DSL Telecom - Blog #VoIP

What is a softphone? An inside look at softphones and why you need them in your business

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 10:30:00 +0200

More and more businesses have or are transitioning to hybrid working. This means it is essential for businesses to adapt to newer communications solutions. Businesses in South Africa are now installing softphones for their convenient features and ease of use to improve communication with remote employees and clients.

So, what is a softphone? A softphone is essentially a software-based interface that acts as a telephone. It allows you to make, receive, and manage calls on any hardware device that utilises this type of software.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about softphones for business - what is a softphone? Is it different from any other business phone? What can you do with it, and how will it benefit your business?

What is a softphone?

You’ve probably used a softphone-type interface without realising it. Zoom or Zoho Meeting are popular softphone examples that many businesses have recently used, when going remote in 2020.

A business softphone is actually not a desk phone or any other physical device, it is a software application that is installed on a connected device. It can be installed on desktops and mobile devices, so in short softphones allow you to make telephone calls without an actual telephone.

Softphone app users will be able to access all the same features as a hard phone, including making calls, receiving calls, setting up call forwarding, voicemail and more. It features all the buttons you might expect a business phone to have.

How does a softphone work?

It's really quite simple, a softphone app typically runs on hardware such as a PC, smartphone, tablet, or computer. To place VoIP calls, establishing a connection via the internet to a physical device is necessary. So, all you need is a device with speakers and a microphone, along with an internet connection.

The softphone app opens in the same way as a regular smartphone’s touchpad. Once you open the program to load the softphone, you can use the touchscreen or a mouse to dial a number and make calls. A softphone app includes a dial pad and features such as hold, mute, and call transfer.

The softphone app converts your voice into a digital signal and carries it to the receiver’s end on a call using integrated technology. You can speak through the softphone app just like a regular telephone if it’s on your smartphone. Alternatively, you can conduct calls from a computer through a headset.

Even though your softphone service is a web-based application, it can be affiliated with a real telephone number, complete with a local area code if desired. This means your softphone is completely accessible to landline-based phones too. If you're switching from a landline service to a cloud-based option, you can keep your current number through a process called porting, whereby numbers are transferred between carriers with minimal downtime.

A reputable provider, like DSL Telecom will ensure that setting up your softphone is quite simple. Ideally, your softphone app will be installed and operational in just a few minutes.

Call features that will make your life easier

Now that you know what a softphone does let’s explore the innovative features that you get with a business softphone.

- Presence - Employee presence enables you to see the availability of your employees: Available, Away, Do not disturb, Lunch break or Business trip. This real time visibility enables employees to avoid missing calls or call transfers which makes production run a lot smoother.

- CRM integration - The CRM integration between Yeastar and Zoho is an easy click to call and call logging action. You can integrate with Zoho One, Zoho CRM, Zoho Mail and Zoho Recruit. You can click on any number to make an out bound call straight from Zoho. You can also display inbound callers information as a pop-up on the CRM. This integration allows for a smoother flow rather than switching between different applications.

- Voicemail - The voicemail feature allows you to record, upload or write the script for a customised message to greet calls when you're away, busy or on another call.

- Call recording - This feature is an easy way to confirm details, monitor quality and guide training sessions, instead of trying to write all the relevant information down or remember it without making any notes, it's a feature that you simply click whilst on a call.

- Google Chrome extension - Linkus softphone users who install the Yeastar Linkus for Google Chrome Extension on Chrome browsers can automatically click to dial any valid phone number that appears on their web browser.

- Transfer to any extension - Extensions allow users to make and receive calls within the company. You can add extensions to every employee in your company. This feature makes it easier to quickly make a call, transfer a call, add a user to a conference call or do an attended transfer rather than searching for their name or dialing a ring group.

- Speed Dial- Sometimes you may just need to call someone quickly without having to look up his/her phone number. You can do so by simply defining a shortcut number. You can use the Speed Dial feature to place a call by pressing a reduced number of keys. This feature helps to optimise your time quickly and efficiently.

- IVR - IVR uses voice prompts to provide callers with instructions and directions for accessing information via phone. When users call into the PBX IVR, the users would operate by following the IVR prompt instructions. The PBX system has one default IVR prompt, but you can switch out the IVR prompts to various different audio files, example closing times during the festive season or which extensions to dial for the department that you want to get into contact with.

- Ring group -Ring groups are phone extensions grouped together in order to perform functions such as ringing multiple numbers simultaneously or in a specific order. The benefit of setting ring groups is having the ability to group extensions based on company departments and setting ring strategies accordingly.

Pros of using a softphone

Significant cost savings

Save up to 50% over traditional phone systems and cut costs with low per second billing VoIP rates. Softphones relieve you from the financial burden of having to purchase or lease many physical phones and the lack of equipment eliminates most future maintenance costs.

Efficiency of resources

Softphones save you from the hassle of needing to install and configure your old traditional phones. Leveraging your already owned computer hardware to migrate to a new phone system means no need to buy new phone, new wiring or new hardware to maintain. It also frees up space on your desk and eliminates wires, plugs and power cords.

Phone lines are no longer required

Softphones use internet bandwidth, therefore there is no need to install a dedicated phone line as you once did with a traditional phone. You can also add as many workstations as you want without worrying about the cost of phone lines.

Portability & Mobility

As long as users are connected to the internet on their computer or mobile device, they can install the softphone app and use every feature. Business communication does not need to stop just because you have left the office. You can work anywhere at anytime.

Ease of use and quick setup

Softphones save you from the hassle of needing to install and configure your old traditional phones. You also don't need to worry about the wiring you once did with traditional landline phone systems as in most cases all you need is a dedicated microphone and speaker. All employees need to do is bring their own device and simply install the app on their chosen smart phone and then they can work from anywhere they need to at any given time.

Cons of using a softphone

Although there are many benefits of a softphone over hard phone technology there can also be a few potential drawbacks to consider when considering hard phones vs softphones.

The biggest issue with a softphone is that your ability to make and receive calls is completely dependent on your internet connection. That means that power outages, storms, or simply your current bandwidth will impact audio quality and overall availability.

In conclusion

In conclusion when you choose softphones for your business, you’re making a wise choice to upgrade your communications. Softphones have everything you need of a traditional desk phone but with integrated functions that level up everyday interactions in a virtual world.

A softphone app is a cost-effective, portable program that can cement communication gaps and support productivity anytime, anywhere.

Do you want a free softphone demo?

See how the DSL Telecom Cloud PBX and softphones can benefit your business, with a free 15-min online or in-person demonstration session

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Everything you need to know about Vox Business Fibre Communicate Bundles

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 11:51:55 +0200

An explanation of the Vox FTTB Communicate Bundles

We all know by now that connectivity is key to business. We’ve said it, you’ve read it and we all know that internet makes the world go around. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re already connected, but how much value are you truly receiving from your connection? Is your internet connection empowering your business? The needs of your business fibre far outweigh the needs associated to a standard home connection, be it accessing static IP addresses, advanced security, communication features, advanced features and your package needs to be suitable for your businesses unique needs.

Fibre to the Business or FTTB creates a faster, more reliable connection allowing work to flow seamlessly in your business. Vox offers a reliable secure business-grade fibre line that is tailored to meet your needs, this broadband business fibre will give you the right tools to stay connected and competitive. Within this blog we will explain exactly why you need to get a Vox Communicate FTTB Bundle for your business.

Vox Fibre Communicate Bundles

Vox Fibre Communicate Bundles are Vox FTTB Deals that include an uninterrupted voice connection, giving you that extra value to your business internet connection. Uncapped voice means you get to make unlimited calls to all South African destinations i.e. local, national and mobile and popular international destinations.

With our value added benefit of number porting, our business customers can keep their fixed line number which totally eliminates the need to deal with other providers. The ability for Vox to issue geographic number ranges (e.g 010, 021 and 031) means customers can now enjoy cost effective voice solutions and still have numbers that reflect where they are. Here's how this uncapped voice package inclusion will benefit your business:

Porting and PBX convenience

Geographic number porting lets you keep your number, while consolidating your services into a single central IP network. It’s compatible with all PBX systems.

Eliminate variable charges

With uncapped voice you have fixed monthly charges that cover both voice calls and line rental. So, no more nasty surprises at month-end.

Consistent
call quality

Vox use a call quality rating system to measure all calls through our network. They maintain an industry-approved 3.8 and higher, meaning great call quality.

Ready for all
traffic types

Routing of all voice types including cellular, local, regional, national, international, Vox on-net and inbound.

So, what else is included in the Vox FTTB Communicate bundle?

Vox has designed their bundles to give you more value and better connectivity, while ensuring that your business gets the performance it deserves, to be productive. The Vox FTTB communicate bundles also include:

Inbound Voice channels, which are the amount of channels that can receive customer calls.
Outbound Voice channels, which are the amount of channels available for team members to make calls
Non-geographical numbers which are easily recognised as national numbers, they have no city prefix. They're ideal for businesses who have customers across South Africa.
Symmetrical fibre line speeds which means that your download and upload speeds are equal. Symmetrical line speeds are taking off as the future of internet connection as business demands continue to grow. And, no matter what you do with Vox FTTB symmetrical speeds, we think you can expect it to be a pretty wait-free and frustration-free experience.

Choose Vox FTTB Communicate

The Vox FTTB Communicate bundles cater to all businesses budgets and offer more for less

View Vox FFTB Bundles

An ideal friendship: DSL Telecom Phone System & Zoho CRM

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 17:01:28 +0200

In the age of multichannel communications, your customers are communicating to your teams through chat, email, social media and (of course) telephone. Keeping up to date with what a customer requires is even harder when all these channels act like perfect strangers — remaining separate and detached. That is why we suggest you integrate your phone and CRM software. A seamless CRM phone integration, in many ways, turns these two critical communication platforms into best friends: effortlessly in tune and always working together to achieve more than each could alone. The good news is that Zoho CRM & DSL Telecom Phone System have already been introduced and collaborate seamlessly.

In today's blog we'll be discussing what makes the Zoho CRM & DSL Telecom PBX integration the best of companions.

Click here to learn more about DSL Telecom's Cloud Phone System
Click here to start your FREE Zoho CRM trial

Easier tracking

Make manual data entry a thing of the past with DSL Telecom and Zoho CRM's automatic call logging feature. Accurate and descriptive notes on your customer is your team's secret weapon to providing superior service! The call pop-up window enables your team to add notes, create follow-up tasks or assign the contact you spoke with to someone else. You will never lose track or forget about a conversation that you had with a customer.

Call pop-ups to better serve your customers

Zoho's CRM Software can store, access and analyse large amounts of diverse information, including detailed caller identification and call history. Linking your telephony to your CRM gives your sales team quick access to previous call interactions and customer details before the call connects. This enables you to quickly prepare for the customer interaction and ultimately you're now able to assist the customer promptly - saving time for all parties.

Every call from your customer automatically displays a pop-up with the customers information on your screen. Pop-ups provide quick access to customer records which helps to get to the heart of the matter quickly. Having this information handy when a customer calls, gives your team the opportunity to provide a personalised customer service.

Gives you more data

Providing your team with constructive feedback is vital to motivate, improve and enhance your workforce. It is essential to measure KPIs such as call rates, upselling activity and conversion rates. Integrating your telephony with your CRM system helps monitor and analyse staff tendencies and capabilities, providing supervisors and managers with useful, quantifiable data. This integration gives you the opportunity to generate reports. With reports, you can track trends and teams' performance during specific periods and motivate them to improve by providing proof of superb performance or the need to improve on certain aspects of their work. Built-in charts and reports let you visualise your call data and help you figure out how to provide a better customer experience.

Elevate productivity

The ability to accept incoming calls and make outgoing calls with a single click is facilitated through DSL Telecom's Cloud PBX and Zoho's CRM system, enhancing the swiftness of your staff. Stop wasting time searching for contacts' numbers and dialing numbers - make calls straight from Zoho CRM. While you're looking at your leads or contacts, just click the call icon to initiate a call.

What does this integration look like?

Zoho CRM & DSL Telecom Phone Integration: Better Together

The future belongs to companies that maintain strong customer relations and improve efficiency at serving them. Technology is an effective way to help your business achieve both these goals. By integrating your CRM and telephony services, you can make your business stand out even in a hyper-competitive market. Our Zoho Consultants and Cloud PBX Specialists understand how essential communication and building relationships are to businesses. Let us help you unify your communications with your customers.

Try this integration

Why an uninterrupted internet connection at home is more critical than ever before

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 11:07:36 +0200

Now more than ever, internet access is a lifeline - not a luxury. Our internet connection at home has become our umbilical cord to the outside world.

The way we worked flipped upside down overnight. Suddenly, everyone's home internet connections were essential - not just for work, but also for online learning, live-streamed events and communication with family and friends.

The importance of internet reliability

Working from home is more than just a trend, a bonus perk, or a temporary fix to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Remote work is here to stay, with many companies transitioning to permanent work-from-home roles. It is the new normal way to work for millions of employees in South Africa and across the world.

As employees adjust and adapt to this new virtual workplace, it has become apparent that the technical requirements will play a major role in the success of work-from-home positions.

As a work-from-home employee, the most important thing that you need to succeed in remote work positions is a strong internet connection. This will allow you to complete your work, collaborate with colleagues and stay in contact with customers and suppliers. Without a decent internet signal, you will probably experience grainy video calls, prolonged download times and many more annoying communication issues.

What type of internet speeds do I need?

The first step to deciding what type of internet connection is best for you(be it fibre, lte, adsl or satellite), is to consider what is absolutely necessary to your work.

Will you need to use Skype, Zoom, or other HD video call platforms?
Will you need to make voice calls to colleagues and customers? (VoIP calls)
Do you need to download or upload large files quickly?
Do you need to watch video content?

click here to see our fibre internet speed guide

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Quality, high-speed internet solutions

It's unquestionable that a robust internet connection is vital to successfully working from home. This 2021, you don't have to put up with an erratic internet connection that freezes during your important meetings.

Get a high-speed internet connection through DSL Telecom and start impressing your colleagues and customers. Choose between LTE internet deals, Fibre internet deals, ADSL internet deals, Satellite internet deals or Mobile Data internet packages.

To find out more and see which internet packages are available, visit our website www.dsltelecom.co.za

How and why you should switch to Vox VoIP

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:35:12 +0200

What is VoIP and how does it work?

Copper networks are being discontinued so you can say goodbye to copper wires and hello to VoIP. With VoIP, you can make phone calls anywhere, anytime using an internet-connected computer, headset and voice over internet protocol (VoIP).

VoIP is the technology that converts your voice into a digital signal, allowing you to make a call directly from a computer, a VoIP phone, or other data-driven devices. Simply put, it’s phone service delivered over the internet. You may also hear it referred to as IP telephony, internet telephony, broadband telephony, or broadband phone service.

Why should you choose a VoIP service?

❌ You don’t need a copper landline – no more fuzzy lines, copper theft issues or fallen trees interrupting your connection

💸 Save on local, cell phone, and international calls with ridiculously low call rates

⚖️ Scalability & Productivity : A user can work remotely and will be able to immediately use their office phone credentials to make and receive calls over their smartphone. As the number of employees fluctuate, the number of VoIP connections / numbers can simultaneously be adjusted.

👍 Convenience & Mobility: Unlike traditional phones, the greatest benefit of using VoIP is that you can make calls & receive calls from anywhere or anytime when you are connected to the internet. This is highly beneficial for workers who are on-the-go.

⚙️ You can access advanced applications and features for staff members to be more productive & agile.

📱 Keep your number by porting to the Vox network.

✔️ Have access to 24/7 support when needed.

How to make a call using VoIP

You can make use of your VoIP number by using either one of the below 2 options:

1. Easily download and make use of the free Vobi softphone app on your mobile device.

2. Program your number into any IP phone or VoIP compatible PBX. You can choose from a range of desktop and cordless phones and a Cloud PBX packed with incredible business features and advanced capabilities.

Port your landline number to a Vox Voice Service

DSL Telecom is able to port your Telkom landline number to Vox. This will allow you to keep your number and move from an old copper calling infrastructure to a new voice over internet calling infrastructure.

Step 1: Provide DSL Telecom with a clear copy of your ID, a proof of address and your latest Telkom bill.

Step 2: DSL Telecom will create a Vox quote for your new Vox VoIP account (SIP account).

Step 3: You can accept this quote via email or SMS.

Step 4: Once you have accepted your order, it will be sent for Vox RICA approval which usually takes 24 - 48 working hours.

Step 5: After your order has been RICA approved, Vox will make contact with Telkom and initiate the number porting process. This usually takes 7-14 working days to complete.

Step 6: Once your Telkom number has been ported to Vox, a DSL Telecom Customer Services Agent will help you to set up your new Vox VoIP account.

Step 7: Cancel your landline directly with Telkom. Here is how:

View Vox VoIP deals here 👉 https://www.dsltelecom.co.za/cloudvoice

For more information about our cloud phone system go to 👉 https://www.dsltelecom.co.za/cloudpbx

For more information about our phones & equipment 👉 https://www.dsltelecom.co.za/phones

ADSL is Dead: Here's Everything You Need To Know About Switching To Fibre

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:24:16 +0200

As you are already probably aware, Telkom is currently in the process of shutting down its copper network, which means that all traditional phone lines and ADSL services will soon be discontinued.

What now?

Well, there's no need to stress! The great news is that we offer excellent alternatives to Telkom’s ADSL services. The time has come to make the switch and migrate to Telkom Fibre. It's a blessing in disguise really, because fibre is both cheaper and faster than copper-based broadband.

How does the Telkom ADSL to Fibre migration work?

If you are an existing Telkom ADSL customer and have fibre available in your area, you can easily and seamlessly migrate to a Telkom Fibre connection. No billing hassles and no drama 😊

Which fibre packages/deals can I migrate to?

There is a deal to suit every budget and bandwidth requirement. Here a just a few best sellers: 👇

To view all the available fibre deals that you can migrate to, click here 👉 www.fibredeals.co.za/migrate

Which fibre speed should you migrate to?

Can I keep my landline number, once my Telkom fixed line has been discontinued?

Yes of course. We can help you port your existing Telkom landline number to DSL Telecom's VoIP service. You can either keep your Telkom number or get an 087 xxx xxxx number that's unique to you. Read more about our affordable VoIP services 👉 www.uncappedvoip.co.za

How long will it take to switch to Fibre?

The general installation time for your Telkom fibre is 7 - 21 working days after your migration order has been processed.

Do I need to buy a new router?

Your existing ADSL router is not compatible for a fibre connection, but the excellent news is that Telkom will provide you with a brand new Wi-Fi router absolutely free!

Switch to Telkom Unlimited Home Lite Fibre today and start enjoying the fastest and most reliable internet technology available in South Africa. Prepare to be amazed!

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