In a commissioned study, the firm of H.B. Maynard & Co. concluded that adding hands-free Plantronics headsets to conventional office telephones substantially improves productivity and overall call volume while reducing phone-related employee downtime and physical discomfort.

(The test was paid for by Plantronics and used Plantronics Headsets, but we have no reason to believe that the results would be different with another brand of high quality headsets.)

In the course of the study, more than 2,000 telephone transactions were observed and recorded on a time/motion basis at four firms over an eight-day study period. One-hand versus two-handed typing was also analyzed.

The data was then compared between users of Plantronics Quick Disconnect™ featured headsets and traditional telephone handsets.

Workgroups studied included inside salespeople, travel agents, technical sales support personnel and stockbrokers with previous headset experience.

The results were nothing short of remarkable. In fact, Plantronics-equipped workers showed an overall productivity increase of up to 43% over the control group.

Time spent in telephone related work activities was reduced substantially. Repeat calls were made without interruption, and ordinarily time-intensive tasks (such as typing or checking reference materials while on the phone) were performed far more quickly and efficiently with Plantronics headsets.

Not only was a reduced error rate and improved service record noted, but workers on the phone full-time with Plantronics Headsets placed an average of 16 more calls per day than those using traditional handsets.

Perhaps most telling of all, workers equipped with Plantronics headsets reported higher morale, lower fatigue levels and fewer phone-related physical complaints; after more than a week with Plantronics headsets, going back to bulky, cumbersome, hand-held phones was inconceivable.

While it’s possible to steer with one hand and hold a phone with the other, you’ll have more control of your car if you keep both hands on the steering wheel where they belong. And if one hand is on the wheel, while the other has to hold a phone, shift gears, adjust the radio, turn on the wipers, lower a window and hold a coffee cup…you’re heading for disaster.

More reasons to use a headset:

· The person you’re speaking to will hear you better because the microphone can be positioned nearer to your mouth with a headset than with the cellphone handset.You’ll hear better, too, with the receiver closer to, or even in, your ear.

· A headset’s noise canceling microphone will reduce the transmission of background noise from your car and outside traffic.

· You can save money by shortening calls, since there is less need for both people to repeat themselves.

· A headset will sound better than a car speakerphone, and costs less than a speakerphone.

Radiation Reduction Test Results

While extensive research studies have not yet been able to provide conclusive evidence of danger from the transmissions of cellular phones, if you are concerned about such danger, the use of a headset can reduce radiation significantly.

Headsets provide safe hands-free communication. Using GN Netcom Headsets with a mobile phone reduces radiation by at least 80%, compared to using a mobile phone without a GN Netcom headset.

This is the result of a test carried out by “Telelaboratoriet” at TeleDanmark, an internationally accredited testing facility for telecommunication equipment.

The test was conducted using three of our most popular mobile headsets and three different types of mobile phone. All trials showed that, when using GN Netcom Headsets, radiation was reduced by at least 80% and in some cases even up to 90%, compared to using any of the mobile phones without a headset.

A series of tests was performed in order to compare the relative difference in electromagnetic field strength levels at different carrier frequencies inside a human head simulator, using different types of GSM900 and DCS1800 mobile terminals operated alternatively in “handheld” mode and in “headset” mode.

The tests were carried out on Wednesday April 5, 2000 and used the following equipment:

Headsets: GN Netcom M2120, GN Netcom M2320 and GN Netcom M3120
Mobile phones: Nokia 6150, Ericsson A1018S and Motorola Timeport / Triband GSM/DCS Network simulator.

Human head simulator filled with 0.9% NaCl water solution with an inserted isotropic E-field probe to measure radiation (E-field strength)

Test configuration:

The measurements were performed inside the human head simulator with the probe just touching the wall of the head. The center of the probe was located at the center of the ear-channel of the human head simulator.

In handheld mode, the phones were located with the center of the earpiece matching the center of the ear-channel of the human head simulator.

In headset mode, the headsets were located with the ear-piece center matching the center of the ear-channel of the human head simulator.

Measurements were made in a RF anechoic room to simulate “field” conditions without any interference from other radio transmitters (including mobile phone transmitters) in the area.

GN Netcom engineers and manufactures products to the highest available industry standards for safety and performance such as: ETS 300 342-1, EN 50082-1, BABT 85/013, EN 60950, and UL 1459.

Results from a commissioned study conducted at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, CA, show strong evidence that office workers can reduce neck, shoulder and upper back muscle tension as much as 41% by using headsets.

(The test was paid for by Plantronics and used Plantronics headsets, but we have no reason to believe that the results would be different with another brand of high quality headsets.)

In the course of the three-month study, 62 people (33 women and 29 men), ranging from 20 to 63 years old, were involved in tests that evaluated the various levels of muscle tension resulting when office workers engage in other tasks while using the telephone.

Study participants were employed in a variety of professions, such as attorneys, reporters, and consultants, and occupations, including small business owners, sales and customer support, engineering and financial operations. Several held management and executive positions.

All of the subjects used the telephone a minimum of three hours a day to perform their jobs.

In the first half of the test, study participants were asked to use a conventional handset while performing a series of tasks. Tasks included reading, note-taking and typing on a computer.

In the second half, the participants exchanged the handset with a Plantronics headset, and repeated the series of tasks.

The results overwhelmingly favoured Plantronics headsets over handsets, providing the first scientific evidence that validates the physical benefits of headsets.

Neck and upper back muscle tension is one of the most common ailments of office workers today. This new evidence now confirms Plantronics headsets as a cost-effective, preventative solution for office workers.

The H.B. Maynard & Company study, also commissioned by Plantronics, first confirmed that headsets improve workplace efficiency and productivity as much as 43%. These new study results, combined with the results from the Maynard study, prove without a doubt, the benefits of headsets in today’s demanding work environment. Employers and employees alike will benefit from using headsets, from lower medical costs to happier, more productive workers.

www.headsetexpress.ca

Tags: gn netcom headsets, headset study, plantronic headsets

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