Softphones have revolutionized the way businesses communicate. Despite its name, a softphone is not a phone. Rather, it is the software of a desk phone, plus so much more. A softphone allows you to make internet-based calls from your computer, phone or tablet. The best softphones cover all of your communication needs, like voice, video, SMS, MMS and CRM, to streamline your business communications. And lucky for you, CallHarbor provides just that.
The main difference between a softphone and a desk phone is that a desk phone is a physical device that stays strapped to your desk. A desk phone typically includes a handheld receiver, dial pad, cord and display screen. In fact, about the only similarity desk phones and softphones share is that they both make calls through the internet instead of traditional telephones lines. Softphones are more accessible, have more features, allow easy integrations, are here to stay and can even save you money.
Accessibility
Times have changed, especially over the past couple years as society slowly adapts to an increase in hybrid working conditions. One of the biggest advantages of softphones is that they allow for mobile communication. This is a game changer compared to using a desk phone. This allows employees to be worry-free as they work from home, travel or are just trying to squeeze some work into whatever they’re doing or wherever they’re going.
Additionally, softphones bring you the possibility of transforming any phone, tablet or computer into a desk phone along with the softphone perks. This allows you to make and receive calls from anywhere in the world on the device of your choice.
Softphone Features
Desk phones work great for calling, but what do you do if your customer can’t always talk on the phone? A no-brainer feature that you can’t miss out on is messaging. With a softphone you can text from anywhere, on the device of your choice, from your work number. Sounds too good to be true? Well it’s not and it doesn’t stop there. The ability to schedule or start a video meeting is also a significant feature of softphones. With covid still lingering, video calling is extremely beneficial and is often regarded as an acceptable alternative to meeting face-to-face.
CallHarbor has even added call center integration to their web phone, giving agents a one stop shop to clock in and out of the call center, view all of their call center reporting, and view park statuses.
Cost Savings
Because you’re making calls over the internet, long-distance and international phone calls are more affordable than a traditional landline. This makes it more convenient to connect with international customers and drive up global sales.
Moreover, desk phones can be expensive to purchase, install and implement, along with foreseeable maintenance costs. Though CallHarbor offers the option to rent top-tier phone hardware at a low monthly rate coupled with free installation, with softphones, there’s no need to buy new phones. Hiring a new employee? They can be up and running as fast as it takes to install a program.
Softphones do not require any additional hardware and installation can be done within minutes.
Here to Stay
As we’ve seen from the past, technology is always changing and improving. Hardware often quickly ages out and eventually ends up in the trash. This is not the case for softphones. Since softphones are software based, improved technology is merely a quick update away. This eliminates the need to purchase multiple software. Because software is licensed, you don’t need to repurchase the software whenever you wish to access it through another device. Just download it and you’re all set. Updates/upgrades can also occur automatically which oftentimes happen during off-hours for your convenience, or whenever you’d prefer.
Easy Integrations
Because softphones are software based, they integrate seamlessly with beneficial tools like CRM (customer relationship management). Calls can be recorded in your CRM, leaving you without the hassle of the time consuming post-call responsibilities as CRM takes care of it. Softphones allow you to work smarter rather than harder. These integrations can enhance your customer experience, improve data collection, lower your operating costs and increase your post-call efficiency. Read more about how softphones can benefit from CRM integrations here.
Softphone Disadvantages
There are multiple clear advantages to using a softphone over a desk phone. There can also be a couple downsides to using a softphone as well. First off, you will only want to use a softphone if you have a rock-solid internet connection. If you have spotty internet connection, then your voice calls will also be flakey and inconsistent. Additionally, you will also need to ensure that you have the bandwidth to sustain calls, as not enough bandwidth can result in poor audio quality on your end. This is where the reliability of a desk phone comes into play as you won’t have to worry about these issues.
Where Can You Get a Softphone?
While deciding on the best softphone software for your company, consider both functionality and price. CallHarbor provides a softphone that gives you all the capabilities of your desk phone plus more! From making & taking calls, viewing contact presence, listening to voicemails, and sending SMS/MMS from your business number, we’ve got you covered. We’ve even added call center integration to our web phone, giving agents a one stop shop to clock in and out of the call center, view all of their call center reporting, and view park statuses. No downloads, no confusion, just a straightforward browser-based phone that works.
The CallHarbor Platform includes all of the features & functionality that your business needs to succeed. With an all-in-one model, you don’t need to pick and choose which features you want – you simply get them all!
See our features in action by scheduling a demo with us today!