New Siemens Enterprise Communications Study Uncovers Overwhelming User Preference for Immersive High Definition (HD) Voice

RESTON, Va., July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The conversation is just plain better when companies use high definition voice communications systems, according to a new study released today by Siemens Enterprise Communications.

In an interactive multimedia simulation study, audio samples were provided in various user scenarios, including both 'standard' quality and Siemens Enterprise Communications' AudioPresence™ HD.

An overwhelming 97 percent of those surveyed agreed there is a noticeable difference with HD. And 91 percent expressed a preference for high definition voice capabilities on their desktop compared to 'standard' IP-telephony quality. Beyond that, 94 percent felt that improving voice communication quality with AudioPresence^™ HD would have an overall positive impact on their business. Only three percent of respondents indicated that they could not perceive a difference in the high definition samples.

The potential business impact and user preference for high definition voice communications in the enterprise has been strongly validated in a new study released today by Siemens Enterprise Communications. In an interactive multimedia simulation, audio samples were provided in various user scenarios, including both 'standard' quality and Siemens Enterprise Communications' AudioPresence^™ HD.

These findings strongly align with the growing "consumerization of IT" trend where high definition displays, touch screens, video and audio have become the norm in terms of user experience. End users are driving demand for an enhanced and more natural voice experience that reduces user frustration and helps ensure customer interactions and employee communications are clearly delivered – avoiding errors and misunderstandings.

"One of the most unexpected practical bonuses has been the audio quality," comments Laurie Douglass-Wilson, Senior Vice President at the American Chiropractic Association, a Siemens Enterprise Communications customer. "Even staff located in other states sound like they are in the same room with you. It is just that clear, and that different from anything we have experienced before."

Unlike other major vendors, Siemens Enterprise Communications is unique in providing immersive HD voice capabilities as standard across the entire range of OpenStage IP-phones – from the entry-level OpenStage 5 to the OpenStage 60 executive model – at no additional cost. And, the consumer-driven 'Bring Your Own Device' to work trend is highlighted by our recent commissioned research finding that 80 percent of voice end points are now distributed as remote, branch or mobile. This finding points to the value of broad support for AudioPresence^™ HD voice support as standard on the new OpenScape Mobile soft client for iOS and Android, as well as the OpenScape Personal edition desktop soft phone client and with OpenScape UC multi-party audio conferencing.

"Siemens Enterprise Communications' supporting HD across its entire IP voice portfolio with AudioPresence^™ increases the overall value of its already proven range of soft clients and phones, allowing customers to enjoy a natural voice experience with higher voice quality, superior clarity, better intelligibility and a richer sound experience," said Mohamed Alaa Saayed, senior industry analyst with Frost & Sullivan. "The overall result is higher degrees of customer satisfaction and increased productivity."

AudioPresence^™ HD leverages the standards-based G.722 high-definition audio codec, as well as best-in-class speaker, microphone and acoustic components with advanced noise rejection and echo cancellation in all OpenStage IP phones.

"We continue to believe in the importance of providing all of our customers with an excellent user experience. Superior audio quality does not have to be an expensive solution that is only available in high-end or 'executive' phones," said Rick Puskar, senior vice president of portfolio management at Siemens Enterprise Communications. "With AudioPresence HD available with every OpenStage IP model as well as our mobile, soft phone and voice conferencing, we help ensure that regardless of how our customers are communicating, they are getting the best audio user experience available."

Our survey results yielded a 95 percent confidence level +/- 5 percent, and attracted responses from all five continents.

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About Siemens Enterprise Communications           
Siemens Enterprise Communications is a premier provider of end-to-end enterprise communications, including voice, network infrastructure and security solutions that use open, standards-based unified communicationsand business applications for a seamless collaboration experience. This award-winning "Open Communications" approach enables organizations to improve productivity and reduce costs through easy-to-deploy solutions that work within existing IT environments, delivering operational efficiencies. It is the foundation for the company's OpenPath® commitment that enables customers to mitigate risk and cost-effectively adopt unified communications. Jointly owned by The Gores Group and Siemens AG, Siemens Enterprise Communications includes Cycos and Enterasys Networks. For more information about Siemens Enterprise Communications or Enterasys please visit www.siemens-enterprise.com or www.enterasys.com.

Note: Siemens Enterprise Communications & Co K.G. is a trademark licensee of Siemens AG. HiPath, OpenOffice, OpenScape and OpenStage, are registered trademarks of Siemens Enterprise Communications & Co K.G. or its affiliates. All other company, brand, product and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

This release contains forward-looking statements based on beliefs of Siemens' management. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "forecast," "expect," "intend," "plan," "should," and "project" are used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results to be materially different, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates, introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance of new products or services and changes in business strategy. Actual results may vary materially from those projected here. Siemens does not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Siemens Enterprise Communications