SIP Softphones: Key Advantages and Features
One of VoIP's key advantages is that a telephone no longer has to be -- or even look like -- a traditional telephone. In fact, just about any PC, laptop, or PDA can be turned into a telephone simply by adding softphone software.
A softphone appeals to several types of phone users, including:
- Office-based executives and managers: softphone technology allows a clutter-free desk as well as a telephone system that integrates with PC sales, brokerage, and other enterprise applications.
- Telecommuters: People who split their time between home and office can use a softphone to access the same phone services -- and phone number -- at both locations.
- Mobile professionals: When traveling locally, regionally, or globally, a softphone provides reliable phone service without the added cost and burden of a mobile phone. Internationally, it eliminates the need to worry about phone system service quality and device compatibility.
- Contact center managers: SIP softphone technology can save the expense of equipping each representative with standalone telephone hardware.
A softphone can be cheaper to use than a regular telephone, since the technology requires no hardware beyond a network-connected PC or PDA. Phone rates can also be cheaper, thanks to streamlined VoIP service and the absence of most federal, state, and local taxes.
Softphones offer the same features as traditional standalone phones. In fact, most softphone programs offer more features than most standard telephones. Among the features available to softphone users are call forwarding, conference calling, Caller ID, and voice mail. A softphone can also integrate with PC and PDA e-mail applications, such as Microsoft Outlook, for easy address book access and automatic phone dialing. Some softphones also provide voice-based instant messaging capabilities. Additionally, many softphones support broadband links, allowing users to enjoy high-quality audio connections and to place video phone calls and conferences.
Softphone vendors include:
Although approaches vary between different vendors, a typical softphone provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that mimics the appearance of a standard desktop or mobile phone. Over the next few years, a growing number of business software vendors are expected to begin building softphone capabilities directly into their products. Additionally, many VoIP service providers, as well as enterprise IP PBX makers, offer softphone applications that are custom-tailored for use with their systems.
Softphone use is growing worldwide and even extends into space. Astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) use laptops equipped with softphone technology. Before softphone technology became available, astronauts communicated exclusively by radio with mission control at Johnson Space Center . Now, they can use the laptop's keypad to dial any number and call anyone they wish. Like most terrestrial softphone users, they speak through a headset with a microphone. The VoIP signal travels up to 144,810 kilometers (90,000 miles) by way of a communications satellite. That long distance can mean there's a time lag of up to 1 second in conversations. Standard IP phone systems would disconnect under such a connection, so the softphone the astronauts use is modified to accommodate the delay.
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