Why Plantronics Changed to Poly: A Quick Recap

Plantronics is a brand that somehow came into existence in the 1960s. Since its origin, the brand has dominated the professional headset market, and most particularly in the call center industry. But later in 2018 (process completed in 2019), it actually combined with another major leader in the telecom industry known as Polycom. Now, as of this day, they are known as Poly. It is currently under the ownership of HP. 

In the Poly logo, the three legs represent the Polycom conference phone. This sort of represents the brand identity. Adding to that, the word ‘Poly’, which means many, in fact, represents the various aspects of the company's history. The color that seems orange is actually a lava shade.  It subtly communicates enthusiasm and social communication. 

This is one of the most powerful combinations of two companies in history. That is so because it led to the great success of the company. Let's dive deeper into why Plantronics changed to Poly and became a market success. 

Plantronics + PolyCom Fusion

Plantronics has been the leader in professional communication way back from the 1960s. In fact, this brand was the one behind the success of communication between the Earth and the first person who went to the moon due to its headsets. So, the company came into being through two pilots who worked in the aviation field. The goal of the brand was simple, that is to design comfortable headsets for professionals that deliver a great level audio and also avoid any delays in communication. 

On the other hand, Polycom is the brand that came into existence in the 1990s. This company focused on making clear communication platforms for audio as well as video conferencing. Their top sellers were conference phones and tools that manage calls and videos across various enterprises. 

Since both companies focus on professional and communication challenges, so instead of becoming competitors, Plantronics joined hands in 2019  with Polycom and became one major brand as Poly. Actually, it was Plantronics that bought Polycom with a $2 billion deal. 

The goals are simple, as stated in the press conference.

"The human experience of communications and collaboration, aiming to make communication as rich and natural as in-person." 

Fun Fact: It is widely speculated that Logitech was interested in acquiring the company. But somehow it did not work out. There was an issue with the company's evaluations, which terminated the deal. Although both companies have kept the records confidential.

The Core Mission 

The main goal of Plantronics, now Poly, is to make the telecommunication experience real and smoother. They offer products that solve various communication issues faced by all sorts of professionals. Here are some of the main products offered by this enterprise: 

Professional Headsets:  Poly Headsets come in various series. Each one of them is developed for a particular type of profession, like office, remote work, and call centres. 

Video Conferencing Devices: Like Polycom Studio and Eagle Eye Cube that act as complete solutions for virtual meetings. 

Desk Phone Solutions: This includes products like Plantronics Elara 60 Series that simply turn your smartphone into a desk phone.

Device Management: The Poly also offers IT tools for management. This includes Plantronics Manager Pro and Polycom Device Management Service. The company offers Cloud & Software Services.

All these products and services that are offered reflect the mission and values of Poly. This includes provide better communication support for various work backgrounds.  

Acquisition by HP

Later on in 2022, the Poly was acquired by HP Inc. The rights were sold through a $3.3 billion deal. HP wanted to improve its hybrid work solutions line, which is why this deal took place. Now, through these evolutions, professionals can buy all the main devices. This includes laptops, headsets, and video conferencing products, all in the same place. 

Where Poly Stands Today: 

The new era of artificial intelligence is also making its way to the Poly products. The active noise cancellation features and camera tracking now operate by the modern power of AI. As of 2026, the Poly is the leader in the market that is estimated to be valued at $8.1 billion dollars as an HP subsidiary. The value is even expected to reach $16.41 billion by the end of 2031. This shows the success of the company and why it was worth it for Plantronics to change to Poly.

Conclusion:

The Plantronics, now known as Poly, is a strong leader in the marketplace for professional headsets and communication solutions. The merging of the two companies proved to be valuable. The brand is expected to grow exponentially in the coming future.