| There are two necessary evils for those who make a | | | | market for a wired telephone headset, then this is the |
| living over the telephone - constantly picking up the | | | | type of functionality that you seek. |
| handset and the tortuous twisting of that curly cord. | | | | Even though one-touch access is great, many people |
| For light users, using the handset is not such a big deal, | | | | don't like to be tethered to the desk. Many people will |
| but for service agents, salespeople, and the like, two | | | | attest to the fact that when they first started using a |
| free hands are always better than one. If you are of | | | | wired telephone headset the headset cord would |
| this ilk, then you typically scan a computer screen, | | | | knock over their latte or gourmet coffee almost daily. |
| access information, and enter data while tending to a | | | | They just kissed that four bucks goodbye! The |
| phone call. | | | | solution, although more expensive, was to go wireless. |
| The solution implemented since the inception of the call | | | | Operation of wireless business telephone headsets |
| center has been the hands-free business telephone | | | | has come a long way. Most current models feature |
| headset. The biggest issue when headsets were first | | | | remote answering and ending of a call. This means |
| employed was activating the hook switch to answer | | | | that the earpiece often has an integrated answer |
| the call. Early integrations involved installing some sort | | | | button so that you can activate the telephone hook |
| of base unit or amplifier between the handset and the | | | | switch remotely. You don't need to be at your desk to |
| phone. You then connected the telephone headset to | | | | press a headset button on the phone. Simply, press |
| the base unit. For these installations, the user was | | | | the button on your wireless headset when you hear |
| required to lift the handset off-hook and set it on the | | | | the phone ring, and the call is connected. |
| desk to activate the headset. The handset was then | | | | A variety of technologies exist for today's wireless |
| placed back into the cradle to end the call. This was | | | | headsets. Basically, if you are looking to walk |
| referred to as manual operation. Although not the | | | | moderate distances away from your desk (~50-100 |
| optimal way to use a headset, manual operation is still | | | | ft.), then 900MHz, 2.4 GHz, or DECT (1.9 GHz) is the |
| found in the office environment. Its use remains | | | | way to go. The other technology used for the wireless |
| because many business telephones do not have | | | | telephone headset is Bluetooth. It works surprisingly |
| integrated headset jacks. | | | | well even though the range is quoted at 33 ft. |
| You can probably deduce the better way to use a | | | | Truthfully, you're rarely this far from your desk. Some |
| telephone headset, one-touch operation. One-touch | | | | of the more advanced business telephones are even |
| operation refers to the activation of the headset with | | | | integrating Bluetooth compatibility into the phone set. |
| a push of a button. The call is then ended with a push | | | | Two of the larger manufacturers of wireless |
| of a button. There is no need to touch the telephone | | | | headsets, Plantronics and Jabra, offer products using |
| handset. This is how most users operate their business | | | | each of these technologies. |
| telephone headsets today. One-touch function is | | | | Now, let's get back to the important question, "Which |
| typically a feature that is dependent on the type of | | | | type of business telephone headset is best for you?" |
| business telephone that you are using. The largest | | | | Well, it's as easy as one, two, and three: |
| business phone manufacturers, Avaya and Nortel, | | | | 1. Manual operation telephone headsets are your last |
| have integrated headset jacks built into their phones. | | | | resort. |
| This allows you to plug a headset directly into the | | | | 2. One-touch operation headsets are great. |
| phone using an adapter cord. Most of the phones also | | | | 3. If you're fortunate enough to use a phone that has a |
| have a feature button labeled "headset." This button is | | | | wireless headset solution, then spend the money. You |
| used to answer and hang up the call. If you're in the | | | | won't be disappointed. |