Product Data Sheet / Brochure

7
Choosing the Right Headset for Business Use: Cost and Performance Matters
LOW-COST HEADSETS SHOULD DELIVER ENTERPRISE-QUALITY EXPERIENCE
The growing adoption of UC- and PC-based communications continues to transform the headset from a
“nice-to-have” to a critical part of any knowledge worker’s toolbox. But as more companies look to deploy
headsets to a larger user base, they must pay attention to cost. While high-end devices are appropriate for
certain users – contact center agents and busy ofce administrators among them – most knowledge workers
need an entry-level solution that allows them to focus on one thing: the details of the call they are on, rather
than the capabilities of the headset device.
Too often, however, IT and business managers don’t pay enough attention to the quality of the headsets they
buy for a wide audience. Price matters, but so does performance. At the entry level, bells and whistles should
take a back seat to quality and delity. Furthermore, low-cost headsets should be sturdy enough to stand up
to repeated use, easy enough to operate without an instruction manual, and comfortable enough to allow
employees to wear them all day long.
If a headset doesn’t do what it’s supposed to – deliver crisp, clear audio while eliminating distracting background
noise and maintaining a comfortable working environment–people won’t use it. And if they don’t use headsets,
not only will the investment in the devices go unrealized, so will the investment in the UCC apps and services
the devices are meant to support and elevate.
Recent research conducted by headset manufacturer Logitech shows the discrepancy between usage and
expectations for consumer-grade USB headsets deployed in a business environment. Many consumer-grade
headsets are not built for the typical all-day usage that professional communicators require, and they don’t
offer the advanced features that make the UC experience more seamless, such as call answer/hang-up and
DSP professional audio. In fact, the study shows that while “comfort” is one of the key features consumer-
grade headset purchasers look for, it is not one of the main benets they receive. The research also shows that
another top criterion, durability, doesn’t meet expectations, further demonstrating that price shouldn’t be the
driving factor in headset choice. Businesses that look for the cheapest device should be aware that they may be
sacricing critical features, which can lead to a decrease in usage and the need for faster replacement.
Figure 2 - Headset Purchase Criteria
Factors influencing purchase decision
Top 5 important factors (Rank 1+2+3+4+5)
Product Features (48%) Product Features (48%)
ISV Sales Rep (47%)
1
2
3
1
2
3
• Compatibility with applications (86%)
• Comfort (78%): Earpad material
• Convenience (75%): Replaceable ear
pads & incoming call indicator lights
• Compatibility with applications (71%)
• Comfort (77%): Headband & lightweight
• Audio Quality (62%): No static noise
Brand (48%)
•
BRAND
•
Brand (41%)
•
BRAND
•
Price (45%)
Entry-Level,
Business-Grade USB Headset
Consumer-Grade USB Headset
Source: Logitech