Tag: #konftel

Now Is The Perfect Time For An Office Technology Overhaul Says Konftel

With offices bursting back to life, now is the perfect time for businesses to undertake a technology audit and overhaul, according to conferencing specialist Konftel – who are predicting record levels of video meetings. 

Konftel is advising organisations to undertake a stocktake style analysis and ‘equipment MOT’, as hybrid working becomes reality. The collaboration giant says a rapid transformation is often needed to deliver safer, flexible and more productive working conditions.

Building Comradery

“A lot of us are heading back into the office more whilst also working from home,” explained UK Sales Director, Jeff May. “Many companies are keen to re-engage with their workforces to develop comradery, team spirit and build a new culture, sharing ideas.  Home working doesn’t suit everybody. Some want to return whilst others don’t.

“The key is for corporations to make it a managed and acceptable return that suits both employers and employees. Every company will be different. It’s happening on a massive scale involving tens of thousands of companies and millions of people. The approach will be many and varied even within each individual organisation.”

May added: “The approach we are seeing and being discussed in the channel is having solutions that are flexible for all eventualities. It’s going to be a considered return to the office. Social distancing will still be a consideration for many whilst others may prefer to wear a mask.

“It’s not going to be a quick return to normality. That means for those companies that have some people back in offices and others still at home, these people still have to connect so meetings still have to go ahead with colleagues who are just in different places. Some will be sat together back in a meeting room engaging with those dispersed elsewhere. This will equally apply to customers and suppliers.

 

 

Record Numbers

“Companies are going to have to provision more and more meeting spaces because there’s going to be more online meetings. We expect record numbers. Once the shackles fully come off, some will be keen to meet face-to-face with people they haven’t seen for a while but once they start commuting and getting stuck in traffic many will realise they don’t need to travel. Meeting remotely saves costs too as well as being kinder to the environment.”

 

Konftel feels that with more and more offices being ‘turned back on’ a technology analysis is crucial. “Is their technology fit for purpose in a modern and dynamic world?” asks May. “A lot of equipment wouldn’t have been used for 18 months. Nobody wants to throw away their assets but previous investments would have been made for totally different reasons. Video conferencing is here to stay and it needs to be up to the job.  Smaller scale meetings will be required more, in addition to the bigger boardrooms.  

“As a result, organisations for whom smart connective technology has provided essential continuity throughout lockdown are now eyeing the hybrid working model and assessing whether they have kit that ticks the right boxes.

“Audio pick-up in particular needs to be assessed especially around social distancing and more space between people in rooms. Wider angle cameras is another consideration for successful meetings. One size doesn’t fit all. It’s important to offer video solutions for every meeting room. We’ve just developed a 3D interactive floorplan to quickly pinpoint the best solution and connectivity for all room types. Quality counts.”

May concluded: “Users are more discerning and demanding. Return on investment is crucial in the traditional back-to-work blueprint. One saved business trip often covers the costs of a small online meeting facility that can generate increased efficiencies day after day.

“More online group meetings than ever will take place. That could even be individuals working in the same building but on different floors, engaging with colleagues elsewhere. It’s become the way we do things. The mindset has changed and office technology needs to be up to the job if businesses are to continue to thrive and flourish. Now is the moment for them to take stock and ensure they are ready for the next iteration of the workplace.”

 

 

 

Why Dynamic Design And Crystal Clear Sound Matter When Video Conferencing. #Konftel

The art of sound and striking design are just as important as pristine picture performance for pioneering conferencing manufacturer Konftel.

With more professionals returning to offices over the coming months, Konftel is keen to stress the vital role of alluring aesthetics and crystal clear audio, wherever people are communicating – from huddle rooms and boardrooms to home working.

Konftel created the first conference phone in the 1980’s. Whilst styles have changed, the power of form as well as functionality remain more compelling than ever, inspired by consumer driven technology trends, says Konftel UK Sales Director, Jeff May.

“The look and style of a product is hugely important to its user. Great design is part of our DNA.”

Aesthetic appeal

He emphasised: “A demand for style and aesthetic appeal has its roots in the consumer market, but people want that experience in the workplace and at home as well too. 

“Of course, the functionality and the quality is where any product starts but, for us, the design is not a second thought. The conception, the innovation, the manufacture: the process has a critical design imperative running right through it from beginning to end.

“For us, it is always about the combination of cutting-edge technological performance and understated elegance. Both are given equal focus. It’s simple: our products have to be beautiful as well as functional.”  

Jeff May, Konftel

Konftel’s multiple Red Dot award-winning range of devices bear testimony to striking visual appeal and usability. The latest innovation – the Konftel 70 speakerphone – was codenamed internally ‘Stingray’ by virtue of its striking sleek lines. The company’s acclaimed OmniSound technology inside all of its carbon neutral devices play another crucial role – matched by dynamic design.

Emotional impact

“When we design, we are always thinking of the environments our products will occupy and the emotional impact they will have on the user,” says May.

“Organisations are investing significantly in high-quality, high-design new office spaces to take account of the new post-pandemic hybrid model of increased remote working and video conferencing.

“We believe it is hugely important for our products to look good in those crisp, contemporary new environments; to complement the space and help create a certain mood. Our products make a statement. They say this is an organisation which values quality and sophistication. It helps send a message to employees that they are valued.

“It’s no longer just very senior people who take part in video conferencing. Today, everyone is in and out of conference calls and using conferencing equipment.”

As video conferencing continues to redefine the way the world does business, it’s high quality audio on which people rely – in many ways even more so than exceptional picture quality.

May highlighted: “For whilst cameras can be turned on or off, a video call is nothing without good sound, without which the meeting cannot continue. And that means quality really matters. Mobility, audio sharpness, reduction of background noise – these are all factors which greatly influence the overall quality of any call, whether voice or video.”

He added: “In the beginning, most people just used whatever kit they were given. Now, people want choice. They want top quality audio and video in every online meeting they attend. We can cope with video going fuzzy by just turning off our cameras. Without audio, nothing works. The act of communication has changed beyond recognition; hastened this past 18 months due to the pandemic. Call environments are now hugely varied.

Discerning demands

“Users are far more discerning and will continue to be so going forward. They are also much more aware as to what the options are and the differentiators that exist.

“Those with the best audio and video on a call stand out. Their contribution to the call is accentuated as a result of the way they sound. It’s the way we make the best impression nowadays. Of course, the sound and video quality is paramount, but significant added value is also derived from the equipment being beautiful.”  

Touch, too, is part of the mix, as May concluded. “Our designers are encouraged to be free and to express themselves. They understand that their contribution to the success of any product is huge. In today’s evolving and demanding world, products have to look as good as they perform.”

Konftel Showcases Conferencing Prowess As Product Range Expands. #KonftelC20800

Konftel continues to build on its renowned video and audio pedigree with the launch of a high performance conferencing package – ideally suited to today’s more flexible and challenging working world.

The Konftel C20800 Hybrid is a versatile video collaboration solution, designed for small up to large meeting rooms. It features the Konftel Cam20 4K conference camera, the scalable Konftel 800 conference phone with OmniSound and Konftel’s One Cable Connection Hub. 

A single USB cable is all users need to connect the powerful wide angle camera, award-winning audio and room’s screen to the collaboration app of their choice.

 

Pioneering performance

Konftel is a pioneering conferencing and collaboration specialist; the very first to manufacture and sell a commercial conference phone more than 30 years ago. Its latest innovation is based on versatility and an exceptional audio and visual experience – in an evolving working world where maintaining safe distances will be vital when people return to offices in larger numbers.

“The Konftel Cam20 is optimised for situations where the conference camera needs to be positioned close to the table,” UK Sales Director, Jeff May, notes. “The 123° field of view means that all the participants can sit in a comfortable position, even spaced apart and still fit into the video image. At the same time, the camera creates a distinctive sharp image with no distortion. But also the Konftel Cam20 is equally at home in medium-sized and even large rooms thanks to its 4K capabilities.”

The Konftel Cam20 USB camera features Wide Dynamic Range technology that automatically adjusts to achieve an optimum picture in different light conditions, even low light, direct sunlight and high contrast.

 

Award-winning

The Cam20 is complemented by the award-winning Konftel 800 conference phone that delivers powerful and clear sound, to match the high picture quality. It benefits from Konftel’s refined audio platform OmniSound with beamforming microphones.

 

May adds: “With the Konftel Smart Microphone, users can expand the pick-up range to handle larger conferences with many people in the room. Connect one or two expansion microphones, depending on the size of the room. The Konftel Smart Microphone has built-in cancellation of echo and background noise through OmniSound.

 

“The cascading feature extends both the sound distribution and pick-up range for maximum coverage, ensuring a rich and full audio even in large rooms. In addition up to three Konftel 800 devices can be daisy-chained by cable to maximise social distancing and enhance the overall audio experience.”

 

Konftel’s C20800 Hybrid high performance conferencing package

High standards

The Konftel 800 offers connectivity for USB, Bluetooth and SIP, enabling use of all today’s communication and collaboration tools, whether in the cloud, on premise or in hybrid environments. The conference phone also meets the high standards Konftel demands from all its products in terms of design and usability – winning a coveted Red Dot design award alongside a Product Leadership Award from leading analysts Frost & Sullivan.

‘Bring Your Own Meeting’ is another impressive element as May highlighted: “Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet or any other cloud service….whatever the user prefers, the flexible Konftel C20800 Hybrid video kit will take care of the meeting room experience. Bring the meeting with them on any laptop with a USB port, plug it in and they’re good to go!”

He concluded: “The Konftel C20800 Hybrid is equipped to address the needs of the workplace both now and in the future. In addition Konftel is certified in line with the Climate Neutral standard. This means we have offset all our greenhouse gas emissions and are taking action to further reduce those emissions. When choosing a Konftel product, users keep a clear climate conscience while supporting their organisation’s growing need for video collaboration.” 

The Konftel C20800 Hybrid has a list price of £1,129.

Tech Review – Konftel Ego bluetooth speakerphone #Konftel #Tech

Having the right tools be it in the office or on the move is an important factor for many folk including myself and being in the tech space I consider myself lucky to have that equipment and get to test such out. Over the years I have tried many conference speakers and as expected they are getting better, more compact and more features and of course the price is getting better too which is a win for the consumer.

The Konftel Ego is the latest to drop on my desk and this is ideal for home use and indeed the office and with the work from home trend boom it is an ideal kit to have for more than just work duties this can be used in a personal capacity too for playing music on so you are not just buying a product for one use case scenario but two and to top it off it is portable and it is one of the slimmest ones I have used and the shape and design of this speaker is something different compared to the circular models which are popular and it stands out, several people have asked what it is here in the house and they all agreed with my thoughts on it. You can see the unboxing over on our You Tube

You get a travel pouch to store it in and the required cable to connect to your pc/laptop to charge up then you have the bluetooth connection of course keeping things wireless which I like and if you are one to be doing lots of zoom calls etc and you have the Konftel Cam 10 you have the ideal kit be it at home or if you are travelling and so on you have the ideal kit right here. It also works with works seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Zoom, Avaya IX Workplace and many other collaborative tools.

There is a cool LCD screen underneath the grille on top that shows status/function alongside the LEDs on the side in different colours to indicate the function and then you have the simple controls on the left and right which makes it a non complicated tool to have at your disposal.

You also can connect to a smartphone or tablet so it is not just a pc based product it can be used almost anywhere, the sound that comes from the speakerphone is omnidirectional so a meeting with up to six people in a room is a breeze for this and you can hear crystal clear and the sounds pack a punch too when playing music and if you want you can connect your headphones so overall it is a win win for both office and home use and then the portability factor just tops it off for having such a compact tool that looks good and gives a great audio experience for you or anyone in your meetings.

BUY HERE 

 

 

First look – The Konftel Ego bluetooth conference speaker. #KonftelEgo #Tech

The Konftel Ego is a personal speakerphone. It’s compact and portable and fits easily in your work bag, wherever you’re going. Despite its size, the Konftel Ego delivers crystal-clear sound thanks to our unique OmniSound audio technology.The speakerphone works seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Zoom, Avaya IX Workplace and many other collaborative tools. It connects easily to a computer via USB or to a tablet or smartphone via Bluetooth After the meeting, you can then fill the room with your favourite music. This makes this speaker more than just a conference speaker but one you can use at home or at a setting where you can dish out the sounds at a BBQ or house party.

On our first look I like the design and how compact this speaker is and it also moves away from the traditional look of similar speakers with its shape and design and also the lights on the sides and on top of the unit, any questions feel free to ask whilst we test this one out and stay tuned for a full review soon.

BUY HERE

 

Konftel Packs A Powerful Conferencing Punch As New Innovations Unveiled. #Konftel

Two new video conferencing solutions have been launched by industry powerhouse Konftel – featuring a dynamic and Red Dot award-winning audio innovation.

The new Konftel 70 is a versatile high performance speakerphone that blends exceptional audio quality with a stylish accolade-winning design. It’s an ideal video meeting companion or can be used as a standalone or even portable solution, for huddle rooms and small/medium locations.

It forms the audio centrepiece of two new video kits – the C2070 and C5070 – which are part of Konftel’s entire Climate Neutral certified portfolio.

The Konftel C2070 is a video package for huddle to medium meeting rooms, uniting the Konftel Cam20 4K conference camera with the Konftel 70 speakerphone and its OmniSound audio quality. The Konftel C5070 is a powerful video collaboration solution for medium sized meeting rooms, combining the Konftel Cam50 PTZ conference camera with the Konftel 70.

 

Convenient kit

Konftel’s OCC Hub brings everything together into one convenient kit, so a single USB cable is all users need to connect the camera, the sound unit and the room’s screen to the video collaboration app on their laptop.

The new product developments are being hailed as a major step forward by UK Sales Director Jeff May. “The new video packages meet a host of user demands for different environments. They are a welcome addition to our constantly expanding product portfolio, with crystal clear audio delivered by the new Konftel 70.”

 

Jeff May, Konftel

 

OmniSound lifelike audio with beamforming microphones, USB and Bluetooth connectivity and a battery of up to nine hours talk time, are some of the Konftel 70’s many features.

 

Red Dot Award Winner

May explained: “The award-winning Konftel 70 looks as good as it performs, with a clear user interface and sweeping dynamic design. An optimized set of touch buttons reflects a focus on usability, that’s earned a coveted Red Dot design award. The Konftel 70 is simple, flexible, affordable and appealing.”

 

Combined with the Konftel Cam20 USB conference camera, a clear and balanced image is assured. Wide Dynamic Range technology automatically adjusts to optimise picture quality in different light conditions, even challenging ones such as low light, direct sunlight and high contrast. 

May added: “4K video resolution also allows for a superb digital zoom. Even at the maximum 8x zoom, the camera is still perfectly capable of producing a detailed image. Users choose the framing they want to show and let the camera do the rest.”

 

Climate Neutral Conferencing

Turning to the C5070, he emphasised: “Featuring a 12x optical zoom the Konftel Cam50 delivers outstanding image quality thanks to premium class optics – all the way from the lenses to the image sensor. Even in low light, the image is crisp and clear.”

 

May concluded: “These latest products demonstrate how Konftel continues to innovate and provide customers with maximum choice and flexibility. Equally it’s also important to protect the planet which is why Konftel is a Climate Neutral certified company. This means we have offset all our greenhouse gas emissions and are taking action to further reduce those emissions. When choosing a Konftel product, customers keep a clear climate conscience while supporting their organization’s growing need for video collaboration.”  

 

Pricing (MSRP)

The Konftel 70 has a list price of £279. C2070 is £589 and C5070 £979.

Tech Review – Konftel Cam10 webcam. #Konftel #Webcams

Webcams are back on the scene in a big way these days thanks to the pandemic but even before this the work from home debate was leading toward it being a new way of life and probably better for most and also it offers workers a dual format to split being at home or in the office and it was heading this direction anyway for some time due to better infrastructure with WiFi which in Ireland is debateable particularly in rural areas where business lack good internet and only now we are seeing a development here, the problem for years is all big corporates want to move into the city centre and the docklands where I have been saying for some years why not split up around the country into smaller hubs an bring life back into country settings and create high tech jobs there which is why we have a shortage of such talent in Dublin because people are not willing to travel hours a day which again is costly here.

Moving back on to this webcams they are seeing a rise in popularity again due to the fact we are working from home and in most instances your laptop or desktop PC webcam is generally brutal especially in a professional capacity and we now use the likes of teams and zoom more than ever with a massive hike in use since the pandemic began they are now pretty much an every day platform to use even for me who never used either until I started working from home two years ago. I have tried several webcams and more here to review and this one is really nice, well made looks well and has a shutter/privacy slider which none of the other have and this is important for those with privacy issues but you can just unplug too.

The Konftel Cam10 combines big performance with compact styling and has been designed for today’s hybrid working trends – where more and more business critical meetings take place online. The stylish device features a wide 90° field of view, two built-in microphones, 1080p (30fps) full HD picture quality and a 4 x digital zoom. It’s a perfect home and traditional office companion, or for wherever people are working.

 

The Konftel Cam10 uses a standard damping bracket for easy and stable installation, whilst there’s the option of tripod mounting for alternative camera placement. You can basically use this camera anywhere in any position rather than having a fixed perspective an it is a simple plug in and go with no software required. The webcam’s two built-in microphones deliver impressive audio pick-up, supported by noise suppression technology. In a common scenario the screen speakers often perform as audio output but an improved option is to complement the Konftel Cam10 with the professional speakerphone Konftel Ego, creating an enhanced experience through Konftel’s renowned OmniSound audio technology.

BUY HERE 

Konftel Gets Personal With New Video Kit. #Konftel #KonftelCam10

Conferencing and collaboration specialist Konftel has developed a combined personal video and audio solution for wherever people are working. The Konftel Personal Video Kit creates conferencing convenience – and is ideally suited to today’s growing hybrid working trends, spanning both the home and traditional office.

The complete conferencing package consists of the new Konftel Cam10 webcam and popular Konftel Ego speakerphone – delivering business class performance with high levels of usability as part of a compact and portable overall design. 

“The Konftel Personal Video Kit is specifically designed for desktop users who demand professional quality conferences anywhere,” says UK Sales Director, Jeff May. “High quality video matched by crystal clear audio.”

Users can take advantage of an enhanced visual and audio experience, with a 90 degree viewing angle, full HD video output and acclaimed OmniSound audio performance. 

“With USB plug and play, this portable kit is the perfect home and traditional office companion,” May adds. “The Konftel Cam10 is ideal for users with single or multiple external displays. Placed in an optimal position on top of the main screen, it promotes a natural lifelike viewing experience.”

UK Sales Director, Jeff May.

In addition the Konftel Cam10 features innovative noise reduction technology, low light capabilities, swift autofocus and a 4x digital zoom for great flexibility. 

The Konftel Ego is a Red Dot design award winner and despite its compact size, it delivers exceptional sound – together with a smart and clear LCD display. The Konftel Ego is a good alternative to a headset; more comfortable for longer calls with the capability of room filling music too.

“Designed for today’s hybrid working trends – where more and more business critical meetings take place online – this professional USB web camera and speakerphone combine advanced technologies with big performance. The Konftel Personal Video Kit is ideally suited for more flexible ways of working. It’s personal, productive and performance-driven,” May explained.

Whatever the preferred app or cloud service, the Konftel Personal Video kit fits all collaboration needs. Users just connect the USB cables to their laptop or PC and they’re good to go – with optional Bluetooth for audio too. A simple desktop app enables zoom, customization of image and camera features.

The Personal Video Kit is part of Konftel’s recently renewed Climate Neutral certification – where all greenhouse gas emissions are offset – so people can conference ‘with a clear climate conscience’.  The Konftel Personal Video Kit has a list price of £209.

Konftel Strengthens Climate Neutral Ethos. #Konftel #beclimateneutral

In an era of agile working with huge demand for conferencing and collaboration hardware, protecting the planet is just as important as connecting the world, for pioneering manufacturer Konftel.

The company was the first in the collaboration devices sector to earn official Climate Neutral certification – which has now been successfully extended for the second year in a row.

Climate Neutral Certified status means all greenhouse gas emissions have been offset, across all aspects of the business, from manufacturing and product packaging to transportation. Konftel continues to cut impact at source too with a series of new initiatives announced.

By investing in worldwide carbon credits, forest conservation, renewable energy and carbon capture technologies all benefit. Forest conservation in Zimbabwe, water filtration in Cambodia and renewable energy in India are some of the many projects to be supported by Konftel so far. 

Being a trendsetter is nothing new for Konftel, according to CMO Stefan Eriksson who cites how the booming business was the very first to manufacture and sell a commercial conference phone more than 30 years ago. “It all started in a basement in Sweden when a bank director needed a conference phone in his office. Today we have grown into one of the biggest players in the world for collaboration endpoint solutions, bringing people closer together.”

CMO Stefan Eriksson

He added: “Konftel is certified for the second successive year with the Climate Neutral standard. This means we have offset all our greenhouse gas emissions and are taking action to further reduce those emissions. Today’s hybrid working trends has triggered a huge explosion is conferencing equipment sales. But buying from Konftel ensures our customers have a ‘clear climate conscience’ that there is no overall impact on the planet. We believe every company should #beclimateneutral”

 

He continued: “For us, it’s not enough to simply provide innovative technology, equipment and support which helps people communicate more effectively. We also have to pay attention to our own carbon footprint in a way which encourages others to do the same. Stealing a march on our sector rivals and leading from the front is part of our DNA. A Climate Neutral Certified label is displayed on all our products which we are rightly proud of.”

Konftel has generated record annual sales, with an expanding portfolio of innovative video and audio conferencing solutions. Its environment friendly credentials help give it the edge too – an ethos inherent throughout the company.

“Konftel and our other Climate Neutral Certified brands are leading the global shift to a net-zero economy by doing what all companies should be doing immediately: measuring, offsetting, and reducing their carbon emissions,” says Climate Neutral CEO, Austin Whitman. “Our label helps consumers identify these brands. It’s a recognisable and trusted symbol that turns everyday purchases into meaningfully positive climate action.”

As well as the investment in its carbon credit programme, Konftel will continue to reduce future business travel by staff, once the pandemic is over. It has replaced all plastic packaging for accessory cables with paper-based alternatives.

Furthermore new pledges include all company owned cars becoming electric by the end of 2021. Konftel will ‘climate-optimise’ packaging for all deliveries sent from its head office. This includes replacing plastic bubble wrap with recycled paper, minimising carton sizes, switching from plastic tape and using thermal labels that require less energy and generate less waste. In addition Konftel will explore options for improved energy efficiency at its biggest manufacturing sites.

Eriksson emphasised: “We find that our customers, our partners and our people really care about all of this. We have put it at the very heart of our business because it’s the right thing to do. Yes, the right thing from a commercial perspective, but also the right thing from an environmental and ethical perspective.

“We often get asked by customers and channel partners where we stand on climate neutrality and what we are doing to minimise our carbon footprint. The subject is a big player in the procurement process, and rightly so. It means our investment in carbon neutrality is even more valuable and our commercial offering is more compelling. It is a new tool in the sales tool box, no question.”

Eriksson concluded: “When customers buy from us, they know they are buying from an organisation which has no carbon footprint whatsoever; zero net emissions. This is a huge statement of intent. The technology we produce works in harmony with our climate neutral philosophy. More conference calling means less car and rail journeys, fewer flights, less-full offices, reduced gas and electricity consumption. The two strategies operate together. By choosing Konftel they really can conference with a clear climate conscience.”