Do you think you are efficient?  Are you playing the game with your head that you have gotten everything done today that could have been done? I found that minutes were adding up throughout my week, based on my time spent on NOT being efficient, which means about two hours a week. One hundred twenty minutes wasted on not getting my work done.

Time to change the way it was, to the way it will be:

1. You want to talk to a reputable place of business, so I called a place that sells headsets. Wow, so much to think about, and so much to learn.  They were very concise about what would work and what wouldn’t.  They needed the brand of telephone, model number, how many lines I have coming in, and is it noisy or quiet.  It was a very professional team that works there.   I was given the options of what I could use. I looked up their web address so that I could see the product while it was being explained to me.  So the research has begun.  Some headsets work better with just a cable and some need to have an amplifier.

After a few late nights, this is what I learned:

1. Corded headsets are less expensive than wireless headsets. They generally run with a two or three year warranty depending on the brand.  The models that are very basic will work for you but may not be what you need or want. So I start with the basics; how do I want to wear my new headset? I look at the styles for how and basically there are two general ways to wear a corded headset.  Sounds simple enough, but there are two styles to choose from.  The first is an over the head band style, with either a Monaural or Binaural (over one ear or both ears) headset.  The next style is over your ear sort of like a Bluetooth.  With those in mind you now can choose if you want an ear bud in your ear canal a little ways, just in front of your ear canal, or a little speaker in front of your ear.

Amplifier or cable:

1. With my budget in mind, I decided that I would use an amplifier instead of a cord. For the simple reason that this will allow me more control over the audio and speaker of the call.  I did go mid-grade on the headset and it is still less expensive than a wireless model.  It does have a quick disconnect on the headset that attaches to the amplifier.  If I have to leave my desk I simply disconnect and walk away.

Logistics of what is embedded in the headset:

1. I have looked at what technology I want in the headsets. They need to have high frequency wideband.  This will ensure crystal clear calls and work well with my new phones.  The audio has to be premium, with enhanced stability.  I need a noise canceling microphone to block out sounds in the office from other sources.  With this headset planned out I know that my clients will never misses a word.

How necessary is your service:

So now I have the best corded technology at my finger tips. I have learned that the microphone should be placed as close to the mouth as possible. Adjust your headset to fit properly, or sit properly over your ear.  Make a few test calls to adjust your volume and hearing.  If your phone has a code that you can program in for the headset, then you will not have to lift the receiver for every call.  The headset comes with a clothing clip on the cord. This clothing clip doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it helps to reduce the drag of weight on your headset when moving around.  You will have about ten feet of maneuverability.  When the headset is on I feel better about whom I am and how I feel.  I am more confident answering the calls.  I look and feel professional.

Plantronics will be discontinuing the CS55, CS55H and SupraPlus Wireless (CS351N/CS361N) product lines.  Going forward, please transition to the CS500 Series product line which are now available. The last ship date for these products will be December 31, 2011 (or while supplies last).

Plantronics CS55 Wireless Headset will be replaced with the Plantronics CS540 Wireless Headset

Plantronics CS351N Wireless Headset will be replaced with the Plantronics CS510 Wireless Headset

Plantronics CS361N Wireless Headset will be replaced with the Plantronics CS520 Wireless Headset

	1) CS55- With two different wearing styles already included in the package, your choice is what matters.  How will you wear the headset that is the most popular model made by Plantronics?  With uncompromised audio quality that ensures minimal interference from other office wireless systems. The extended boom and noise-canceling microphone enables crystal-clear voice delivery every time you answer the call.  You don’t need to worry about how it feels, it only weighs only 26g, and it comes with a one year warranty.
	2) CS55/Hl10- With the lifter on this headset you can literally be anywhere in the office and answer the phone.  You can wear your headset either over your head or over the ear. Simply by pressing the headset button on your headset the lifter will raise the handset up so that the connection is made.  When you are finished with your call you simply push the button again and the handset lifter will lower your handset.
	3) CS70N- Oh joy of joy, my favorite style of headset.  Voice-dedicated DECT 6.0 technology ensures call privacy with digitally encrypted security.   The CS70N has a light weight over-the-ear design that delivers all day wearing comfort.  Blocks interference from other wireless devices with the voice dedicated 1.8 GHz Dect frequency.   It has a 300-foot range from your desk for getting to the file cabinet or fax machine.  The volume control and mute control on your headset make it easy to control your voice while away from your desk.  With 6 hours of talk time, I simply charge my headset during lunch and I have more than enough for an 8 hour day.  This has a one year warranty, and weighs in at 21g.
	4) W720 – This may be one of the newest headsets out there, but it is already becoming one of the most popular models.  When you look at the advantages that this has, you will be pleasantly surprised.  One of the features is that you can now put a person on hold FROM your headset.   You may use your desk phone, mobile phone, or computer.  With this binaural headset on and the features that can give volume control along with mute, you can be jet setting through your day.  You have nine hours of talk time, more than enough to get you through your day.  The W720 has a range of 350 feet away from the base.  Leave your cell phone by the base, and you will have the same roaming distance.  Put it in your pocket, and you have about 33 feet.  The headset has advanced wideband audio CAT-iq technology for high-definition voice quality.  The noise-canceling microphone reduces background noise interruptions, and enhanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) provides more natural voice sounds. This headset weighs 94g and comes with a one year warranty.
	5) WO100 - This may be one of the newest headsets out there, but it is already becoming one of the most popular models.  When you look at the advantages that this has, you will be pleasantly surprised.  One of the features is that you can now put a person on hold FROM your headset.   You may use your desk phone, mobile phone, or computer.  With this binaural headset on and the features that can give volume control along with mute, you can be jet setting through your day.  You have nine hours of talk time, more than enough to get you through your day.  The W720 has a range of 350 feet away from the base.  Leave your cell phone by the base, and you will have the same roaming distance.  Put it in your pocket, and you have about 33 feet.  The headset has advanced wideband audio CAT-iq technology for high-definition voice quality.  The noise-canceling microphone reduces background noise interruptions, and enhanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) provides more natural voice sounds. This headset weighs 94g and comes with a one year warranty.

If your deciding between models, it never hurts to see what the most popular models are, because chances are other customers have purchased headsets and found what they liked and continue to purchase them. With the models listed above, they’re all top of the line business grade/professional grade wireless headsets made by Plantronics that are durable, comfortable and built to last. Choosing any will increase your productivity by allowing you to roam your office while continuing to talk on the phone. Once you try a wireless headset, you will find it hard to be without.

	1) HW251N – This headset is ideal for a noisy office and will meet or exceed your expectations.  The HW251N provides all day comfort and reliability.  It is light weight, with a flexible cable, and a bendable click-stop microphone.  With wide-band capability, the receivers improve speech clarity for life-like fidelity.  It is fully compatible with standard band environments.  This has a two-year warranty, weighs 67g, and has an over–the-head monaural headset with noise-canceling microphone. The Plantronics HW261N Binaural SupraPlus Wideband headset lets users choose between experiencing total-focus sound reduction or conversing easily with coworkers without removing the headset (HW251N Monaural design).
	2) HW251- This headset is perfect for the small business office, or if you are working from home.  This headset will meet or exceed your expectations.  The HW251 headset has all day wearing comfort because it is a head band monaural style that weighs in at only 69g.  It has wideband capability.  This comes with a two-year warranty and an extra voice tube. It is fully compatible with standard band environments. The Plantronics HW261N Binaural SupraPlus Wideband headset lets users choose between experiencing total-focus sound reduction or conversing easily with coworkers without removing the headset (HW251N Monaural design)
	3) HW261N- This headset is ideal for a noisy office and will meet or exceed your expectations.  The HW261N provides all day comfort and reliability.  It is light weight, with a flexible cable, and a bendable click-stop microphone.  With wide-band capability, the receivers improve speech clarity for life-like fidelity.  It has a two-year warranty, weighs 86g, and is an over -the-head binaural headset with a noise canceling microphone.  Plantronics HW261N Binaural SupraPlus Wideband headset lets users choose between experiencing total-focus sound reduction or conversing easily with coworkers without removing the headset (HW251N Monaural design).
	4) H141N- This is a DuoSet convertible headset with two styles choices.  You can choose an over-the-head option for long term comfort and stability, or an over-the-ear option for quick on/off and unobtrusive usage.  This has 3 different size ear hooks for all the different people out there. This is light-weight comfort at its best. Weighing in at only 14g. This supports SoundGuard Plus and Call Clarity technologies.  This is for people in a noisy environment, like a call center.  This has a two year warranty.
	5) H81N -  Talk about versatility,  this headset has it all; over-the-ear wearing style, four ear bud sizes, delivering the best sound quality, and all day wearing comfort. Its unique 3 point design provides support behind, on top of, and in the ear for a discreet fit. The balance of the headset works well with eyeglass wearers.  This nicely constructed headset weighs only 19g.  The warranty on this is two years.

If your deciding between corded models of headsets, it never hurts to see what the most popular models are, because chances are other customers have purchased corded headsets and found what they liked and continue to purchase them. With the models listed above, they’re all top of the line business grade/professional grade corded headsets made by Plantronics that are durable, comfortable and built to last. Choosing any will increase your productivity by allowing you to be hands free while talking on the phone. Once you try a corded headset, you will find it hard to be without.

For Savi 700 series model information:

Plantronics W710 – Single-Ear Wireless Headset

Plantronics W720 – Dual-Ear Wireless Headset

Plantronics W730 – Over-the-Ear Wireless Headset

Plantronics W740 – Convertible Wireless Headset

Mobile Phone and Headset Audio:

If you answer an incoming mobile call using the answer button on the mobile phone, the audio will remain in the phone.  If you answer an incoming call using the headset or base, the audio will be in the headset.  If the mobile phone audio is in the mobile phone, you can move the audio to the headset by short pressing the base mobile button when the LED is off. To move the mobile phone audio from the headset back to the mobile phone, hold the base mobile button for 3 seconds until the solid green LED turns off. The audio will be pushed back to the mobile phone.

Combine Audio From Any Two Lines or Channels:

You can combine the audio of any two devices by simultaneously holding the base buttons of any two of the three base buttons until the LEDs become solid green.  This is useful as a mini-teleconference call.

Advanced Use:

User preferences and device settings that affect the performance of your headset can be changed using the Plantronics Control Panel.  To access the Plantronics Control Panel, load Plantronics software by visiting  www.plantronics.com/software  and click on download button.  To start this utility, click Start > Programs > Plantronics > Plantronics Control Panel.

Phone conference and guest headsets:

During a phone conference, at the lower left corner of the screen, the first icon represents the primary user’s headset and the second icon represents the number of guest headsets connected to the base.

Devices tab:

Select your headset from the pulldown menu then select Device Settings to configure base, headset, security settings.

Applications tab:

Displays the status of Plantronics support for various applications such as softphones and media players.

Preferences tab:

Allows you to set preferences for the media player as well as other general settings.

About tab:

Provides online access to the user guide and support and displays your headset system’s information.

Default Line:

This feature sets the preferred outbound line when the headset call control button is pushed.

Set the Range:

Changing the range can help with desk phone/PC audio quality, improve user density or restrict range of users.

Audio Bandwidth for Desk phone and PC:

Wideband audio delivers heightened speech clarity and life-like fidelity.  However, wideband audio consumes more battery power and has more stringent access criteria which reduces the number of systems that can be deployed in a small area.   All PCs support wideband audio but your desk phone must support wideband audio to experience the benefit of selecting “wideband” for that device. When switching between narrowband and wideband audio, you must re-establish the audio link for the changes to take effect.

Bluetooth Enabled:

This feature disables/enables use of the Bluetooth interface to the mobile phone.  The Bluetooth interface to the mobile phone can also be disabled / enabled manually by pressing the subscription and base mobile phone button until the base mobile phone LED flashes. When the base mobile phone button LED flashes red four times, Bluetooth is disabled and when it flashes green four times, it is enabled.

Auto Connect to Mobile Phone:

This feature automatically establishes a Bluetooth link to the mobile phone whenever the mobile phone is within range. See the following setting for an optional restriction on this function.

Stop Auto Connect to Mobile When Headset Is Docked:

If this feature is enabled, the base will not automatically establish a Bluetooth connection to your mobile phone when the headset is docked. Upon undocking the headset, the base will automatically establish a Bluetooth connection if “auto connect to mobile phone” is selected.

Initiate Mobile Voice Commands:

This feature enables/disables mobile phone voice commands for hands-free dialing with your mobile phone.  When this is enabled, you will be prompted for voice commands by your mobile phone when a call is initiated with the base mobile button.  This feature requires mobile phone support for voice commands.

Over-The-Air Subscription:

This feature allows a headset to be subscribed to the base without physically docking the headset. It is required when conferencing multiple models of Plantronics headsets.

Auto Answer:

When enabled, this feature will configure your headset to automatically answer a call when it is removed from the charge cradle.

Action to Media Player:

When a softphone call comes in and audio is playing, this feature controls the behavior of iTunes, Winamp and Windows Media Player.

Ring Both Headset and PC:

This feature gives you the option to have the PC ringtone played on both the headset as well as the PC speaker.  When this feature is selected, the PC ringtone will be heard on both the PC speaker as well as the headset.

When this feature is not selected, the PC ringtone will only be heard on either the headset or the PC speaker based on how the PC audio has been set up.

Maintain Headset to PC Link:

This feature forces the radio link to the PC to stay active even after the call has ended.  This can eliminate the need to re-establish the radio link when switching between PC audio applications.

Microsoft Office Communicator / Lync Dial-tone Enabled:

If this feature is selected, when a PC radio link is established, Microsoft Office Communicator / Lync will assume the user is trying to place a VoIP call and provide a dial tone.  If this feature is not selected, when a PC radio link is established, Microsoft Office Communicator / Lync will sit idle.

Audio Sensing Enabled:

Audio Sensing is a special feature supported by Plantronics wireless devices that can detect an audio signal at the USB port and automatically establish a PC radio link between the Base and wireless headset without the user having to press the PC call button.  If the parameter “Microsoft Office Communicator / Lync Dial-tone Enabled” is selected, then every time a PC radio link is established the Microsoft Office Communicator / Lync dial tone will be heard.  However, the user may have pressed the PC call button to listen to music, etc., and does not want to hear the dial-tone.  In this case, if the user selects the “Audio Sensing Enabled” parameter, the radio link will be established automatically when any PC audio is detected at the USB port, thus eliminating the need for the user to press the PC call button.