It is predicted that in under 5 years time, the market for Softphones will have reached almost two hundred million dollars, accounting for volume sales of almost three million units. Whereas this figure would have been unbelievable just a couple of years ago, it has been made possible by one factor; the rise of Voip.
But allow me first to backtrack a little, for any of those not in the know as to exactly what a Softphone is. Basically put, it is a computer application or software that allows users to make phone calls via their broadband connection straight from their computer.
A softphone can take many forms, but most replicate the appearance of a real telephone handset, with commands being entered through either the keyboard or an onscreen interface. Conversations can then be conducted through either a headset with a built in mic, with a microphone and the computer's speakers or via a USB phone.
Although Softphones are not as yet an application to pose any serious threat to the use of desktop or mobile phones, their continued growth - in particular in the enterprise space - has been sizeable and consistent.
Call centres are the main area of Softphone adoption - and the benefits are clear for all to see. In an industry where call costs are the number one business expense, the savings offered by internet telephony are incredible, and the ability to remove all hardware wiring free's up valuable space within which more sheep - i mean staff - can be housed - i mean sat.
The other main area of growth is the ever increasing number of mobile workers and the need for companies to keep in touch with them wherever they are in the world at all times. Because of the advantages offered by Voip, any employee with a Softphone can gain instant access to HQ at anytime via any broadband connection.
At the time of writing, the most current findings by the New Market Research Report concerning Enterprise Softphones shows clearly that the USA has (unsurprisingly) the largest regional market but is being closeyl shadowed by the fast-emerging Asia-Pacific market.
But all of this is by the by as the majority of consumers and businesses much prefer the use of a more conventional looking and operating phone upon which to conduct their business. And regardless of what your phone based preferences may be, remember that without a good quality service provider, everything else is irrelevant.
But allow me first to backtrack a little, for any of those not in the know as to exactly what a Softphone is. Basically put, it is a computer application or software that allows users to make phone calls via their broadband connection straight from their computer.
A softphone can take many forms, but most replicate the appearance of a real telephone handset, with commands being entered through either the keyboard or an onscreen interface. Conversations can then be conducted through either a headset with a built in mic, with a microphone and the computer's speakers or via a USB phone.
Although Softphones are not as yet an application to pose any serious threat to the use of desktop or mobile phones, their continued growth - in particular in the enterprise space - has been sizeable and consistent.
Call centres are the main area of Softphone adoption - and the benefits are clear for all to see. In an industry where call costs are the number one business expense, the savings offered by internet telephony are incredible, and the ability to remove all hardware wiring free's up valuable space within which more sheep - i mean staff - can be housed - i mean sat.
The other main area of growth is the ever increasing number of mobile workers and the need for companies to keep in touch with them wherever they are in the world at all times. Because of the advantages offered by Voip, any employee with a Softphone can gain instant access to HQ at anytime via any broadband connection.
At the time of writing, the most current findings by the New Market Research Report concerning Enterprise Softphones shows clearly that the USA has (unsurprisingly) the largest regional market but is being closeyl shadowed by the fast-emerging Asia-Pacific market.
But all of this is by the by as the majority of consumers and businesses much prefer the use of a more conventional looking and operating phone upon which to conduct their business. And regardless of what your phone based preferences may be, remember that without a good quality service provider, everything else is irrelevant.
About the Author:
Saul Saresi writes regularly about the world of Voip practices and technology business voip More information about Voip can be found on his site Voipdito voip for business
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