and The VoIP world is full of diverse VoIP solutions and each solution has its own benefits to offer and role to play. A SIP Softswitch Provider like an ASTPP Softswitch has a very crucial role to play. From managing user accounts, call termination, and similar functions, it performs a very important job of transmitting voice, video, multimedia, and other forms of data to the destined recipient. It means this solution is the most vital piece of voice over internet protocol networks and businesses.
When the popularity of any solution increases, the market of providers becomes more congested. More and more VoIP software development companies start offering the VoIP Softswitch and each switch promises to offer the same number of features and performance. This increases the dilemma and confusion while selecting the Softswitch, whether selecting a class 4 or class 5 Softswitch solution or any other form of SIP based Softswitch solution.
It is not only an important but also an expensive decision. The selection and installation of the switch will not only require you to spend significant funds, but it also demands time and other resources in the whole process. Thus, it becomes essential to identify an ideal solution for a business.
To help you in this ordeal, we are here with a complete buying guide that can help you find an ideal VoIP based Softswitch for your business. In this blog post, we will cover the following points.
So, let’s begin the guide and cover all the pointers to give you a complete insight into the subject matter.
1. What is a SIP Softswitch solution?
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is one of the protocols supported by voice over internet protocol. Its job is to transmit voice, video, data, and multimedia from the source point to destination point by building a connection between PSTN and VoIP to provide a communication mechanism.
Find the Perfect SIP Softswitch Provider for Your Business.
In simple words, this Softswitch solution is a software based VoIP switch solution that generates a connection between source and recipient and transmits voice and data to make communication possible in the VoIP network.
There are two major types of SIP Softswitch solutions:
- Class 4 Softswitch software and
- Class 5 Softswitch software
Both are used to perform different jobs and thus, depending on which Softswitch solution you are looking for you can look for the features in your Softswitch solution. A hybrid switch will provide features of both class 5 and class 4 Softswitch solutions.
2. Working model of the Softswitch
A SIP based Softswitch solution manages all calls by sitting at the focal point of the whole infrastructure. It can manage calls coming and going to any DID number or even PSTN number. It can also manage calls from different VoIP devices and apps like a PC dialer, mobile SIP dialer, web app of the VoIP telephony system, IP phone, etc.
The working model in general of the switch would be as follow:
- Once a call or data transfer request is received, Softswitch will first authorize and authenticate the caller and call.
- The next step is to identify the best call route to build a connection depending on the preference of the customer, which can be least cost routing, prefix based routing, priority routing, etc.
- Once the best route is defined by the switch, it will create a bridge and transmit data from the source to the destined destination.
- Once the bridge is established, the caller and recipient can exchange voice, data, multimedia files, etc. through the VoIP solution they are using.
- A class 5 Softswitch software solution also provides rich communication features to both participants. Some of the common features are call mute and unmute, call transfer, call recording, call logging, call forwarding, etc.
3. Must have features in the Softswitch solution
Different SIP Softswitch solutions can offer different features. You may also require some unique or competitive features in your solution. However, there are some features, which are essential to take complete advantage of the switch. Here is the list of must have features in your switch.
Class 4 Softswitch software:
- Call routing strategies
- Transcoding
- Protocol conversion
- Call management
- API integration support
- CDR
Class 5 Softswitch solution
- CTI features
- Ring group
- Call queues
- Call monitoring features
- Reports
- And more
Both of these solutions must have security and VoIP billing solutions integrated into the system. if you are interested in a hybrid system, then it must have features of both class 5 and class 4 Softswitch solutions
4. Top tips to choose the right SIP Softswitch provider
Check the availability of must have features in the offered solution
The first thing to check in the SIP Softswitch is the existence of features that are must have in the switch. You can also keep a check for the added features that you need in your Softswitch solution.
Possibility for customization
It is possible that the SIP Softswitch solution provider might not have all the features that you are looking for. However, the switch must be flexible and easy to customize. Moreover, the provider should have the bandwidth to customize the existing switch and provide you with the required customizations to deliver an ideal VoIP based Softswitch for your business. For example, hybrid call routing is not available in all Softswitch solutions. It is a competitive feature exclusively available in ASTPP Softswitch. The provider must have experience in building this type of unique feature to meet your customization needs.
Check the background of the provider
Selection of the right provider is way more difficult than identifying one of the best SIP Softswitch solutions. One of the criteria that can make judgment easier is inspecting the background of the provider. You must see how many years the provider has been in the industry must check the development team the provider has to meet your needs. You can also check the professionalism in documentation, meetings, responding to emails, etc. All this must match your standards and expectations to keep the whole journey seamless and hassle free once you get your Softswitch solution from the provider.
Top Reasons to Own a Softswitch Instead of Being a Reseller
Review the reviews
The next thing to look for is customer reviews for the provider. This can be a great source of information. You will not only get to know how good or bad the provider is in offering service, support, and quoting customers, but you will also get to know about the quality of the product, efficiency of features, flexibility and scalability of the solution, etc.
One of the major sources to review the customer reviews could be the website as the company would have some testimonials to showcase to customers. You can also review global review websites like Google Business, Capterra, etc.
Discuss technical support terms
The next step to identify the best providers is to check the terms related to technical support. As class 4 and class 5 Softswitch solutions are technical products, you will need technical support from the same provider. It is necessary to discuss terms and conditions along with the cost of support before selecting an ideal provider for your business.
Determine the expenses
Once everything goes as per your expectation, you can discuss the overall ownership cost. It must include all expenses, from the license of the Softswitch solution to the cost of installation, training, documentation, etc.
Determine the timeline
If you think you have found an ideal SIP Softswitch software provider based on the former points, then this is the time to discuss how long it would take to install the software and make it up and running. The actual installation might not be time consuming, but it is possible that the business does not have the bandwidth to immediately start your project and this may delay the whole process. Thus, never stay in any assumption. Always discuss and lock in a clear deadline.
Concluding notes
Identifying the right VoIP Softswitch is a crucial job, but an even more crucial job is to identify the right SIP Softswitch solution provider. In the market, there are so many providers that it becomes quite difficult to choose the best and ideal one for your business. However, this selection guide can make everything quite easy and reliable for you. Simply follow the steps mentioned in this guide and you will definitely get an ideal partner for your business along with the right Softswitch solution.
We, ASTPP, have been offering the best smart telephony solutions. ASTPP Softswitch with integrated billing and security solutions is one of the top products that global businesses use. You can connect with us to know more about ASTPP and how our Softswitch solution has been empowering hundreds of IP telephony businesses. We would be happy to provide a walkthrough of the Softswitch and other required details. To initiate this conversation, contact us NOW!
