Why Cross-Platform Softphones Are Essential to Your Business

Even the most skilled employees can’t be productive if they can’t collaborate effectively with their peers and management teams. That’s why companies invest heavily in communication technologies like cross-platform softphones.

While companies previously relied on wired telephone systems in their offices — this isn’t the norm today. 

Modern organizations are now turning to a combination of cellular phones and collaboration suites to empower workplace communications. 

And because of this — custom softphone apps have risen in popularity as a flexible way to enable cross-platform experiences between mobile and desktop users.

A softphone, or software telephone, is a telephony system that operates through software and offers Internet-based calling capabilities. Compared to traditional telephones, they do not use copper wiring and do not connect directly to the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

A cross-platform softphone is a software application that allows you to make voice and video calls, send instant messages, and manage your contacts on multiple devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets. This type of communication solution offers the convenience and flexibility of being able to work from anywhere, on any device, with a consistent user experience.

The software-based nature of softphones gives them a significant edge over other types of communication tools, especially for businesses.

• Convenience. Softphones, like most software programs, can run on your existing computers and mobile devices. There’s no need for specialized hardware, cheapening the cost of implementation and allowing your staff to use the devices with which they’re already familiar.

• Mobility. In the age of remote work, there’s been an emphasis on maintaining a mobile workforce. Traveling professionals and even in-office employees benefit from having a line of communication with the company no matter where they are. Softphones allow them to do so, enabling access to communication even when away from the desk.

• Security and privacy. Management teams are sometimes wary of cloud tools because of cybersecurity threats and privacy concerns. Softphone providers respond with security features that keep sensitive information intact as it travels through the network. Employees likewise can run softphone applications on their personal devices without mixing personal and work-related communications.
• Feature set. Another significant advantage of softphones over traditional telephones is the potential for more features. Almost all business-grade offerings have video conferencing, call recording and transfers, visual voicemail, employee availability and status, and notification support.

Under today’s competitive market conditions, there’s no reason for businesses in any industry to delay their adoption of softphone technology. The only question now is what type of softphone service to use.

Cross-platform implies that the softphone application can run on various devices and operating systems. Windows and Linux are typical examples of desktop operating environments, while iOS and Android cover most of the mobile device sector.

There are many reasons to go cross-platform with your softphone implementation:

• Accessibility. Compatibility with more device types and operating environments makes the softphone application more accessible to all types of users in your business. For instance, on-site staff can communicate through their desktop workstations with remote employees on their mobile devices.

• Ease of deployment. As long as your softphone service provider is multi-platform, you don’t have to put in any work yourself to get the application running on all your devices. Deployment time is much smoother and faster as a result, minimizing the chance of delays that can cause disruptions in productivity.

• Scalability. Built-in cross-platform support likewise makes expanding operations easier. You can guarantee that any new devices you introduce into your network are compatible with your current softphone platform.

• Consistency. The user interface, user experience, and general performance of the softphone app stay the same on all devices since it runs natively on each one. This uniformity makes it easier for different employees to work together, even if everyone uses a different device.

• Maintenance. Because the code base is essentially the same across all variations of the softphone application, updates are much faster to deploy as well. Keep everybody on the same page with a cross-platform softphone.

While softphones are the future of business communication, not all softphone platforms are equal. To maximize the value you get from a softphone, you want to choose one with cross-platform compatibility.

Many cross-platform softphones tailored to businesses also offer white-labeling, where the client organization purchases the application but brands it as their own.

Having your business’s logo and name on the tools you use everyday boosts brand recognition. However, building an entire communication platform yourself from scratch is far too expensive and time-consuming.

White-labeling brings you the best of both worlds. You retain the benefits of personal branding yet also outsource the heavy lifting to a specialized service provider, which can give you the features you want at a much lower upfront cost.

Choosing the best softphone system is challenging, thanks to the high demand for softphone technology in the business sector.

While some are excellent in many use cases, your choice boils down to your specific needs and expectations. What works for one organization might not be ideal for another. So here are some of the most well-known softphone options to get your search started.

Acrobits Cloud Softphone

One of the earliest and most experienced softphone service providers in the industry is Acrobits. On top of extensive white-labeling, video conferencing, and other heavily sought-after features, its Cloud Softphone prides itself on exceptional cross-platform functionality. Users can transition from use on a mobile device to a desktop seamlessly. Compatibility ranges from mobile devices running Android or iOS to desktop environments with Windows or macOS, spanning over 24,000 different device models.

Bria

While this long-running service provider has a free version of its softphone application known as Bria Solo, its main claim to fame is its business-focused offering, Bria Teams. It offers compatibility with various operating environments and an extensive feature set.

Grasshopper

Grasshopper’s main website appeals mainly to small business owners, touting ease of use and affordable pricing structures for those starting off with softphone technology. Its cross-platform compatibility likewise extends to Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

The company even offers number portability so that users can continue to use their existing phone numbers with their new systems. However, the lack of video conferencing is definitely worth considering when making your decision.

Zoiper

Another softphone platform with support for Android, iOS, and desktop operating systems is Zoiper, which targets both residential and commercial clients. All the essential features are here, like white-labeling and push notifications. Zoiper is also well-known for its user-friendly interface.

It’s time for a device and location-agnostic communication platform for your business. A cross-platform softphone is the silver bullet for creating a connected experience in the workplace. Whether employees are working at their desks or connecting with the office abroad from their personal devices, softphones put everybody on the same page.

The best way to implement cross-platform softphones into your workflow as soon as possible is through Acrobits Cloud Softphone. We provide not only an entire toolkit to get you up and running with all the features you’ll need but also:

• All-encompassing cross-platform compatibility. It doesn’t matter if your employees prefer Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, or any combination of operating environments because Cloud Softphone seamlessly works on all of them. Users can join a meeting with a single click on any web browser, resulting in unparalleled convenience and flexibility.

• Top-of-the-line network capabilities. Our LinkUp white label video conferencing solution works for anything from one-on-one conversations to full conference rooms with 15 simultaneous video feeds or 24 audio callers. Physical distance is no longer a barrier to effective collaboration at your organization.
• White labeling. Don’t settle for a generic, one-size-fits-all app that everyone else uses. Stand out in the crowd with Cloud Softphone, which allows you to brand the application for a truly personalized experience becoming one of the most popular white label softphone around. Apply your own logos, colors, and UI elements to spice up your sales demos and conferences.

The future of communications is happening on all devices at all times. There’s no getting around that.

Companies looking to stay competitive will need to create flexible experiences that allow end users to connect and collaborate using both mobile and desktop devices.

Are you looking to create a cross-platform communications experience? Then a branded softphone solution like Cloud Softphone can help. See why major brands like Digium, Metaswitch, BroadSoft, and PortaOne trust us with their communications. 

Want to see what Cloud Softphone can do to empower your teams? Book a demo today to get started.