Believe it or not, some people still use their phones for more than texting, social media, and photos. Some people still make phone calls. It’s true! All kidding aside, if you use your smartphone for business communications, you should look into professional VoIP apps.
In this blog, we’re going to give you a brief overview of VoIP for smartphones.
Advantages of VoIP for iOS and Android
Why would you use VoIP over, say, iPhone’s standard Phone app or something like WhatsApp? We focus on three reasons in particular: professionalism, travel, and security.
Professionalism
Professionalism is vital for communicating with clients, customers, and fellow employees. Calling from whatever app doesn’t cut it in today’s business world.
VoIP apps allow your company to show a unified, professional front to the world. When you call, you call through the company’s network in the company’s name. You only need to give one number to customers.
You get the features required of a business phone system, including having the smartphone be part of a ring strategy, call transfer, call forwarding, and more.
They also help you to aggregate extensions. If you have multiple extensions in the office, they can all be directed to a single smartphone. Your company’s phone menu can lead callers to you no matter where you are.
Smartphone VoIP platforms also help you attract younger workers. It’s no secret that younger people are mobile first: they expect to use their iPhone or Android for work. But you know that you have to maintain a professional level of security in a BYOD (bring your own device) environment.
VoIP apps also have extended features like company directories and presence that allow your employees to stay connected better.
Travel
Let’s say you’re a plumber on the job. It’s been a rough day, but you’re getting through it. A new client calls your office number. Does the call end up on voicemail? Does the client go to someone else?
Or let’s say you’re an executive who’s always on the move. Flying to London, back to LA, over to Houston with a stop-off at Denver. How do you keep connected with your workplace?
Or let’s say that you want to outsource writing to mobile workers. But you don’t want these workers to be any old freelancers. You want to bring them into the fold.
With VoIP, your office extension travels with you. You can talk to the new client on the job as if you’re at the office. You can check in on and monitor the workplace from across the continent. External workers can have their own extension as if they were in the same building.
Security
Business VoIP apps provide business-class security.
Your smartphone is brought into your VoIP phone system using a VPN. It’s as if your phone was plugged into a private network at the office, but you access the network anywhere. By itself, that provides excellent security.
But business-class VoIP improves on that. They offer extensive security options, including end-to-end encryption and secure HTTPS provisioning.
When you call someone, you don’t display your private phone number. You show a public number, protecting you.
You can record and store conversations to protect your business and improve training.
Professional VoIP Apps for iOS and Android
As you see, VoIP smartphone apps offer many advantages. But what app should you go with? Here are three recommendations for professional VoIP smartphone apps:
3CX
3CX offers a free softphone app for iOS and Android. 3CX’s softphone client extends the well-loved business phone system to your smartphone. Why go with 3CX for your smartphone? Here are some reasons:
Use Your Extension. Your office extension travels with you wherever you are.
Presence. See whether your fellow employees are available or not.
End-to-End Encryption. Your communications are secured with enterprise-class end-to-end encryption.
Configure by QR Code. 3CX makes it extremely easy to configure your smartphone with your phone system using a QR code.
Inbuilt SIP Tunnel. Avoid firewall issues with 3CX’s inbuilt SIP tunnel.
No Additional Licensing Costs. You get all this without spending one extra penny on a license.
Grandstream Wave
Grandstream Wave is a free app for iOS and Android. Here are some of the reasons why we recommend Wave:
Grandstream UCM IP-PBX Integration. Grandstream Wave seamlessly integrates with the on-premise Grandstream UCM VoIP phone system, including easy provisioning via QR code.
6 SIP Accounts. If you have multiple extensions, you can have up to six direct to your smartphone.
6-Way Conference Calls. Join audio conferences from your smartphone.
2-Way Video Calls. Wave supports two-way video SIP calls using the efficient H.264 video codec.
Switch Voice Channels. Switch between using the earphone, speakerphone, Bluetooth headset or speaker, and 3.5mm
Encryption. All your calls are secured by 128 or 256-bit SRTP and TLS.
Yeastar Linkus Mobile Client
Yeastar Linkus Mobile Client is a free app for iOS and Android for use with Yeastar’s on-premise VoIP platform. Here’s why Linkus stands out:
Yeastar S-Series IP-PBX Integration. Linkus integrates with the Yeastar S-Series of modular IP-PBXs for fine-grained control over your business telephony.
WiFi or Cellular. Call over WiFi to save on data charges or use your mobile provider.
8-Way Conference Calls. Collaborate with more people using Linkus.
Consolidated Collaboration. See your whole corporate directory including presence in the app.
User Friendly Design. Yeastar really focuses on making the whole package, from provisioning to dialing to directory look-up, simple and intuitive to use.
CallKit Support. On iPhone, Linkus uses CallKit (iOS 10+) so your VoIP calls works as if it were a native phone application.