Servpac Blog

Softphone applications are a growing trend in the workplace as employees are becoming more mobile and offices adopt Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems. Businesses now have various phone communications options, but most play it safe and only use deskphones because they worry about the reliability and integration of this new technology. Once it’s implemented, businesses find that softphones offer many advantages for businesses including geographic flexibility and integration of third-party apps.

What’s a Softphone?

A softphone is a program or application installed on your computer or smart device (computers, tablets, and mobile phones) that allows you to make and receive phone calls over the internet. As a common feature of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions, softphones transmit voice signals using an internet connection with a speaker and mic. Since it’s a software application, softphones can be used across multiple devices and turn any computing device to a phone. This opens up so many possibilities for communications. Your desktop computer can now be used to make calls, and your smartphone can now double as your office phone. Employees don’t need multiple devices anymore for calls, and can have a single phone number that keeps business separate from their personal lives.

Benefits of Softphones

1. Goes Wherever You Go

Remote work is more popular than ever for today’s workforce. Softphones allows employees to work from anywhere in the world - whether it's their house, favorite restaurant, or even the airport lounge while waiting for a flight. Business is easier than ever because now users can join conference calls, forward inbound calls, and check on remote employees - all while picking up your latte at Starbucks and waiting for a Uber. It's the perfect tool for telecommuters, employees who travel often, remote workers, and businesses with multiple locations.

2. Pay for What You Need

Softphones are less expensive to own and operate. Unlike traditional landlines that require an operating fee for service, softphones only require businesses to pay for bandwidth instead of minutes, and local calls on the software are usually free. Long-distance calls are an additional fee but much cheaper than using the standard office phone. In addition, there's no hardware to buy and maintain with softphones.

3. Offers Countless Features

Softphones include many features that are lacking in traditional telephony. Their capabilities exceed the traditional office phones and usually include the following:

• Multiple lines
• Call ID
• Conference calls
• Call forwarding and transferring
• Call recording and monitoring
• Auto answering
• Call ignore
• Contact address book
• Video calls
• Instant Messaging

These features improve collaboration between employees and remove the necessity of third party applications for communication between team members.

4. Integration with Existing CRM

Softphones can be easily integrated into an existing third-party CRM. Softphones can now be linked to apps such as HubSpot, Zendesk, Salesforce, and Outlook Contact, which provides real-time access to contact info. You can find out exactly who the caller is and past interactions to provide more personalized assistance and answers they are seeking. 

5. Less Hardware to Manage

Overall reduces the number of devices in your office, freeing up office space and time to maintain physical systems. Most softphones are downloaded online such as the vendor website or iTunes's App store. If a softphone stops working, it’s easy to download the latest version or reboot the software whenever needed. 

Conclusion

Softphones are the newest feature of VoIP phone systems that help businesses become flexible, save lots of money, and offer more features for collaboration and communication. Employees better connect with each other, no matter where they are in the world. As part of its VoIP phone system, Servpac offers a third-party softphone app called Bria for businesses. Available for computers, iOS and Android devices, Bria allows you to make voice calls, conduct video calls and send instant messages with files, videos, and images included. You can navigate contacts, messages, and call recordings - all from the palm of your hand. Call today or request a free consultation for more info.

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Servpac, headquartered in Honolulu, is Hawaii’s largest local CLEC (competitive local exchange carrier) providing innovative and integrated phone, internet, cloud, and data center colocation services for Hawaii businesses to keep them connected in the global marketplace. Established in 2004, Servpac offers an all-in-one, turnkey solution that includes VoIP phones, high-speed internet, network management, secure cloud hosting, and colocation - all supported by a dedicated fiber network and 24/7 local customer support at its state-of-the-art operations center.