January 17, 2023: Hello, friends! As we embark on an exciting new year in this week’s issue of USDLA News, it’s our pleasure to introduce you to Yamaha Unified Communications. The conferencing and collaboration division of the Yamaha Corporation in North America sells microphones, speakers, speech privacy systems, video sound bars, and personal Bluetooth Speakerphones.
“With 10 years of history in the Japanese market, Yamaha’s dedicated unified communications department focuses on solutions that enhance communication and help organizations reach their business goals,” explains Tatsuya Umeo, CEO of Yamaha Unified Communications, pictured above.
He has been with the Yamaha Corporation for over 30 years. Before this position, he worked in business management for Yamaha’s UC division and in strategic business planning for Yamaha’s professional and consumer audio. With decades of experience in product marketing, audio engineering, and business analysis, he has successfully aligned the UC division to match Yamaha’s exceptional standard for quality and performance.
Please scroll down for our Q&A with Yamaha’s Tatsuya Umeo.
Questions about becoming a sponsor that we highlight? Don’t hesitate to reach out to me. — Pat, pcassella@usdla.org
USDLA: Tell us about your company. You have a long history. Share that with us, and please tell us about the need you are filling in the industry.
Tatsuya: Since its founding in 1887, the Yamaha Corporation has excelled in all things audio: music instruments, semiconductors, and a wide variety of products and services related to sound and music. Our specific division, Yamaha Unified Communications, prioritizes audio excellence in conferencing and collaboration spaces. Yamaha’s industry-leading technology, such as Human Voice Activity Detection, Adaptive Echo Cancellation, Automatic Gain Control, Noise Reduction, and Dereverberation, make an unparalleled impact in the hybrid classroom.
USDLA: What have been your organization’s biggest challenges?
Tatsuya: Because Yamaha has successfully set the standard for excellence across professional audio, music performance, and audio production, most consumers must be educated on the additional products and services offered for unified communications. Yet, as AV and IT professionals across universities discover and implement Yamaha UC’s solutions, the quality quickly speaks for itself. We also advocate for the value of audio quality regarding productivity and collaboration. Meetings without working video can continue, while meetings without working audio cannot.
USDLA: What are the company’s big wins?
Tatsuya: As a veteran of sound technology, Yamaha understands all aspects of successful audio for schools and universities. Our products function beautifully and are designed specifically for effortless installation, configuration, and management. From the user’s perspective, whether students are in the classroom or joining remotely, the crystal-clear audio on both ends ensures seamless collaboration and connection for all parties. Plus, we’ve been fortunate in maintaining stock and avoiding supply chain disruptions across all our microphones and speakers.
USDLA: Who is your ideal client, and how has the business grown recently?
Tatsuya: Our ideal client can include any educational institution willing to embrace the hybrid model and provide professional-grade audio across all environments, both on and off campus. Our ideal client does not need a technical background, given our products’ ease of use, impressive customer support team, and incredibly low failure rate. Furthermore, we appreciate any client willing to try our products in one classroom and willing to standardize and upgrade across all departments.
USDLA: How has USDLA been helpful in your efforts?
Tatsuya: USDLA has been a wonderful partner for us. They have continuously offered support and opportunities for additional exposure into the educational space to showcase our professional-grade audio across all environments, both on campus and off.
USDLA: What does the future look like for your Yamaha Unified Communications?
Tatsuya: Yamaha UCs will continue supporting educational institutions revolutionizing their students’ education. These environments foster meeting equity for all participants and enable a successful hybrid model. We plan to support our clients by announcing new hardware, upgrading the firmware of current products, and aligning with partners making an impact in education. We’re also expanding our staff across the U.S. and furthering our strong relationships with Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
Learn more:
- Website: https://uc.yamaha.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/128984/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YamahaUC/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yamaha_uc/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/YamahaUC
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoZnhzYqgmHIpUTErhGvCkw