return to office Archives

Many companies deployed cloud-based communications platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom during the pandemic. USB headset demand and purchases skyrocketed now that employees use their computers to make and take voice and video calls. Some organizations have elected to return to the office or adopt a hybrid work model. The challenge is that the headsets employees use in their home offices may not be compatible with the desk phones in the office, or desk phone only headsets will now need to connect to computers.

Consumer USB headsets typically do not have options to support connectivity to a business desk phone. Fortunately, there are options to connect existing business-grade USB headsets from brands like Poly and Jabra to desk phones and computers. Some devices enable desk phone only headsets to connect to a computer.

Here are some available solutions. Contact a subject matter expert like Call One, Inc. for help with compatibility and more information.

Solutions to connect USB headsets to desk phones and computers

Jabra Link 950 for USB-A or USB-C Headsets

The Jabra Link 950 enables you to use a compatible Jabra USB headset, either with just your desk phone or with your desk phone and softphone. Choose from Jabra’s wide range of corded and wireless USB headsets, and look for Bluetooth functionality if you also want the headset to connect to a mobile phone. Check if your Jabra headset is compatible here: jabra.com/help/link950/compatibility.

Resources:

Poly MDA220 USB

The Poly MDA220 USB allows you to connect to PCs, Macs, desk phones, Poly USB headsets, and devices (corded, wireless, Bluetooth). As of writing this blog, here are the compatible Poly USB devices: Blackwire Family Voyager Family when used with a BT600. Audio 615 and 630M Savi 400 Series EncorePro USB Series Bluetooth USB Adapter BT600, BT300 Entera USB (HW111N, HW121N) DA70, DA80, DA90. Not compatible with Savi 8200 Office and UC Series.

Resources:

Solutions to connect Jabra and Poly QD headsets to desk phones and computers

Jabra Link 860

Connect Headsets to a Desk Phone or Computer for Hybrid Work

The Jabra Link 860 is a flexible audio processor with dual connectivity to desk phones and softphones straight out of the box. With easy-to-reach buttons for mute, volume, and switching calls between desk phone and softphone, the Jabra Link 860 includes audio streaming: call recording, agent greeting, and transcribing.

Resources

Poly MDA500 QD Series

The Poly MDA500 QD Series includes four models: MDA524 QD USB-A, MDA526 QD USB-A, MDA524 QD USB-C, and MDA526 QD USB-C. The MDA500 QD Series allows you to connect Plantronics standard QD and digital QD headsets and Y-Training cables.

Resources:

Poly MDA500 QD Series Datasheet
Poly MDA524 QD/ MDA526 QD User Guide
Shop Poly MDA524 QD USB-A
Contact an Authorized Poly Reseller for the other MDA500 QD Models

Poly MDA100 QD Series

The Poly MDA100 QD Series is a lower-cost option to connect existing Plantronics QD headsets to desk phones and computers. There are two models: MDA100 QD and MDA105 QD.

The MDA105 QD includes a volume control feature.

Resources:

Poly MDA100 QD Series Datasheet
Poly MDA100 QD User Guide
Shop Poly MDA100 QD
Contact an Authorized Poly Reseller for the MDA105 QD Model

Solutions to connect modular headsets to computers and desk phones

ZoomSwitch ZMS10-C / ZMS20-UC

The ZoomSwitch has been around for several years and was the original option to help organizations transition to computer-based telephony. The ZoomSwitch is still an outstanding solution as it supports DECT wireless headsets, wired modular headsets, or handsets to connect to a desk phone and computer.

Resources:

Connect with a Subject Matter Expert

It’s always best to contact a subject matter expert to discuss headset solutions for return to the office and hybrid work. We completely understand the need for immediate solutions; however, organizations should be moving towards developing new device standards that support new ways of working. Poly, Jabra, EPOS, JPL, Logitech, Yealink, and others have multi-connectivity wireless headsets, Active Noise Cancelling Headset Solutions, and Corded USB headsets that align with the different workstyles and workspaces of today’s workforce.

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

LinkedIn Poll Results – 31 votes

52% Working from home
13% In the Office
32% Hybrid
3% Not working

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 ending — 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

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 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 (All-in-One Video Bar)

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

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!

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!

Tag Archive for: return to office

How to connect Existing Headsets to a Desk Phone and Computer for Return To Office and Hybrid Work

Solutions to connect USB headsets to desk phones and computers