New EncorePro Headset Series and USB Digital Audio Processors help create a better customer experience

"With our new portfolio, organizations will immediately see the value of Plantronics professional audio instruments and their intelligence, which enables operations to be more effective, not to mention creating a positive experience for both the customer interactions associate and the customer."

LONDON, UK, Call Centre Expo - 1st October 2014 -- Plantronics (NYSE: PLT) today announced a new family of contact centre headset solutions designed for the future and built on experience. The Plantronics EncorePro® 500 headset series ushers in a new generation of headsets for customer interactions that deliver greater comfort for all-day wearing, superior noise cancelling for clearer calls, and increased reliability to help manage costs. In addition, the company announced their next-generation USB audio processors for Plantronics headsets that allows for a more complete audio experience by providing contextual information that contact centre managers can leverage to improve their customer interactions operations.

The customer interaction landscape has changed. Today's calls are more complex, making each and every communication between the customer and the customer interactions associate crucial as it can either strengthen or weaken an organization's brand. Plantronics new solutions are specifically designed to create positive customer experiences that also help attract and retain staff.

Comprehensive Solutions for Customer Interactions Associates

The Plantronics EncorePro 500 headset series was built with front line staff in mind by delivering a unique design that is ergonomically correct, extraordinarily durable, lightweight, and comfortable for all-day wearing. Noise-cancelling technology and Plantronics high-quality audio ensure focused and private calls, so conversations are effective and all participants will be heard clearly with fewer missed words.

The family includes dedicated over-the-head (EncorePro 510 and 520), over-the-ear (EncorePro 530) and convertible models (EncorePro 540), the latter unique in its simple design and high-performance audio no matter what the preferred wearing style. All models support wideband audio.

Create a Better Customer Experience

A new family of USB Digital Audio (DA) Processors will deliver Plantronics SoundGuard to protect your employees hearing during acoustic shock events. Lightweight and simple to use, DA series audio processors come with USB easy-to-operate connections and Quick Disconnect features so your team can easily switch between workstations. The audio processors, with exclusive contextual intelligence as standard, make possible new efficiencies in a range of areas, such as automation of agent status updates, screen-locking for security when a headset is disconnected, dashboard management of headset inventory and warranty status, tracking of agent use of physical call controls and supervisor alerts to conversational conflict between agent and caller. Alliance integrations with vendors such as Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, Aspect, Avaya, Cisco, Genesys, Interactive Intelligence and additional third-party software application vendors are expected to enter market during 2015.

"With the rise of social media, smartphones and self-service, customer interactions are now in the public domain. Engaged and prepared customer interaction associates are vital to making every dialogue matter and end in a positive resolution," said Philip Vanhoutte, Senior Vice President and Managing Director Europe & Africa, Plantronics. "With our new portfolio, organizations will immediately see the value of Plantronics professional audio instruments and their intelligence, which enables operations to be more effective, not to mention creating a positive experience for both the customer interactions associate and the customer."

Pricing and Availability

  • EncorePro 510 monaural headset: MSRP €132 / £101 and is available January 2015.
  • EncorePro 520 binaural headset: MSRP €161 / £123 and is available January 2015.
  • EncorePro 530 over-the-ear headset: MSRP €124 / £94 and is available mid-October.
  • EncorePro 540 convertible headset: MSRP €139 / £109 and is available now.

The EncorePro 500 series is available through authorised Plantronics distributors and resellers.

About Plantronics

Plantronics is a global leader in audio communications for business and consumers. We have pioneered new trends in audio technology, creating innovative products that allow people to simply communicate. From unified communications to Bluetooth® headsets to gaming solutions, we deliver uncompromising quality, an ideal experience, and extraordinary service. Originally designed for commercial aviation, today Plantronics products are used by every company in the Fortune 100™, as well as by emergency call operators, air traffic controllers, and consumers around the world.  www.plantronics.com

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EncorePro, Plantronics, Simply Smarter Communications and SoundGuard are trademark of Plantronics, Inc. registered in the US and other countries, and Quick Disconnect is a trademark of Plantronics, Inc. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Plantronics is under license. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Contact:

Emily Yuan

Connected PR

+44 (0) 787 269 4239

emily@connectedpr.com

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