As we move into the fourth industrial revolution of automation and intelligence, it’s staggering how many of us still make and receive calls on horribly antiquated deskphones which rely on the same technology that has been around for decades. It’s time to ditch your tired deskphones and step ahead into the communication revolution!  

What’s the difference between a deskphone and a softphone?

Let’s have a quick recap of what a deskphone and softphone is. A deskphone (also known as a hardphone) is a hardware based VoIP (voice over internet protocol) phone. It’s a physical device that sits on a desk, with a handheld receiver, cord, dial pad, display screen. Calls are made through the internet protocol network rather than traditional telephone lines. Yawn

A softphone also works with VoIP, but cuts out the bulky hardware. With a softphone, you can turn any device into a VoIP phone. It’s the software of a deskphone plus more. The best softphones integrate all your communications – voice, video, messaging, conferencing, and CRM – to streamline your communication.

And if you’re not already convinced, we’ve put together this list to nudge you in the right direction

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10 reasons you should switch to softphones

1. Softphones save you money

Deskphone systems can be extremely expensive systems to implement with costs rising to several thousand pounds per seat and require continual maintenance. Softphones, in contrast, require no additional hardware and installation can be done in as little as a few minutes. Furthermore, the efficiency gains of a well implemented softphone system can produce some impressive ROIs. When switching to softphones, businesses can save up to 45%!

2. Softphones save you time

Softphones are quicker and easier to get up and running. With a softphone, there’s no need for the lengthy installation process of individual deskphones. They don’t need involvement from IT technicians, they don’t need any downtime, in fact you don’t even need to install any software. All you need to do is log on to your softphone provider’s web or mobile application and start calling! 

3. Softphones are more accessible

With a softphone system, every device in your business can become a part of that system. Softphones are typically available as web, desktop or mobile applications, making them far more convenient and functional than a deskphone.

4. Increased portability 

A study by Software Advice showed that 74% of employees who have access to softphones, spent half or more of their working week using a softphone to work away from the office. Softphones allow for mobile communication, so that your business can operate on the go. This makes softphones the better option for employees who travel, work from home, or even for moving around the office if one area is too noisy!  

5. Softphones are more practical

Cutting out the bulky deskphone also cuts out the mess that comes with it – ethernet wires, jumbled cords, and cluttered workspaces. Softphones streamline not only the physical workplace environment, but also your multimedia communications system, with smarter technology to integrate your communications. Along with the environmental impact of cutting down on hardware, a softphone system can help to keep everything organised, increasing office productivity.

6. Upgraded user-friendly interface

A softphone’s interactive user interface adds many additional features that a deskphone lacks. A computer or phone screen is so much easier to interact with than a small display: voicemails are listed visually rather than needing to dial up a number, calls can be transferred to colleagues simply by clicking a button, and the larger screen size makes notifications more noticeable, so you never miss a call. According to Software Advice, the majority of employees are more comfortable with using softphones as opposed to traditional deskphones. This makes switching to the cheaper, more flexible option a no-brainer! 

7. Added video and messaging features

Since softphones work on devices commonly used for video calls and chat messaging, these two areas in particular outshine attempts made by their deskphone counterparts. Improved video calling and chat messaging makes softphones the more versatile and advanced option. There is no need to purchase additional expensive video conferencing and messaging systems, softphone systems are completely omnichannel optimised. 

8. Effective CRM integration

Since softphones are software-based, they integrate effectively with third-party apps like click-to-dial, email, and CRM. Calls are logged and stored in your CRM, removing much of the post call admin work that blights deshphones. In essence, softphones work smarter so you don’t have to work harder. Easy access to customer interactions makes for more unified, advanced communication that deskphones just can’t beat.

9. Customisation options

Along with the extensive extra features that a softphone offers, one of the major benefits is that these features can be tailored to fit your business’s needs. Software customisation is significantly cheaper than paying for additional features for deskphones, which involve hardware purchases and network changes. 

10. AI features

With the advanced capabilities of AI beginning to make an impact on telephony, softphone systems are perfectly poised to create truly revolutionary systems. Machine learning and Natural Language Processing can be applied to make calling suggestions, live coaching tips and automate post call actions. 

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In Conclusion…

We’re slowly realising the benefits of softphones, but there are still too many businesses struggling with deskphones. Softphones allow for operations to be streamlined, with better mobility, flexibility, and intelligence. Unfortunately the majority of softphone systems remain focussed on networks, call time and phone lines, features unchanged since the 90’s. There is little effort to embrace AI technologies and build systems that are of genuine benefit to users. That’s where RocketPhone steps in - we have built a game-changing softphone system powered by AI. RocketPhone thinks ahead, so you don’t have to.

We’ve all switched from flip phones to smartphones. Now it’s time to switch your business from deskphones to softphones.

Discover the future of communication. 

Book a demo of RocketPhone here to find out more. 

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