It’s no secret that voice and data costs in South Africa can get very expensive very quickly.

Sure, when you start your business you might only have one or two people making calls and surfing the net but, as more folks join your organisation, voice and data bills will get larger.

According to Otel Communications chief executive officer Rad Jankovic, there is a better option for startups and SMEs – a soft phone.

No, it’s not a phone that you inflate (although admittedly that would be really cool) but rather a software based phone which uses voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology.

“Instead of being constrained to a physical handset that has to be positioned in a certain location, the IP-enabled soft phone is, in fact, a computer interface that can be accessed across a range of fixed and mobile devices; including desktops, tablets and cellphones,” says Jankovic.

The technology can also help businesses save an average of 45 percent on current voice and data bills.

The exec goes on to say that soft phones also have the added benefit of having fewer telecom issues which should keep IT teams and facilities managers happy.

“Yesteryear’s desk-bound PBX system with its many old-school desktop button phones located throughout the enterprise does not make for a nimble, modern organisation in step with the latest telecoms trends. Soft, IP-based phones can instantly and positively transform a corporation and the way it does business,” explains Jankovic.

Of course as with every technology soft phones might not be what your business needs and it’s best to assess your business needs before diving into anything new.

That said if a soft phone sounds like something your business could use why not give Otel a shout.

[Image – CC 0 Pixabay]