The phone call has been around for over 100 years. It is an integral part of today’s world, and it won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. But how is it that a century-old technology is still around today? Let’s take a look at the technology many see set to replace the phone call, and why it is not a suitable replacement in the long run.
The evolution of Text-Based Communications Platforms
Many people view the progressive development of text-based communications platforms as the inevitable replacement of the phone call. The convenience of being able to respond at one’s own convenience is a huge advantage of the technology. Pair that with the fact that text-based communications provides a transcript for all users in a conversation, emails have become the preferred form of communication when accountability/liability is a factor.
However, text-based communications comes with some disadvantages. Let’s explore these pitfalls in more detail below.
Where Text-Based Communications Falls Short of the Phone Call
Phone calls have two very distinct advantages when compared to text-based platforms.
Tone
Exclamation points can only tell you so much in a conversation. A phone call lets you hear a person’s tone and react accordingly. The lack of tone in text can hinder the outcome of a conversation.
Time
Have you ever emailed back and forth for hours to get the answer you were looking for? Responding at your own convenience is both a blessing and a curse in the business world. If you are trying to get something done that is time sensitive, an email chain is generally not the best route to go. Text conversations can become harder to follow when you factor in that multiple responders can respond at different times to different portions of a conversation.
Today’s Phone is not 100 Years Old
The phone systems available to businesses today aren’t the same as the ones used even 10 years ago. The phone call has evolved rapidly thanks to the advancements of technology. The overall cost of a communications network, in regards to VoIP technology, has gone significantly down. Additionally, technology companies are integrating phone systems with more recent technology to keep up with today’s ever-changing business communications tools. Below are a few examples of how communications technology has evolved:
Text-based Integration
Forward-thinking communications companies know the value of integrating technology. Some VoIP providers offer features that allow you to check your voicemail through both text and email. This can save users time and does not keep users tied to their desk phones.
At Nextiva, we offer an app to our customers that combines voice, video and instant messaging. The instant messaging feature of the Nextiva App allows you to send and receive messages with your coworkers from any mobile device or desktop. If the conversation you are having would be better suited for a phone call, the app will allow to switch the text-based conversation to a call with the click of a button.
Re-thinking Accountability
The ability to record a conversation is not just for text-based platforms. You can use a feature called Call Recording that allows you to record entire phone calls or specific portions depending on your preference. This feature is useful for training and legal purposes.
Phone Calls through different Gadgets
Phone calls are not exclusively made through phones anymore. As mentioned earlier, the Nextiva App allows you to make calls through its “soft phone.” Soft phones use your computer, tablet, or other mobile device in lieu of a desk phone to make and receive calls. You simply download the application from your hosted provider.
The future of the phone call lies in integration, not extinction. Verbal communication is too important to label the phone call as an “end-of-life technology.” For the foreseeable future, the phone call will be an essential part of the business world.
About the author
Jake Arredondo is a marketing associate at Nextiva. He has two degrees; a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management. One of his most notable achievements include co-founding a water purification company for under-developed countries. During his time as a co-founder, his team helped the company receive over $40,000 in awards. He currently is living in Scottsdale, Arizona and looks forward to advancing his marketing career.