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Wireless Freedom for Everyone at Work: Logitech Brings Enterprise-Grade Audio and Affordability to Headsets for Unified Communications

Apr 22, 2013

The Logitech Wireless Headset H820e Combines Innovative Features and Industry-Leading Battery Life in a Comfortable, Stylish Design

"for two years now has been allocating significant resources to developing products and strategies geared exclusively toward the business segment."

NEWARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today introduced the Logitech® Wireless Headset H820e for unified communications and PC-based soft phones, bringing together enterprise-grade audio and innovative features in an affordable package that makes wireless freedom practical for everyone in the organization, working in all types of locations from traditional cubicles to open offices and even from home.

The Logitech H820e delivers true-to-life sound, even in noisy work environments, thanks to a noise-cancelling microphone, acoustic echo cancellation and digital signal processing (DSP). The headset is Optimized for Microsoft® Lync and is compatible with all major unified communication and soft phone applications, including Cisco platforms.

The Logitech H820e also offers an industry-leading 10 hours of wideband talk time, enough to get through even the longest workday.

Priced under $200 in both mono (one ear) and dual (both ears) models, the Logitech H820e draws on Logitech’s heritage for human-centric design. The headset’s long list of innovative features includes an in-call LED indicator light at the back of the microphone boom to prevent interruptions during calls, on-ear volume control buttons positioned on either side of the head band to easily find by touch, and auto-pair by docking, so that any Logitech H820e headset can easily connect through any Logitech H820e charger base. A stylish and lightweight design in silver and black makes for all-day comfort, while the weighted base makes it easy to slip the headset into the charging slot.

The Logitech H820e is built on the DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) standard, allowing for range up to 300 feet and high-density deployment in crowded offices – exceeding what’s possible with most Bluetooth® devices, while avoiding the Wi-Fi® interference that Bluetooth can cause. A wide band/narrow band switch provides greater control in setting the correct balance between audio quality and density.

“Providing users with a comfortable, high-quality audio device is a critical requirement when adding voice to Lync installations,” said Giovanni Mezgec, general manager of Lync product marketing for Microsoft. “Logitech is showing that even in an established category such as headsets, it’s possible to introduce significant new features and benefits that can help drive user acceptance of unified communications.”

“Our research shows that unit sales of wireless headsets will dramatically increase from 27 percent of the global office and contact center market in 2012 to 49 percent in 2019, almost reaching parity with wired headsets, while volume will more that quadruple from 3 million units in 2012 to 13.4 million units is 2019,” said Elka Popova, program director for unified communications and collaboration at the research firm Frost & Sullivan. “This growth is being driven by the realization that wireless headsets give users a more comfortable calling experience and therefore expand the benefit of unified communications platforms. On the other hand, we’ve found the relatively high cost of wireless headsets is a barrier to adoption. Logitech is moving the market forward by offering wireless products with high audio quality and user-friendly features at an accessible price.”

Frost & Sullivan called Logitech “the most disruptive new entrant in the office (headset) space” in the firm’s “Global Office and Contact Center Headset Market” report, released in February, adding that Logitech “for two years now has been allocating significant resources to developing products and strategies geared exclusively toward the business segment.” In a global survey of IT managers, 57 percent identified Logitech as the primary brand they choose when replacing a desk phone with a headset.

“We’re looking to change the attitude that wireless headsets in the enterprise are an afterthought or a perk,” said Eric Kintz, senior vice president and general manager for Logitech for Business. “Premium audio quality is essential in today’s anywhere workplace, where employees are connecting with each other in open spaces, from the road and from home, and people can do more when they aren’t tethered to their desks. Wireless headsets are rapidly becoming the ‘new normal’ for maximizing audio and video collaboration.”

For situations where wired headsets are the best choice, Logitech offers the corded Logitech USB Headset H650e. Introduced last month, the Logitech H650e has the same contemporary design and many of the advanced features of the wireless Logitech H820e – including the in-call indicator light, lightweight construction, noise cancellation, DSP and acoustic echo cancellation. The Logitech H650e is Optimized for Microsoft® Lync and is compatible with all major unified communication and soft phone applications, including Cisco platforms.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech Wireless Headset H820e is expected to be available worldwide starting in May 2013 for $179.99 (mono) and $199.99 (dual). The corded Logitech USB Headset H650e is available worldwide now for $79.99 (mono) and $89.99 (stereo). The headsets connect through a USB port to Windows PCs, Macs and Linux systems. For more information, please visit www.logitech.com/business.

About Logitech

Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to the digital experiences they care about. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, Logitech’s combined hardware and software enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).

Logitech, the Logitech logo, and other Logitech marks are registered in Switzerland and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information about Logitech and its products, visit the company’s website at www.logitech.com.

(LOGIIR)

Contact:

Logitech
Mike Langberg
+1 510-713-5203
mlangberg@logitech.com

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