Microsoft Lync: Handsets vs Headsets – You Decide

[Chris Thorson (cthorson)]

With all the talk these days about Microsoft Lync and the great cost savings and productivity enhancements it brings, one topic that deserves more discussion is what type of telephony devices a company should deploy for their Lync users.  For those new to Lync, the answer is usually something like “we’re not deploying hard phones because we don’t want to spend all that extra money.  We’ll just use our PCs and maybe some headsets too.”  While this may be a perfectly valid choice for some companies, more and more I’m seeing organizations make the switch back to the tried and true desk phone, and here’s why…

1. Desk phones always work – In my 20 years of experience in the telephony industry, I’ve just never heard people complain that their desk phone doesn’t do the job it’s designed to do.  With desk phones you never have to worry about wireless interference or have to remember to charge your phone. And when it comes time for that all important client call or webinar presentation, I know I always reach for my trusty CX600 corded handset.  Always on, always reliable.

2. High quality audio – Sometimes we take for granted the inherent quality of a wired desk phone.  With a large ergonomically designed ear cup and speaker (plus things like HD voice) there’s always sufficient volume to hear the conversation.  Similarly, having a speakerphone built-into a hard phone provides you with the flexibility to move around and stretch your legs while being able to have a friend join you call too.

3. Easy to set up & use – While headsets are certainly convenient devices and provide you with workspace mobility, they can be cumbersome to set up, get your pairing code entered correctly and sometimes even get confused as to which device you want to connect with.  With Ethernet or USB based phones optimized for Microsoft Lync, setup and configuration couldn’t be easier.  Plug in your USB and you know you are connected.

And let me not forget the most important feature of all, the all-important, statement making, slam the receiver down when someone on the other end has really annoyed you.  There’s just something about the ability to slam a handset down that just feels good and I somehow don’t get that same feeling by pressing the end call key on my Bluetooth headset.

Want more reasons why desk phones are going away anytime soon?  Want to know which Microsoft Lync phone is right for you?  Check out the attached whitepaper, read the blog from Zeus Keravalla or join the conversation and share your thoughts.