Plantronics Blackwire 3200 Series replace the very popular Plantronics Blackwire 300 Series. There are some apparent cosmetic changes like the new “Lava” cable and accents. Some of the variants include folding speakers along with leatherette ear cushions and 3.5mm connection option. Also…like the Voyager 3200 UC, Voyager 5200 UC, Voyager 8200 UC and Blackwire 5200 Series.
Plantronics introduced a new member to their Calisto speakerphone family. The Calisto 7200 UC.
Like other new solutions Plantronics is producing, there aren’t “Microsoft” and “UC” variants. The Plantronics Calisto 7200 is certified for Skype for Business. Built for UC applications and softphones from Avaya, Cisco, Skype and others.
By Danny Hayasaka
I’ve been using the Plantronics Calisto 7200 Speakerphone for several weeks now. It’s much better than the Calisto P610 and P620 in terms of audio quality for voice calls and streaming music.
“Can I use the Voyager 5200 UC or Voyager Focus UC with a desk phone?” ” Can I Connect a Plantronics Headset to Deskphone?” is another question we get. The answer is “YES!” Back in 2014 I wrote about the MDA200, fast forward to 2017 and the MDA220 has been introduced. So what’s the difference between the two, they look identical?
The main differences:
What’s in the Box? MDA 220 Audio Switcher, Telephone Interface Cable, Quick Start Guide
Set Up and Use: First connect your Plantronics Supported corded or wireless USB headset adapter to MDAA220 USB headset port. (See list above for list of supported headsets)
Connecting to PC or Laptop: Connect the USB cable from the MDA220 to the computer. The computer talk button LED will be solid green.
Connecting to Desk Phone: There are three options for connecting MDA220 to a desk phone.
The Computer Audio Button and Desk Phone Audio Button are indicated via LED Indicators on the top of the MDA220. Below is the LED Indicator light guide
I can’t stress enough the importance of downloading Poly Software or subscribing to Plantronics Manager Pro. The Asset Management capabilities are one thing, the awesome voice analytics are really great.
Plus Plantronics Hub software offers many options. You can update firmware or adjust multiple settings to support how you work.
The MDA220 is a solid solution. If you have questions, please contact your dedicated Call One, Inc. Account Executive. 1-800-749-3160
Almost a couple years ago I wrote “Plantronics Voyager Focus UC Review”. As more and more organizations transition to open office spaces as well as work remotely from anywhere, the need for Active Noise Canceling has become increasingly important.
The Plantronics Voyager Focus UC is ideal for folks who want the ability to “Focus” on their work. Many do this by streaming their favorite tunes or podcasts via their mobile device.
There are four Plantronics Voyager Focus UC variants:
It has phenomenal talk time (up to 12hrs) and listening time (up to 15hrs).
Let’s focus on Plantronics Smart Sensor technology. It’s a very cool feature. As I wrote before, Smart Sensor means the headset knows when you are wearing it and when you are not. Here are some applications on how Smart Sensor Technology is beneficial:
Use sensors: Smart sensors respond when you put on or take off your headset.
| With active sensors | Putting on headset will: | Taking off headset will: |
| Call | Answer the call | Mute the headset |
| Music/Media | Resume music/media (if playing previous to taking off)* | Pause music/media (if playing)* |
| Mute | Unmute if on an active call | Mute if on an active call |
NOTE *Functionality varies by application. Does not function with web-based apps.
Reset sensors
You may need to reset the sensors in the Plantronics Voyager Focus UC if they are not working as expected. There are two ways to reset the headset sensors. Choose:
Disable sensors
You can disable your headset smart sensors several ways:
NOTE Sensors cannot be disabled while streaming audio.
To learn more about the Plantronics Voyager Focus UC or to find out if this solution is right in your environment, contact us.
The Plantronics EHS Cable APC-43 (38350-13) allows you to connect Plantronics Savi 700 Series, CS500/CS500 XD Series, MDA 200/220 and Voyager Legend CS to these Cisco Desk Phone Models:
Using the APC-43 Cable provides remote desk phone call control. You can answer and hang up call via headset while away from desk. After all, that is the main point of being “wireless”.
What’s in the box? APC-43 Cable, Quick Start Guide, Guide showing how to connect Savi Online Indicator Light (Light not included), Regulatory Compliance Information and Warranty Info
The Plantronics APC-43 cable has a 2-Year Warranty
APC-43 Date Code Location: The date code for the APC-43 cable is located in the middle of the cable on the rectangle housing. It consists of four digits in the MM/YY format (for example, 06/17).
Here is set up guide for the various Cisco Phone Models:
The 85638-01 Adapter Cord needed if using Sidebar with Cisco phone and can be purchased separately.
Additionally the 80287-01 Plantronics Online Indicator Light is a great way to visually show others you are in a call and is optional accessory.
If you have any questions in reference to the Plantronics EHS Cable APC-43 or any other Plantronics solutions, please contact your dedicated Call One, Inc. Account Executive today!!!
Call One, Inc. supports thousands of customers and receives multiple questions daily. In addition to our normal product reviews and blogs, we’ll devote some time to answering frequently asked questions such as this regarding the Plantronics D100 USB Adapter.
Question:
How do I link the replacement D100 USB adapter to an existing Plantronics wireless SAVI W400 Series headset?
Subscribing a Headset to D100 USB Adapter
The headset and USB adapter that are supplied together are already subscribed to each other. However, if you wish to use a new headset with your existing USB adapter or you need to restore subscription to your current headset, the units can be subscribed to each other by the following method:
Press the volume up button (press volume down for left ear configuration) on the headset for three seconds until the headset indicator light turns solid white.
When the indicator light on the USB adapter goes solid green, the headset and the USB adapter are subscribed to one another.
To ensure subscription was successful, press the call control button: the headset will flash white and the USB adapter will flash green.
NOTE: If the subscription process times out after two minutes or if the subscription process fails, the USB adapter indicator light will become solid red for four seconds and then return to its previous state. If this occurs, try to re-subscribe the headset again.
Ending Subscription
If the USB adapter is in subscription mode and you want to stop the adapter from searching for a headset, press the subscription button again. The subscription light will turn solid red for four seconds and then go to its previous state.
What is the D100?
It’s a DECT USB adapter adds PC connectivity and portability to your existing Plantronics DECT wireless headset. (Savi 400 and Savi 700 Series)
There are two variants:
What do D100 / D100-M USB DECT Adapter Indicator Lights indicate?
USB Adapter Indicator Lights
| USB Adapter Status | Indicator Light |
| Headset in talk mode | Flashes green |
| Headset is muted | Flashes red |
| Incoming call | Flashes red and yellow |
| Adapter and headset subscribing | Flashes red and green |
| Headset subscribed, no activity | Solid green |
| Powered on – headset not subscribed | Solid red |
| USB adapter is in conference mode subscription | Flashes green and yellow |
| On a conference call with one or more guest headsets subscribed | Flashes yellow |
Where is the D100 USB Adapter Date Code Location?
The date code for the D100 USB adapter is printed on top line of the label, and is in MMYY format (For example: 0417).
DA100 USB Adapters have a 1 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
D100 / D100-M USB DECT Adapters: Wideband Performance
The Savi Office headsets marked WH100 and WH200 do not support wideband audio when subscribed to the DECT dongle D100 or D100-M although wideband audio is supported by these headsets when subscribed to the Savi Office base, WO1. The newer Savi headsets, WH110 or WH210 can be purchased separately if wideband audio is needed with using the DECT dongle.
How do I update Firmware?
Plantronics introduced their new Plantronics EncorePro Digital Series, EncorePro USB Series headsets and the DA90 USB to 6pin QD adapter. I finally got my hands on some. To see what they are all about.
These are all the current available EncorePro variants:
At first glance they look like exactly like the current EncorePro Series variants so what’s the difference? What are the main changes?
One of the main points you need to be aware of is that currently, the NEW EncorePro Digital Series have a 6-Pin QD which currently only connects to DA90.
There are some accessories coming that will allow end-users to connect standard EncorePro Series to DA90 (4 to 6 Pin Adapter) and NEW EncorePro Digital series to connect to DA70/80 (6 to 4 pin adapter). Plus there is a 6-Pin Training-Y Cable on the way.
More and more companies are adopting/deploying softphones or web-based collaboration tools that require USB headsets. Someone has to support those devices. Because of the applications/platforms being used, it typically falls on IT to manage and support those assets.
I think Plantronics is on the right track as they look forward. These new EncorePro Digital Series along with the DA90 and Plantronics Manager Pro empowers IT Managers with easy-to-use tools to monitor, manage, and maintain every Plantronics headset across the enterprise.
Let’s get right into it. First I’m happy Plantronics FINALLY developed their own Desk Phone/PC switch. The MDA100 QD allows Plantronics QD headsets to connect to a desk phone and PC. In today’s world it’s absolutely essential to have dual connectivity. We do so many things on our PC’s now. Many organizations have hybrid voice and UC platforms meaning they have desk phones as well as soft phones and other web based applications that require audio like streaming media, webinars, and video calls.
Plantronics MDA100 QD 205255-01
What’s in the box: MDA100 QD Switch, Desk Phone Cable, USB Cable, 10 foot Coil Plantronics QD (Quick Disconnect) Cable, Set Up Guide
Set Up and Use: Set up is fairly straight forward. Connect desk phone cable to desk phone port on MDA100 QD and the other to either the “headset” port on your desk phone or directly into the handset port. Next connect the USB cable to the micro USB port on MDA100 QD and the USB cable to a USB port on your PC. (Make certain to go into your PC’s Control Panel > Sound > MDA100 > Make Default > Default Communication Device > Apply – For a Mac: System Preference > Hardware > Sound > Output/Input/Sound Effects > MDA100). Connect modular portion of 10 foot coil cable to headset port on MDA100 QD and connect Plantronics QD headset to QD connection.
There are six switch settings on the no-slip bottom of the MDA100 QD. (A, B, C, D, E, F). Select through the switch settings until you hear dial tone on phone. Make certain switch is switched to desk phone.
In order to get audio from PC, select PC on MDA100 QD.
Other nice feature is the Mute Button.
This works great with Plantronics QD headsets. Also tried with Plantronics CS540. Although it works, you will not have remote answer/hang up option. You must answer/hang up via desk phone. If you are in need of Desk Phone and PC connectivity with remote answer/hang up option, go with Savi 700 Series and optional EHS Cables or Handset Lifter.
The MDA100 QD is compatible with all major desk phones and softphones, PCs and Macs. PLUS if you have Plantronics Manager Pro subscription you can manage your MDA100 QD inventory.
Many communications and collaboration platforms in the enterprise space requires the use of USB headsets and devices. With that comes some challenges in the enterprise space for end-users and IT departments. Plantronics Manager Pro and Plantronics Hub offer a great solution.
From Plantronics Manager Pro and Plantronics Hub data sheet:
Plantronics Manager Pro and Plantronics Hub, both part of our Plantronics Spokes software offering, work together to give enterprises total control and flexibility over their Plantronics audio headsets and devices.
Plantronics Manager Pro is a web-based service that gives IT Managers easy-to-use tools to configure settings and update audio device software and firmware for end-users across the enterprise. Plantronics Manager Pro leverages a cloud-based architecture and offers reporting tools that provide new insights into your communications environment.
Plantronics Hub for Windows/Mac is a client application that works with Plantronics Manager Pro and allows end users to control the settings on their Plantronics audio device within the parameters established by IT.
Problems:
Solution: Plantronics Manager Pro with Plantronics Hub for Windows/Mac
Plantronics Manager Pro
SIMPLIFY ADMINISTRATION OF PLANTRONICS DEVICES
GAIN DETAILED INSIGHT
Plantronics Hub
EMPOWER USER PRODUCTIVITY
For more information or to receive a quote for Plantronics Manager Pro, please contact your Authorized Plantronics Reseller.