Business phone service via your computer - Is it for you?

You've probably used your personal mobile phone to make and take business-related calls. But have you ever tried doing so using your desktop computer?

There is an ever-increasing overlap between the use of desk phones, cell phones, and computers for business communication.  Features like, text messaging, instant messenger, video conferencing, VoIP for business via your computer, and VoIP networking via WiFi for smart phones have been cross-pollinating for years.

More features, better service?

When the number of features are multiplied by the various mediums, you get a very powerful and complex system with some very strange limitations.  Not all mediums were originally designed to handle the nuance of all of the desired features.  Weird limitations crop up and things get complicated very quickly.

Consider this: many customers ask why they can't use their desk phone to send text messages.  As a business phone service provider we know that some desk phones can actually do this, however they are still limited to the 10-key keypad for text message entry, which we know is not fun.  These phones are more expensive, thanks to modern components like the HD touch screen, proprietary operating systems, and expensive software.

Not-so-smart phone: desk phones are still good for business, but they can limit your productivity.

We also know that most users that need to send text messages have access to a computer, so shouldn't we provide that service on the computer?  Big screen for seeing audit trails of texts and big keypad for easy data entry. Let's not forget: cut and paste.

Finding alternatives to the traditional phone

As a backup, using your cell phone makes more sense for small volume cases, as it is much more portable and the limits of screen size and keyboard key count have good workarounds that have developed over decades of use.  Cell phones are really the driving force of text messaging.  Personally I am still using text messaging via cell phone where needed, though our advanced products text messaging through vTiger CRM for sales and support communications.

What about using my computer as a phone?

Yes, that is viable and our service supports this.  When you move to the computer as your primary telephone communication tool there are a couple of things you might miss.  One, the handset is something that we have been using in business all our life and it really does it's job very well.  Telephones have excellent microphone technology designed to work with the telecom network.

"Desk phones have one job and tend to do them tirelessly with little inconsistency."

But what about a headset?  Doesn't that address the issue of the handset?

Yes and no.

The beauty of the handset is that it is a wired device, meaning high reliability, that has a somewhat convenient retracting nature, not usually found in a wired headset. It also tends to be multi-drop-on-the-floor tested. Again, this has a work around, but the handset doesn't need one.

Well, what about a wireless headset?  Also, not a bad thought, but if you have used wireless headsets, you know they have some weird limitations.  If you pick wisely and understand the limitations, like battery life, remembering where you set it down, and knowing exactly what position you can't stand in because you start to get choppy service, it can be a winner.  On the other hand, our phones have blue tooth integration, so if you like that you can go with it either via the computer or the desktop telephone.

Make the most out of your desktop computer

So now let me ask you a question, is your computer ever slow?  Ever have moments where it seems like it is locked up?  How would that go over on a call with a client?  Desk phones have one job and tend to do them tirelessly with little inconsistency.  Just having your computer decide to begin downloading MS operating system updates could disrupt a call on some machines.  Having a tech support team in your office that can configure your computers for softphone level reliability could be a minimum requirement to go, no desk phone.

Geared for productivity: a great communications suite lets you take calls on most devices--desktop PCs, mobile devices, wired phones.

Personally, I have web conference calls all the time on my computer and they are generally just fine.  I don't use a headset so things are a little simpler.  I still use my office desk phone for actual phone calls, but to be honest I am not sure if it is just habit or simpler.  With our service, you can have your desk phone, computer soft phone, and cell phone ring at the same time, and choose for yourself.

I could go on and on about how things can be different, but the simple fact is that each case is different.  Literally each application in your office has different requirements, so true what you believe is going to work best and then adapt.  We have your back!