What is the Plantronics IP40?

The Plantronics IP40 is a SIP-based deskphone that comes in a small form factor and no dial pad.  The IP40 supports SIP Protocol and plugs directly into your RJ45 LAN jack to make calls.  The IP40 has dual PoE RJ45 Jacks, so you can use it as a PoE Switch to route voice and data from a single port in the wall to both the IP40 and the PC, saving you the time of installing a 2nd RJ45 jack in each station when installing VoIP for the first time.  The IP40 ships with a Plantronics QD lower cord and  any Plantronics wired headset will plug directly into it.

Why would I want an IP40?

An IP40 is a great choice for someone who will be desk-bound taking over 50 inbound calls a day.  Compared to a similar desktop IP Phone, the cost of a Plantronics IP40 is much less and there are less features to distract the desktop associate.  The Plantronics IP40 provides the inbound call support you need without some of the distractions that may not be needed, such as multiple line appearances,  speakerphone, and menu.  It also eliminates the ability for users to make outbound personal calls, hence increasing productivity.   The Plantronics IP40 form factor is slightly bigger than an iPhone, so it takes up much less desktop real estate than a comparable IP Phone. The IP40 would be a great deskphone in areas where the desk space is limited and there is only one RJ45 port.

Why wouldn’t I want an IP40?

One word – outbound calls. Ok, that is two words, but you know what I mean.  If you are in a position where there is consistent need to make multiple outbound calls as well as inbound calls, the Plantronics IP40 is not for you.  You can configure your IP40 to make outbound calls to one number, usually a customer service or remittance number that is dialed often.  The IP40 is unable to dial any other numbers.  If you need to do frequent conference calls or check a voicemail account, the IP40 does not have the functionality you are looking for.

What verticals best benefit from the IP40?

Unlike most other Plantronics products, the IP40 is really best suited for only one vertical –  Inbound call centers.  Banks with telephone customer service, etailers, tech support, telemarketers who dial out on predictive dialers, and inbound sales centers would benefit best from the IP40.  These types of positions tend to take repeated inbound calls and would benefit from the basic functionality offered by the Plantronics IP40: Answer/End Call, mute, volume, and hold.  These workers often are highly populated in small desk areas where the PC is the central focus and there is not much room for a phone.

About a month ago, on the heels of Skype’s IPO announcement, the industry was a buzz with rumors that Cisco was in talks to purchase Skype. Birthed by the ever in tune sleuth’s at TechCrunch the rumor had some legs, getting play from all of the major tech sources and even the likes of the Wall Street.

With all of the synergies between the two companies an acquisition seemed plausible, but when news surfaced as to the valuation Skype was looking for, an acquisition seemed unlikely.

In the end most chalked it up to mere speculation. Including myself.

But then I came across this Retuers piece and it got me thinking that maybe there was something to the Cisco – Skype rumors.

In the piece it mentions that next week Cisco will be unveiling a new consumer product. The event invite (below) features smiling faces and the tagline, “Let’s get together” leading one to believe Cisco is set to announce a new video product.

Could it be one designed to work with Skype? Skype cooperation with Lifesize last year was met with much fan fare.

With both companies looking to reap the benefits from the growing interest in video calling from consumers and prosumers alike it’s not that far of a stretch.

Given Cisco’s purchases of Flip (handheld video), Scientific Atlanta (set top boxes) and Tandberg, they’ve got all the ingredients to produce one heck of a home and small office video telepresence solution.

Except for the underlying transport mechanism. Something that Skype can deliver today.

Rumors around the announcement have this soon-to-be-announced Cisco device retailing for around $500 which would make it a disruptive video/telepresence solution for the small business and still within reach of tech savvy consumers.

And to boot, an impactful partnership with Cisco could be just the type of juice Skype needs to gain additional investor confidence as they prepare for their public offering.