Take advantage of Polycom’s latest Time2Trade competitive displacement rebate promotion if you have an old but working business desktop/conference phone from non-Polycom brands, or an old legacy Polycom phone that needs replacing. Thru 9/30/2013, Polycom will give you a rebate of up to $250 per displaced device when you purchase a new and eligible Polycom VVX business media phone, conference phone or SoundPoint IP phone (North America only).
To claim your rebate from Polycom, you will need to submit a completed claim form, letter of authentication and disposal certification (thru recyclers), equipment listing and purchase contract to the Polycom rebate team. Please see eligible equipments below. Full Polycom Time2Trade rebate promotion details plus terms and conditions can be found here: Polycom Time2Trade Rebate Flyer.
Despite the increase in popularity for UC conferencing devices, a high percentage of conference speakerphones sold today are still analog. If you are one of the many who are still looking to procure an analog conferencing speakerphone for your personal or small meeting uses then this post will give you a few options to consider.
A personal speakerphone that connects to a variety of devices (including computers, telephones, mobile phones, MP3 players etc) for clear, full-duplex and hands-free communication. Being full-duplex, it lets you listen and talk at the same time without cutting in and out of audio. The sensitive microphone array has 120-degree audio pickup up to 8 feet away so you can talk comfortably. The ClearOne Chat50 also has built-in echo and noise cancellation to prevent unwanted noises.
For analog use, you would connect the Chat50 to your telephone’s headset jack via the provided 2.5mm cable (it’ll also connect with cell-phones). The Chat50 is small, slightly larger than a pack of cards so it takes up minimal footprint and is easy to take for travel. The Chat50 is recommended if you want a good quality, no-fuss, simple-to-use conferencing speakerphone with an economical price. The great thing about the ClearOne chat50 is you can also use it with your computer for webinars or Skype calls so it is more versatile.
Konftel 100 brings you a great conferencing solution for smaller meetings up to 6 people. This device uses Konftel’s proprietary OmniSound HD technology which provides full-duplex natural sound. The 360-degree pick-up and reproduction let you walk and talk freely in the meeting space (up to 300 sqft range). The Konftel 100 also comes with ultra-sensitive omni-directional microphone with 3 built-in surround speakers to provide clear reception throughout the meeting space.
Konftel 100 comes with dial pad and call control (volume, mute, flash, conference etc) buttons right on the front of the unit so you can make and manage your conference calls easily. It plugs directly into your analog jack (bypassing the need of a separate deskphone), or to your phone system with an analog card via a modular 6/6, RJ11 port. Because Konftel 100 only connects via analog, this is recommend if you are looking for a dedicated analog conferencing solution that’s practical, simple-to-use and is great quality. If you would like to try one out, there is currently a 30-day trial offer on Konftel conference phones.
A 3rd option would be the Polycom VoiceStation 300. Similar to Konftel 100 it provides 360-degree room coverage but only up to 7 feet in range. The Polycom VoiceStation 300 is more suited for personal and smaller conferencing with less than 4 participants. The VoiceStation’s Dynamic Noise Reduction (DNR) actively removes background noises and Polycom’s Acoustic Clarity technology delivers clear, natural 2-way conversations.
The VoiceStation 300 also comes with dial pad and call controls (volume, mute, flash, hold etc) buttons on the front of the device and a handset phone can be plugged in for a more private conversation. To use, simply connect the Polycom VoiceStation 300 into any analog phone jack. The Polycom VoiceStation 300 is recommended if you only need analog connection for smaller or personal conferences and are more comfortable going with the Polycom brand.
I hope the options above will help you get started in selecting your analog personal audio conference phone. If you’re looking for a personal conferencing device for your computer webinars or bluetooth devices instead, look forward to our next blog post which will go over just that. If there are any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or contact us at sales@thetelecomspot.com.
Meet the Konftel 55 series – a Swiss Army knife equivalent of audio conferencing phones. Both the Konftel 55 and the Konftel 55W are highly versatile – able to connect with computers, mobile phones/tablets and any IP or digital desktop phones (with adapter cables). They are great for quick conferencing at your desk or small conferences of under 6 participants (up to 16 participants with expansion mics). The only difference between the two models is the Konftel 55W has Bluetooth and supports expansion microphones.
Features:
OmniSound HD
Expandable with microphones (Konftel 55W only)
Headset connection
Rechargeable battery
High resolution touchscreen
Future proof with upgradable software
SD call recording
2-year manufacturer warranty
Konftel’s proprietary OmniSound HD audio technology delivers crystal clear full-duplex conversations (and HD audio during VoIP calls). The sound is transmitted via Konftel’s hypersensitive microphone with 360° audio pick-up and speakers. It has automatic echo cancellation, noise suppression, and an audio equalizer. With this technology, Konftel assures you can freely move about the conferencing room without loss of audio quality or irritating clipping or echos.
Another great convenience is that VoIP calls on the Konftel 55/55W can be bridged with calls via desktop or mobile phones. You can easily combine and switch connections via an LCD screen display interface which displays only the current connections. And with built-in SD call recording, you can easily record calls or dictations and save/share the audio files via your computer with the removable memory card.
The Konftel 55 is now available for order thru The Telecom Spot website, and the Konftel 55W is expected to be in stock soon as well. The Konftel 55/55W comes with an electrical cable, A/C adapter, battery, USB cable and quick reference guide. To connect with any IP or digital deskphones you’ll need an adapter (sold separately and coming soon – part# 900102126 ) or other dedicated special cables for Avaya and Siemens phones. Any questions? Just leave a comment below for us or contact any of our helpful consultants.
Do you have an old but working business desktop/conference phone from non-Polycom brands, or an old legacy Polycom phone that needs replacing? Then you may be interested in Polycom’s Paid4Trade competitive displacement rebate promotion. Thru 3/31/2013, Polycom will give you a rebate of up to $200 per displaced device when you purchase a new and eligible Polycom conference phone or SoundPoint IP phone (North America only).
To claim your rebate from Polycom, you will need to submit a completed claim form, letter of authentication and disposal certification (thru recyclers), equipment listing and purchase contract to the Polycom rebate team. Please see eligible equipments and terms and conditions below. Full Polycom rebate promotion details can be found here: Polycom Paid4Trade Rebate Flyer.
Polycom Paid4Trade rebate’s terms and conditions:
Program valid from October 21, 2012 through March 31, 2013 in North America.
The equipment being displaced must be in use and in working condition prior to disposal to be eligible for this rebate program.
Customers must purchase or enter into a 36 month or longer non-cancellable contract for a new qualified system, and dispose of an eligible system to qualify for this rebate program. You may access a recycler in your area at www.earth911.com.
The Paid4Trade – Polycom Competitive Displacement Program Claim Form, with all required documentation, must be submitted within 90 days of purchase. Note: If the documentation is not received within 90 days from date of purchase, program participation will be declared incomplete, and the customer will not receive the rebate. Rebates will be sent within 6 weeks of receiving all the necessary documentation.
There is a limit of 250 phones per customer under this Program.
Required documentation includes: a) Completed Claim Form including: i) Letter of Authentication and Disposal Certification – confirming ownership and pledge to destroy or recycle equipment being displaced ii) Equipment Listing which details equipment being displaced and new equipment procurements b) Proof of Purchase: i) Invoice for new equipment purchases ii) Long Term Contract AND first month’s invoice for long term contracts
All documentation must be emailed to Polycom@rebate-zone.com or The Paid4Trade – Polycom Competitive Displacement Program at: P.O. Box 100550, White Bear Lake, MN 55110-0550 or Fax: 651-762-9701.
Customer will be sent an email confirmation when their claim is received. Polycom is not responsible for lost or misdirected email, mail, or faxes.
Polycom or Polycom’s Rebate Administrator has the right to call the Customer at any time for verification purposes.
This offer is valid in the United States and Canada and is void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law.
This offer may not be combined with any other promotional offer or discounts, and Polycom reserves the right to modify or cancel this program at any time.
No exceptions to this program will be allowed. Polycom has the right to deny all claims that do not meet the criteria outlined in this document.
Any questions regarding this program should be addressed to Polycom@rebate-zone.com or 1-866-665-7402.
We’re very excited to be one of the first to start carrying the new Jabra SPEAK 510 Bluetooth and USB speakerphone! Jabra SPEAK 510 is a unique multi-use speakerphone that’s been enhanced with bluetooth and is UC-ready. Jabra SPEAK 510 is best suited for office and mobile professionals using a softphone as primary communication device while supplementing with cell phones on the go.
Jabra Speak 510 Speakerphone
With Jabra SPEAK 510 you get a slim, compact design, outstanding sound quality and a plug-and-play solution that can connect to your PC, tablet or smartphone so you can have your conversation anytime, anywhere.
Key Features:
Mobile device (mobile phone, smartphone and tablet) connectivity via Bluetooth
Bluetooth headset connectivity
PC connectivity via USB and Bluetooth
Multimedia streaming via Bluetooth (A2DP)
Long Bluetooth range (BT class 1)
Rechargeable battery with up to 15 hours talk time and 100 hours standby time
Portable form factory – easy to carry and includes carrying case
Plug & play solution
Intuitive on-device call-controls for true UC experience
360-degree Omni-directional microphone for small-group conference calls
External ringer (inbound ringing)
Full double-talk, echo cancellation and wideband audio for crystal-clear and natural sounding calls
UC and MS Lync versions available
Both Jabra Speak 510 UC and MS versions are available for ordering at The Telecom Spot today with free ground shipping within the continental USA.
For a limited time you can try out a Konftel conferencing phone for 30 days* to experience the many benefits of using Konftel in your daily work!
Konftel feature & benefits (depending on model) include:
OmniSound HD
Integration in DECT/GAP system
Connects to DECT/mobile phones
USB connection
Conference guide
SD call recording
Built-in bridging function
Line selector
Phonebook
Rechargeable battery
Upgradable software
2-year warranty
And many more!
Simply contact a sales consultant here at The Telecom Spot to begin the process. We will discuss your conferencing needs to determine the best conferencing solution for you, then your Konftel conferencing phone will be ship to you for a 30 days trial period. If you like it, just keep it (and we are sure you will love it). And on the off chance that it didn’t work for you, just let us know then simply return it to us in its original packaging with the included call-tag. It’s that easy!
Konftel conference phones are quality products that’s both aesthetically pleasing and feature packed. Their full lines of models are designed to fit just about any conferencing situations you can think of. From small offices with minimum participants to large situations of more than 16, there’s a Konftel conferencing phone solution for you.
*Certain restrictions apply, please contact us for full details
Conference Rooms Overbooked Again? Introducing Logitech BCC950 Conference Cam – The Amazingly Simple and Affordable Small Group Video Conferencing Solution.
I don’t know about you, but in the past I’ve often had the unfortunate experience of fighting over limited conference rooms with others in the company. With this economy, video and teleconferencing is that value-added service which set you and competitors apart, yet we rather not waste valuable financial resources on extra meeting rooms that cannot be multipurposed. So when Logitech introduced their new BCC950 Conference Cam, I knew this will be a great solution to end those frustrations. So, what is so great about Logitech’s new conference cam? Simply put, it’s a simple little gadget that will turn your personal/work space into the new conference room.
Let’s take a look at their specs:
All-in-One Design: The Logitech BCC950 Conference Cam combines HD 1090p 30fps video with HQ full-duplex speakerphone clarity for professional video conferencing.
Perfect for Small Groups: Still competing for those overbooked conference room systems or huddling around one single computer just to have a video meeting? With Logitech BCC950, now groups can collaborate over video from conference rooms, office and collaboration spaces easier than ever.
Easy Computer Connection: UVC H.264 onboard technology helps to ensure quick plug-and-play functionality on both PCs and MACs. No software installation necessary.
Utilizes Desktop Video Applications: Works on virtually any desktop video conferencing and UC application (including Adobe Connect, Avaya, Cisco WebEx and other Cisco Video Conferencing applications, Citrix Go-to Meetings, LifeSize Connections, FaceTime, Google Hangouts & Video Chat, Microsoft Lync & Office365, Vidyo, Skype and more). No expensive and proprietary systems to set up.
Remote Control Your Meetings: Quickly and easily control your meetings with the remote to answer/end calls, set volume up/down, pan, tilt, zoom and mute.
Everyone Can Be Seen: A 78-degree field of view and 180-degree remote-controlled video pan, tilt and zoom ensures each member on the small group is seen.
Crystal-Clear Sound: The built-in, full duplex speakerphone and noise-cancelling microphone allow all meeting members to hear and be heard clearly up to 8 feet away from the base.
Carl Zeiss® Optics with Autofocus: Enjoy razor-sharp images from a glass lens designed with the help of an industry leader. It allows detailed documents, whiteboards, or visuals to be shared close up during your calls.
Show Your Best Angle: The camera heigh extender and 8-foot USB cable allow users to adjust camera height and distance for the most flattering video angles so you can make the best impression during meetings.
Life-Like Conversations: Omni-directional sound and echo cancellation audio makes it seem like conversations are happening in the same room.
Professional-Grade Certifications: BCC950 Conference Cam is optimized for Microsoft Lync and Skype.
And did we mention it’s very affordable? Take a look at the full details here and see if this will end all the conferencing headaches for your workplace. Have questions? Please contact one of our helpful consultants or leave a comment. As always, we love to hear from you!
Still haven’t made the leap to video conferencing? Well it’s time to consider with all the benefits video conferencing could bring to your business or organization. One of our customers were able to save over $30,000/year in travel expenses by reducing the need to travel from branch-to-branch with one of our video conferencing solutions.
Based on Polycom’s research, some top benefits are:
Reduced travel costs
By substituting routine business trips with video conferencing – you get all the benefit of face-to-face meeting without the cost of traveling.
Increased productivity
The time saved from traveling could be put to better use on other business matters.
By using video conferencing to conduct distant meetings instead of non-visual methods like emails/instant messaging/phone calls, your workforce could better understand and collaborate with their colleagues based on additional visual cues.
Improved hiring and retention of top talent for your work force
Instead of paying for the recruiter or candidates to travel for interviews, organizations could reduce time and expenses to conduct the interview over video conferencing either from their own home or via satellite offices.
Additionally, video conferences could be recorded for post-analysis instead of relying on pure memory or notes taken during the interview process to assist in the hiring decision.
Sustained competitive advantage
Workforce can communicate via video to share knowledge and improve communication/collaboration.
Sales and support forces can also utilize video conferencing to engage their customer/clients and built the personal relationship needed for the business.
Video also allows executives to appeal directly to numerous audiences at once in their pipeline.
Green technology
And of course, by communicating over video the need for travel is reduced along with the associated carbon foot print.
Okay, so the benefits of video conferencing are clear but where do we start? It is important to incorporate the right video conferencing solution for your business or organization so we’ve selected a couple of our favorite models for your consideration. You can also browse our entire video conferencing selections at The Telecom Spot, or talk with one of our helpful consultants about your conferencing needs.
The Aver HVC310 is the most versatile HD video conferencing solution on the market today. It combines premium features such as full duplex audio, HDMI, multi-site conferencing and recording into a single budget-friendly, easy-to-use system. The included 3-year warranty with one year of advanced replacement is an AVer exclusive, and a testament to their solution’s reliability.
Core Features:
Full duplex audio and echo cancellation for unmatched voice clarity
HDMI connectivity provides full digital HD video conferencing
External microphone support is perfect for presentations and lectures
Share content wirelessly from your desktop with ScreenShare software
Transform your mobile device into a system remote and share images using our VCLink mobile app
Industry’s only 3-year warranty, including one year of advanced replacement and 2-way shipping
Precision 7x optical zoom PTZ auto focus 5 megapixel camera ideal for a variety of conferencing environments
Powerful codec produces amazing HD full motion video even with limited bandwidth
Dual display support for versatile viewing using two monitors
Embedded 4-way multipoint control unit (MCU)
Direct to USB flash drive recording to capture live video and content for training or review
Exclusive Snapshot captures crisp high resolution snapshots to save or share
RS-232 support for seamless integration with podium controls
The first business media phone that combines advanced telephony, one-touch video, and integrated business applications into a seamless, lifelike experience. The Polycom VVX 1500 comes bundled with several applications including the Polycom Productivity Suite, which enables users to initiate and control audio conference calls right from the device’s screen as well as record calls locally using a flash drive in the phone’s USB port.
The Polycom VVX 1500 also features a free Web service called My Info Portal through which customers can select to receive content such as local weather reports and other personalized information on the screen when the device is not in a voice or video call.
Core Features:
Intuitive, color touch-screen interface for voice, video and applications
Six-line, feature-rich phone with Polycom HD Voice
Instant, one-touch business-grade video conferencing right from the desktop
Adjustable camera, base, and display to suit the environment and provide eye-level visual interactions
Highly customizable applications platform with open Polycom API, integrated full browser and USB 2.0 for applications
Bundled with productivity and personalization applications, including Polycom Productivity Suite, Polycom My Info Portal and Digital Photo Frame
Deep IP PBX integration with leading SIP-based IP PBX and Softswitch Platforms
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) switch for bandwidth-intensive applications
IEEE 802.3af powered at under 11W maximum for a “green” world
Smart motion detection to enable the screen to go to power-save mode when no one is in the office
We are excited to announce that Phoenix Audio Duet PCS (MT202-PCS) and Phoenix Audio Duet EXE (MT202-EXE) will now be shipping out with HD Audio (16Khz bandwidth audio) and a free carrying case.
Please feel free to contact one of our helpful consultants or leave a comment below. We love to hear from you!
Shopping for new conference phones but not sure where to start? Consider the popular Quattro3 from Phoenix Audio. The hardware and software design of the Quattro speakerphone provide it with extended range of audio pickup and broadcasting to cover larger spaces without the use of satellite microphones or speakers.
The Phoenix Audio Quattro3 is an upgraded version from their Quattro2 conference phones and incorporates the latest in digital signal processing and technologies. Most noticeable are the relocating the connectors to underneath the units for easier “under table installations”, embedded daisy chain interface, improved performance, and built-in dial pad options.
Take a look at the Quattro3 quick overview chart below to see which one would best fit your needs:
We hope the comparison chart above has been helpful for you, but if there are any questions please feel free to contact one of our helpful consultants or leave a comment below. We love to hear from you!
