Question:  Is the 03929-63 Headsets Direct’s Training Adapter just for wireless headsets?  I have an older S10 amplifier and some headsets, and would like to use them for training.

Answer:  In a word, no, it has multiple applications (okay five words).  A Headsets Direct original product, the 03929-63 Training Adapter began as an answer to our customers’ complaints of why isn’t there an effective way for two people on wireless headsets to train together.  They were constantly whining: “Why doesn’t Plantronics have an adapter for training wirelessly?”  We didn’t have an answer so our design engineers got together and worked tirelessly in the lab until the 03929-63 Training Adapter was born.  In the words of another famous engineer (albeit a little on the mad side): “IT’S ALIIIVE!”  Well, that’s how it came to be, and after the euphoric melodrama had subsided, it proved to be very effective for its intended purpose of uniting two wireless headsets for training.  Now, with proper training and more mobility, workers could multi-task more efficiently and businesses could squeeze the most out of their smaller, already stretched staff.

Then our engineers put their brains together again and thought: “Hmm, can we use this baby in other applications?”  So, they returned to the lab to test other systems and see how they could expand the versatility and usefulness of their new little creation.  And wouldn’t you know it, that little sucker has turned out to be more than a one-hit wonder, shazam!  While with some Plantronics amplifiers it’s better to use the 27019-03 PLX Y-Training Cord (e.g. M22 and two HW251), the 03929-63 Training Adapter can unite many more diverse devices in communication harmony.  It’s so universal you can use it to unite Plantronics wireless (CS540) with corded models (M22); it can bring together two headsets behind one amplifier (like your S10); you can use it with an amplifier, corded or wireless, and the telephone handset; you can use it with Plantronics and GN (or any other brand) as long as they’re nice to each other, and it even works for you tightwads who hang on to ancient headsets and amplifiers like the PLX400 (hey, they’re still workin’ dude).  Harmony!  Might this really be “the dawning of the age of Aquarius?”

Give the sales team at Headsets Direct a call (800-914-7996) and see what else the 03929-63 Headset Direct’s Headset Training Adapter can do for you.  Remember, harmony is a good thing.

Question:  What are some features of the Plantronics wireless headsets that set them apart?

Answer:  Well, we could talk about 50 years of being a leader in headset design and performance, the ease with which their wireless headsets integrate with most phone systems, they come in styles to fit every need, and did we say unified communications.  Yes, the reasons are many and varied.  Let’s briefly consider these points, and others, that set Plantronics wireless headsets apart.

“That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind”.  By the time Neil Armstrong uttered those now famous words (yes, on a Plantronics headset) Plantronics had already spent several years in designing quality headsets for the aerospace industry (they were the first headset in space).  When they began designing headsets for the office and residential market, they quickly became the industry leader in the headset market.

By the time wireless headsets gained in popularity, Plantronics had established itself as the benchmark in quality and innovation.  Today they continue to lead the way in wireless technology and innovation with voice dedicated 1.9 GHz frequency that eliminates wireless interference, 10 hours of continuous talk time that gets you through your busiest day, 300’ and beyond of roaming distance so you stay connected at all times, to name a few.  Plantronics wireless headsets have over 90% connectivity with all brands of phones.  With convertible, headband and over-the-ear style headsets you’re sure to find one just right for you.  Their latest Savi line of Plantronics wireless headsets designed for the new unified communication technology allows the user to switch seamlessly between their landline phone, computer and mobile phone, opening up limitless multimedia applications and all this at the touch of a button.  So, once again they find themselves in the forefront of cutting edge wireless headset technology.

So, check out the latest in wireless technology at www.headsetsdirect.com or call one of our headset specialists at 800-914-7996 to help you see what Plantronics wireless headsets can do for you.

Here at Headsets Direct, educational training is part of what we do.  It all starts in house, we practice educational training on a regular basis to further our headset knowledge, and we love to pass on that educational training to our customers!  A couple of our more popular and inquired about educational training topics are headset training adapters, and how to pair a Plantronics Savi Office system headset to the Savi office base, such as a WO100, WO200, WO300 and WO350.

Training: When it comes to training, we have our “Wireless Training Adapter” (model 03929-63) for use with the Plantronics wireless headsets, and the Plantronics “Y-Training Cable” for corded headsets.  These training adapters help our customers to perform their own specialized educational training, in their own environment.

Wireless Training Adapter model 03929-63 was designed to be used with the Plantronics wireless headset systems.  The Wireless Training Adapter (03929-63) will allow you to connect two Plantronics wireless headset systems to one telephone for training purposes.  The Wireless Training Adapter (03929-63) has mute buttons for each wireless headset that is plugged into it, so you can mute an individual’s microphone for training or you can leave both headsets un-muted for a conference call which requires both people to participate in the conversation.  Although the Wireless Training Adapter (03929-63) was designed to work with the Plantronics wireless headset systems, it will also work with the Plantronics corded headset systems as well, including the corded headset systems that do not have the Plantronics “Quick Disconnect” plug such as the Plantronics corded S11 and S12 headset systems.  The Wireless Training Adapter (03929-63) will not work through a dedicated headset jack on a phone, it must be plugged into the telephone’s handset receiver jack to work properly, or it can also be plugged into an S11 / S12 base as well and used with two headsets.

Plantronics Y-Training Cable model 27019-03 was designed to be used with the Plantronics corded commercial grade headsets that have the Plantronics proprietary “Quick Disconnect” plug, such as the Plantronics corded “H-series” headsets and the older discontinued “Polaris P-series” headsets.  The Plantronics Y-Training cable (27019-03) has the Quick Disconnect plugs on both sides, so it plugs in between the Plantronics headset and the bottom cable, such as the cable that goes into an amplifier like the M22, or a direct connect cable that plugs into the headset jack on a telephone such as the A10 cable model 66268-03, the Plantronics Avaya HIC (49323-44) & HIS (72442-41) cables, and the Cisco direct cable model 26716-01.  The Plantronics Y-Training Cable (27019-03) will also work with the Plantronics USB adapters such as the DA40, DA45, and  DA60.  So basically anything with the Plantronics Quick Disconnect will accommodate the Plantronics Y-Training Cable (27019-03).  The Y-Training Cable has a toggle switch that allows you to choose the person that should be speaking on the phone call, both people can listen at the same time but only one person can talk.

Savi Pairing: How to pair a Plantronics Savi Office system headset to the Savi office base, such as a WO100, WO200, WO300 and WO350.  Pairing a Plantronics Savi office headset system is a snap and only takes a few seconds.  The Plantronics Savi office models such as the WO100, WO200, WO300 and WO350 have a black stripe that runs down the base, there is a skinny silver button that has a light at the bottom of the black stripe.  We begin Savi Pairing with the Plantronics Savi headset in the base unit, simply double press the silver button at the bottom of the black stripe, the light at the bottom of the black stripe will flash red and green for a few seconds, the Savi pairing is complete when the light turns solid green.  That’s all there is to it!  Savi Pairing is quick and simple.  Plantronics really did a great job designing the Savi Pairing procedure.

Educational Training programs vary, but for many companies, a lot of them will involve listening to telephone calls to learn.  The ROI of a headset and training adapter or cable is well worth the investment for your educational training.  If this Educational Training blog on the Wireless Training Adapter (model 03929-63), the Plantronics Y-Training Cable (model 27019-03), and Savi Pairing for the wireless Savi Office systems WO100, WO200, WO300 and WO350 was beneficial for you, please be sure to check out our website and informative blogs regularly to stay in the know.  And it just may help with your own internal Educational Training program.

Problem: Have you ever found yourself sitting at your desk closing some important sales deal and someone comes and interrupts you, not knowing you were on the phone?  The glare usually gets the point across but wouldn’t you like a more “user friendly” way to let them know how you feel?

Solution: The phone line indicator or more commonly known as on-line indicator.  The phone line indicator always lets everyone around you know when you’re on the phone and can’t be disturbed*.  There are two styles of indicators to choose from.  The first one we affectionately call “The Egg”.  About the size of what an extra large egg used to be, this phone line indicator has a bright red/purple random light pattern over the top half of the unit.  The phone line indicator cord is about five feet long which allows you to place it in the most conspicuous place for easy visibility.  The 90 degree plug allows you easy access to any of Plantronics wireless models.  Check it out at: http://www.headsetsdirect.com/65116-02-busy-light-oli.html

The second one is our more stylized phone line indicator designed for the new Savi wireless headsets.  This phone line indicator is square in shape and features the universal symbol for a headset.  It has a pulsing blue light, like a heartbeat, to show there is a live person on the headset.  The cord length for this phone line indicator is about the same as the other one.  One word of caution: it comes with a straight plug so it will work with the HL10 handset lifter BUT you can’t plug it directly into any of the CS model wireless headsets.  Take a look at this one at: http://www.headsetsdirect.com/80287-01-savi-oli.html

So, whether you go traditional or more stylized, you’ll never be interrupted again…hopefully.

Plantronics CS70N echo issues are not something that we typically get calls about, but most wireless headsets can certainly have some echo.  There are a couple of different scenarios and instances that can make the Plantronics CS70N have an echo problem.

Compatibility: Although the Plantronics CS70N is pretty universal and compatible with most phones, there are a couple of makes and models that they do not work properly with, such as AT&T three digit model number phones and a most GE phones.  For whatever the reason, these specific phones can make Plantronics headsets buzz and do quirky things so that they do not function properly.  AT&T four digit model phones work just fine.

Connectivity: The Plantronics CS70N can echo and not function properly if it is not hooked up correctly.  The Plantronics wireless headsets such as the CS70N are designed to plug into the handset receiver jack on the telephone base.  You simply unplug your handset receiver’s coiled cable from the handset jack on the telephone and plug the wireless CS70N base into the handset jack, then you plug your handset receiver into the designated jack on the wireless headset base.  That way you can still use your phone like normal if you want to.  Some phones do have a dedicated headset jack, but that is used for a corded headset with a phone model specific cable, not the Plantronics CS70N.  So just make sure that the wireless headset base is plugged in-line between the handset receiver and the base of the phone and not a headset jack. (* This does not pertain to Cisco 7940, 7960, & 7970 series phones… They are different *)

Settings: The configuration and settings on the Plantronics CS70N must be adjusted correctly otherwise it can make the headset echo.  One of the most common reasons for the Plantronics CS70N to echo is a volume level being too loud, typically it’s the microphone volume.  The master control for the mic volume on the very bottom of the CS70N base should usually be on setting “B”, and then you should use the mic volume quick adjustment buttons (plus & minus) on the upper back of the base unit to fine tune your speaking volume.  And as far as your listening volume, it is the 1 – 4 switch on the lower back of the CS70N base.  Number 1 is the loudest, adjust accordingly.  The other configuration that can make the Plantronics CS70N echo is the compatibility setting dial on the left side of the base.  It is the dial that looks like you can use a flathead screwdriver or a dime to adjust it, and it is numbered 1 – 4.  Typically for most phones, number 1 should be in the 3 o’clock position, which would also be lined up with the little ridged area to the right of the dial.  This is very important because it changes the internal compatibility of the unit, even if it’s off a little, it makes a world of difference.  It has to be right on mark, otherwise it can make a wireless headset echo and do other quirky things as well.

If the Plantronics CS70N is hooked up properly, the volume levels are set correctly and the compatibility dial is where it needs to be, see the Plantronics CS70N page on our website for instructions on how to do a system “reset”, under the “Additional Information” tab.

Problem: I’m looking for good quality headsets for an office with 10-15 employees.  Some will not be leaving their desks but others will be moving around.  I have a standard multi-line PBX office phone system.  What do you recommend?

Solution: PBX (private branch exchange) is a broad term that covers many brands of office phones.  Knowing the make and model of phone is what’s necessary to find an exact fit but these guidelines should help you in your research.  First, we’ll consider corded headsets for your office phones.  An office phone will generally fall under two categories with regards to headsets.  The phone that requires an amplifier, such as Panasonic, Vodavi or RCA, and the phone that can use a direct connect cable, such as Cisco, Mitel or Nortel.

Plantronics’ most popular amplifier, the M22, is compatible with more than 92% of the office phones on the market today.  It is compatible with both single-line and multi-line phones, and features their patented quick-disconnect cable which allows you to select any number of their office phone headsets.  Regardless of what environment you work in or what style you like, with the M22 amplifier they’re sure to have an office phone headset to fit your needs.  A word of caution: some phones have a 2.5mm jack for headsets but Plantronics does not recommend routing office phone headsets through this jack since the power requirements are greater than this jack can put out.  Check out our headsets at http://www.headsetsdirect.com/plantronics-corded-headsets/office-headsets.html or call one of our office phone headset specialists at 800-914-7996 to see what’s best for you.

Another corded solution is the direct connect cable.  You use the same office phone headsets but, depending on the make and model of phone, you can use a specific cable to connect your headset, bypassing the need of an amplifier (e.g. Cisco IP7960 uses cable # 26716-01).  Here you will need to know what phones you’re using since there are several cables to choose from.

Now, let’s briefly discuss wireless office phone headsets.  Have you heard of the Avaya Partner phone?  We bring it up because it’s unique among office phones.  It’s an analog system that can use the CS55H wireless headset without the need of a handset lifter or electronic hook switch for remote answer / end.  The CS55H’s unique connecting cable (TR-1) allows it to connect to the auxiliary jack on the bottom of the phone bypassing the need of the lifter.  What about wireless headsets for the other makes and models of office phones?  Most will require the handset lifter (HL10) for remote answer / end since you will be connecting the headset to your office phone through the handset jack of the phone.  You can choose between the CS line (e.g. CS55) and the Savi line (e.g. WO100).  There a few office phone models that can use an electronic hook switch (EHS) for remote answer / end, bypassing the need for the handset lifter (HL10), however, thus far the lifter has proved more reliable. You can check all our wireless headsets at http://www.headsetsdirect.com/plantronics-wireless-headsets/wireless-office.html or call us today, 800-914-7996. Our sales team is ready, willing and very able to help.