Unified Communications Featured Article

Plantronics Wins 2014 Avaya DevConnect Partner Innovation Award

By Deepika Mala
TMCnet Contributor

Plantronics is a major player in audio communications for businesses and consumers. Recently, the company was recognized with the 2014 Avaya (News - Alert) DevConnect Partner Innovation award for headset integration with Avaya Aura through Avaya’s next generation applications platform, Avaya Aura Collaboration Environment.

Officials said that Plantronics (News - Alert) has developed innovative applications and capabilities that enable new opportunities for Avaya customers. Owing to this, it was selected as the winner of the prestigious award.

“As the work environment has become centered around what we do rather than where we are, it is important that our technology enable that,” said Erna Arnesen, vice president of global channel and alliance marketing at Plantronics. “With the help of Avaya, we developed an innovative solution that allows people to continue collaborating seamlessly as they move between desktops and mobile phones.”

The proof-of-concept solution uses the proximity feature within the Plantronics headset and leverages Avaya Aura Collaboration Environment. It showcases the seamless transfer of audio- and video-based collaboration sessions between mobile and desktop environments.

When a user, wearing a Plantronics headset comes close to a desktop with the Aura Collaboration Environment, he will have the option to switch from a voice-only experience to a more enhanced collaboration experience featuring video and file sharing.

Eric Rossman (News - Alert), vice president of developer relations for Avaya, said, “As mobility moves from the periphery to the core of Unified Communications, our customers are looking for new solutions that can help them work in this rapidly evolving multi-device environment.” “We are pleased to present this award to Plantronics for developing a solution that opens up new possibilities in the collaboration space.”

Plantronics is used by every company in the Fortune 100, as well as 911 dispatch, air traffic control and different mission-critical applications for those on the frontline.

Last month, TMCnet reported that Frost & Sullivan (News - Alert) has recognized Plantronics with the 2014 Market Share Leadership Award for its growth and innovation in the global contact center and office headset category.