Available in South Africa through local authorized distributors, Plantronics Manager Pro provides 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. Last month, Wendy Dawson, Senior Development Marketing Manager for Plantronics, blogged about a professional partnership which represents a collaborative viewpoint of the value of adopting Software-as-a Service (SaaS) solutions such as Manager Pro.

"Today, I’m happy to let you know that Plantronics and Nectar are introducing the industry’s first ear-to-ear (e2e) unified communications (UC) diagnostics solution, extending call visibility past the desktop. Nectar UC Diagnostics troubleshoots network issues contributing to poor UC experiences and along with the actionable insights from Plantronics Manager Pro software-as-a-service (SaaS), can be used to improve your customers’ UC experience.

Nectar and Plantronics are bringing two stellar communications solutions together to provide diagnostics showing call-specific health statistics for wireless headsets. Until now, the last three feet of the UC network has been out of reach to the enterprise IT team. This new solution goes beyond traditional UC diagnostic solutions that end at the desktop and now gives IT the ability to see network health all the way to the end user’s Bluetooth headset.

Using this solution, enterprises and UC service providers can diagnose issues faster than in the past and they can track and make decisions from these actionable insights over time. This means call quality issues—no matter what is causing them—won’t ever get in the way of the ability to deliver superior customer service and user experience before an issue is ever detected.

Many factors can impact the quality of a UC session. The “data-your-way” philosophy built into the Plantronics Manager Pro offering extends Nectar’s capability with e2e diagnostics for Plantronics touch points providing this entirely new level of visibility into the last few feet of connectivity.

Last September, Nectar announced their agreement to develop this e2e diagnostics solution with us. Now, link quality is collected for the Plantronics Voyager UC family of headsets (excluding Voyager Legend, Voyager Edge and Voyager 104). And, it’s officially available for purchase through authorized Nectar and Plantronics authorized partners.

Nectar’s initial release of this solution will support Skype for Business on-premise deployments, with additional UC platform and cloud service support to be added over time."

If you are interested in finding out more about Plantronics Manager Pro for your South African business, please visit www.plantronics.com/za/en/services To read the original blog referenced, visit this page.

About Plantronics
Plantronics is an audio pioneer and a global leader in the communications industry. We create intelligent and adaptive solutions that support our customers’ most important needs: experiencing and facilitating simple and clear communications while enjoying distraction-free environments. Our solutions are used worldwide by consumers and businesses alike and are an optimal choice for open office environments. From Unified Communications and customer service ecosystems, to data analytics and Bluetooth headsets, Plantronics delivers high-quality communications solutions that our customers count on today, while relentlessly innovating on behalf of their future. For more information visit www.plantronics.com/za.

Plantronics is a trademark of Plantronics, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries, Plantronics Hub, Plantronics Manager and Plantronics Manager Pro are trademarks of Plantronics, Inc. The Bluetooth trademark is owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of the mark by Plantronics, Inc. is under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

Help your customers understand why workplace noise affects productivity and profitability. And how they can fix it.

Today, work happens everywhere — in busy open-plan offices and contact centers, at home, even coffee shops. This flexibility is great for business and people, but with it comes a new challenge: noise. Distraction caused by noise reduces productivity and well-being and, in contact centers, detracts from a positive customer experience.

Studies show that it takes 23 minutes to recover from distraction, and over 58% of employees are distracted multiple times each day. That represents a significant impact on your customers’ businesses you can easily help avert through proven noise reduction strategies and products.

Plantronics engineers solutions that help people manage the noise around them so they can be more effective — no matter where they work. Together, we can help your customers reduce distractions caused by noise so their businesses can thrive.

Plantronics in South Africa offers several solutions for managing noise. This week we focus on the Voyager 6200 UC, a Bluetooth® neckband headset with earbuds that offers professional-grade audio and versatility. 

On any given day, you might need to collaborate with colleagues remotely, field calls from customers or listen to music to help you focus on your latest project. Now there’s a headset that’s flexible enough to meet the demands of your role inside the office and out. Voyager 6200 UC offers everything you’d expect from Plantronics — active-noise canceling, clear voice transmission and premium audio — in a versatile Bluetooth® neckband headset with earbuds. Intuitive controls make it easy to use, and the neckband vibrates to signal an incoming call. Voyager 6200 UC is so comfortable and low-profile that you can use it all day long, in the office and on the go. 

IT Managers

The professionals in your organization have different roles, responsibilities and work styles, so why offer them all the same headset? Now you don’t have to. New from Plantronics, Voyager 6200 UC is the first Bluetooth® neckband headset with earbuds built to enterprise standards. With its premium audio and versatility, users will want to wear it — and stay connected — everywhere they go.

Flexible Workers

With premium features and professional-grade audio, Voyager 6200 UC is a Bluetooth® neckband headset with earbuds that has the versatility to go beyond the office. Transitioning to your next conversation is easy: Connect with colleagues working remotely, listen to music to focus distraction-free or drop an earbud to tune in to the conversation around you. You can count on Voyager 6200 UC for outstanding audio every time, everywhere.

Hear and be heard clearly with these features:

• On-demand active- and passive-noise canceling let you focus on your call or work.
• Four omnidirectional microphones with enhanced digital signal processing (DSP) deliver superior background noise canceling.
• Premium hi-fi stereo lets you immerse yourself in your favorite music.
• Wide band audio provides high-quality PC telephony.

About Plantronics

Plantronics is an audio pioneer and a global leader in the communications industry. We create intelligent and adaptive solutions that support our customers’ most important needs: experiencing and facilitating simple and clear communications while enjoying distraction-free environments. Our solutions are used worldwide by consumers and businesses alike and are an optimal choice for open office environments. From unified communications and customer service ecosystems, to data analytics and Bluetooth® headsets, Plantronics delivers high-quality communications solutions that our customers count on today, while relentlessly innovating on behalf of their future. For more information visit www.plantronics.com/za 

©2018 Plantronics, Inc. Plantronics, SoundGuard, aptX and Voyager are trademarks of Plantronics, Inc. registered in the US and other countries, and Plantronics Hub is a trademark of Plantronics, Inc. The Bluetooth trademark is owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of the mark by Plantronics, Inc. is under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 01.18

1 Oxford Economics, “When the walls come down – the evolution of the workplace.”
2 Plantronics Noise in the Workplace Global Study, 2017.
3 The Cost of Interrupted Work: More Speed and Stress Study from the Department of Informatics, University of California, Irvine, 2008.

Only 1 percent of employees now say they can block out distraction in the office, a dramatic drop since 2015; millennials less satisfied with their office layout than older colleagues.

The open office is designed to increase employee collaboration, but a new study from Oxford Economics, commissioned by audio pioneer Plantronics (NYSE: PLT), finds that the resultant noise pollution of the open office is reaching epidemic levels. According to the findings, conditions have grown much worse since Oxford Economics conducted its first study in 2015.

Oxford Economics interviewed 500 senior executives and non-manager employees from many industries and functional areas for the 2018 study. Participants hailed from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, China, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway. The study also included detailed interviews with executives who are taking steps to deal with these business collaboration and productivity challenges in their open offices.

Among the findings:

Open Office Conditions Dramatically Decline

The majority of executives and employees report near-constant noise in their workplace and many say they lack quiet space for meetings or to focus. Conditions are much worse now than three years ago, yet the executive disconnect remains:

• Only 1 percent of employees (down from 20 percent in 2015) say they are able to block out distractions and concentrate without taking extra steps in the office.
• 54 percent of executives believe their employees have the tools they need to mitigate noise and distraction in the office, but only 29 percent of employees agree (down from 41 percent in 2015).

 As a result, employees are taking matters into their own hands by leaving or tuning out their surroundings to get work done:

• 75 percent of employees say they need to take walks outside to focus, and 32 percent use headphones to block out distraction.
• Employees in the noisiest office environments are more likely to say they may leave their job in the next six months.

Wellness, Productivity and Financial Performance

The findings suggest that noise and distraction impact wellness, productivity and even financial performance, yet executives aren’t doing enough to address the problem:

• 63 percent of employees say they lack quiet space for focused work, which has a negative effect on their productivity, satisfaction and well-being.
• 96 percent of executives see employee productivity as critical to their financial performance, yet just 40 percent understand the link between noise, distraction and productivity.
• A mere 6 percent of executives report having equipped their office with noise mitigating features.

Millennials

According to the study, millennials, or those aged 22 to 36, are more accustomed to an open office versus older colleagues, likely because they started careers in such a setting. Despite that, they are the first to acknowledge the issues that come with these environments and tend to deal with these challenges differently than their older colleagues. Millennial employees are:

• Much less likely to say they find a noisy working environment energizing (9 percent, versus 30 percent of older colleagues).
• Less satisfied with their office layout than older employees (38 percent of millennials versus 48 percent of others).
• More likely to say their organization should address noise, distraction and information overload (89 percent versus 75 percent of older coworkers).
• More likely to say they take walks outside to focus (84 percent versus 63 percent of older employees), and less likely to use an office break room or quiet space.

Top Performers Have the Right Recipe

The survey shows a correlation between companies’ revenue growth and how those same companies approach their work environments. More than three-quarters of top performers (revenue growth above 10 percent and less turnover) report that office design and noise mitigation are important to financial performance and are proactively addressing the noise epidemic in their offices. These top performing companies are:

• More likely to provide workers with tools to block out noise and quiet space to focus.
• Less likely to say some employees find a noisy environment energizing (28 percent versus 50 percent of others).

Plantronics commissioned the study to better understand how to help create environments where employees thrive. “This year’s results are telling – open offices may provide overall cost savings, but they’re taking a toll on our productivity and wellness,” said Jennifer Adams, director, Enterprise Solutions Marketing. “We’re applying nearly 60 years of expertise in acoustics to come up with a whole range of solutions to address these challenges, from noise-cancelling headsets to our Habitat Soundscaping solution. Our vision: an open office that employees are excited to come into because it enhances their well-being and inspires them to do their best work.”

For more information about the study, visit this page. Plantronics offers products and services that help companies optimize collaboration in open office environments. For more information about solutions available in South Africa, please visit  www.plantronics.com/za/

About Plantronics

Plantronics is an audio pioneer and a global leader in the communications industry. We create intelligent and adaptive solutions that support our customers’ most important needs: experiencing and facilitating simple and clear communications while enjoying distraction-free environments. Our solutions are used worldwide by consumers and businesses alike and are an optimal choice for open office environments. From unified communications and customer service ecosystems, to data analytics and Bluetooth® headsets, Plantronics delivers high-quality communications solutions that our customers count on today, while relentlessly innovating on behalf of their future. For more information visit www.plantronics.com/za

The mobile workforce is growing at a rapid rate, and its workers need technology that enable them to be more efficient at collaborating and communicating. Gavin Sear, Manager Global Product Marketing at Plantronics talks about the new Calisto 7200 in his recent blog:

"Today I have the pleasure of letting you all know that Plantronics has added to the Calisto family of speakerphones by introducing Calisto 7200 to the market. This new, sleek and compact speakerphone is designed specifically for small “huddle rooms” for up to six people, to provide a meeting experience beyond compare. With the addition of Calisto 7200, our partners can now offer their customers a complete selection of audio collaboration devices: headsets, personal and small group speakerphones.

We created this product in a collaboration that began last year with Polycom, a leader in the conferencing space, as we share a mutual goal of providing users with superior user experiences. There’s no doubt the need for small conference rooms is growing quickly. A Nemertes 2018 study found 67 percent of IT leaders are evaluating now, or planning this year or next year, to invest in meeting rooms. Even in today’s open-office environments, the need for smaller conference and collaboration rooms is increasing.

Calisto 7200 offers a professional audio experience on both ends of the call, powered by Polycom. Four highly-directional microphones pick up speech from every corner of the meeting room, with a great reduction of the “cave effect” of room reverberance. In addition, Calisto 7200 comes with wide band support for natural-sounding meetings with a small group of people. Noise cancelling technology filters out undesirable background noises like keyboard typing and paper shuffling when nobody in the room is actively speaking.

One of the best things about this speakerphone is that it can help increase adoption of unified communications (UC) systems. Because it’s so easy to use, with intuitive, plug-and-play connectivity for both PCs and mobile phones, it’s just flat-out simple to connect with UC applications. An additional side benefit is that businesses placing these in their huddle rooms don’t need to worry about post-installation availability. Calisto 7200 comes with a combined USB audio and security cable. However, without the locking cable, the device is portable, so you can take it on the road with you if you wish. To top it all off, there is software support for asset management via our Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering, Plantronics Manager Pro. With the subscription of Plantronics Manager Pro, IT can track these (and other) Plantronics audio and mobile devices to control inventory, update firmware, pre-configure and lock device settings remotely to ensure consistent audio across all devices.

Calisto 7200 connects easily via a USB cable, or you can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth. It has touch-sensitive controls to make it easy to manage calls and the Bluetooth memory can be cleared of previously paired devices which is essential for a shared audio device. And it’s affordable enough to install in all of your huddle rooms, small conference rooms and collaboration zones."

Designed for exceptional conferencing performance in a small group conference room, watch this page https://www.plantronics.com/za/en for more information about future availability in South Africa or speak to one of our local South African distributors.

Read the blog here

Plantronics is an audio pioneer and a global leader in the communications industry. We create intelligent and adaptive solutions that support our customers’ most important needs: experiencing and facilitating simple and clear communications while enjoying distraction-free environments. Our solutions are used worldwide by consumers and businesses alike, and are an optimal choice for open office environments. From Unified Communications and customer service ecosystems, to data analytics and Bluetooth headsets, Plantronics delivers high-quality communications solutions that our customers count on today, while relentlessly innovating on behalf of their future. For more information visit www.plantronics.com/za 

Plantronics is a trademark of Plantronics, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Music lovers will enjoy dual EQ modes, exceptional comfort and hands-free convenience.

Johannesburg, South Africa – 1 May 2018 – Plantronics (NYSE: PLT), an audio pioneer and communications technology leader, recently announced its Plantronics BackBeat GO 600 Series: wireless, over-the-ear immersive headphones featuring unique capabilities for people who put music first, at an economical price point.

To ensure music lovers can create the listening experience they prefer, BackBeat GO 600 comes equipped with dual equalization (EQ) modes, to allow the listener to easily alternate between ‘Bass Boost’ and ‘Balanced’ EQ. Balanced EQ mode is Plantronics’ signature sound, which is tuned to be the most accurate possible representation of the source audio across all genres of music. Listeners can move between modes with a single push of a button – a feature not typically found on headphones in this price range. BackBeat GO 600 is slim and lightweight with an over-ear design and soft memory foam ear cushions that provide the ideal balance of comfort and isolation resulting in deep, rich sound with minimal distraction.

“Our core expertise in headphones, wireless and premium experiences make Plantronics uniquely qualified to give music lovers the best possible immersive stereo experience at an affordable price point,” said Greg Miller, director of portfolio business management, Personal Solutions, Plantronics. “Plantronics’ baseline standard in all of our products is to provide superior audio, consistent with that found in our premium products.” 

Additional BackBeat GO 600 Series features and benefits include:

• A rechargeable battery that delivers up to 18 hours of wireless listening time on a single charge.
• Remaining connected at up to 33 ft/10 m from Bluetooth® compatible smartphones and tablets.
• Ear cups that fold flat for easy storage and transport; ensuring comfort when worn around the neck.
• A carrying pouch, a USB cable for charging and an audio cable for direct connection for listening to music anytime, even if the battery is dead.
• Dedicated on-ear controls that make pause/play, skipping tracks, adjusting volume and taking calls easy.
• A wide band-enabled microphone that ensures voice clarity; answers calls or accesses Siri, Google Now, and Cortana hands-free via voice command. 

Pricing and Availability:

The BackBeat GO 600 Series will be available in South Africa soon through local distributors and partners. To find out more visit www.plantronics.com/za 

About Plantronics

Plantronics is an audio pioneer and a global leader in the communications industry. We create intelligent and adaptive solutions that support our customers’ most important needs: experiencing and facilitating simple and clear communications while enjoying distraction-free environments. Our solutions are used worldwide by consumers and businesses alike and are an optimal choice for open office environments. From Unified Communications and customer service ecosystems, to data analytics and Bluetooth headsets, Plantronics delivers high-quality communications solutions that our customers count on today, while relentlessly innovating on behalf of their future. For more information visit www.plantronics.com.za  

Plantronics and BackBeat are trademarks or registered trademarks of Plantronics, Inc. Plantronics, Inc. registered in the US and other countries. The Bluetooth trademark is owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of the mark by Plantronics, Inc. is under license. Siri is a trademark of Apple Inc. registered in the US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What's all of this that we have been hearing about Active Noise Cancelling? It is not new, but more business owners are connecting the dots about the terminology that aligns to the technology already being used every single day in business centers across the globe. Below is excerpt from a simple, informative article written by one of our global directors, Frank Timmermans, and it certainly applies to technology readily available in the South African region. 

"Silence sometimes feels like a warm bath. Spending time alone works wonders for your concentration, productivity and the quality of your conversations. But finding peace and quiet in the hectic environment of a busy open-plan office space seems to be extremely difficult because there’s always some form of background noise. Luckily many headset suppliers have found a solution for this: noise cancelling.

What is noise cancelling?

To start off: by noise we mean external sounds that don't come from the headset. Just think of buzzing appliances at the office, talking colleagues, traffic noise, ringing telephones and noises from incoming app messages and reminders for meetings. Noise cancelling technology is the method for reducing these undesired sounds. There are two forms: active and passive. Passive noise cancelling actually means nothing more than a good seal. You’re probably familiar with the malleable foam earplugs and hearing protection that road workers use. These are examples of passive noise cancelling. Headsets with this function work in the same way, they make sure that the ear is well sealed.

Active noise cancelling (ANC) on the other hand, is much more advanced. It works by adding sound to the sound coming from your headset. Contrary to what you might expect, this ends disturbing background noise.

How does it work?

Sound is vibrating air and it moves in waves. These waves of sound have an amplitude (which determines the volume) and a frequency (which determines the pitch). Think for example of the constant buzzing noise that comes from a plane engine which moves like the blue line.If you run precisely the opposite sound wave (anti-noise – the orange line) through an existing sound wave, you’re left with silence. This physical process is known as destructive interference. And this is exactly what headphones with ANC use. They are fitted with both a microphone that records ambient noise and the technology that ‘turns around’ these sound waves. These reversed waves are then added to the sound that comes out of the speakers in your headphones, and voilà: ambient noise disappears for the user. 

Noise cancelling in the microphone

The ANC technology not only ensures that you can work in your own bubble of silence. The person you’re talking to can also take advantage of it, by implementing the technology in the microphone of a headset. For the best sound, several omni-directional microphones are built into our newest products. Each microphone calculates where the sound of your voice comes from and focuses on that point in space. In this way the headset can already ‘ignore’ a lot of irrelevant background noise. In addition, the headset also lays several digital filters over the sound: one algorithm detects non-stationary sound like speaking colleagues, and another algorithm checks whether there are stationary sounds like buzzing printers or the air-conditioning. All of this combined means that it feels just like you’re alone in the office, wherever you are!

Why is ANC so great in a headset?

Noise in the workplace is not only the biggest enemy of efficiency, it’s also really bad for your health. So it’s no surprise that headsets with noise cancelling functionalities are popular in the workplace. We now have four different ANC products in our portfolio. This is our way of contributing to the whole world’s productivity!" You can view a demonstration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpgOVTtn0eQ 

Noise and managing it in the workplace is a popular topic which we will discuss across the South African region over the coming months. Including technology options within business strategies for helping workers have clear conversations is certainly something to consider, amongst other ideas for adapting to modern work styles. To read more about products available in South Africa which are strong ANC contenders for helping office workers, visit https://www.plantronics.com/za/en/category/office-worker 

About Plantronics

Plantronics is an audio pioneer and a global leader in the communications industry. We create intelligent and adaptive solutions that support our customers’ most important needs: experiencing and facilitating simple and clear communications while enjoying distraction-free environments. Our solutions are used worldwide by consumers and businesses alike and are an optimal choice for open office environments. From unified communications and customer service ecosystems, to data analytics and Bluetooth headsets, Plantronics delivers high-quality communications solutions that our customers count on today, while relentlessly innovating on behalf of their future. For more information or to find authorized distributors in South Africa, visit https://www.plantronics.com/za/ 

Plantronics (NYSE: PLT) an audio pioneer and communications technology leader, today announced it has extended the management and reporting aspects of its cloud software solution, Plantronics Manager Pro v3.11, to include Plantronics unified communications (UC) headsets connected to mobile devices running iOS and Android. This extended reach is enabled through the Plantronics Hub mobile application. By deploying Plantronics Manager Pro v3.11 and Plantronics Hub, IT managers can now see, manage and gather valuable insights from the entire line of Plantronics enterprise communications devices that are on the desktop and attach to tablets and mobile phones.

“More than 53% of organizations have interest in ear-to-ear diagnostics that would enable IT leaders to manage voice performance from the user perspective, and more than 35% of companies are increasing deployment of mobile UC clients,” said Irwin Lazar, vice president and research director at Nemertes Research. “These realities make it more important than ever to ensure IT and line-of-business managers are equipped with solutions that can help them obtain analytics and actionable insights from across their company’s entire communications ecosystem."

Plantronics Manager Pro is Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) designed to manage Plantronics communications devices. With its easy-to-use tools, IT professionals and their managed-services partners are able to proactively manage the performance of every supported Plantronics headset across the enterprise, ensuring best user experience by accessing actionable insights. Plantronics Manager Pro is available through authorized resellers in most countries around the world. 

New offerings in Plantronics Manager Pro v3.11 include: 

• The ability to see, manage and gain actionable insights from the complete line of supported Plantronics business communications devices, including all Plantronics UC headsets attached to Mac OS and Windows desktops as well Android and iOS mobile devices.
  
  
• Northbound API access to the Plantronics Manager Pro dataset. This means it is easier than ever for customers, developers and partners to embed this data into pre-existing enterprise applications or create new service offerings.
  
  
• Streamlined reports. Asset Management and Adoption now includes all the reports IT professionals need to successfully deploy and drive UC and soft phone adoption.  

“For an IT professional to be able to gain valuable data from our full line of enterprise devices, even mobile ones attached to Plantronics UC headsets, is game-changing,” said Tom Wesselman, vice president and general manager, Software, Plantronics. “Now, IT can really have a complete view of all the information available to them, which will arm them with the knowledge to make much more informed decisions based on this data.” 

About Plantronics Manager Pro

Modern communications and collaboration systems are built on open operating systems and soft phone platforms that are frequently updated. In order to deliver high-quality experiences, these updates often necessitate settings and firmware updates for associated devices. With hundreds and sometimes thousands of headsets to manage, keeping the headset estate up-to-date is a daunting task. But failing to do so leads to poor user experience and declines in adoption. Plantronics Manager Pro is a subscription SaaS that allows IT or a managed service provider to configure settings, update audio device software and firmware, analyze call quality and ensure policy compliance. The cloud-based architecture utilizes agent software on the device, Plantronics Hub, as a relay to the cloud tenant. The cloud tenant is accessed through a web browser and offers IT Managers and their partners a single interface through which to manage the headset installed base. Plantronics Manager Pro offers predictive reporting tools as part of three analysis suites, including: 

-Asset Management and Adoption: To manage headset inventory, push firmware updates, plan and deploy UC and Collaboration (UCC) and drive UCC adoption

-Call Quality and Analytics: To improve conversation quality and troubleshoot issues

-Health and Safety: To ensure acoustic levels are within acceptable range and monitor compliance

Pricing and Availability: Plantronics Manager Pro is currently available in 143 countries, including South Africa, as an annual or three-year subscription service, from Plantronics Authorized Distributors. For a list of Plantronics Manager Pro authorized distributors in South Africa, visit http://www.plantronics.com/za/

About Plantronics

Plantronics is an audio pioneer and a global leader in the communications industry. We create intelligent and adaptive solutions that support our customers’ most important needs: experiencing and facilitating simple and clear communications while enjoying distraction-free environments.  Our solutions are used worldwide by consumers and businesses alike and are an optimal choice for open office environments. From unified communications and customer service ecosystems, to data analytics and Bluetooth headsets, Plantronics delivers high-quality communications solutions that our customers count on today, while relentlessly innovating on behalf of their future. For more information visit https://www.plantronics.com/za/

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

In the era of communication and collaboration, noise reaches everywhere, including your bottom line.

In today’s open offices, noise is the biggest distraction to getting work done. Modern work spaces promote collaboration but in increasingly crowded spaces, the sounds created by hard surfaces and fewer walls can make it hard to focus. Plantronics brings immersive headsets along with an intelligent multisensory experience that uses natural sounds and complementary visuals to dynamically adapt to distracting speech and ever-changing noise to keep an office in tune.

Hero Solutions: Voyager 6200 UC, Voyager Focus UC, Blackwire 5200, Savi 700 

For on-the-go workers, which we’re seeing more and more of, even in South Africa, noise in mobile environments makes it difficult for them, and their teammates back in the office, to hear, be heard and connect to what matters most. For this type of work style, Plantronics has solutions that easily connect to multiple devices and cancel out noise on both sides of the conversation.

Hero Solutions: Voyager 8200 UC, Voyager 5200 UC, Voyager 6200 UC  

In contact centers, noise is a huge problem. With so many conversations happening at once, focus can sometimes falter, employee comfort can drop, and the security of sensitive customer information could potentially be compromised. Plantronics has purpose-built headsets designed for the Contact Center, but with hundreds – even thousands of headsets to manage, dealing with individual needs can be labor-intensive. Through SaaS, Plantronics delivers insights, simplifies headset adoption and lets IT respond to needs without interruption to the CX, all from one place.

Hero Solutions: Encore Pro 500/700, Manager Pro

Wherever work happens, noise stands in the way. With Plantronics’ portfolio of collaboration solutions it doesn’t have to. For more information or sales questions, contact one of our authorized local South African distributors which are listed on www.plantronics.com/za

Plantronics is an audio pioneer and a global leader in the communications industry. We create intelligent and adaptive solutions that support our customers’ most important needs: experiencing and facilitating simple and clear communications while enjoying distraction-free environments. Our solutions are used worldwide by consumers and businesses alike, and are an optimal choice for open office environments. From Unified Communications and customer service ecosystems, to data analytics and Bluetooth headsets, Plantronics delivers high-quality communications solutions that our customers count on today, while relentlessly innovating on behalf of their future. For more information visit www.plantronics.com/za

©2018 Plantronics, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

64% of employees agree blocking out noise increases their productivity.(1)

Today, work happens everywhere — in busy open-plan offices and contact centers, at home, even coffee shops. This flexibility is great for business and people, but with it comes a new challenge: noise. Distraction caused by noise reduces productivity and well-being and, in contact centers, detracts from a positive customer experience.

Studies show that it takes 23 minutes to recover from distraction(3) and over 58% of employees are distracted multiple times each day.(2) That represents a significant impact on your customers’ businesses you can easily help avert through proven noise reduction strategies and products.

Managing Noise: In the Contact Center

In the contact center, noise remains the biggest complaint among employees(4) and can negatively impact customer satisfaction.(3) But managing noise effectively can raise productivity,2 improve customer experiences(5) and impact the bottom line.(1) Plantronics creates technologies that manage noise to help contact centers be more effective and businesses be more successful.

Customer Service Representative (CSR) - Needs to handle urgent requests from customers quickly and efficiently. Key challenge: Hearing and being heard by customers.

Help Desk Support - Manages intense, often lengthy, customer calls. Key challenge: Wearing headset all day (comfort, battery issues).

Supervisor - Supports CSRs with call assistance and training. Key challenge: Background noise and audio quality on escalated calls.

High-Level Support - Guides and supports CSRs on most challenging calls. Key challenge: Mobility within office to help with urgent situations. 

How do you handle these challenges within your business? 

Contact Center Solutions

Plantronics engineers solutions that help people manage the noise around them so they can be more effective — no matter where they work. Together, we can help your customers reduce distractions caused by noise so their businesses can thrive.The all-day comfort and superior sound quality of our headsets empowers contact center workers to provide exceptional service. Explore how you can provide a better customer experience, and empower your staff with better products, newer technology, and smarter workplace design. The EncorePro series is a great option, delivering the all-new generation communications technology for customer service centers and offices, designed for the future, and built on experience. The EncorePro series is available in South Africa through authorized distributors. More information about solutions available in your local area are available at www.plantronics.com/za 

Plantronics is an audio pioneer and a global leader in the communications industry. We create intelligent and adaptive solutions that support our customers’ most important needs: experiencing and facilitating simple and clear communications while enjoying distraction-free environments.  Our solutions are used worldwide by consumers and businesses alike, and are an optimal choice for open office environments. From Unified Communications and customer service ecosystems, to data analytics and Bluetooth headsets, Plantronics delivers high-quality communications solutions that our customers count on today, while relentlessly innovating on behalf of their future. For more information visit www.plantronics.com/za 

1 Oxford Economics, “When the walls come down – the evolution of the workplace.” 2 Plantronics Noise in the Workplace Global Study, 2017. 3 The Cost of Interrupted Work: More Speed and Stress Study from the Department of Informatics, University of California, Irvine, 2008. 4 Plantronics Persona Research, 2017. 1 Oxford Economics, “When the walls come down—the evolution of the workplace.” 5 Dimensional Research for ZenDesk, Customer Service and business results: A survey of customer service from mid-size companies, 2013.

Since its inaugural event in New York in 2004, the AFROPUNK Festival has become a global phenomenon, associated not only with alternative punk music but also with its audience’s eclectic ‘African-born’ styling and eye-catching fashion statements in Atlanta, Paris and London.

The AFROPUNK movement emerged as a rebellious alternative to mainstream white punk/rock culture, and is promoted as ‘a blank space to freak out in, to construct a new reality, to live your life as you see fit, while making sense of the world around you,’ while celebrating alternative black culture and spirit.  Its South African debut, at Johannesburg’s historically significant Constitution Hill on 30th and 31st December was welcomed by many as a ‘homecoming’ to the continent.  Technical solutions provider, Gearhouse Group provided the Staging, Lighting, Audio Visual, LED Screens, Power and Rigging to the festival and Show Sync’s Clinton Seery took on Production Direction for the South African iteration. The event featured South African musicians as well as a spread of local poets, artists and activists performing alongside international stars such as British artist Laura Mvula and the American singer Anderson .Paak.

Gearhouse’ Audio Engineer Jako de Wit estimates that around 40 acts were featured, with artists performing in relays over both days of the Festival. “The stage was divided into three performance areas - each with its own audio setup and each manned independently by its allocated technical team.” It made the changeovers very slick allowing the carefully curated collection of house, kwaito, punk, hip-hop, soul, reggae, roots and pop performances to flow smoothly and dynamically. The arrangement dictated an LCR setup with Meyer Milo for the main hangs and Mica for front-fills and delays to provide a continuous music experience for the audience, as well as excellent sound coverage across the space.The central Gold stage featured more than a dozen DJ’s each day using a Yamaha LS9-32, while the Red and Green Stages each deployed an AVID Profile and a Yamaha PM5DRH at monitors. All inputs were controlled by Lake LM44’s and a couple of Meyer Galileo units handled the signal out on the stage side for PA distribution.

The lighting configurations were also distinct from one another, with every stage working with a dozen each of Robe 700 colour washes, 700 colour spots and Mac 101’s plus six Martin Atomic strobes and four lamp bars for key light and additional punch during the evening sessions. The rigs were individually controlled through Grand MA2 desks. LEDVision provided a cohesive LED screen set up which drew the two outer stages together visually to read as one. The two outer and single rear delay screens ran mostly camera content with a centre screen in between the two stages running content, as well as camera-work and artists information. A design comprised of ROE LED strips enhanced the stage wings and provided colour indication as to which stage would go live next. Onstage LED screens (Lighthouse R16 and DuoLED 18) were used to augment the lighting and enhance the daytime performances. A complex control setup was installed to run graphics playback using Resolume servers as well switching a 4 camera mix. “For us, clear and continuous communication between Stage and Front of House show call was absolutely key to the event’s success and it was testimony to our tight teamwork that it ran so smoothly” explains Gearhouse Project Manager, Nickolas Chapman.  Whilst Production Director Seery and technical suppliers Gearhouse are long accustomed to working together; delivering for the AFROPUNK organisers was a first for both.

“Technically speaking, it is always more interesting to work between three stages, bringing them alive individually but while we enjoyed the fresh approach, it was obviously much more demanding on the technical team,” comments Seery. “Lighting, LED Screens, Audio and Cameras took on the challenge with open arms however and we managed to paint what we believe to be an ‘inaugural-perfect’ picture! Of course, in situations like this, when you haven’t a second to waste, you need to be able to trust your supplier’s understanding of the client’s vision and the Gearhouse team was there with me every step of the way, even through those inevitable last-minute problem-solving moments. These guys go above and beyond to keep their client happy.”  While the event was smooth sailing on a technical level, the weather was not. One of the notorious Highveld thunderstorms complete with bucketing rain, heavy wind and extreme hail hit the event on Saturday; but even that failed to dampen the spirits of everyone involved.

“The weather came, shook us, shook the sound, shook the screens, shook the lights, shook the camera’s, even shook the crew but NOTHING stopped the show technically!” adds Seery.