There have been a lot of predictions made about the desktop, especially in light of the ways mobility is driving changes in technology. More calls are being handled on cell phones and other portable devices.
While mobility is definitely impacting technology development, there’s one advantage a desktop has that mobile devices can’t duplicate: real estate. Even the largest cell phones can’t match a desktop screen size, and while tablets get closer, they are still much smaller than desktop screens.
There are a couple of reasons screen size matters. First, for some segments of the workforce, seeing detailed information or small text can be a challenge on a mobile device. Second, many workers struggle to type effectively on a mobile device versus the speed and accuracy rates they can reach on a desktop.
Meanwhile, desktop screens have only become bigger and brighter. The 15-inch screens of 25 years ago are dwarfed by the 27- and 32-inch screens populating desks today. Many workers also choose to use dual displays at their desks, making it almost impossible for a cell phone screen to compete. A large screen paired with a mouse or equipped with a touchscreen makes a desktop an indispensable tool. It’s expected that future desktop options will provide even more visual space.
The Possibility of Softphone Apps: One likely path to addressing the combination of the convenience of mobility with the visibility of the desktop is the desktop phone being replaced with softphone apps for both desktop and mobile options.
Today, desktop handsets already feature color screens, and some are large and allow more features for handling calls. But this tends to be a duplication of what can be done through a softphone app on the desktop.
A softphone app’s usefulness through mobility became more apparent during COVID-19 days, with many people working from home, and many permanently hybrid companies continue to utilize it. Remote workers need to have access to their phones, but it is impractical to bring work phones home to be plugged into less-secure, lower-performing home networks. Whether the network is WiFi or hard-wired, not everyone has 5G or fiber internet, creating latency and performance issues.
It is suspected that handsets will be phased out as duplicate hardware. The integration of mobile technology with the desktop will drive the use of a softphone app that can function identically and consistently on the desktop computer screen as well as the cell phone screen. It will also eliminate the need to have a handset moving from office to home to equip remote work.
You can also expect that softphone apps will continue to evolve, leveraging the option of expansive desktop screens for additional features and sophistication. Features like video conferencing and shared workspaces will make the desktop an integral part of mobility-focused work.
If your company is considering a communications technology upgrade, contact us at Cloud Source for guidance in choosing future-proof solutions that will equip your organization for growth.
Personal devices have become ubiquitous, with the majority of the population having at least one device that can access the internet. Many businesses are taking advantage of this to implement bring your own device (BYOD) policies, allowing their employees to work — in-house or remotely — with their own devices. This can mean a reduction in IT costs and CapEx, while also ensuring that employees are always able to be contacted. However, there are a number of security risks that come with a BYOD program, including: