How to Use SIP Softphones & Open Source SIP

December 1, 2011 by Garrett Smith

Understanding the difference between a hardphone and softphone is as simple as using one of each – but many people have not had the pleasure of experiencing a softphone yet.

When it comes to SIP softphones and open source SIPs (Session Initation Protocol), too many people are still left in the dark.

Luckily, this article is here to enlighten. We’ll provide a brief summary of SIP technology and what it might mean for both you and the way you handle your communications on a daily basis.

SIP Softphones

If you run your phone system using a VoIP service provider you’ll probably recognize just how easy it can be to ditch traditional phones in favor of softphones, which can be downloaded straight to your computer and often for free.

Being able to speak over a computer as opposed to a phone reduces everything from desk space being used to the money being spent on new phones! For this reason alone, this type of phone is often popular with start-up companies and new businesses.

Using these softphones is just as easy and intuitive as using a regular phone – the calls and dialing are simply handled on the screen of your computer rather than on a piece of hardware like a telephone. While many people still prefer the actual feel and touch of an old-style phone, the capabilities of new softphones might ultimately be the way of the future.

Open Source SIP

With phone calls now capable of being handled through the Internet in the form of VoIP technology, SIP has become the go-to method for VoIP technology for signaling. Creating an SIP session allows for a range of services and possibilities including instant messaging sessions, IP centrix services, and web page click-to-dial.

Through Open Source SIP the possibilities of VoIP systems are becoming limitless and have long since eclipsed the capacities of many “hardphones.”

Traditional phones can still be of great use in an office, but many people like reducing their overhead (especially start-up companies) by using Open Source SIP rather than some of those traditional methods of communication.

Once streamlined, a lot of time and effort – and money – is ultimately saved.


1 Comment

  • Victor Matson

    What happened to the article?

    “—Luckily, this article is here to enlighten. We’ll provide a brief summary of SIP technology and what it might mean for both you and the way you handle your communications on a daily basis.”

    Not an argument, but an observation on why people shy away from SIP!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Featured Posts

  • Popular Posts

  • Read Our Feed

  • Latest

  • VoIP Post Categories

  • Archives