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VoIP for SMBs: Hardphones or softphones?Your company has decided to avail of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and has given you the task of choosing between its two types: traditional desk phones (hardphones) or software-based phones (softphones). Worry not — we’re here to help you understand the benefits of each type. What’s a hardphone? A hardphone functions like a normal […]

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VoIP for SMBs: Hardphones or softphones?

Your company has decided to avail of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and has given you the task of choosing between its two types: traditional desk phones (hardphones) or software-based phones (softphones). Worry not — we’re here to help you understand the benefits of each type.

What’s a hardphone?

A hardphone functions like a normal phone, but it's connected to your business's IP network instead of a telephone line. There’s no learning curve associated with VoIP hardphones and they allow your staff to call anyone worldwide at an affordable price. More advanced hardphones have built-in video displays and touch screens for video calls, eliminating the need for separate equipment for video conferencing.

What’s a softphone?

A softphone is any electronic device that uses a software application that allows users to turn their PCs, laptops, and tablets into phones that can make and receive local and international calls. Softphones let you dial a number on your computer or mobile device and speak through its embedded speakers and microphone or through a headset with a microphone, so you can make and take calls wherever you are.

Which VoIP phone is for you?

When choosing between hardphones and smartphones, consider the following questions:

Are your employees always moving around?
Do they require 24/7 connectivity?
Does your company take pride in offering top-notch customer service?
What’s your IT budget?

Your answers to these questions will determine the type of equipment you need.

Why choose hardphones?

Nothing beats the voice clarity and noise cancellation features of hardphones since they are designed specifically for voice calls, unlike softphones that share power with other programs on a device. They also let you make and receive calls without being disrupted by poor PC performance or malware.

Because you have to purchase actual phones, the initial setup costs for hardphones are greater than those for softphones, but the monthly phone bills are more affordable. Not only that, softphones may be more costly in the long run, as they require separate headphones and microphones that may need to be replaced or maintained frequently.

Why choose softphones?

If your company has a mobile workforce, adopting a softphone solution may be the way to go. Softphones feature call routing, which allows you to divert calls to one or several specified internet-enabled devices, ensuring your clients have 24/7 access to your company. This is most useful in a contact center environment. Transcribed voicemail messages are another helpful feature, as this enables you to receive messages promptly, even if you’re in a meeting or on the road.

Our experts are available 24/7/365 to answer any questions you may have pertaining to VoIP and especially about whether hardphones or softphones are right for you. If you’re interested in upgrading your telephony infrastructure, give us a call today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Top 5 benefits of using softphonesHaving a flexible communication system is more important than ever now that remote work has become crucial to a company’s survival. One option is to issue company phones to telecommuters so they can communicate with clients and colleagues. But the ideal solution for most businesses is to use phone apps or softphones, and here are […]

The post Top 5 benefits of using softphones appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Top 5 benefits of using softphones

Having a flexible communication system is more important than ever now that remote work has become crucial to a company’s survival. One option is to issue company phones to telecommuters so they can communicate with clients and colleagues. But the ideal solution for most businesses is to use phone apps or softphones, and here are several reasons why.

Anytime, anywhere business phone

Softphones are essentially a type of application that you can run on internet-enabled devices like a smartphone or laptop. This removes the need for a physical handset, allowing you to make and receive calls from any location with an internet connection. Even if your workers are homebound, softphones give them a lot of flexibility. They don’t have to waste time setting up lines for a traditional phone unit in their home office — they can simply turn their personal smartphone into a business-level communication tool. Employees also get to enjoy hands-free calls, provided their device has a decent headset or microphone.

Reduced costs

The best aspect of softphones is that they significantly cut costs. For one, instead of spending a lot of money installing and maintaining office phone equipment, you only have to pay a small subscription fee to get powerful softphone features on your mobile device and computer. All the expenses associated with server expenses and system maintenance are taken care of by the softphone provider. More importantly, softphones transmit communication data over the internet rather than traditional phone lines. This means you won’t have to deal with expensive local and long-distance rates. In fact, some softphone providers offer a reduced rate for international calls, while others allow you to make calls for free.

User-friendly interface

Softphones come with an interactive user interface that’s easy to learn. If you want to transfer a call to a colleague, you just have to drag and drop the call to their name — there’s no need to dial an extension on your phone. If you need to call someone, all you have to do is search for their profile via a search bar and just click on their name to initiate a call. Want to tell everyone that you’re too busy? Softphones let you enable do not disturb mode for specific time frames in which incoming calls are either sent straight to voicemail or forwarded to the next available person. What’s more, softphones provide incoming call notifications with caller ID and profile information so you know exactly who you’re talking to.

High-quality video conferencing

If you need something more engaging than a simple phone call, softphones allow you to host multiparty video conferences. These make it easy to conduct team and company-wide meetings even if people are miles apart from each other. Participants can also see important visual cues through body language, so conversations with clients and colleagues are clearer and more personal. The best softphone services even let you share your screen so you can better coordinate with your remote workers.

Tight integration with enterprise software

Another benefit of softphones is that they can complement your existing systems. When softphones are integrated with your customer relationship management (CRM) software, for instance, you’ll be able to compile previous call logs and relevant client information before making a call. This is particularly useful for customer service and sales staff who need contextual information to better serve their clients.

All in all, softphones are perfect for any business that wants to operate at peak performance. They’re intuitive, feature-rich, and cost-effective, so if your business doesn’t have this essential communication tool, get an upgrade today. Call us now to enhance your communication systems!

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Top 5 benefits of using softphones appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

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