5 Things You Didn’t Know Your VoIP Softphone Could Do
“When wireless is perfectly applied the whole world will be converted into a huge brain, which in fact it is, all things being particles of a real and rhythmic whole. We shall be able to communicate with one another instantly, irrespective of distance.”
-Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla predicted the invention of smartphones and internet-based telecommunications back in his days. VoIP (Voice-over-Internet Protocol) softphones are like an embodiment of what Tesla’ said about telephony and communications. However, did you know your VoIP phones can do much more than just making calls? VoIP softphones come loaded with features like team messaging, file sharing, and calendar integration making them highly versatile. No wonder VoIP could step up to bridge the communications gap during the COVID-19 crisis.
By now we are very well familiarized with what a VoIP softphone is. It is a software application that duplicates the functionality of a telephone, on a PC, or any computing or mobile device. Softphone apps have become a preferred telecommunication option for most small and midsize businesses, more so in the post covid times.
A VoIP softphone is designed to emulate a desktop handset, with a dial pad and basic phone features, like mute, transfer, and hold. Most VoIP apps are fairly easy to learn. However, being software, a softphone is loaded with features beyond making and receiving calls which are highly useful especially now when so many of us are working from home. Let’s get cracking at what all can your softphone do for you other than making calls.
A softphone is not a standalone solution. Instead, it is directly connected to your VoIP business phone system, allowing you to access your business phone on your laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or mobile phone. This removes the requirement of investing in expensive hard phone equipment. Softphones enable users to make VoIP calls over diverse web browsers, including Google Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.
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Unique Softphone Features
Softphones come packed with unique features. From an easy-to-use interface to built-in caller settings, users can customize a softphone’s features to fit their business needs. Most VoIP mobile dialers also include standard telephony features like mute, hold, transfer, and flash, along with other unique collaborative communication features.
Most VoIP systems are based on Cloud or are on-premise. These can do a lot more than what most of us might expect and bring huge cost-efficiency to a business. Their mobility, functionality, and exceptional open-source nature have set a new path for the way people will communicate in the future.
#1. Global presence and mobility
- Global presence with a local number: Organizations are pushing the boundaries and expanding at a fast pace to make a global footprint. The VoIP technology enables a business to make international calls in a cost-effective manner. The DID (Direct Inward Dialing) feature of a VoIP system enables a business to own a virtual local number that can be reached by callers in other countries. For example, if you are a company based in Texas, United States but a lot of your business comes from say India, you can buy a local India number that serves as your caller ID and support your Indian customers with a virtual local presence when you are in the United States. VoIP gives you the freedom to have a local presence anywhere in the world irrespective of your location.
- Mobility: VoIP only requires an internet connection to function. This implies that one can practically carry their business extension anywhere. In the hybrid and remote work culture of today, it is a blessing for customer care executives who need to keep their business identity while keeping personal numbers private. A VoIP system/app can turn any device (laptop, desktop, or smartphone) into offsite extensions of a business phone system enabling employees to take advantage of office extension features, such as making and receiving business calls via company phone line regardless of your location.
