Time2Market's Cloud Complete Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS)

First off... this blog post is going to come across as a sales pitch and that is because it is. I'm not going to insult your intelligence... but there is a lot of confusion out there as to what is offered with various different Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) solutions and where they can fit into an organizations plan to further their communications. I'm not going to go into detail about all the other offerings out there, but what I'm going to do is offer you detail about Time2Market's Cloud Complete offering. We also offer a Cloud Custom option, that adds some additional functionality, but this blog post will focus on the Cloud Complete offering.

Anyone who knows me... knows that I'm not a fan of the "cloud". The reason is because I think it is one of those terms that gets thrown around and decisions made without really understanding the implications of turning over control to the cloud. I'm not saying that it doesn't make sense 100 percent of the time... because it actually does in a lot of scenarios.  I just don't like the blind run toward the cloud that I see a lot of people doing just because all the cool kids are doing it.

Having said that, Time2Market's Cloud Complete offering is a hosted UCaaS that is a Multi-tenant... Enterprise Voice... Skype for Business environment.

Yup.. you read that right... Skype for Business.

Time2Market's cloud is not based on the now defunct Lync Hosting Pack that was limited to the same feature set and Lync Online.

The is a Skype for Business hosted environment with feature sets that to my knowledge are currently not offered anywhere else. Those feature sets even include the new Broadcast Meeting offering that depends on a hybrid implementation with Office365. We even leverage Exchange Unified Messaging in Office365.

Now why would an organization want to do this. It is simple... instead of investing in all the equipment, server licenses and professional services to implement an on-premises solution that has costs as a capital expenditure. This allows an organization to move these costs to the operational expenditure column. The Cloud Complete offering scales and shrinks as you do and is a totally managed service from deployment to support. In short, you focus on your business, not running a Unified Communications infrastructure.

So what are some of the things that Time2Market offers in its Cloud Complete that make it unique...

• E-Faxing Services
• Advanced Call Routing Options
• DID Parking
• Common Area Phones
• Standalone Fax Services
• Unlimited Calling Plans
• Auto Attendant
• Dedicated Conference Bridge
• Room Systems and Video Integration
• Conference Room Audio Devices
• 800# Support
• Paging Applications
• Contact Center (Clarity)

But here is the really big key to Time2Market's offering, we have a whole organization that will help you every step along the way with a White Glove Service. Cloud Complete isn't a self service type of offering, instead it is an offering where you have a whole team of people who have been in the business of helping organizations communicate for decades. Here are some of the things we can help you with...

• Office365 Tenant Setup/Mail Migration
• Unified Messaging Setup
• IP Phone Setup
• On-Premises Active Directory Integration
• Auto Attendant Configuration
• Room System Installation
• Device Consultation

But wait.... there's more!! Sorry couldn't resist saying that.

But really there is more... Time2Market has created a Self Service web based portal that gives easy access to the following tasks...

• Password Reset
• Add New Users
• Assign DIDs
• Modify/Update Conferencing and Global Dialing Policies
• Update Federation Policies
• Get Support
• Access to Usage Reports and Billing Info
• Access to training, tips and tricks

What are you waiting for? Interested in Time2Market's Cloud Complete offering or have further questions? You can contact me by SIP or email using jonathan at t2mdev dot com or by calling 303 997 2100.

Active Noise Cancelling Smackdown: Plantronics Blackwire C725 vs Jabra Evolve 80

So I recently obtained two different Active Noise Cancelling headsets that are Lync/Skype for Business optimized devices. I've been using both the Jabra Evolve 80 (E80) and the Plantronics Blackwire C725 (C725) quite a bit and one thing I've noticed is that even though they are both Active Noise Cancelling, they are Apples and Oranges when you go to compare them. So I thought it would be interesting to highlight their Pros and Cons and really help those that want to find the right headset for their situation.

It is important to note that both of these headsets were given to me directly by each vendor and my assumption is that they hoped I would review them. There was no guidance as to how that was done from either vendor. These views can be considered my own opinion.


Let's start off with a opening statement of each product from each vendors own marketing material...

Plantronics Blackwire C725

The Blackwire 725 USB Headset is great for keeping you focused in noisy office environments. Featuring Active Noise Canceling technology, a nose-cancelling mic, and hi-fi stereo performance, the Blackwire 725 minimizes external noises while ensuring that PC-based calls and multimedia come through crystal clear. With the Blackwire 725, distractions go down and productivity goes up.


Jabra Evolve 80

Jabra Evolve series is a professional range of head-sets designed to improve concentration and conversations. Premium noise cancellation technology gives you peace to work in a noisy environment, open office, effectively creating a concentration zone around you so you can stay focused.


Round 1: Fit and Comfort

Right away you will notice the biggest difference between the two. The C725 is an ON THE EAR muff, where the E80 is an OVER THE EAR muff. Using both for very long calls I've noticed a few things.

E80 Fit and Comfort Negatives

• Can start to become itchy where the muffs touch your skin
• People have complained that it is too tight on their head (squeezing their noggin)
• The mic is ONLY on the right
• They are pretty bulky

C725 Fit and Comfort Negatives

• None that I can think of

E80 Fit and Comfort Positives

• Muffs have lots of padding
• Band against head is padded

C725 Fit and Comfort Positives

• Very comfortable with lots of adjustments
• Mic can be on either side of head
• Not bulky
• Band against head is padded
• Muffs are padded well

Route 2: Sound Quality

This one I realize is fairly subjective. So this is one that you'll definitely have to take with a grain of salt. But it really comes down to what do you do with your headset. Do you like to listen to music AND use it for Lync? or is this strictly a business headset only used for communication? Depending on how you answer those two questions, I could probably guess which one you would choose.

C725 Sound Quality Negatives

• Great sound quality, but for music won't blow you mind.
• Ear muffs allow for extra noise to creep in

E80 Sound Quality Negatives

• Certain voices can seem deeper than normal
• Needed to adjust side tone audio out of the box (hear yourself)

C725 Sound Quality Positives

• I think I could literally hear a pin drop on a conference call
• Voices sound very natural
• Sidetone audio was perfect out of the box (hear yourself)

E80 Sound Quality Positives

• Very rich bass
• Music is phenomenal

Round 3: Noise Cancellation

You would think that two products that highlight Active Noise Cancellation as a major feature would actually be very similar. But I'm here to tell you that they are very different.

E80 Noise Cancellation Negatives

• Noise Cancellation is only for the person wearing... ambient noises can be heard on Mic!
• Needs battery charged to work

C725 Noise Cancelling Negatives

• Ambient Noise can come in around ear muffs
• Doesn't work unless you are in a call or using audio from PC
• Can't be used with smart phone or other audio device (iPod)

E80 Noise Cancellation Positives

• Amazingly effective at cutting out ambient noise
• Can be used with smart phone (if battery is charged)
• Has "Listen in" button on side to let you hear ambient noise... 

C725 Noise Cancellation Positives

• Amazingly effective at cutting out ambient noise on the MIC
• Pretty good at cutting out ambient noise on the muffs
• Don't need to worry about charging a battery

Conclusion

The point of this blog post was not to find a winner, but to point out that these two headsets meet very different needs.

If you are in the office (especially cubes or call center) and on the phone all day long, then the C725 would probably be the better choice.

If you travel a lot and need a headset that you can use on the road and on the plane, then the E80 is probably a better choice.

Quite honestly, I plan to use both of these headsets depending on what I'm doing. Who knows... maybe Plantronics or Jabra will create a Active Noise Cancelling headset to rule them all.

Extras

E80 Extras you need to know

• Listen In button is nice, but not obvious (push the jabra on the side with the mic)
• When microphone is in the up position it is automatically muted
• You will want to adjust sidetone audio, because otherwise you may not hear yourself at all
• Headset can disconnect from call controls and be used with smart phone
• Extra audio adjustments in the Jabra app on the PC.
• You will stand out in a crowd when you use these

C725 Extras you need to know

• The microphone boom can be used on left or right side of head
• The headset automatically answers a call when you put it on

What to do when you can only hear yourself think while using Jabra Evolve 80

So I recently started using a Jabra Evolve 80, which is quite a phenomenal piece of hardware. It sounds great and is easy to use. I also found myself listening to music more and I've almost completely stopped yelling at my kids to stop having so much fun (just kidding) while I'm working, thanks to the active noise cancellation technology.

But...

There was one complaint I had... When I used it as a headset my voice was muted... like when you talk with fingers in your ears. You only hear the vibrations through your jawbone... which is usable... but definitely not ideal. With one ear headsets, you have an open ear so you can still hear yourself talk and it is more natural.

Well today's blog post is the result of @mitchsteiner and I having a conversation about the Evolve 80 and he was complaining that his voice was too LOUD. I thought to myself... how can that be... I hear nothing and it is too loud for him... there must be a way to adjust this. So as Mitch and I talked he called it sidetone and that is what I started my search for.

After searching for awhile on Jabra's website I came across the ability to adjust the "sidetone" audio, which kudos to Mitch for actually calling it what it was and proof that if you have traditional voice skills they never die.

So here it is in all its glory...

How to adjust sidetone for your Jabra Evolve 80

1. Open the Windows control panel and access the Sound control panel applet.

2. Select "Playback" tab and then right-click the Jabra EVOLVE LINK MS device and choose "Properties"

3. Once the Headset Earphone Properties have displayed, Choose the "Levels" tab.

4. On the "Levels" tab you will see an item for "Sidetone". Mine was set to -18 dB and I needed a slight adjustment to -15 dB. In order to set the level you will need to get on a phone call with a buddy and talk while you adjust and click "OK" (sorry no "Apply"). To hear the change you might have to change to much louder than -15dB and then bring it down to your liking.

5. Enjoy and show your friends.

I would like to make special note that this is a USB ONLY function. If you plug the headset straight into a mobile device this Sidetone function is not there.

Presenting at Best of Lync Conference 2014 - Denver

Did you miss Lync Conference 2014 because it sold out? Couldn't get the boss to spring for a trip to Vegas? Well, not to worry, the Colorado Unified Communications User Group has you covered.

We are pleased to announce the Best of Lync Conference 2014 - Denver!

On April 24th, from 9am-1pm, we will be hosting sessions that are based on the content that was delivered at the Lync Conference in Vegas. I will be presenting the Technical Deep Dive for Lync-Skype Video.

Agenda:

8:15-9:00am – Welcome (food sponsored by Clarity Connect)
9:00-9:30am - Keynote
9:30-10:00am - "Our Story - New Belgium Brewing"
10:00-11:00am - Session 1 (Business and Technical)
11:00am-12:00pm - Session 2 (Business and Technical)
12:00-1:00pm - Lunch/Device Bar/Sponsors (Lunch is sponsored by AudioCodes)

Business Track Topics:

• Enhancing your Voice Rollout to Make it a Killer Success for the Business
• Better Meetings through Lync

Technical Track Topics:

• Technical Deep Dive for Lync-Skype Video 
• Video – What in the World are You Doing to My Network?

There will be three Lync MVP's speaking:

• Jonathan McKinney
• Mike Stacy
• Jeff Schertz

We would like to thank our sponsors for their support. We will have food and giveaways thanks to Jabra, AudioCodes and Clarity Connect!

Hope to see you there!

The event will be held at the Microsoft office in the Denver Tech Center.

Microsoft Offices
7595 Technology Way
Suite 400
Denver, CO 80237

Please RSVP so we can make sure there is enough food and drink