My Fitness Journey and Review of Ultimate Ears UE FITS vs. Jabra Elite Active 75t vs. Poly BackBeat Fit 2100

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My Fitness Journey 

I restarted my fitness journey on May 20, 2012. I went into my garage, laid down, and proceeded to do eight crunches. I thought I was going to die. That was my first workout after a Iong hiatus. I had always been in shape growing up. In my early years, I was a skateboarder and competitive martial artist. I participated in TaeKwonDo competitions to include three Jr. Olympic National Championships. In 1992 I joined the US Army, where PT (physical training) was a daily occurrence, and I continued training in martial arts. When I got out in 1999, I started work at Call One, Inc. as a Shipping/Receiving Clerk. I was on my feet all day in this role, and my body was constantly in motion.  

In 2000, I applied for a Sales role. This was completely different from my previous position. As a sales rep, I was seated for long periods and rarely did anything physical. To make things worse, I started getting pretty good at helping customers, and my sales began to improve, which helped increase my income. This increase supported eating out multiple times a week, having dessert after every meal, and having coffee with lots of cream and sugar. Not to mention the steady stream of sodas and energy drinks. Nightly, I would sit in my man-cave and play video games, eat chips, and drink beer into the wee hours of the night. 

By 2012, at age 39, I had reached a weight of 246lbs (I’m only 5’8”), and worse, my waistline had grown to size 42, and that was tight. Tying my shoes had become a major physical event to the point where I traded shoes with laces for more accessible slip-on shoes. I had had enough and decided to get fit by forty. I started slowly reducing the amount of food I was eating and did some bodyweight exercises daily. After eight weeks in, I started incorporating free weights and added walking on the weekends.  

I had always hated running. The first time I went for a walk, I struggled the first quarter-mile and was terrified at the realization I had to walk back the same distance to get home. I remained disciplined. My nutrition improved and my walks got longer.  

December 2013, I participated in a 100 Mile Month Challenge with a Facebook fitness group I was a member of. The longer my walks got, the more critical the need to listen to music to keep me motivated and energized. This was when I started the process of testing multiple earbuds and headphones. I tried so many, from corded to wireless Bluetooth models from various brands.  

In 2014, I started using the Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeat FIT. These became my Bluetooth headphones of choice. They were sweat and waterproof and had a battery life of up to 8 hours. They fit well, were comfortable, and, more importantly, allowed me to hear background noise around me like traffic while running. Yes, my walks had turned into runs. I then established an annual goal of 1,200 miles or 100 miles per month. I logged 1,356 miles in 2014 and 1,301 miles in 2015.  

Fitness Journey
Fitness Journey

October 2016, I somewhat fell off the wagon. Looking back, my body needed a break. I worked out seven days a week and often twice a day, including logging 100+ miles monthly. For three months (Oct-Dec 2016), I reduced workouts but continued eating like I was still training as intensely as I was. The weight and layers of fat quickly accumulated. I ended up logging 1,138 miles for 2016. In January 2017, I tried readjusting my training and food intake. Admittingly, I struggled and only logged 916.6 miles in 2017. In 2018 I started slow and improved my consistency. I twisted my ankle in April 2018, which slowed my progress. I experienced a devastating loss when my beloved Boxer, running, and workout partner, Loki, passed away unexpectedly on October 10, 2018. I didn’t know how I would move forward. For 2018, I logged 1,065 miles.

Otis joins our family!  

2019 started slow. I was depressed and didn’t feel like running or exercising. My wife sensed this and secretly went on the hunt for a new running partner. In March 2019, we traveled to the west coast of Florida to pick up Otis!!!  

Otis quickly warmed my heart and injected a new sense of joy and motivation to start working out again. Otis and I began doing everything together. He was allowed into select retail stores, the dry cleaners, and even to my bi-weekly haircuts. He started that first year slowly. Otis was soon walking and running with me as well! What began as a slow year finished strong. I ended up logging 972.5 miles in 2019.  

2020 started with a bang, and I logged 133.8 miles that January! I was doing well and then the global pandemic forced our companies to work from home in mid-March. The lack of commute actually helped fuel even more running. February through June I was logging 100+ miles monthly. July 2, I sprained my ankle pretty bad. Enough so that I only logged 25.2 miles that month. I came back strong in August, and by now, my wife had started walking in the morning with me! She, too, started very slow but now regularly walks three to six miles! She also tried a few headphones, including the Powerbeats Pro, Apple AirPods Pro, and currently the Jabra Elite 85t. I was happy to log 1,463 miles for 2020!  

This brings us to 2021. My nutrition has not been optimal. You could say I gained the COVID-19 pounds. I need to reduce my overall daily caloric intake, reduce or quit eating junk, and increase my strength training sessions. Fortunately, we’re still working from home, so my wife, Otis, and I have been able to walk together almost daily, and year to date (January 1 – November 7) I have logged 1,215 miles! My goal has changed from being fit by forty to having functional strength and mobility in my fifties and beyond. I turned forty-eight this year, and I have started thinking more about long-term health and physical fitness. Years of bad habits begin to catch up right about now. My wife and I must refocus on our nutrition and increase our workouts. She has signed up for her first virtual half-marathon this month. She went from the couch to her first 5K last year in October. In December 2020, she completed her first virtual 10K, and on September 11, 2021, she completed a 9.11 Mile Memorial Challenge! I am extremely proud of her.  

I shared my 100 miles per month goal on LinkedIn and received an overwhelming show of support from my connections and beyond. To include Logitech (Ultimate Ears) and Jabra who sent me a set of earbuds to test. The rest of this blog focuses on my personal opinion and review of the Ultimate Ears UE FITS, Jabra Elite Active 75t and the Poly (formerly Plantronics) BackBeat Fit 2100.  

Ultimate Ears UE FITS – MSRP $249 

In August of this year, I had an opportunity to test a set of Ultimate Ears UE FITS. I logged 123 miles wearing them. They offer unique True Custom Fit earbud tips via their patented Lightform Technology. Download the UE FITS app before you open the earbuds from their packaging; they are in like a cocoon. It’s not like any other headset or earbuds I’ve ever experienced. This is a wild process that I’ve never experienced before. The earbud tips light up, get warm, and mold to your ear for a perfect fit. In addition to their self-molding tips fitted to your unique earprint, they are sweat-resistant and offer up to 8 hours of battery life and 20 hours with the case. They never fell out of my ears while I was using them, and I was able to customize the function of the tap sensors to mimic what I had grown accustomed to with the BackBeat Fit 2100. You can also check battery life and edit your UE Signature sound via UE FITS app. They sound awesome! Many will appreciate that you can use the UE FITS earbuds at the same time or independently. Wear one or both depending on what you are doing. While I appreciate the tap sensors sometimes, sweat droplets would “tap” them and cause them to perform the function I set. Other than that, the UE FITS performed fantastically. Via the UE FITS app, you can also access the “Take a Selfie” feature, making the earbud tips glow for your photo!  

  • Fitness Journey
  • Fitness Journey
  • Fitness Journey
  • Fitness Journey
  • Fitness Journey
  • Fitness Journey

Jabra Elite Active 75t – MSRP $179 

In September 2021, I tested the Jabra Elite Active 75t earbuds, logging 135.2 miles wearing them. In terms of sound, when compared to the Poly BackBeat Fit 2100 and Ultimate Ears UE FITS, the Jabra Elite Active 75t hands down provided the best audio quality performance when streaming music. Download the Jabra Sound+ App to access the multiple features, functions, and customization available. These surprisingly never fell out during our walks, runs, strength training, or even heavy bag sessions. The Jabra Elite Active 75t have been specifically designed for an active lifestyle. An IP57-rating (IP57 verified to withstand fresh water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.) makes them fully waterproof and sweatproof. They also have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that helps keep you focused during workouts. A tremendous must-have included is the HearThrough feature which allows you to hear what’s going on around you. This is essential when running on busy public streets and need to listen for oncoming traffic, cyclist, golf carts, and other runners. There are three Sound Modes: Active Noise Cancellation, HearThrough, and ANC Off. You get up to 28 hours (earbud 7.5 hours and charging case 20.5 hours) with default settings and up to 24 hours (earbud 5.5 hours and charging case 18.5 hours) with ANC on. I prefer the tactile buttons the Jabra Elite Active 75t provides vs. touch or tap sensors. 

  • Fitness Journey
  • Fitness Journey

Poly BackBeat Fit 2100 

I have been using a version of the Poly BackBeat FIT since 2014. I have logged literally thousands and thousands of miles (Dec 2013 – November 7, 2021, I’ve logged a total of 9,526 miles) using them along with strength training sessions and trips to the grocery store and other places. I have replaced them only three times during that period. The BackBeat Fit 2100 just work, and I was sad to hear that Poly would no longer be manufacturing them. I have always appreciated their Always Aware ear tips that allowed me to hear my surroundings. They were comfortable, IP57-rated durable, sweat-proof, and waterproof, provided up to 7hrs of listen time, and never fell out of my ears. The Poly Backbeat Fit have been with me through multiple stages of my fitness journey. I applaud and appreciate them.

Fitness Journey

 

Ongoing Journey 

I have been extremely fortunate to have started my journey when I did. I have no idea how healthy I truly am. I haven’t been to a doctor since my post-Army physical back in 1999. What I know is how I feel. And I feel good, good, good! My goals today have nothing to do with my physique. However, it’s often a by-product of putting in work with your nutrition and overall fitness routine. I look towards my fifties, sixties, seventies, and beyond if I happen to be so lucky. I started my journey at age 39 to be fit by forty. At 48, I now focus on functional strength and mobility. I take no supplements or vitamins and do my best to cook all our meals. Daily, my wife has been making green smoothies packed with leafy greens, fruits and vegetables. Feel free to follow me on social media! We’re hoping someday to have grandchildren and be able to play with them.

  

Devices make the experience

Devices make the experience

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The Voice of your Brand 

How often have you contacted a business and had a hard time hearing them or spent a lot of time repeating yourself because they couldn’t hear you?  Daily, your team members communicate externally with clients and partners and internally with team members via voice or video. The audio and video quality is a direct reflection of your brand. How important is the voice of your brand?  

The appropriate audio and video devices make the experience. Your organization may have deployed a premium collaboration platform that provides all the required elements for your teams to collaborate. However, if you didn’t place effort into selecting the proper audio and video devices for your team members, the overall user experience and productivity may suffer.  

Where, when, and how people work today vastly differ from pre-pandemic days. Your team members need the right tools that support the mix of in-office, on-the-go, and remote-work locations. In a previous blog post, I shared the importance of audio to have a productive video meeting. At the height of the pandemic, many organizations provided a stipend or reimbursement and shifted audio and video device selection decisions to their employees. Many opted for consumer models because most folks aren’t aware of the difference between consumer and business-grade devices.

Consumer vs. Business Devices   

Devices make the experience

There are differences between consumer and business audio and video devices. Jabra lists these differences between consumer and professional headsets in their blog:  

  • Engineered for different uses – Professional headsets are engineered to elevate the professional experience. In a hybrid world where we work increasingly between the office, home, and co-working spaces, they enable us to transition seamlessly between places and tasks to maximize our productivity and flexibility. You can make office calls in the morning, listen to a podcast on the train home at lunchtime, and deliver that important presentation from your home office in the afternoon, all with one headset. 
  • Sound quality – Professional headsets are purpose-built to protect your ears, deliver clear audio, lower fatigue, and give your ears the best experience possible. 
  • Call quality – This is one area where professional headsets come out on top. Advanced technology, number of microphones, and boom arm make it possible for improved speech isolation that is often not possible with consumer headsets due to where and how mics are situated. 
  • Connectivity – Professional headsets provide a more comprehensive range of connectivity options to support business desk phones, computers, and mobile devices. Manufacturers of professional audio devices work with the leading communications and collaboration platform providers to develop solutions to support a broad range of use cases, devices, and environments. Select platforms like Microsoft Teams have created certification programs for peripherals such as headsets, speakerphones, webcams, and monitors to ensure they offer rich audio and video quality. Additionally, certified devices meet requirements to provide true plug-and-play and call control for a better experience for the end-users and those responsible for managing the devices. 
Devices make the experience

Other differences between consumer and professional or business-grade devices include:  

  • Packaging – Business-grade solutions packaging is typically minimal and designed for mass deployments  
  • Warranty – Business-grade solutions often provide a longer warranty than consumer models.  
  • Pre-Sales Support – Authorized Resellers can help guide customers with device selection for professional-grade devices. They can also coordinate virtual demos or physical demos for pilots and proof of concepts.  
  • Global Support – Leading device manufacturers support customers across multiple industries and all sizes, including international organizations. Some even offer dedicated support teams for large global customers. 
  • Ongoing commitment – Business communications and collaboration technology are rapidly advancing. The manufacturers and authorized resellers will keep you informed and educated on the latest and greatest so you can plan accordingly.  
  • Incentives – Business customers often have access to special programs, promos, and offers. 
  • Device Management Software – Professional device manufacturers like Poly, Jabra, EPOS, Logitech for Business, and others provide device management software to support distributed and remote workforces. This software allows administrators and IT managers to deploy, monitor, manage and maintain one or thousands of audio and video devices globally. Check out this video with a panel of experts from Poly, Jabra, EPOS, and Logitech discussing how device management software benefits businesses.  
  • Poly Studio P5
    Poly Lens
  • Jabra Xpress Personalize
    Jabra Direct
  • Logi Tune

A pair of consumer wireless earbuds may be adequate in a quiet environment for short voice calls. However, what is the audio quality and comfort level for longer, more complex calls? What if you are in a noisy location while in a Zoom or Microsoft Teams audio or video call from your laptop? Can you hear and be heard? Can the other party make out what you are saying? I challenge you to record your meetings or calls and playback to review the audio quality. Some clients and colleagues are candid and will inform you if the audio quality is poor. However, many will not and may leave the call with a poor impression. Worst, they may have missed vital information you were trying to convey.  

So many audio and video device choices! What solutions are best for your business? 

There are thousands of personal and group audio and video devices available today. It can be overwhelming as you start the process of identifying and selecting which solutions are best for your business. Fortunately, there are Authorized Resellers like Call One, Inc. who can help. Authorized Resellers adhere to manufacturers’ policies to ensure customers receive quality products and services. Additionally, their team members undergo extensive education, training, and certification to meet the manufacturers’ requirements to position the appropriate solutions based on your organization’s use cases.  

When teams were working in controlled office environments, it was easier to establish a set of device standards that would suit most. Today, business and IT leaders need to take a step back and profile their organization. Poly has done research that shows 92% of employees in a typical enterprise can be categorized into six different workstyles. Identifying the different work styles in your organization is the first step. Then you can outfit employees with the audio and video tools they need for the way they work. There are wireless headset options, corded USB headsets, corded and wireless headsets with Active Noise Canceling (ANC) speakers, and a wide range of webcams for desktop video. Some partners offer personal bundles and kits that include an audio and video device! Take a look at these incredible bundles! These kits simplify the process by reducing SKUs, streamlining deployment, supporting a wide range of work styles and budgets. 

  • Poly Studio P Series
  • Poly Studio P Series
  • Poly Studio P Series
  • Poly Studio P Series

Poly Studio P Series Kits include the Poly Studio P5 Webcam and your choice of audio device.  

  • Logitech Zone Collaboration Kit
    Logitech Zone Collaboration Kit
  • Logitech Zone Collaboration Kit
    Logitech Zone Collaboration Kit

Logitech offers these personal video collaboration kits that include a choice of webcam and Logitech Zone headset!

JPL has created this conferencing bundle.  

Konftel Video Kits 

  • Devices make the experience
  • Konftel C20Ego Devices make the experience

Do you like one brand’s webcams but another’s headsets? Would you like to create a bundle that includes a webcam, headset, and speakerphone? An authorized reseller like Call One, Inc. can build custom soft bundles from multiple brands to support your team members’ work styles. With our Agent-in-a-Box Service, we can package in a single box and ship directly to your employees’ doorsteps anywhere in the United States. Contact us!  

What about audio and video solutions for small, medium, and large meeting spaces? 

Devices make the experience

Video-enabling meeting spaces, especially huddle and small to medium-sized rooms, is not as complex as it once was. Due to advances in technology and cloud-based collaboration platforms, there are affordable, easy to set up and use all-in-one video bars that simplify the process. Most video bars only have two cables to connect, power and USB. Still, have questions? How can we help? Check out available video bars from Poly, Jabra, Logitech, Konftel, VDO360, and Yealink at this link: All-in-One Video Bars – Solutions for small and medium-sized meeting rooms.  

Video Solutions by Space

Devices make the experience

Video Solutions by Platform 

Where can I see these solutions in action?  

A benefit of working with an Authorized Reseller like Call One, Inc. is we test a wide range of audio and video devices from multiple brands in real-world scenarios. Leading brands have experience centers in select metro areas, and subject matter experts sprinkled across the US. You can schedule a virtual demo for any of the video conferencing solutions by contacting an authorized reseller. Contact us! Check out our videos on the Call One, Inc. YouTube channel. 

Conclusion 

The voice of your brand is important. To ensure that your team members look and sound their best, you must choose business-grade audio and video devices. Work with an authorized reseller and develop device standards to support the different workstyles in your organization and encourage your team members to select business solutions over consumer models. Deploy device management software to monitor and manage the devices and reduce help desk tickets. Today people can work from anywhere. Make sure they have the proper devices that will provide a better experience for all. If you need help, feel free to contact us!  

EHS Cable Wireless Headsets

What is an EHS Cable for Wireless Headsets?

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What is an EHS Cable? 

An EHS (Electronic Hook Switch) cable is a solution that connects a DECT wireless headset base and a desk phone. The EHS cable enables remote answer and end call function from the headset. The ability to answer and end calls directly from your headset while at or away from your workstation is a highly beneficial function and a primary reason for getting a wireless headset.  

EHS Cables for Wireless Headsets

Jabra, Poly, EPOS, and JPL have a wide range of wireless headsets and EHS cables to support multiple desk phone brands and models. Contact us! A trained team member from an Authorized Reseller like Call One, Inc. can help. EHS Cables are NOT included with the purchase of a wireless headset due to the various combinations of wireless headsets and desk phones.  

EHS Cables by Brand: 

EHS Cables for Wireless Headsets
EPOS CEHS SH 01

Not all phones support EHS Cables 

Before you get excited at the prospect of wireless freedom, you will enjoy using a wireless headset and EHS cable; make sure your phone supports it. Not all phones support EHS Cables. Contact an Authorized Reseller to check compatibility. Additionally, they can help identify alternatives like a handset lifter.  

Handset Lifters:

Poly hl10 EHS Cables for Wireless Headsets
Poly HL10

Check Compatibility 

Online compatibility guides are available. However, they may be challenging to navigate and understand if you are not familiar with them. It’s best to contact a subject matter expert to help you select the correct, compatible wireless headsets and EHS cables for your environment. There are hundreds of brands and thousands of individual phone models. You must know the desk phone brand and model whether you check compatibility on your own or contact an expert to help.  

Online Compatibility Guides 

Can EHS Cables be used with other devices? 

Poly and Jabra have developed audio adapters that provide multi-connectivity to corded USB headsets and Bluetooth headsets with the appropriate dongle. The Jabra link 950 and Poly MDA220 adapters connect compatible USB headsets to a desk phone and computer. These adapters can use select, compatible EHS cables to support remote answer/end call functions. It’s best to contact a subject matter expert or the manufacturer directly to check compatibility.  

Multi-Connectivity Adapters 

EHS Cables for Wireless Headsets
EHS Cables for Wireless Headsets

Conclusion 

EHS Cables provide the beneficial function of remote call control. The challenge is that not all phones support EHS cables, so it’s important to check compatibility online or contact a subject matter expert who can help you select the right solutions for your use case. Call One, Inc. is a Nationally Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBENC) and an Authorized Reseller of Jabra, JPL, EPOS, and Poly. We have over three decades of knowledge and experience and are happy to support you.  

Manufacturer Support 

Auuthorized Reseller

Why buy Certified Devices from Authorized Resellers

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It can be highly convenient and budget-friendly to shop online; however, buyers beware. Many unscrupulous, unauthorized vendors selling audio and video devices online come with several risks attached.  

Potential Risks Buying from Unauthorized Resellers 

  • The product is of unknown origin, previously used, or counterfeit 
  • Unauthorized resellers often deal in grey-market goods- those designed for one region or market, but exported to another without the manufacturers’ approval. Since they are designed for other regions, they may have product information in foreign languages and different power accessories. 
  • The product may be resold as “unused” – which is not a new product 
  • Used or open-box product is often misrepresented and sold as new, shipped in bulk packaging, and may have missing documentation or accessories. Used goods are often found at Internet auctions or marketplaces like eBay and Amazon, and may be for sale at vastly lower prices. 
  • The product includes software that is no longer supported by the manufacturer & requires updates to prevent network vulnerability 
  • The product is missing key accessories or components required for your region to ensure the product will work as needed 
  • If the product does not work properly, you will not be able to obtain support or a replacement under warranty 
  • The product is not eligible to be supported by manufacturer services. 
  • The product is not eligible for any manufacturer trade-in promotional programs. 

Why Buy from Authorized Resellers 

Authorized Resellers like Call One, Inc. agree to adhere to manufacturers’ policies to ensure customers receive quality products and services designed for their geographic territory. Authorized Resellers undergo extensive education, training, and certification to meet the manufacturers’ requirements to position the appropriate solutions based on your organization’s use case. Contact us to learn more.   

Additional Benefits Buying from Authorized Resellers 

  • New product shipped in manufacturers’ original packaging with original manufacturer accessories and support documents. 
  • Manufacturers’ product warranty support. Warranties vary across manufacturers. Contact us to learn warranty terms for each brand. 
  • Pre-and Post-sales assistance from team members, who have the necessary qualifications and training, and who have access to additional manufacturer resources, sales, and technical personnel. 
  • Access to manufacturer promotions and special incentives available only to Authorized Resellers 
  • Direct access to a live person who can help via phone or email! 

What are we Authorized to Sell? 

Call One, Inc. can help customers with Office and Contact Center Headsets, Personal and Group Video Collaboration Solutions, Samsung Enterprise Mobility Solutions, UVC Light Disinfection DIY Solutions, and Services.  

We are a Poly Platinum Partner, Jabra One Premium Partner, Logitech Video Collaboration Gold Partner, JPL Authorized Reseller, Yealink Authorized Online Reseller, Cisco Premier Certified Partner, Samsung Mobility Titanium Authorized Reseller, EPOS Authorized Dealer, and more.  

Woman-Owned Business Certification 

Call One, Inc. has been in business since 1987 and has been a Nationally Certified Women’s Business Enterprise  and Woman-Owned Small Business by WBENC since 2001. These certifications provide further affirmation that we are a legitimate business. To become certified, business owners undergo a thorough vetting process, including review of business documentation and a site visit. 

Because of this thorough process, WBENC Certification is considered the gold standard for women-owned business certification and is accepted by more than 1,000 corporations, in addition to many states, cities, and other entities. 

Why Buy Certified Devices 

The global pandemic created a massive shift to work from home and the utilization of cloud-based collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, and others. After almost two years working remotely and in hybrid environments, many have learned there is a difference in user experience and performance quality when using a certified vs. a non-certified device. The reason is certified devices are developed and designed with a set of requirements set forth by the UC platforms. The peripherals certification program ensures USB peripherals (such as headsets, speakerphones, webcams, and monitors) offer rich audio or video quality. Certified devices work (plug & play) with no extra configuration required and offer call control. The products provide an excellent experience for end-users and administrators. 

Not all certifications are platform-specific. General UC certifications are issued to products that fulfill the basic requirements for professional use, such as multi-device connectivity, enhanced call quality, and remote call control.  

Additional Support 

You also get added product support from the UC partner and the peripheral or end-point provider when you have a certified device. This line of support between the peripheral manufacturer and the UC partner allows them to work together to solve any issues that may arise with a product or platform.  

Latest Feature Updates 

UC platforms are continuously providing system updates. When UC platforms provide updates, you can update all devices immediately, no matter where they are. In a hybrid world where teams are distributed between different locations, what would otherwise be a major IT challenge becomes a simple system update. An added benefit for IT teams is the remote device management capabilities of certified devices. Leading manufacturers offer device management software to support individuals with desktop applications as well as large global enterprises. Learn more in this blog and video featuring experts from EPOS, Jabra, Logitech, and Poly.  

Conclusion 

If the voice of your brand matters, it is essential to select certified audio and video devices. Certified devices will ensure your team members can hear, be heard, and be seen. To avoid the multiple potential risks, elect to purchase through an authorized reseller that supports your geographic territory. Leading brands like Jabra, Poly, and EPOS provide an online partner locator. Call One, Inc. is an Authorized Reseller that supports customers in the United States. How can we help? 

References:

Jabra – Why use a Certified device

https://www.jabra.com/wheretobuy/authorized

https://www.poly.com/us/en/partners/why-buy-authorized

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/devices/usb-devices

https://explore.zoom.us/docs/en-us/zoom-certified.html

DECT Headsets

Highest Security Level DECT Wireless Headsets

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What is DECT? 

Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT™) is the European Telecommunications Standards Institute’s (ESTI) standard for short-range cordless communications, adapted for voice, data, and networking applications. DECT technology has become the global standard for secure residential and business cordless phone communications. More than 110 countries have adopted the DECT system, with more than 100 million new devices sold annually. 

DECT Security Certification 

To meet the increased demand for secure communications, the DECT Forum, the international association of the wireless home and enterprise communication industry, has established the DECT Security Certification program. The certification program consists of requirements and security features, which, when implemented in a product, are validated by an accredited and independent test laboratory to show compliance. (DECT Security Certified products listed here)

3 Steps in the DECT™ Security Chain 

The DECT™ security chain is made up of three steps, as shown below:  

Pairing 

The first and vital step in the process is to bind the headset with the base. Pairing can be done over the air or for greater security by physically docking the headset into the base. This ensures the secret key shared during the process is exchanged via the charging contacts and not over the air.  

Authentication  

The secret key shared during the pairing process is used for each call to establish authentication between the subscribed headset and the base. A non-paired headset will not work with the base.  

Encryption 

The audio between the headset and the base is encrypted for each call so that intruders cannot read it – the encryption keys are regenerated every 60 seconds. 

DECT headsets

DECT™ Security Evolution 

DECT security has evolved from the original security definition to new enhanced definitions called Step A, B, and C, each step offers increased security over the previous step. Each new security level includes all features of the prior level.  

  • DECT security – Authentication (DSAA)*, Encryption (DSC, 64 bit keys) 
  • DECT security step A – New features which correct certain vulnerabilities. Secure DECT certification. 
  • DECT security step B – New authentication using strong AES 128 bit encryption (DSAA2)* 
  • DECT security step C – Strong encryption of audio stream using AES 128 bit keys (DSC2)* 

* DSAA and DSC are the authentication and encryption algorithms defined in the DECT security standard ETSI EN 300 175-7 applicable for DECT security and DECT security step A. DSAA2 and DSC2 are the equivalent updated security algorithms for the next steps of DECT security, steps B and C. 

FIPS 140-2 

The Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 140-2 (FIPS 140-2) is a U.S. government computer and security standard used to approve cryptographic modules. Select DECT wireless headsets go one step further and utilize encryption algorithms (Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit encryption) listed in FIPS 140-2 standards required by the US military and government. This level of security goes beyond DECT level C.  

Who Needs DECT Security Step C or FIPS 140-2 Level Security? 

Any industry that shares sensitive or private information over voice calls should strongly consider DECT wireless headsets with a higher level of security to include Financial, Banking, Healthcare, Insurance, Government, and Contact Centers.  

Secure DECT Wireless Headsets  

  • EPOS SDW 5065
  • Wireless Headsets EPOS SDW 5036
  • Wireless Headsets EPOS SDW 5066
  • Wireless Headsets EPOS SDW 5035

EPOS has a Protected Pairing process which transfers sensitive pairing data via the charging terminal of the IMPACT SDW 5000 base station instead of ‘over the air’. The security of the pairing process is further enhanced by the authentication algorithm (DSAA2), which uses AES-128-bit keys. The EPOS Impact SDW 5000 Series has reached step B in the DECT security level by implementing this enhanced algorithm. There are multiple wearing styles and connectivity options available to support individual preferences. Contact us for help in selecting the right EPOS Impact SDW 5000 model! Security Features in the IMPACT SDW 5000 Headset Series. 

  • Yealink Solutions
  • Yealink Solutions
  • Yealink Solutions
  • Yealink Workstation and UH66
  • Yealink-WH67-Teams

Yealink WH6X Series utilize DECT security level step C: Authentication – DSAA2, Encryption – DSC2 (128bit) and Cordless Advanced Technology: CAT-iq 2.0. They are available as stand alone DECT wireless headsets that connect to a computer or compatible IP phones that support USB headsets and they also have a new category of audio devices with their Yealink UC Workstation series.  

AES-128 encryption ensures secured communication when using Cisco Headset 560 Series available with a Standard or a Multibase. The Standard base supports single connectivity to a desk phone or a computer. The Multibase supports connectivity to a desk phone, computer, and mobile phone.

Military Grade Security 

  • Jabra Engage 75 Convertible Headset
  • Jabra Contact Center

These DECT wireless solutions utilize AES 256-bit keys for the very strongest level of encryption in professional headsets. The Jabra Engage 75 Series and Poly Savi 7300 Office models are also available in multiple wearing styles and connectivity options to support your team members regardless of work style and workspace. Contact us if you need help selecting the right wireless headsets for your team. 

  • Poly Savi 7300 Office
  • Poly Savi 7300 Office
  • Poly Savi 7300 Office
  • Poly Savi 7300 Office
  • Poly Savi 7300 Office

Conclusion 

Cybercrime is on the rise, and in a business environment where customer calls are evermore sensitive, making valuable conversations secure is vital. Protect sensitive information by using secure DECT wireless headsets from EPOS, Jabra, Poly, and Yealink. Call One, Inc. helps mid-to-large organizations, including Financial, Banking, Healthcare, Insurance, Government, and Contact Centers, do their business better by providing professional-grade audio and video solutions. 

 

Video is great, Audio is Critical for Hybrid Work, Office Work, Work from Home

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Regardless of the work model being implemented, video conferencing will be part of the equation. Over the past 17-18 months most of us have participated in a video call over Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, or some other video meeting platform. One thing we’ve learned is that it’s nice to have high-quality video but it’s more important to have great audio.  

Audio is Critical in Video Calls 

To have a productive video meeting, all participants need to be able to hear and be heard. In the early days of the pandemic, there was a massive shift to work from home. Once vaccines were introduced, businesses started developing plans to return to the office. Some leaders have made remote work permanent. While others have strong arguments for why employees need to be back in the office. And some are opting for a hybrid/flexible work model. As organizations navigate this topsy-turvy landscape, they need to focus on developing device standards that will work in the current and future environments.  

Employees need the right technology to stay connected. The challenge is one size does not fit all. Business and IT leaders need to consider a day in the life of the employees in their various roles and work environments. Today team members can join video calls from a dedicated office, an area in their home, a third space, or from pretty much anywhere. Whether or not they turn their video on, they will need to be able to hear what’s being said. And if they speak, they need to be heard by all participants.  

Since the start of the pandemic, I’ve been in countless video meetings, mobile calls, listen-only webinars, and online training sessions. Audio has been the most critical part. Even with great video, poor audio quality or no audio can stop a meeting dead in its tracks. It’s critical to have great audio.  

My Setup

  • Logitech Brio 4K Webcam
  • Logitech Brio 4K Webcam
  • Logitech Brio 4K Webcam

My wife and I both have dedicated offices in our home and HQ. After testing several webcams, my wife has selected the Logitech Brio webcam. She will not turn her video on unless she has her Logitech Brio. For audio, she’s been using the Poly Calisto 7200. It’s been discontinued and she’s waiting to switch to its replacement the Poly Sync 40. In the meantime, the Calisto 7200 is working great. I recently decluttered my home office workspace and now have a single 43” curved Samsung monitor. For audio and video, I have opted for the Poly Studio P15 video bar. This is a great option for my environment. The Poly Studio P15 includes everything I need to look and sound my best in video calls: 4K camera with auto-tracking, integrated privacy shutter, speakers, multi-microphone array and two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, and several nice features like Noise BlockAI and Acoustic Fence. Take a look at this video where I provide a Poly Studio P15 overview, video, and audio test!  

Different Work Environments 

What about different work environments? Call One, Inc. and Hello Direct, Inc. have team members working from our Headquarters in Cape Canaveral, FL, and remotely in different cities and states. We have open office environments, private offices, home environments, small to large meeting rooms, and an operations and warehouse facility. Audio and video device needs will be different depending on the team members’ roles and workspace. It’s not practical to use a speakerphone in an open office or noisy warehouse. First, we’ll take a look at desktop video options, and then we’ll discuss audio devices. 

Desktop Video 

There are multiple options available when it comes to desktop video and webcams. In my blog, Webcams for Business – What to consider I share a list of things to consider when choosing a webcam: Compatibility with Operating System, Supported Video Platforms, Windows Hello Face Support, Video Resolution, Field of View and Auto-Framing,  Autofocus and Auto-light correction, Built-in Microphones, Privacy Shutter, Mounting Options, USB Type Connectivity, and Cable length, Additional USB Ports, All-in-One Video Bars, Device Management, Warranty, and Price. On our YouTube channel, we have a playlist dedicated to Webcams / Video Collaboration Solutions. These videos allow you to learn more about the webcams and see them in action. We also have side-by-side comparison videos. 

Webcams for business

Value Business Webcams – Under $70 

Good/Better Business Webcams – Under $150 

Premium Business Webcams and All-in-One Devices 

Personal Speakerphones 

Speakerphones are great audio devices for team members who work in a private or home office space where their audio will not distract others. Most personal speakerphones are excellent for travel as they are small and portable. Some models include Bluetooth which allows you to pair with a mobile device. This is great for streaming music or having an ad-hoc small group conference call with others. Speakerphones can be connected to a computer via USB-A or USB-C. There are wireless options that provide flexibility as to where you position the speakerphone from the computer. Zoom and Microsoft Teams certified speakerphones are available. Take a look at these USB Speakerphone options available from Poly, Jabra, EPOS, Konftel, Yamaha UC, Yealink, and ClearOne. In our Business Personal and Small Group Speakerphones video playlist, we put these speakerphones to the test and share their features and audio quality performance.  

Two of my favorite personal speakerphones are the Jabra Speak 750 and Poly Sync 20. In this blog, I share my top 5 picks for USB speakerphones.  

Headsets 

At the beginning of the pandemic, we experienced a lot of panic-buying from customers of all sizes and industries as they transitioned from in-office to work from home. Many used “freemium” collaboration apps on their computers and there was a mad dash for any USB headset they could get their hands on. We now have over a year and a half of experience and lessons learned under our belt. What we learned is that our team members need better when it comes to headsets. Business and IT leaders need to understand team members communicate and collaborate in different ways based on their work styles and workspaces. Having the right headset fosters better communication, collaboration, and improves productivity. When team members can hear and be heard when in a voice or video call, work just flows. The first step is to identify what they are connecting their headsets to. Is it a desk phone? Which brand and model? Is it a computer? What softphone or UC platforms are being used? Do they need Zoom or Microsoft Teams certified headsets? Is it a mobile device? Does it support Bluetooth or a 3.5mm plug? Do they need to connect to a combination of those three devices?  

POLY Solutions

When I was able to travel and go on customer sites, it wasn’t uncommon to walk by a cubicle and see multiple headsets. When I inquired why they had so many headsets, the response often was, “This headset is for my desk phone. This headset is for my computer. And this is the headset I brought from home to pair with my mobile phone.”  

With so many team members working remotely, what are they using? Has it been tested? Is it compatible or certified with the platforms and applications your business is using? How do you know? This conversation can wait for another video and blog I’m working on. We’ll cover device management software and why it’s important for your business.  

Headset Connectivity

Today headsets support single and multi-connectivity. Here is a list of connectivity combinations headsets can support today:   

  • Desk Phone Only 
  • Computer Only
  • Computer + Mobile 
  • Desk Phone + Computer 
  • Desk Phone + Mobile 
  • Desk Phone + Computer + Mobile 

What connectivity do your team members need? Need help? Call One, Inc. can help you identify the right headsets based on connectivity, work environment, and use case. Contact us! 

Wireless Headsets 

  • Jabra Engage 75 Convertible Headset
  • Wireless Headsets Jabra Engage 65

Wireless headsets increase productivity by providing team members the ability to roam away from their workstations. They can answer and end calls right from their headset. This is beneficial in any environment. Those working from home will find being wireless especially beneficial. Wireless headsets allow you to get up and refill your coffee, tend to your children or pets, start a load of laundry, get a snack, get your deliveries, and more! There are multiple wireless operating frequencies in use today however, DECT and Bluetooth are the most prevalent when it comes to headsets. Which is best for your environment? If you need to go further, DECT headsets claim to offer a longer wireless range compared to Bluetooth headsets. Bluetooth headsets can pair to mobile phones which allows you to take calls on the go beyond your office or workspace. Poly Savi 8200 Office and Jabra Engage 65/75 Wireless headsets can easily be converted into hybrid work options. Take a look at this video to learn how! 

Plantronics Savi 8220 DECT

My Top Picks for DECT Wireless Headsets 

ANC Headsets

Noise continues to be a top distraction in the office and when working from home. A good set of Active Noise Canceling headphones is a great option to help you block out the noise. There are many consumer-grade options available like the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Microsoft Surface Headphones 2. The challenge is they are not designed to work with business communications and collaboration platforms. Leading manufacturers of professional-grade headsets have developed several ANC headset options that are optimized and certified to work with UC platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Cisco Webex. They are available corded or wireless and in multiple wearing styles to include circumaural, on-ear, and in-ear options. Some models even offer boomless-mic options so they look and feel more like consumer headphones. Take a look at this video comparing the mic performance of the Bose 700 UC, EPOS Adapt 660, Jabra Evolve2 85, and Poly Voyager 8200 UC. I feel that headsets with boom-mics provide better transmit audio quality. Check out this video comparing the Poly Voyager Focus 2 and Jabra Evolve 75!

  • Poly Solutions Voyager 2
  • Poly Solutions Voyager 2
  • Poly Solutions Voyager 2
  • Poly Solutions Voyager 2

My Top Picks for ANC Headsets 

 Backup Audio Device Recommended

Because work is being done from a variety of environments, employees no longer have immediate physical access to replacement units. I strongly recommend having a secondary/backup audio device wherever they are working. A corded USB headset is a good backup. A good choice would be a USB headset model that does not require software/firmware updates so employees have a truly plug-and-play experience should their primary audio device quit working. The JPL Commander-1, Commander-2, 400-USB Monaural, and 400-USB-Binaural are great inexpensive options as primary or backup headsets.  

Make Informed Purchasing Decisions 

We created our YouTube Channel to help you make more informed purchasing decisions by testing business-grade audio and video solutions in real-world environments. Check out some of our more popular video playlists:  

Conclusion

In the new normal of work from anywhere, hybrid meetings with a mix of in-person and remote participants will be prevalent. Video is awesome however, audio is critical. It’s important to have an audio device that allows the user to hear and be heard. The audio device should align with the individual team member’s work style and workspace. Since 1987, Call One, Inc. has been helping people do their business better. We are authorized resellers of Poly, Jabra, EPOS, Logitech, Cisco, JPL, Yealink, Konftel, and more. We help mid-to-large enterprise customers select the right audio and video devices for their team members. If you would like help, contact us.  

What size room is Jabra PanaCast 50 designed for?

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Jabra confirmed that the PanaCast 50 is shipping and is certified for Microsoft Teams and Zoom rooms on June 23, 2021. Engineered to be the world’s first new-normal-ready intelligent video bar, the PanaCast 50 reinvents meeting room video, audio, and intelligence for the ‘new normal’ workspace. The Jabra PanaCast 50 is available in Black or Grey.

Professional Grade Audio

The PanaCast 50 features eight professional-grade microphones and an array of four powerful Jabra-engineered speakers, two 50mm woofers, and two 20mm tweeters. Beamforming mics and full-duplex audio allow you to hear and be heard, naturally. Meetings flow better when everyone can communicate clearly. Jabra’s advanced beamforming technology maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio for crystal-clear voices, anywhere in the room. 

And with full-duplex technology, everyone can contribute to the conversation in real-time. So those verbal cues that are so integral to face-to-face conversations will never go unheard. 

Jabra Panacast 50

Outstanding 180° Video 

In addition to Jabra’s world-leading audio, Jabra’s gone all-in on inclusive video that keeps everyone in the frame. The three 13-megapixel cameras, mounted in a high-precision, multi-camera array, cover every part of the room. Their patented real-time video stitching technology intelligently decides exactly the right point to live-stitch the three feeds together, creating a smooth, 180° view in high-definition Panoramic-4K. That means nobody is squeezed together, distorted, or missing from the picture. Jabra PanaCast 50 puts inclusive meetings back on the table, safely. 

Jabra Panacast 50

Virtual Director and Intelligent Zoom 

The Jabra PanaCast 50 features two Automatic Zoom modes.  

  • Intelligent Zoom - dynamically frames all visible people within 3.5 meters (11 feet) of the camera. 
  • Virtual Director - utilizes advanced speaker tracking to focus the camera view on whoever is currently speaking. 

By default, the Automatic zoom mode is set to Intelligent Zoom. You can configure the setting in Jabra Direct > PanaCast 50 > Settings > Camera > Automatic Zoom mode. 

Watch this video featuring available settings via Jabra Direct for the PanaCast 50! 

Jabra Panacast 50 settings

Safety Capacity & Room Usage Insights 

If your organization has implemented socially distanced meetings, how do you know if your staff is sticking to the guidelines? Jabra’s intuitive software anonymously counts heads and provides notifications when your customized guidelines are being breached. Their unique 180° data stream remains constantly focused on the entire room, delivering real-time people count data, even when the video stream is zoomed in. Visual data in Jabra Xpress allows you to analyze your previous meeting history, and take data-driven action accordingly. This functionality doesn’t require a computer connection so it’ll capture impromptu meetings as well.  

Whiteboard Streaming 

Jabra’s whiteboard streaming technology lets you live stream your whiteboard content. This supports meeting equity and allows in-room and remote participants to see the whiteboard. This is a built-in feature that does not require a secondary content camera.  

The recommended size of the whiteboard should be between 1.5-2.7 meters in width (5-9 feet), however, whiteboards measuring between 1-3 meters in width (3-10 feet) are supported.  

It is recommended that the whiteboard should be positioned within 3.6 meters (12 feet) of the Jabra PanaCast 50, and no closer than 1.5 meters (5 feet). The optimal viewing range is 3 meters (9 feet). 

Before a whiteboard can be shared in a video conference, a whiteboard view must be set up using Jabra Direct.

Optional Remote Control 

The optional Remote Control makes it easier to control your meetings without having to leave your seat. You can access the presets, whiteboard stream, pan-tilt-zoom, mute, adjust volume, and start/end meetings all through the PanaCast 50 Remote Control available in black or grey.  

Simple Installation 

There are only two cables, AC Power and USB so set up is simple. The Jabra PanaCast 50 supports three different installation options to suit every room setup. You can choose from the Wall Mount in black or grey, Table Stand in black or grey, and Screen Mount (VESA). The Wall Mount hardware is included with the purchase of the PanaCast 50. The Table Stand and Screen Mount are sold separately.   

Jabra PanaCast 50 Installation Guide Videos:  

  • Jabra Panacast 50

Optimized for UC 

The Jabra PanaCast 50 is optimized for all leading UC platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet. No matter what platform you use, the PanaCast 50 allows you to collaborate.  

Meeting Room Guidelines 

The PanaCast 50 is designed for meeting room sizes of 3m x 3m (10ft x 10ft) up to 4.5m x 4.5m (15ft x 15ft). In the PanaCast 50 Meeting Room Guide, they share setup information that includes optimized placement of equipment for Large Huddle Room, Huddle Room, and Break Out Room.  

  • Large Room
  • Huddle Room
  • Breakout Room

In Conclusion 

The hybrid workplace will require the ability to video enable meeting spaces small and large. The Jabra PanaCast 50 helps provide meeting equity for in-room and remote participants with key features like professional-grade audio, 180° field of view in Panoramic-4K, Intelligent Zoom, Virtual Director, and the built-in whiteboard content camera. Schedule a virtual demo or contact us to learn more about the entire Jabra line of business and contact center audio and video solutions.  

Check out this Jabra PanaCast 50 Quick Demo Video featuring Intelligent Zoom, Presets, and Whiteboard sharing! 

Which Poly Studio P Series is best for you? Poly Studio P5, P15, or P21?

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The Poly Studio P Series provide organizations with personal video conferencing device options to support their multiple workstyles from entry-level workers to top executives. Combined with Poly Lens cloud management software and you have a robust solution for IT to easily deploy, monitor, and manage from anywhere.

Poly Studio P Series P5

Remote, In the Office, Hybrid 

When it comes to personal audio and video devices, one size does NOT fit all. Different workers need different technology depending on how and where they work. Today people work remotely, in the office, or a hybrid model with a mix of locations. Workers in a fixed quiet location can benefit from an all-in-one solution like the Poly Studio P21 or Poly Studio P15. Someone working in a shared noisy environment may benefit from an external webcam like the Poly Studio P5 and headset with ANC speakers and a strong noise-canceling mic like the Poly Voyager Focus 2 Series. The Poly Studio P Series work with the video apps you already know and are Zoom and Microsoft Teams certified. 

The goal for business and IT leaders is to identify the right solutions for their workforce based on workstyles and personal workspaces. In this blog, we’ll focus on the Poly Studio P Series Personal Video Conferencing Devices.  

Poly Studio P5

  • Poly Studio P5 Poly Studio P5 Overview
  • Poly Studio P5
  • Poly Studio P5 Poly Studio P5 Overview
  • Poly Solutions Poly Studio P5 Overview

The Poly Studio P5 webcam is great for home, office, private, or shared spaces. Coupled with a headset or speakerphone and you have a complete, portable, audio/video solution. The P5 is designed to attach to an existing computer or laptop monitor and connect via USB. The monitor clamp can be removed to mount on a standard tripod to provide greater positioning flexibility. It has an integrated privacy shutter, status LED light fin that indicates call and mute state.  The Poly Studio P5 also has a built-in USB-A port to connect a wireless headset adapter like the BT600 or new BT700. It’s designed for personal use and offers a built-in single directional microphone and 80° DFOV. See the Poly Studio P5 in action in this video. 

The Poly Studio P5 Kits are a great value and option for mass deployments or for outfitting new hires. A single SKU includes the Poly Studio P5 webcam and one of four audio devices: a Poly Sync 20 speakerphone, corded Blackwire 3210, corded Blackwire 3325, or a wireless Voyager 4220 UC! Learn more about the Poly Studio P5 Kits here!  

Poly Studio P15

  • Poly Studio Series P15
  • Poly Studio P15 Left

The Poly Studio P15 personal video bar includes a 4K camera, integrated privacy shutter, speakers, multi-microphone array, and two USB 2.0 Type-A ports. This is a great solution for the executive who wants a premium audio and video experience. With NoiseBlockAI and Acoustic Fence technologies, the P15 can be used in either your home or dedicated office. A simple USB connection to your PC or Mac will transform your video conferencing experience. See the Poly Studio P15 in action to include NoiseBlockAI and Acoustic Fence demo in this video. 

Poly Studio P21

  • Poly Studio P Series P21
  • Poly Studio Series P21

The Poly Studio P21 personal meeting display is truly an all-in-one video conferencing device that is easy to set up and use. This single device is packed with features and functions that include a 21-inch display, camera, microphone, speakers, lighting, wireless phone charger, and can be customized via the Poly Lens App. Take a look at all the available options and settings in this video! This is a great option if you want an additional display that includes all the components necessary for a high-quality video call. Additionally, there are two USB-A ports to connect a corded or wireless Poly headset if you need to take the conversation private. The Poly Studio P21 is a good fit for top executives who prefer a clean, simple solution that allows them to look and sound their best.  

Which Poly Studio P Series is best for you by Workspace


Poly Studio P5 Webcam

  • Home or Office 
  • Private or Shared Workspace 
  • Cubicle or Hot Desk 

Poly Studio P15 Personal Video Bar

  • Home or Office 
  • Private Workspace 

Poly Studio P21 Personal Meeting Display

  • Home or Office 
  • Private Workspace 

Keep Employee Devices Up, Running, and Ready for Action 

Poly Lens makes collaboration better for your employees no matter where they work or the compatible device they choose. You get better line of sight on device health and adoption rates and you may also see fewer help-desk tickets. IT can quickly get started remotely provisioning, monitoring, and troubleshooting from a single pane of glass. And since Poly Lens is cloud-based, it’ll scale with you, maintaining security without all that heavy overhead of traditional IT management. Check out this interview video with a Principal Solutions Architect at Poly where we discuss what Poly Lens is and how it helps organizations.  

  • Poly Lens
  • Poly Lens devices
  • Poly Studio P5
Poly Lens

Control Your Experience 

Poly Lens Desktop is a single app for customizing your compatible personal devices to how you work. Stay up to date with the latest software and gain access to product guides, setup, and support, right at your fingertips. And with built-in wellness and nature sounds, you’ll have better focus and peace of mind, so you’ll look and sound great.  

How Can Call One, Inc. Help? 

Hybrid work is the new normal. Business leaders need to develop a work-from-anywhere strategy that gives their employees best-in-class solutions. Call One, Inc. can help bring your vision to life, allowing teams to connect, collaborate and perform at their best. We work with all the leading device manufacturers and are constantly testing for ourselves the latest technology. We can help identify the right solution whether your team members work from home, in the office, or on the go. Contact a Call One, Inc. solutions expert today! Watch the Poly Studio P Series Comparison Video below!

What are you doing? Hybrid Work, Work From Home, Work In Office

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We recently ran a poll across Call One, Inc’s Twitter, YouTube Community, and LinkedIn. The objective was to see if there was a clear model businesses were adopting in this post-pandemic landscape: hybrid, fully remote, or return to the office. According to Best Practice Institute 2021 Return to Work Study, over 83% of CEOs wanting their employees back in the office in 2021, while only 10% of employees wishing to be back in the office full time. Some companies like Twitter and DropBox are giving employees the option to permanently work remote, according to Vox April 21, 2021 article.  So what is currently happening? We asked in our polls, “As of July 2021, what is your current work model? Work From Home, In-Office, Hybrid, Not Working. We had a total of 2,010 votes. Here are the results:  

Twitter Poll Results – 1,839 votes 

  • 31.4% Working from home 
  • 32% In the office 
  • 22.2% Hybrid  
  • 14.4% Not working 

Hybrid Work Work From Home Work In Office

YouTube Community Poll Results – 140 votes 

  • 61% Working from home 
  • 15% In the office 
  • 19% Hybrid 
  • 6% Not working 
Hybrid Work Work From Home Work In Office

LinkedIn Poll Results – 31 votes 

  • 52% Working from home 
  • 13% In the Office  
  • 32% Hybrid 
  • 3% Not working 
Hybrid Work Work From Home Work In Office

If you take the average of all three poll results: 

  • 48.1% Working from home 
  • 20% In the Office 
  • 24.4% Hybrid 
  • 7.8% Not Working 

What these results show is there is a strong need for audio and video solutions to support employees across multiple environments. Recently I posted a video sharing my home office setup and HQ office setup. My objective is to have a consistent work experience regardless of where I’m working. I’m fortunate to have a dedicated office in both locations. For those who don’t, you have the option of assigning seats or you can take a look at Office Hoteling.   

Office Hoteling 

  • Embrava Desk Sign
  • Embrava Desk Sign ending
  • Embrava Reserved
  • Embrava Cheked In
Embrava Desk Sign

Office hoteling is the elimination of assigned seating in a workspace. This allows members to reserve office space as needed. Effectively implement hot-desking or hoteling in your office with Embrava Desk Sign. These Desk Signs visually allow users to quickly determine which workspaces are available to be used. Green indicates the space is available. Orange shows it’s reserved. When checked in the sign glows red. Yellow is ending. Learn more in this blog, How Embrava Desk Sign helps with Office Hoteling which includes a video showing the Embrava Desk Sign in action.  

touchdown booths social distancing Hybrid Work Work From Home Work In Office

Personal Audio and Video Devices 

  • Poly Solutions Voyager 2
  • Poly Solutions Voyager 2
Poly Voyager Focus 2

Business and IT leaders need to identify what experience they want their employees to have in a hybrid or flexible work environment. Those who have been working from home since March of 2020 understand the pros and cons. Hybrid work presents its own set of challenges when it comes to technology. Besides a laptop, what additional hardware will employees be expected to transport to and from the office? I’m a fan of the Poly Voyager Focus 2 and Evolve 75 as audio solutions for hybrid work. I explain the reasons why in this ANC Headsets for Business Collaboration blog. I also like the Poly Studio P5 Kits for the simplicity it provides organizations as they make decisions on device standards. The Poly Studio P5 Kits include an audio and video device all in one SKU which makes it easy to order and manage. Learn more in this blog Poly Studio P5 Kits – Great for Hybrid Work!  

  • Poly Studio P Series
  • Poly Studio P Series
  • Poly Studio P Series
  • Poly Studio P Series
Poly Studio P5 Kits

There are so many great options available for personal audio and video devices for Hybrid Work and Work From Home from leading brands that include Poly, Jabra, Cisco, Logitech, EPOS, Yealink, Konftel, JPL, Huddly, VDO360, Belkin, and more! 

Group Audio and Video Solutions 

Another area business and IT leaders need to address are the meeting spaces. With video being a staple of how organizations communicate and collaborate, the need to video-enable all your meeting rooms is important. Konftel and Logitech have made it easy to identify what solutions are best for your various meeting spaces with online room configuration tools. For small to medium meeting rooms, All-in-One Video Bars are a simple and cost-effective way to provide video. There are several options available when it comes to video conferencing. Take a look at these options from Yealink, Konftel, Logitech, Poly, and Jabra.  

  • Logitech Rally Bar Graphite
  • Logitech Rally Bar Overview
Logitech Rally Bar (All-in-One Video Bar)

Using Microsoft Teams or Zoom?  

Having a certified, reliable, and secure device that offers high-quality audio and video ensures clear conversations. Teams and Zoom certified devices include headsets, desk phones, speakerphones, and more. Whether working from home or on the go, there are Microsoft Teams and Zoom devices for you. 

Microsoft Teams Devices banner 2 Hybrid Work Work From Home Work In Office

Sharing Dry Erase Whiteboard in Video Meetings 

Hybrid Work Work From Home Work In Office
Logitech Scribe

Dry Erase Whiteboards are great for education, training, and collaboration. They are still widely used. In the past, remote participants struggled to see what was on a whiteboard. Today solutions from Logitech, Jabra, and others, allow presenters to share content from the whiteboard in stunning fashion. Take a look at this quick Logitech Scribe demo from my HQ office!  

Hybrid Work Work From Home Work In Office

In Summary 

As of today, people are working remotely, in an office, or both. The need to communicate and collaborate doesn’t change regardless of location. Business and IT leaders need to ensure their team members have the right tools for their role regardless of where their working. Call One, Inc. can help people do their business better. Contact us to learn which solutions are best for your team members!  

 

All-in-One Video Bars Perfect for Small and Medium-sized Meeting Rooms

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Regardless of what work model companies and organizations are implementing, video is a part of the equation. Most organizations have one or a few large meeting rooms however, they have more small to medium-sized meeting spaces. Some have hundreds to thousands of these spaces. All-in-One Video Bars are a great way to easily video-enable these rooms for these reasons:  

  • Compatible with all major video platforms 
  • Compact all-in-one design 
  • Easy to Set Up 
  • Easy to Use  
  • Affordable 

Additionally, device management software is available to help simplify the deployment, monitoring, and management of these devices.

All-in-One Video Bars for Small Meeting Rooms (Up to 6 People)

Huddle Rooms banner All-in-One Video Bars

Poly Studio – MSRP $949 

The Poly Studio is a premium USB video bar built for rooms with up to 6 people. It’s designed for BYOD spaces that allow users to bring in their laptops and connect to the video service platform of choice. It has integrated mics and stereo speakers with a 4K, 120° wide-angle; Group framing/speaker tracking; 5x EPTZ camera. It has a USB-A connection to a PC or Mac for video calls. The Poly Studio includes some great audio technology features that improve the meeting experience. Eliminate distracting sounds with their patented Poly NoiseBlockAI technology. Acoustic Fence technology keeps voices and other noises outside of the fence perimeter that can be adjusted from narrow to wide via the Polycom Companion App. Check out this Poly Studio Acoustic Fence demo against barking dogs!  

Logitech MeetUp– MSRP $899.99 – $1,079.99 

Logitech MeetUp is designed for small meeting spaces and packs big features into a compact form factor. Includes 4K Ultra HD Camera with 5x HD zoom, a full-range speaker system, beamforming microphone array, and motorized pan/tilt lens. Additional features include Logitech RightSense™ technologies which is a suite of technologies that include and RightSight™, RightLight™, and RightSound™. The MeetUp also allows you to connect mobile devices via Bluetooth for use in audio conference calls. It’s a great option for rooms of up to 6 people. The Logitech MeetUp is simple to manage with Logitech Sync Device Management. Watch this video to learn how Logitech Sync can help your business.  

VDO360 TridentAI – MSRP $849 

The TridentAI is an all-in-one solution for next-generation video conferencing. Get a 120° wide-angle field of view, 4K auto-tracking video, a four-microphone beamforming array, and a speaker that fills your conference room with crisp audio output. Keep your team working seamlessly in a remote or hybrid environment. Perfect for BYOD, BYOM, and modern collaboration spaces. Take it out of the box, plug the camera into your USB-C port, hang it on your monitor or mount it on a tripod and you’re ready to go. You don’t need extra software or drivers. The TridentAI doesn’t care which operating system you choose, it plays well with Windows, Android, Mac OS, and Linux. See it in action in this video!  

Konftel CC200 – MSRP $899 

Konftel CC200 lifestyle telehealth

The Konftel CC200 is designed for a meeting size of up to six people. Unlike the first three video bars I’ve shared, this is a whole video system in a compact collaboration camera. There is no need for a computer. Connect via SIP/H.323 or WiFi.   Check out this video where I unbox, configure, set up, and share some of the CC200 features! You can share content wirelessly with all the meeting participants – sending it from your laptop or mobile phone to the Konftel CC200. We call this Wi-Fi Display. If your organization requires screen sharing to be done by cable, the Konftel AV Grabber is available as an accessory. This is a feature-packed solution that can quickly and cost-effectively transform any space with a screen into a venue for video conferencing.  

Poly Studio X30 – MSRP $1,699 – $2,199 

Poly Studio X30

The Poly Studio X30 is ideal for small meeting rooms of up to six people that need an all-in-one video solution. You can order with or without the TC8 touch control. It’s radically simple to use with support for leading cloud video services built right in—no PC or Mac required. Voices are crisp and clear, thanks to a beamforming microphone array and acoustic chamber design. Built-in, wireless content sharing lets users share from their devices without the need for cables or pucks. Setup, management, and maintenance are all streamlined, too. Say hello to lower IT costs. Check out this quick overview video where we set it up and demo the Studio X30.  

Jabra PanaCast 50 – MSRP $1,195 Grey or Black 

The Jabra Panacast 50 is engineered to be the first new-normal ready intelligent video bar. It’s great for standard (10 ft x 10 ft)to large (14 ft x 14 ft) huddle rooms with up to seven people. As well as break-out rooms.  See Meeting room setup guidelines. The Jabra Panacast 50 has a unique 180° field of view that keeps everyone in the picture at a safe distance. Virtual Director intelligently adjusts the video in real-time for more immersive meetings. Intelligent Zoom automatically adjusts the field of view to include everybody in the conversation. There is also a whiteboard sharing/content camera (Windows only) for real-time whiteboard streaming for more inclusive remote collaboration. Watch this Jabra Panacast 50 overview video! See all Jabra Panacast Solutions and Accessories.  

Logitech Rally Bar Mini – MSRP $2,999 

Logitech Video Conferencing All-in-One Video Bars

Rally Bar Mini is Logitech’s premier all-in-one video bar for small rooms and huddle spaces. It’s remarkably simple to use,  manage,  and deploy at scale,  delivering the capabilities of larger video bars like Logitech Rally  Bar in a compact form factor for smaller spaces.  With studio-quality audio and video, motorized pan and tilt,  and  AI-powered performance,  Rally  Bar Mini sets new standards for video collaboration. Easily connects to virtually any  PC or Mac®, with no additional software required. Built-in compute allows you to run supported video conferencing applications such as Zoom directly on the device. Check out the Logitech Rally Bar Mini Data Sheet for a list of features and benefits, accessories, and technical specifications. Watch this overview video!  

All-in-One Video Bars

The Yealink MeetingBar A20 with CP18 touch panel is an all-in-one Android video collaboration bar for small meeting rooms.  Featuring a 20MP camera and 133° superwide-angle lens,  A20  delivers outstanding video quality. Together with the electric lens cap,  and AI technologies including Auto  Framing and Speaker Tracking, allow users to experience a smarter and safer video conference.  With 8 MEMS microphone arrays and Yealink noise-proof technology, A20 brings excellent audio experience in small rooms even in full-duplex mode and ensures that everyone can be heard as well as seen.  Moreover, A20 combines a computing unit, camera, microphones, speaker, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, which provides you a solution for simple deployment.  A20 supports cloud video platforms like Zoom and Microsoft  Teams without a PC or Mac. The A20 is capable of content sharing and whiteboarding that makes the meeting more communicative and collaborative. Simple and flexible deployment but powerful features deliver excellent video collaboration performance. Check out this brief demo from Microsoft Ignite 2020.   

All-in-One Video Bars for Medium Rooms  

Poly Studio X50 – MSRP $2,999 – $3,499

Poly Studio X50 front All-in-One Video Bars

he Poly Studio X50 is ideal for medium-sized rooms with up to 10 participants and can be ordered with or without the TC8 Touch Control. The Poly Studio X50 video bar delivers radical simplicity in a small, elegant package. In small- and medium-sized rooms, connect easily with whatever video collaboration software you may use. Experience full boardroom-quality audio, advanced camera capabilities, and quick wireless content—all in one sleek video bar. And say goodbye to unnecessary pucks, cards, and cables, along with the PC or Mac to drive the meeting,  since the Poly Video OS runs the show. Easy to install, easy to manage. It also offers dual monitor support to ensure an ideal setup for many types of rooms.  

Logitech Rally Bar – MSRP $3,999 White or Graphite 

Logitech Rally Bar Graphite

Logitech Rally Bar sets a new standard for video meetings in midsize rooms, with expansion options for larger groups and settings. It’s remarkably simple to use,  manage,  and deploy at scale, delivering cinema-quality video and audio in a sleek, all-in-one form factor. Plug and play Rally Bar with any PC or Mac, or leverage the built-in compute to run video conferencing applications directly on the device. Rally  Bar features a multi-element lens assembly,  powerful low distortion speakers,  and an advanced mic system to create meeting experiences that sound as good as they look. A dedicated  AI camera amplifies RightSight auto-framing and delivers insights about room usage directly to the Logitech Sync dashboard. Learn more about Logitech Sync in this video interview with Sr Product Manager, Trevor Rush. Upgrade your video collaboration with Rally Bar. Check out this Logitech Rally Bar Overview video we did with fellow YouTuber and Microsoft MVP Ragnar Heil. 

In Summary 

The global pandemic has forever changed the workplace. Video conferencing and collaboration are now the new normal. Meetings will be a mix of in-person and remote participants moving forward. Meeting spaces of all sizes will need to be video-enabled. All-in-one video bars are a great option for small to medium-sized meeting rooms for these reasons: Compatible with all major video platforms, Compact all-in-one design, Easy to Set Up, Easy to Use, and Affordable. Listed are units we’re familiar with based on our partnerships. There are other video bars like the Aver VB130, Neat Bar, and Bose Videobar VB1. I haven’t had the pleasure of testing those solutions yet.  

If would like to schedule a meeting to discuss your small to medium meeting room video needs, contact us!