The phone on your desk is a material element. It's something you can physically touch and feel. The softphone is a software version of the phone. It's an application you can install on your computer, tablet or smartphone. It features a graphical interface that mimics that of a physical phone, with a number pad, call button and other function keys all appearing on the screen.

Now that you understand what a softphone is, you may be asking yourself, "What can a softphone do for my business?". In reality, a softphone can do a lot for you. In particular, you should consider introducing softphones into your business if any of the following are of concern to you.

You want to cut costs

Softphones work with VoIP technology, which uses the Internet to make and receive voice and video calls cost-effectively. In many cases, this technology also enables calls to be made free of charge. As a result, communications costs can be significantly reduced. Today, many SIP providers (internet operators) offer packages that include calls to dozens of international destinations.

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Your telephone system needs more features

In recent years, telephone sets have become increasingly sophisticated. However, the features and possibilities offered by softphones are unprecedented.

Here are just a few of the productivity-enhancing features you can access with a softphone:

• Instant messaging
• Group conference (conference bridge)
• Presence management
• Mobile collaboration tools (screen sharing, call recording, videoconferencing)

You want to be able to reach your employees wherever they are

Here's another reason to invest in a business softphone. You want yourself and your staff to be reachable and operational, whether in the office or on the move. Softphones combine mobility and ubiquity. Calls can be made on your PC, tablet or smartphone. You have the same functionality on all devices, so you're always productive, even when you're on the move. This mobility is also crucial to maintaining good communication within your teams.

Internal communication is ineffective

Communication latency is described as what happens when messages take too long to be sent, and don't reach the target audience in time. To avoid this, you want to strengthen and streamline communication within your company. A Gallup study showed that up to 70% of workers in the USA are out of sync. This is largely due to poor internal communications. According to a McKinsey Global Institute report, a company's productivity can be increased by 25-35% through better internal collaboration. A softphone equipped with collaboration tools makes this possible.

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You want your premises to reflect a sleek, modern image

It's sometimes hard to fight the encroachment of equipment and cables. Yet what wasn't invasive a decade ago is often considered invasive today. Think of the telephone set on your desk and all the surrounding cables. Why not replace it with a simple, even more powerful application? Invest in a softphone and see for yourself.

You want to help your business grow

To grow, your business needs structure. And, to support this growth, your telephone system needs to be scalable, manageable and as configurable as possible. You already operate a PBX, and perhaps you're thinking of renewing it. If so, take the time to think it over, because enterprise-wide deployment of softphones is an alternative not to be overlooked for a growing organization.

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