Poly Plan Checklist En
User Manual: Poly UC Toolkit | Poly, formerly Plantronics & Polycom
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Planning for UC Audio Devices
Undertaking the audio aspect of a Unified Communications (UC) rollout
can be daunting. But a well-organized, thoughtfully considered plan
that includes user input will make the overall rollout run smoothly and
increase user adoption.
To that end, we’ve outlined three stages of UC audio deployments: Plan,
Deploy, and Adopt. For each stage, we’ve compiled FAQs and supporting
Checklists to help you through the entire process.
This Plan Checklist provides IT with a high-level list of items to consider
when evaluating audio devices and planning the overall project. It’s the
direct result of our participation in many UC rollouts, empowering users
worldwide to do their best work.
DETERMINE ORGANIZATIONAL AND EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS
Identify organizational requirements for UC audio devices and determine what type of
devices fit these parameters (high-volume, cost-effective or high-quality, value-add).
Identify employee requirements, based on their workstyles, to determine the
appropriate UC audio device (that is, corded, wireless, multi-device connectivity,
and so on).
Specify your UC integration requirements. Ensure that UC audio device standards
match UC platform standards.
ESTABLISH USE SCENARIOS AND RECRUIT A TEST TEAM
Outline the parameters of a successful pilot. Define real-world test scenarios that
reflect actual user workstyles.
Create a pilot plan, including test duration and evaluation methods.
Recruit a representative test team.
SELECT MANUFACTURERS AND UC AUDIO DEVICES
Evaluate the manufacturer’s support. Determine how much technical know-how you
need from your manufacturer.
Investigate UC audio device durability from third-party resources.
Evaluate device offerings. Compare volume and value versus value-add features.
Identify a product range that reflects the workstyles of users.
Acquire the audio devices you will pilot.
UC Toolkit Checklist
PLAN | DEPLOY | ADOPT
One in a series on helping IT organizations
in their rollout of audio devices for UC
RUN TESTS AND ANALYZE RESULTS
Test the UC platform on the acquired devices.
Select the appropriate tests, including the following:
Installation
Intelligibility
Making and receiving calls
In-office mobility and roaming range
Call control—volume and mute
Conference calls
Comfort and ergonomics
Multipoint connections
ESTABLISH A STRATEGY FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF AUDIO DEVICES
Identify who will install the audio devices and how they will install and support them.
Define a strategy that balances complexity and cost.
Understand the level of control you need within your business requirements
paradigm—IT managed, IT business partnership, or IT standards driven.
INTEGRATE WITH THE UC STRATEGY
Consider the level of integration and future role(s) of existing technologies, if any.
Determine the cascading effects of your approach on timelines, types of audio devices
required, and support strategies. For example, different effects will result from the
following approaches:
• Rip and replace
• Hybrid strategy with sunset plan
• Hybrid
PREPARE FOR CHANGE
Identify and nurture ownership from departments or individuals who
might have objections.
Prepare employees by recruiting an executive sponsor to help you
communicate your program to employees.
Develop a thorough communications plan that focuses on what will happen
and the benefits of changes.
Recruit and train super-users to facilitate knowledge and provide support.
DEFINE SUCCESS
For the coming adoption phase, identify metrics, including utilization rates
and successful “moments of truth” (first call made or other measures).
“Because of the diverse product
line and superior sound quality
and how comfortable they are,
Plantronics products are now the
standard in our organization for
headsets, from executives to the
contact center.”
—Senior Executive,
Nonprofit Organization
Source: TechValidate survey of
Plantronics customers, 2013.
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Inc. is under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 03/15
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
www.plantronics.com/uctoolkit
