider to ensure they’re making an informed and sustainable investment.

1. Support and Warranty

Headsets are vital tools in today’s hybrid and remote working environments, and any downtime due to malfunction can lead to productivity loss. That’s why it’s important to consider not only the features and price of a headset but also the support behind it. Brands like Jabra, Logitech, HP Poly, and Yealink stand out because they offer strong warranties and reliable support channels.

Considerations When Choosing Communication Solutions

You want to partner with brands that stand behind their products with multi-year warranties and hassle-free replacement processes. If a headset issue arises, how quickly can you get support? What’s the warranty coverage? These questions matter because the cost of downtime often outweighs the initial savings of a cheaper, lesser-known brand.

Logitech Zone Considerations When Choosing Communication Solutions

2. Service and Management

Today’s headsets are more than just communication devices—they’re part of a larger, managed ecosystem. For IT departments, the ability to centrally manage and monitor headsets can drastically reduce troubleshooting times. Solutions that allow you to deploy firmware updates, monitor device health, and even push settings across multiple devices can save hours of manual labor.

Considerations When Choosing Communication Solutions

Businesses should prioritize headset manufacturers who offer software platforms that enable this level of management. For example, brands like HP Poly, Logitech, and Jabra offer management software for IT admins, which is crucial when you’re deploying hundreds or even thousands of devices. Having visibility into each device’s status ensures you’re proactive about potential issues, reducing downtime and service calls.

Considerations When Choosing Communication Solutions

3. Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation

Technology is rapidly evolving, and businesses need to stay ahead of the curve. Partnering with brands like Logitech, Yealink, HP Poly, and Jabra ensures that your headsets will meet today’s standards and adapt to future needs. These companies invest heavily in R&D, consistently rolling out updates and innovations that push the industry forward.

Considerations When Choosing Communication Solutions

In my experience, companies that innovate are better positioned to address the evolving demands of modern workspaces, whether it’s improving noise cancellation technology, integrating with collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, or introducing AI-based features that enhance the user experience.

4. Compatibility with Collaboration Tools

Today’s hybrid work environments rely heavily on collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet. It’s not enough for headsets to simply “work” with these platforms—they need to be optimized for them. Certified devices ensure superior call quality, advanced features like voice isolation, and a seamless user experience.

Considerations When Choosing Communication Solutions

Businesses should look for headsets that are certified for the platforms they use most. Brands like Jabra, Logitech, HP Poly, and Yealink have a wide range of devices that are certified for Teams, Zoom, and other major platforms, ensuring optimal performance.

Considerations When Choosing Communication Solutions

5. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

When evaluating headset options, it’s important to look beyond the sticker price and consider the total cost of ownership. Factors such as durability, software management capabilities, support, and ongoing innovation all contribute to the long-term value of a headset. A lower upfront cost might seem appealing, but if the device lacks longevity, offers limited support, or isn’t future-proof, the overall cost of replacing and maintaining that headset will quickly outweigh the initial savings.

Considerations When Choosing Communication Solutions

6. Environmental Impact and Sustainability

More and more companies are prioritizing sustainability, and the brands you choose should align with those values. It’s important to consider whether the headsets you’re buying are manufactured with recycled materials, whether the packaging is sustainable, and what steps the brand is taking to reduce their carbon footprint. Many of the brands we partner with, such as Logitech and Jabra, are committed to sustainability, producing carbon-neutral products and using recycled materials in their designs.

Conclusion

Selecting the right headset for your business is about much more than just finding the right model. It’s about looking at the full picture: the support and warranty, the service and management capabilities, the level of R&D and innovation, the compatibility with your collaboration tools, and the total cost of ownership over time.

That’s why at Call One, Inc., we partner with industry-leading brands like Jabra, Logitech, HP Poly, and Yealink. These companies are committed to providing not just products, but solutions that help businesses improve communication, productivity, and overall efficiency in the long run. Investing in the right technology today means a more sustainable, efficient, and innovative workplace tomorrow.

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What’s the difference between ANC and NC?

Every day I hear customers requesting “ANC” or “NC” headsets. Some know the difference however many don’t. It’s kind of like “Bluetooth”. To some, “Bluetooth” simply means “wireless”. Whether it’s DECT, 2.4Ghz, 900Mhz is irrelevant to them. They want a “Bluetooth (Wireless)” headset. For this blog, I’m talking about headsets for professional use by Poly (formerly Plantronics), Jabra & Sennheiser.

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Why Jabra PanaCast?

By Danny Hayasaka

August 13, 2019

Jabra acquired Altia Systems in February 2019. In June 2019 they announced Jabra PanaCast. Since then, there’s been a lot of buzz.

 

Why? Jabra PanaCast has a lot of really cool technology in a small little package.

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Poly Studio

Hands on with the Poly Studio!

In this video, we highlight the features of the Poly Studio, then set it up and test out the microphone range and the optional people tracking feature in action! For more information on the Poly Studio and other Poly video bars, visit Poly Solutions!

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Poly Studio and Logitech Meetup Comparison

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We compared the audio and tracking features of the Poly Studio and the Logitech Meetup! The automatic color balance between the two is noticeable – our huddle room has a lot of blue, and the Studio interpreted that differently than the Meetup. Every environment can be different, so if you have questions, feel free to ask!

Why should you switch to the Cloud for your Communications Platform?

Is moving to the cloud worth it?
Well, let’s take a look at the features you would get for roughly the same price you pay right now for Voice/Voicemail. With the mid-range plan, you could get Unlimited Calling to 32 Countries, Unlimited Faxing, Call Analytics, Business Class SMS, Voicemail, and call recording! All these features (and more), all for around the same price you would pay per line from your local provider to just receive voice calls and voicemail! The great part about all of this is you can even keep your phone number. Being able to communicate is key in a growing business. It allows you to be more efficient, save money, and improve quality assurance. So why not use the best to communicate?

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Logitech CC3000e Review

By Danny Hayasaka

April 7, 2014

I can’t believe I haven’t written about the Logitech CC3000e!?

This is a super exciting product. All the buzz these days is “collaboration”. There are numerous web-based collaboration platforms customers are using: Microsoft Lync, Cisco Jabber, WebEx, Bluejeans, Zoom, Skype, Google+ Hangouts, GoToMeeting, Vidyo, etc.

There hasn’t really been a good solution for web-based collaboration meeting outside of 1-4 people using standard USB webcam and USB speakerphone.

When you have 5-10 people, you really need a more robust solution. You need a better speakerphone and you definitely need a better camera. The Logitech CC3000e is the solution.

It’s a USB device that is PC and Mac compatible and is compatible/optimized/certified with all the major collaboration platform providers.

What you get in the box: Speakerphone, Camera, Remote Control, Powered Hub, Wall/Table Mount, Two 16-foot cables for Speakerphone/Hub and Camera/Hub Connection, USB cable for Hub/PC Connection, Adhesive solution for hub mounting, Power adapter and Quick Start Guide.

Set Up: The actual set up is easy. What may help make it even easier is if you determine “where” the camera and speaker will go? Actually connecting the camera and speakerphone to the hub is easy. Connecting the USB cable to a PC is simple. And just about anyone can connect the power adapter to the wall.

Use: I personally have had multiple video calls across a variety of platforms: Microsoft Lync, Skype, Bluejeans, Zoom, GoToMeeting, Vidyo and more. The picture clarity and audio were great. I can hear and be heard clearly. With the handy remote control, I can pan, tilt and zoom camera to position it to exactly what I want the viewer to see. I have some pictures in my office that I like to zoom in on to show the powerful zoom and just really nice crisp video. Perfect for zooming in on a whiteboard. There is one preset webcam angle. That makes it nice to zero back in if during call cam has been pointing here and there. There is also a lens security cover so you can rest assured you are not seen if you don’t wish to be.

In addition to connecting via USB to PC/Laptop/Mac the speakerphone also has Bluetooth and NFC (Near Field Communication). This allows you to have better audio for a conference call from your mobile device (tablet, smartphone).

Conclusion: The Logitech CC3000e gets two thumbs way up. There is so much versatility with this device. Set up and use are simple. Because it’s USB, it works across multiple platforms plus it’s Bluetooth and NFC enabled. This is great for any organization looking to enhance their meetings, for interviews, training, teaching, brainstorming sessions, for collaborating. The BEST part is the price. Normally video codecs with PTZ cams can cost thousands and thousands of dollars and possibly a proprietary platform/infrastructure. The Logitech CC3000e is ONLY $999!!! The only negative thing about the CC3000e is that we can’t keep them on our shelves!!! I’m not the only one who is impressed and sees the value of this device. Order yours today!