With the integration, iMeet can take advantage of contextual intelligence through aspects of a user’s physical world, to trigger specific actions within the meeting. For example, iMeet will know if a user is wearing their Plantronics Voyager Legend UC headset and whether they are available to take a video call or if they are busy and unable to meet. Users can launch an iMeet meeting with a single tap of their headset, and iMeet will automatically signal other meeting guests if the user mutes or takes off their headset and when they step away from the meeting. The result is a simpler, smarter virtual meeting, free from confusion and the awkward: “Are you there, Bob? ... Uh, sorry, I was on mute.”
“The changing needs of today’s workforce are clear – people need to stay productive and engaged with their co-workers, partners and customers from wherever they are, regardless of the device they are using to communicate,” said David Guthrie, PGi Chief Technology Officer. “PGi has been on the forefront of creating innovative collaboration technologies for more than 20 years, and with this first-of-its-kind integration, we’re again breaking new ground for the industry by making meetings more effective.”
Plantronics, whose UC headsets have been designed for broad compatibility using an open development platform, developed the Voyager Legend UC headset to enable easy integration with software solutions. PGi has tapped into the Plantronics Spokes™ SDK to enhance iMeet and support a more natural way for users to interact, from the office, at home or on the go. PGi is continuing to develop additional integration features with the Voyager Legend UC headset, such as the ability for iMeet users to seamlessly transition from a mobile call to a VoIP call through their desktop computer, which it plans to offer later this year.
“We launched our Plantronics development community to allow ISVs to improve their applications by responding to the state information from our wearable technology. PGi is one of the early innovators to utilize our product's contextual awareness capabilities,” said Barry Margerum, Chief Strategy Officer, Plantronics. “Contextual awareness, such as if a person is wearing a headset or near a video-enabled PC, allows iMeet users to more naturally and productively interact with remote colleagues. Our SDK has allowed PGI to bring aspects of a person’s physical environment into their virtual environments, making meetings more effective.”