Saving money through your framework agreement

Did you know that you are entitled to preferential pricing on a whole range of products through your university framework agreement?

We are your approved supplier for headsets and associated telephony products under Equipment Framework 3097.  As an accredited headset specialist, you can trust us to provide for all your headset needs.

Since 2000, we have been successfully providing independent advice and product expertise to a broad range of public and private sector customers in the UK and Europe.

Our long established partnerships with the major headset manufacturers help us to provide you with the right blend of competitively priced products from across the industry.

Call us now on 0118 920 9420 or email us at info@com-solutions.co.uk

You can ask us about:

• Adoption & migration strategies for the transition to Unified Communications (UC)
• How to choose the right headset for you
• Equipment compatibility
• Connectivity with multiple devices
• Health & safety compliance for headset users
• Noise exposure measurement & assessment

You can rely on us for:

• Independent, honest advice
• A wide range of competitively priced branded headsets
• Expertise in new technologies
• Efficient, friendly service

For more information you can also visit our dedicated framework webpage on www.com-solutions.co.uk or see our profile on uniBuy for the Telecoms Equipment Framework 3097.

Looking for ways to control staff purchasing?

Would you like to take control of your communications and IT purchasing across your organisation?

If so speak to us about the cost savings and efficiency benefits of a bespoke web portal; giving you budget control whilst still allowing your staff equipment choice.

How will a web portal benefit you?

• Simplify your purchasing process
• Provide equipment standardisation across all your locations
• Ensure cost-effective pre-agreed pricing
• Give you budgetary control, and where necessary, a built-in management approval process
• Deliver consistency and compatibility based on your approved product set
• Ease the load of your IT helpdesk by ensuring that all users have the corporate standard, compatible equipment that will work
• Guarantee service delivery quality to your users having chosen a partner that offers reputable branded products on a standard web-platform
• Be responsive to the changing needs of your business

Call us on 0118 920 9420 to arrange an online demonstration and see how a portal could benefit your business.

Tailored to you

All portals are bespoke. You choose the level of customisation you require based on your budget and requirements.

For example, you can specify the number of user log-ins you need, whether you want the portal to display your corporate branding and colours, or have a unique domain name. You can also choose a management authorisation process to control spending, or a reporting module to track spend and order history. User ‘help’ modules which give your staff quick access to product user guides and training materials are also available.

Call us on 0118 920 9420 to arrange an online demonstration of how your customised portal could work.

Why partner with us?

• You will have a portal that suits your business needs and your budget.
• You will benefit from our product expertise. We are an industry-accredited supplier with long-standing partnerships across the major brands
• Your portal will be maintained by us, ensuring that it runs smoothly and is kept up to date. Thus freeing up your staff to get on with their real work.
• You are guaranteed a cost-effective and efficient supply of equipment.

Call us now on 0118 920 9420 or email us at info@com-solutions.co.uk to discover how a web portal can benefit your business.

Is it wise to buy a refurbished headset?

On the face of it, buying a refurbished headset may seem like a sensible way to cut costs. However, in reality, using a refurbished headset will NOT give you the original manufacturer’s guaranteed quality, performance and most importantly safety.

Headset manufacturers do not provide genuine headset spares to third parties. Therefore all refurbished headsets advertised are fixed with ’second hand’ parts. This is why you will be offered ‘trade-ins’ and ‘buy backs’ by some organisations to replenish their spares supply.

These services, whilst they may at first glance appear to have your best interests at heart, actually undermine the quality of the product.

Although companies may offer guarantees on the working order of your refurbished headset, the integrity of the product is compromised and will be disowned by the manufacturer.

This has risks associated. Most importantly, the acoustic protection technology of a refurbished headset can no longer be trusted. As a wearer, your hearing may no longer be protected from sudden and loud noises through your headset. As an employer this leaves you wide open to liability should acoustic incidents occur. Visit our acoustic safety page for more information.

Is using a refurbished headset worth the risk?

For expert advice and safe alternatives to refurbished headsets which suit your budget, call us now on 0118 920 9420 or email us atinfo@com-solutions.co.uk

Looking To Save Money On Headsets? Bookmark Our Promotions Page

For best buys from the major headset manufacturers, click on your brand of choice.

For expert advice in choosing the best headsets for your business needs and budget, call us now on 0118 920 9420 or email us at info@com-solutions.co.uk. You can also take a look at our choosing the right headset page. 

Remember, using the right headset delivers greater staff comfort, increased productivity, better customer service, giving you a better return on your investment.

 

Is it wise to repair your headset?

Most headsets these days carry a minimum 2-year manufacturers’ warranty. When it comes to ‘out of warranty’ repairs the situation is very clear.  None of the global  headset manufacturers provide a repair service, supply headset spares or endorse any third party repair organisation.

Therefore, using third party repaired headsets represents a clear risk to your business, since neither the performance nor the safety of these products can be guaranteed. Putting the health of your staff at risk and jeopardising the value of your brand reputation could turn out to be a costly mistake. Read Plantronics’ white paper on the High Cost of Repaired Headsets.

Whilst routinely replacing consumable items such as ear cushions or voice tubes is recommended for keeping your headset in good working order, making physical changes to replace damaged headset parts carries a number of risks.

Remember:

• There are NO genuine headset spares available to third party repairers.  Any repaired headsets will be fixed with ’second hand’ parts. This is why you will be offered ‘trade-ins’ and ‘buy backs’ by some organisations to replenish their spares supply.

• No third party repair is endorsed by any headset manufacturer.  Therefore you will be unable to obtain a Certificate of Conformity.  This is important as it means that you do not have the peace of mind that the headset has been repaired to the same standard as when it was manufactured.

• If your staff experience an acoustic incident with a repaired headset, you will be liable.  You will have invalidated the terms of the manufacturers’ warranty.

If your headset is out of warranty and you would like to discuss your options, call us now on 0118 920 9420 or email us at info@com-solutions.co.uk

Public Sector customers save at least 40% on Jabra Headsets and Speakerphones until the end of March

Conversations matter in the public sector. You need cutting edge communications technology that works straight from the box. Jabra delivers this and until the end of March at an amazing price.

Whatever public sector organisation you represent – from government, local councils, education, NHS to emergency services, Call us now on 0118 920 9420 or visit the Jabra Public Sector promotions page on our website and save money.

As a Jabra Gold Partner you can be assured that you will always be speaking with trained staff who can offer you product expertise, competitive pricing and professional service. Speak to us about your requirements, for a quotation, help, advice or for a headset or speakerphone demonstration.

Did you also know that we offer site audits to ensure compliance to EU Noise at Work legislation and security on calls without any DECT density issues? If you would like to benchmark your existing devices against the latest Jabra products, then we can arrange free trials. Call us on 0118 920 9420 or email us at info@com-solutions.co.uk for more information.

Jabra discounts for Public Sector organisations are a minimum of 40% off MSRP and are available from 1st January – 31st March 2016.

Here are a selection of the best offers. Please contact us for the full list of products on promotion.

Click here to see the terms and conditions.

Call us on 0118 920 9420 or email us at info@com-solutions.co.uk for more information.

Would you put your head in the toilet?

Did you know that telephones and headsets have 500 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat? If that fact horrifies you then read on.

To ensure that your telephone headset remains healthy and hygienic, we recommend that you follow these care guidelines.

1)    Try to avoid sharing headsets – it’s unhygienic, particularly in the cold and flu season.

2)    Leatherette or foam ear cushions should be replaced every 6 months, or sooner if clogged with makeup or otherwise soiled, and every time a new person uses the headset.

3)    Microphone covers or voice tubes should be replaced every 6 months and every time a headset changes hands.

4)    Headset plastics, consoles, and equipment should be cleaned on a regular basis using anti-bacterial wipes or non-alcoholic antiseptic solvents, especially when assigning used headsets to new users.

5)    Headsets should be checked regularly and replaced immediately should you find any exposed wires or cables.

6)    When not in use, headsets should be stored in a safe place. This may be a headset bag for a corded unit, or in the cradle on the base station for a wireless unit. Headsets that are designed to ‘travel’ with you typically have a travel pouch. Using this will prolong the life of your headset and minimise the chances of damage.

Looking after your headset will prolong its life and keep you healthy.

Call us now on 0118 920 9420 or email us at info@com-solutions.co.uk for advice, headset spares or replacements.  As an accredited headset specialist you can trust us to provide for all your headset needs.

Save up to £40 on headsets with Jabra’s cashback

Now is the time to upgrade your headset! Take advantage of Jabra’s super cashback offers available on purchases up until March 18th only. Call us now on 0118 920 9420 or visit the Jabra promotions page on our website and save money.

Want the freedom to move and multi-task? The Jabra PRO 920™ series is a reliable and affordable way to enjoy the freedom of going wireless. Its intuitive, easy to use design with noise cancelling and security technology gives you a great call experience.

If you’ve never used a headset and wonder whether they are worth the investment, click here to read how going wireless has transformed working practice for one of our customers.

Noisy office? Using an Evolve series USB headset allows you to concentrate on your conversations with state of the art noise cancelling microphones to eliminate background noise to your caller. The Evolve 20 and 30 provide passive noise cancelling technology to help you tune out noise and tune into work. Their plug and play set-up means that they will work out of the box with all leading systems. They are designed for Unified Communications, with variants optimised for Microsoft Skype for Business.

Wondering which headset is right for you? Browse our page on choosing a headset.

Click here to see the terms and conditions.

Call us on 0118 920 9420 or email us at info@com-solutions.co.uk for more information.

Need help choosing the right headset?

Choosing the right headset delivers better customer service, greater staff comfort and increased productivity, together with a better return on your investment. So before choosing a headset make sure you can answer the following questions:

1.    Do you want sound in one or both ears?
Choosing a monaural headset gives you sound in one ear. This allows you to hear what is going on around you and stay in touch with your colleagues. However if you work in a noisy environment and need to concentrate on your call then choosing a binaural headset where sound is in both ears enables you to focus on your call better.

2.    How noisy is your working environment?
If you work in a busy or open plan office then a headset with a noise cancelling or ultra-noise cancelling microphone will eliminate virtually all background noise, which would otherwise be transmitted to your caller. This improves the call experience for you and the caller, eliminating needless repetition and safeguarding the confidentiality of the information exchanged.

3.    What device(s) do you want to connect to? 
Many people now want multiple connectivity to PC, laptop and mobile as well as to the traditional desk phone. Consider which devices you want to connect to today and potentially in the future to protect your investment. There are many options available. Talk to us to find your perfect headset solution.

4.    What level of hearing protection do you need? 
Your headset alone does not provide complete acoustic protection. To guarantee this you will need an additional barrier device. Noise at work compliance may also be a consideration. If you want to find out more about acoustic safety, contact us and we will be happy to help.

5.    Do you want a corded or a wireless headset?
Corded headsets allow you to multi-task at your desk. However, if you want the freedom to move around the office whilst on a call, a wireless solution will allow you to communicate without being tied to your desk. If talk-time is an issue, or you are desk sharing, then choosing the appropriate wireless headset solution is important. Do ask us for advice.

6.    Which wearing style do you prefer?
In our experience the headband headset is the most popular headset style.  However ‘over the ear’ and neckband headsets are available for those who prefer a headset to be more discreet.  If you are considering this type of wearing style you should always look at other factors before you make your decision.  For example, consider whether an ‘over the ear’ headset might cause discomfort over an extended period if you wear glasses.

Some manufacturers offer a 3-in-1 convertible headset solution.  For example the Jabra Biz 2400 allows a company to standardise on a single headset whilst letting their users choose which styling option they prefer.

Specialist headsets are also available for the hearing and visually impaired. Speak to us for more information.

7.    Where can you get the best advice and support?
Ensure that you speak with an accredited partner. Partners have trained staff and the full support of the headset manufacturers whose products they offer. Look out for the accreditation logos. Speak with experts, buy from reputable sources. Have peace of mind.

For expert advice in choosing the best headsets for your business needs and budget, call us now on 0118 920 9420 or email us at info@com-solutions.co.uk

Meet one of our customers whose staff were suffering from acoustic shock incidents

The rapid growth in the number of call centres and the increased use of headsets in today’s office environment is a major contributing factor to noise induced hearing loss and acoustic shock incidents.

Contact centre agents of a major European Bank were experiencing acoustic shocks caused by sudden and unexpected loud noises/shrieks coming through the telephone network to their headsets.  These incidents occurred intermittently across all the Bank’s contact centres over several months.  Contact centre agents experienced a range of symptoms from mild headache to severe nausea or neck and ear pain.

The situation became so serious that the trade union threatened to stage a walk-out if the Bank’s management didn’t resolve the problem.

After trialling all the global brand headset amplifier products that claimed to suppress acoustic shrieks with no success, their network provider recommended us as the European distributors of an Australian acoustic protection device called Soundshield. We installed a 16 seat trial at the most badly affected site. During testing, the Soundshield eliminated all unsafe acoustic shrieks and provided the Bank with sound exposure graphs to demonstrate the noise levels that staff were exposed to.

The Bank was delighted with Soundshield’s performance and deployed Soundshield across all their contact centres nationwide. All acoustic shrieks and shocks have been eliminated, staff are protected and sound exposure records are kept. Acoustic safety is now guaranteed and staff, unions and management have complete confidence in the protection that Soundshield gives them. To read the complete case study click here.

Try Soundshield for yourself – request a demo or trial

Soundshield 4G is a protective device which sits between your phone or PC and your headset.  Its shriek rejection software rejects any loud or high pitched sounds to ensure that harmful noises never reach your ear, while delivering excellent voice quality and crystal-clear intelligibility.

Polaris Soundshield 4G – peace of mind and protection for the employer and the employee.

Read our Definitive Guide to Acoustic Safety.

To know more and have a free demonstration or trial of Soundshield call us now on 0118 920 9420 or email us at info@com-solutions.co.uk