Softphone or hardphone?
We heard this question a lot, especially after the pandemic.
The world of communication technology is changing as well as evolving at a rapid pace. New developments are constantly emerging, and for most businesses, unified communication (UC) success comes down to one key issue – the type of endpoint they choose.
There are two types of endpoints: softphones for business – which run on computers and rely on software – and hardphones – which are traditional telephony systems. Despite the belief that hardphones are on their way out, some phone system vendors are still using this legacy solution in the business environment.
Between 2016 and 2021, MarketResearchStore.com anticipates the global demand for VoIP services with softphones for businesses to reach $140 billion, with a CAGR of at least 9.1%.
Many organizations are faced with the decision of whether to deploy a hardphone solution or a softphone solution.
What is The Difference Between a Hardphone & a Softphone?
Call Quality
It is true that both of these methods use an Internet connection, but hardphones have a slight advantage because there is a dedicated device that is in charge of handling the call. With the increasing computing power, call quality is usually not an issue as long as computing power is increasing. In the event that a system is overworked with many software programs running at the same time, the quality of the system could be compromised.
Dependability
It is important to note that because hardphones are powered via Ethernet, they are reliable and downtime can typically be scheduled for the evenings or weekends. Generally dependable. However, a system reboot or an outage of the Internet without a backup could pose a problem in some instances.
Ease of Use
Despite its ease of use, it does not require any training, especially for those already familiar with traditional telephone systems. Softphones for business are usually easy to use for those who are familiar with software programs. However, some training or onboarding usually needs to take place before using them.
Interface
A GUI (graphical user interface) is similar to a softphone in the sense that it resembles a regular phone system and can be accessed either physically or through a graphical user interface. An application with a graphical user interface but with additional keyboard shortcuts and mouse options.
Mobility
There are no mobile phone options, especially when you have a desk phone that is plugged into the wall.
The cordless devices are optional (and are a great choice for call centers), but you’re still restricted to using them within the office environment. There is no doubt that softphones for business shine when it comes to mobility. Whether you are using a laptop, smartphone, tablet, or any other device, you have full communication capabilities.
During the deployment implementation process, the entire company needs to be involved as well as new hardware needs to be installed. There can be a lot of delays and complications involved with it. The deployment process is relatively straightforward. As soon as the software has been installed, multiple installations of the software can be carried out at the same time.
Cost
Unlike softphones for business, hardware requirements make them more expensive. Due to limited hardware requirements, pricing is variable but tends to be lower.
Conclusion
It’s because of the flexibility of softphones for business that they are able to seamlessly support a mix of both types of phone systems, and most companies do just that. When your employees are traveling or if they are meeting clients outside the office, softphones for business are a great option for them.
It is useful to have a desk phone in your office if you are an executive who works at your desk all day. It is easy for people like customer service representatives and technicians to use hardphones because they are comfortable with them.
In most cases, however, both telephony options will work well for employees. In addition to having a hardphone in the office, employees may also install a softphone app to use on their laptops when they travel. Therefore, you won’t need to buy desk phones for everyone in your organization. You cannot ignore the advantages softphones for business provide to your workforce for remote communications even if you intend to buy them hardphones.
In today’s competitive business environment, businesses must streamline their operations to become lean, efficient, and cost-effective. Considering the unique advantages offered by both business phone solutions, they have chosen to deploy both.
Nevertheless, as companies realize the benefits of having a unified communication portal that integrates third-party applications, softphone solutions are becoming the preferred business phone solution.