The 5 minute expert... Polycom Voice Desktop Solutions for Microsoft Skype for Business

The 5 minute expert... Polycom Voice Desktop Solutions for Microsoft Skype for Business

Polycom and Microsoft Skype for Business Microsoft Skype for Business provides the ability to drive multiple modes of communications across different devices through a single intuitive user interface including voice, video, e-mail, instant messaging and presence. Data and dektop sharing IM Voice Email Deploying Skype for Business provides new ways for businesses to change working practices, enhance productivity and customer service through greater flexibility and collaboration. Presence Video conferencing Skype for Business Certified phones work across a variety of hardware and software solutions, providing a consistent high-quality experience. They come in many different forms to suit the varied needs of today s workforce. The wide range of Polycom phones available can create confusion and complexity when deciding which device(s) to select with a Skype for Business deployment this guide will help you make the best decision.

Desk phones vs USB headsets...? IP desk phones are always on! When using a USB phone or a headset, the Skype for Business client must be running to access UCC functionality. This can cause productivity or customer service issues due to the PC starting or rebooting at the beginning of the working day. Polycom VVX phones provide many of the Skype for Business features directly from the desk phone. Best of both: add a headset for hands-free / roaming The main disadvantages of phones are being tethered to the desk and not having both hands free. It is thus highly recommended to deploy Polycom phones in conjunction with USB cordless headsets, or bluetooth headsets for employees who work both in and out of the office. Although this will increase the initial upfront investment, the productivity and customer service benefits will ensure a quick ROI. Familiar way of working helps transition from PBX to UCC Choosing the wrong type of voice device has a significant detrimental impact on productivity and customer service, as well as giving a negative perception of the overall Skype for Business solution. Considering most employees are familiar with using a desk phone, it makes sense to retain the same degree of familiarity. Enhanced and customable features Polycom phones, specifically the VVX range, offer significant feature benefits that cannot be achieved by using a USB headset, which translate to greater productivity gains. The VVX range delivers all the functionality of the Skype for Business client, as well as: More robust than a headset Better ROI USB headsets generally need replacing more frequently, so the initial cost saving could be lost. It is also worth considering the detrimental impact on productivity and customer service that may result from broken headsets. A midrange USB headset can be up to 70% cheaper than a phone. Boss/Admin feature Touch screen interface (VVX 500/600) Group paging USB headset support (VVX 400/500/600) Bluetooth headset support (VVX 600 or via USB BT dongle VVX400/500) Intercom Selectively restrict features (i.e. lobby phones) Custom applications/backgrounds Customisable music on hold Electronic hook switch support Acoustic fence 802.1X authentication Expansion module support Better Together over Ethernet (BToE) Consultative transfer Auto-answer

Why choose Polycom for Skype for Business? Polycom IP phone vs USB phone? Polycom s voice solutions seamlessly integrate into Skype for Business and other Microsoft business applications. This provides a consistent user interface across all audio and video devices, so that employees can quickly use each device. Polycom boasts an extensive portfolio of over 40 solutions working with Skype for Business, including 20+ phones. This gives end-users the most device choices to meet their requirements. USB desk phones provide a more simple and flexible plug & play experience which is ideal for low level use, where Skype for Business functionality is driven by the desktop client. Ideal for: Home worker IP desk phones provide a resilient, feature-rich experience ideal for high usage. Skype for Business functionality is usually driven from the phone but can be tethered or paired to the soft client for a Better Together over Ethernet experience. Ideal for: Resiliency High level functionality 76% Polycom is the market leader of Skype for Business voice handsets sold with 76% market share. Source: Canalys Report, March 2013 Better Together over Ethernet (BToE) The BToE feature allows supported Lync Qualified and Skype for Business Certified IP desk phones to pair with a Lync or Skype for Business client. Once paired, calls can be made and received, as well as controlled from either the desk phone or the Lync / Skype for Business client, similar to USB tethering with Lync Optimised desk phones.

Which Polycom phone to choose? Organisations migrating to Skype for Business will be searching for voice solutions that meet or exceed those they currently experience on traditional PBX platforms. Polycom s portfolio uniquely addresses the needs of new Skype for Business customers with rich collaboration features that work both on the desktop and in the conference room. Furthermore, it is the only vendor to address these needs in Skype for Business Office 365 environments. Polycom has two ranges of desk phones that are supported in Skype for Business environments there are distinct use cases and scenarios that will determine the most suitable solutions: CX Series Microsoft Optimised phones (purpose-built endpoints) Only supported in Microsoft environments (no further development of Lync Phone Edition firmware) Not supported in Skype for Business O365 environments Plug & Play for easy deployment (very little configuration required) Feature set limited to Microsoft USB phone (please note limitations of USB devices) with BToE only available on the CX600 Limited range of phones VVX Series Microsoft Skype for Business Certified phones (standards-based devices which have been tested with Skype for Business) Skype for Business GUI Open-SIP phones, meaning they are supported both in Microsoft and non-microsoft environments Roadmap for software enhancements Direct integration with Skype for Business O365 environments Some configuration time is required, however the Zero Touch Provisioning feature simplifies large scale deployments Better feature set compared to CX series No USB phone option Wide range of phones including expansion models and camera accessories Regardless of budget or use case requirement, Polycom has a Microsoft Skype for Business desk phone to meet every need. The following matrices summaries the models included in the CX and VVX series.

Matrix of Polycom VVX desktop phones for Skype for Business Entry level Mid-range Performance Premium VVX devices are all-in-one desktop productivity tools, yet simple-to-use. VVX 101 VVX 300 series VVX 400 series VVX 500 / VVX 600 series VVX 1500/1500 D 500 600 1500 1500 D Ideal for home workers or shared areas VVX 201 Ideal for call centres, hallways, break rooms and retail environments Name Ideal for cubicle workers handling a low to moderate volume of calls Outlook calendar view with meeting reminders Colleagues presence status Supports expansion modules Easy integration with third-party UC and productivity applications 10:27 AM Sunday, January 10 Ideal for office workers, call centre operators handling a moderate volume of calls Intuitive colour user interface Outlook calendar view with meeting reminders Colleagues presence status Supports expansion modules Easy integration with third-party UC and productivity applications USB port (VVX401/411) Ideal for knowledge-workers and executives who deal with a high volume of calls Intuitive multitouch, gesture-based user interface Outlook calendar view with meeting reminders Colleagues presence status Streaming video playback Easy integration with third-party UC and productivity applications Optional VVX camera accessory to enable video conferencing USB port Ideal for executives and professionals working with disperse teams where video collaboration is needed Enables access to voice, video, applications and web content with a single touch Adjustable camera tilt, base height and screen angle Open API and WebKit-based browser enabling integration with business applications such as CRM and appointment management systems 1 VVX phones include a Skype for Business user interface to provide users with a consistent Microsoft experience. New call Redial Messages Directories Search Forward DND Lock Settings Calendar For full technical specifications, please visit Polycom s website.

Matrix of Polycom CX desktop phones for Skype for Business Entry level Mid-range Performance CX devices brings the simplicity, ease of use, and familiar Skype for Business interface to a desk phone. CX 100 CX 300 R2 CX 500 CX 600 Audio speakerphone with built-in stereo headphone port for when privacy is needed Excellent range for small group calls The integrated USB cable stores inside the unit for portability Ideal for users handling a low volume of calls (in the office or at home) and who need more than Skype for Business / headset only functionality Ideal for hallways, break rooms and lobbies or workers handling a moderate volume of calls Optional tamper-resistant wall mount Doesn t require a connection to a PC to work with Skype for Business Large colour display for viewing call and directory information Ideal for knowledge workers in offices and cubicles who handle a moderate to high volume of calls Doesn t require a connection to a PC to work with Skype for Business BToE capability (PC) On-screen presence status indicators for each of a user s contacts High resolution colour display and easy navigation buttons enabling easy calendar and contact directory access For full technical specifications, please visit Polycom s website.

Why conference phones? Most standard desk phones have a speakerphone button. However, poor voice quality, background noise and volume issues are all solved by a dedicated conference phone - the difference can be heard. Sound quality Better group interaction Conference phones help maintain the focus on business by eliminating background noise and keeping the conversation flowing. Distinguishing voices from background noise, and from each other, on a conference call can be difficult. Most of the basic conference phones now have omnidirectional microphone pickup, whereas desk phones with handsfree audio only work with uni-directional microphone pickup. Reduced costs The obvious financial benefit is a reduction in the cost and inconvenience associated with travel with a good conference phone you can achieve the same quality of collaboration experience as you can achieve face-to-face. The less obvious advantage lies in improved productivity benefits due to better call quality and improved participant engagement and interaction. Find conference calls more time and cost efficient than face-to-face meetings Use conference calls as they work in a multi-dispersed team Admit that in face-to-face meetings, most time is lost due to distractions such as making drinks and small talk Source: grahamjones.co.uk

Matrix of Polycom conference phones for Skype for Business Small room and office (~2m microphone pickup range) Standard conference room (~3m microphone pickup range) Large room (~6 m microphone pickup range) All the below conference phones resist interference from mobile phones and other wireless devices. In addition, they all feature Polycom HD Voice technology and dynamic noise reduction for crystal-clear audio. SoundStation IP 5000 SoundStation Duo CX 3000 RealPresence Trio Ideal for executive offices and smaller conference rooms with up to six participants Ideal for small to midsize rooms Optional expansion microphones for even larger room coverage Ideal for small to midsize rooms Native integration with Lync Phone Edition software Large, colour display for presence, calendar and directory information BToE support Voice, video and content sharing system that is well suited to boardrooms (and smaller rooms too) HD content sharing and real-time video interaction Wired or wireless pairing of portable devices (BYOD) In the opinion of our distinguished judges, the Polycom RealPresence Trio has proven to be among the best communications and technology solutions available on the market. I look forward to continued innovation from Polycom. Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC For full technical specifications, please visit Polycom s website.

Trends influencing the growth of Skype for Business Microsoft Enterprise Voice is growing double digits per quarter while IP PBX vendor lines shipped are generally flat or decreasing. About Westcon and the UCC practice By partnering with Westcon, you will have access to an unmatched portfolio of category-leading vendors as well as in-depth commercial and technical support from the Westcon team throughout the sales cycle. High PBX support costs and the need to replace fully depreciated end-of-life equipment mean that customers look for more cost-effective solutions We are here to help you anticipate and maximise opportunities in the UCC market as they arise, understand your goals and help you improve your skills, increase sales, reduce costs, and accelerate your return on investment. Should we do it in the cloud? is asked in nearly every IT project initiative Customers who try Skype for Business love it Teleworking and shared offices are lowering business real estate costs Tight integration with Microsoft Office applications encourages customers to rapidly move to Office 365 Contact us All our contact details are listed on our website: http://www.westcongroup.com/content/locations/country-locations Copyright 2016 Westcon, a WestconGroup, Inc. company. All Rights Reserved. WESTCON is a trademark of WestconGroup, Inc.