Spectralink is a US-based enterprise mobility solutions provider that’s carved out a clear niche in this space. The company has been around since 1990, and its offerings cover the entire spectrum of mobile workforce needs. Spectralink has solutions in partnership with the likes of Microsoft and Cisco geared specifically for frontline employees. It also has a robust services portfolio as well as products in the mobile telephony segment.
Today, we review Spectralink’s Versity Enterprise Smartphone offering and how it combines a ruggedised form factor with powerful features. Initially envisioned for healthcare, we believe that the Spectralink Versity is extremely relevant for on-site employees returning to a physical workspace at this time. Read on for more details.
Inside Spectralink Versity
The Spectralink Versity had launched in 2018 as a Google Pixel-like device for healthcare professionals. Since then it has expanded into a series of smartphones, including Versity 92, Versity 95, and Versity 96. Of this, the 92 is a mid-tier solution covering all of your basics. The 95/96 is a more premium offering, with a sleek and almost personal device-like form factor.
Here is a quick review of its features:
- Operating system – All Spectralink Versity phones are Android-based, sporting Android 0S 8.1 or later. This lets employees install from a wide marketplace of applications, in addition to Spectralink’s own list of application partners. IT administrators can leverage Spectralink’s AMIE essentials platform for enterprise-grade device management, OTT configurations, and updates
- Applications – This is where the Spectralink Versity truly shines. The device comes with several built-in applications like a voice quality optimization (VQO) tool, the SAFE app for emergencies, the Buttons app for employees to reprogram button-based navigation, Lens Grid to apply a standardized grid for measurements using the camera, and Biz Phone for regular business telephony. This suite of applications equips frontline workers in multiple scenarios to stay predictive, complete tasks, and report any anomaly
- Form factor – This is among the primary reasons for investing in an enterprise-grade smartphone in the first place. All Spectralink Versity smartphones are extremely durable, with an IP 65b certification on the 92 series and Ip 68 on the 95/96. The devices can withstand more than 26 drop cycles from a six feet height to a steel plate, giving them an extremely long shelflife. Also, you swap out the batteries (even when the phone is in use in the case of the 95/96) to make the most of your investment. The phones are 12.2 mm/13 mm thick, which makes Spectralink Versity among the sleekest in its category
- Push To Talk (PTT) – PTT converts Spectralink devices into a walkie-talkie-like interface. Employees can use this mode to broadcast any audio message to a PTT channel at a click. PTT on Spectralink Versity supports a maximum of 25 channels, and when active, users will see a PTT icon on the notifications panel. In addition to this, there is a one-click alarm button and built-in motion detection to aid employees who are on the move
- Security – The Spectralink Versity 95 and 96 are both compatible with fingerprint sign-on. Like all android devices, it supports pin/pattern/password-based security as well. Interestingly, the device has a built-in bar code scanner that can be activated without unlocking the device via a security mechanism
Why Spectralink Versity Makes a Difference
Spectralink Versity strikes a perfect balance between ease of use and industry-specific requirements. If you provide frontline employees with a bulky, outmoded device they will invariably switch to their personal smartphones, causing process bottlenecks. Spectralink addresses this effectively by bringing industrial-grade resilience and features to a design aesthetic we all know and love.
It also helps that the Versity’s screen size ranges between 4 inches and 5.2 inches (reminiscent of the original iPhones) and you can charge them with any USB type C charger employees might have lying around. It is safe to say that the Spectralink Versity would fit seamlessly into most employees’ smartphone habits, and bring a host of additional capabilities to boot.
What We Think
For companies that need a walkie-talkie, a barcode scanner, a powerful camera, and a workplace safety device wrapped in an industrial-grade form factor, Spectralink Versity is the answer.
It addresses a critical market gap – sleek, easy to use devices that don’t look like a walkie-talkie from the ’80s. The pice component is a little steep at an MSRP of $1200 for the Spectralink Versity 95 Series, but this gets you an extremely long shelflife, an open development ecosystem, and compatibility with nearly endless Android offerings. For a specific customer base in a specific segment, we think that this is a steal!
