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Logitech Enhances User Experience for Unified Communications

Unified Comms
Logitech has introduced a unique enterprise-grade keyboard with integrated phone and video call controls, designed exclusively for Cisco Jabber, making it fast and easy to communicate through a computer or thin client in virtual workspace environments

The Logitech UC Solution for Cisco 725-C brings together three new products: the innovative Logitech UC Keyboard K725-C with dedicated keys for managing calls on a computer or virtual desktop, the full-HD Logitech C920-C Webcam and the ergonomically shaped Logitech M525-C Wireless Mouse.

As a Preferred Solution Developer in the Unified Communications category of the Cisco Developer Network, Logitech has completed interoperability verification testing required by Cisco for the Logitech UC Solution for Cisco 725-C.

The Logitech UC Keyboard K725-C has nine dedicated phone and video-control keys for quickly answering, ending and muting calls, directly from the desktop. The call answer/end key blinks to show incoming calls, giving users a visual cue even when they aren’t looking at their screen, and the voicemail-message key glows steadily to indicate when new messages are waiting. There’s also a built-in LCD display screen that shows caller ID for incoming calls, as well as the duration of calls in progress and all traditional information found on the telephone today.

Because the Logitech UC Keyboard K725-C interoperates directly with Cisco Jabber, it manages calls for any user who is signed into the system. This makes the Logitech UC Solution for Cisco 725-C ideal for “hot desking” work environments, where users don’t have a permanently assigned desk or cubicle. In addition, for more traditional users working from dedicated desktops or telecommuting from home, the Logitech UC Solution for Cisco 725-C enables users to create their own customised virtual workspace, with new collaboration options to increase productivity and work more effectively.

“We created the Logitech UC Keyboard to replicate the familiar physical controls of a traditional desk phone, giving UC users new options to collaborate using soft phones and video,” said Eric Kintz, senior vice president and general manager of Logitech for Business. “The Logitech C920-C webcam further enhances this experience with true-to-life HD video clarity, while the Logitech M525-C mouse represents Logitech’s heritage in human-centric peripherals that boost user productivity and satisfaction. We are delighted that Cisco shares our vision and has given us the opportunity to design products for Cisco Jabber.”

Cisco Jabber is a unified communications software client that gives users access to presence, instant messaging (IM), voice, video, voice messaging, desktop sharing and conferencing, allowing collaboration anywhere on any device.

“We value Logitech’s design expertise and innovation in developing enterprise-grade peripherals that help enrich the collaboration capabilities of Cisco Jabber software,” said Phil Sherburne, vice president of Enterprise Smart Solutions at Cisco. “The keyboard call controls, in particular, are an important new approach for bridging the gap between the physical and virtual worlds of unified communications – making users more productive and thus increasing return on investment for UC deployments, including those within Cisco’s VXI virtual workspace environments.”

“Presenting a simple and familiar user experience is critical to the success of unified communications deployments,” said Rich Costello, senior research analyst for unified communications at IDC. “Products such as the Logitech UC Keyboard K725-C can play an important role in helping users make the transition from hardware-based to software-based communication and collaboration."