PC peripherals manufacturer Logitech has unveiled an enhanced keyboard for use with Cisco's Jabber unified communuication platform, one that integrates phone and video call controls to make virtual workspace communications easier.

The device, which Logitech says pairs up nicely with its C920-C webcam and M525-C wireless mouse, allows users to dispense with their desk phones and instead handle incoming and outgoing calls, voicemails, and more from the keyboard itself.

On its Web site, Cisco says Jabber gives you access to instant messaging, voice, video, voice messaging, desktop sharing, and conferencing.

The new Logitech  UC Keyboard K725-C has nine dedicated phone and video-control keys for quickly answering, ending and muting calls, directly from the desktop. It also has  call answer/end key blinks to show incoming calls and the voicemail-message key glows steadily to indicate when new messages are waiting. The keyboard also comes with a built-in LCD display screen that shows caller ID for incoming calls, as well as the duration of calls in progress and all traditional information found on the telephone today.

"We value Logitech's design expertise and innovation in developing enterprise-grade peripherals that help enrich the collaboration capabilities of Cisco Jabber software," said Phil Sherburne, vice president of Enterprise Smart Solutions at Cisco in a press release. "The keyboard call controls, in particular, are an important new approach for bridging the gap between the physical and virtual worlds of unified communications - making users more productive and thus increasing return on investment for UC deployments, including those within Cisco's VXI virtual workspace environments." 

Logitech is aiming the UC Keyboard K725-C squarely at the "hot desking" environment, where users are free to move between desks and cubicles in a typical office space.

"We created the Logitech UC Keyboard to replicate the familiar physical controls of a traditional desk phone, giving UC users new options to collaborate using soft phones and video," said Eric Kintz, senior vice president and general manager of Logitech for Business. "The Logitech C920-C webcam further enhances this experience with true-to-life HD video clarity, while the Logitech M525-C mouse representsLogitech's heritage in human-centric peripherals that boost user productivity and satisfaction. We are delighted that Cisco shares our vision and has given us the opportunity to design products for CiscoJabber."

The complete Logitech UC Solution for Cisco 725-C, which includes the keyboard, Web cam and mouse, will be available from March 2013 from around $269.99.