CounterPath Updates Bria Softphone Client for Android and iOS

Telecommuting is not an entirely new concept. It has been a part of the employment landscape as early as the 80's for companies like IBM, but it is only recently that this type of work arrangement enjoyed a meteoric rise. Thanks to the internet and various advances in communication technology, more and more people are treating work as no longer a place, but an activity. As this trend continues to grow, though, businesses need to make sure that their workers are equipped with the right tools to enable better communication and collaboration to maximize the benefits of telecommuting.
To help enterprises provide better support to their remote workforce, trusted provider of VoIP and Unified Communications (UC) solutions for enterprises and carriers CounterPath recently unveiled new enhancements to its Bria softphone client for iOS and Android devices.
In this article, Todd Carothers, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at CounterPath, talks about what inspired the company to take their award-winning product up a notch and shares what users can expect from the enhanced Bria Mobile for Android and iOS.
Enhanced Communication Solution for Mobile Workers
Bria Mobile, CounterPath’s updated mobile VoIP app, is one of the most reliable and feature-rich communication apps designed for Apple iOS and Android devices. It leverages SIP and Open Standards, helping to serve as an extension to a company’s PBX or hosted voice service. It includes a suite of communication options, superior security and encryption, and advanced audio codecs.
Bria was previously only available on a perpetual model, wherein customers only pay once for the product and then pay for upgrades and some updates on an add-on basis. The previous mobile client also did not support push notification services. Without it, the device’s battery drains quickly at a rate of 30-40%. “Looking at this, we said “Well, with mobile, it's not just about supporting devices and different OS, but it is also about changing with the market and where things are going,” said Carothers.
Thus, CounterPath decided to make several enhancements to its award-winning solution. With the new version of the mobile app, users can get the softphone client from the Google Play and iTunes stores through a new subscription model. Bria Mobile also includes an option for push services for enhanced battery savings.
According to Carothers, “CounterPath moved the model to a subscription model ($1/month) with even greater discounts based on a yearly subscription. Through this, users get client upgrades and updates typically every three to four weeks to keep up on iOS and Android updates. “Also, CounterPath ties in the Stretto platform with push notification capabilities as the server is located in the cloud (at no additional charge to customers) to leverage and help push end user’s own PBX or call server to basically eliminate the battery drain. After ending a call, the app goes in the background but with the help of these new push notifications the battery drain goes to zero,” he added.
Zeroing In On the End-User Experience
This version of Bria Mobile, however, isn’t simply about offering cost-effectiveness and flexibility or enhancing a smartphone’s battery life. Carothers says, “For us, the Bria Mobile move isn't just about a shift to a subscription, but is really about changing the user experience and bringing the best overall experience for customers based on the client and server approach.”
CounterPath has long stressed the importance of the user experience. “When most companies talk about the user experience, they are talking about the interaction with the device itself...but the user experience is also how the platform or solution is being used,” shared Carothers. “For instance, switching from WiFi to LTE shouldn't result in a dropped call (something most general users wouldn't consider or understand). With Bria Mobile, we get around this limitation and as the network layer switches we maintain the call. The great thing about what we do is use a common Softphone Software Development Kit that helps create a common experience across all products. We are proud of pushing this forward and are also excited to give this to users who just want a strong mobile client that just works and also doesn’t kill a smartphone battery. Plus, starting with Bria Mobile can create an opportunity and an easy upgrade and/or migration to Bria X,” he added.
Bria Mobile for iOS and Android includes HD voice and video calling to keep workers in touch while on the go. Plus with the app’s intuitive user interface, individuals or teams can use their device’s native contact list to make voice and video calls for instant meetings, send real-time messages, and check team members’ presence information while at work, at home or on the go.
To learn more about the new version Bria Mobile, visit CounterPath’s website.
About CounterPath
CounterPath is a VoIP solutions provider that designs, develops, and supplies innovative VoIP and UC products that are designed to change the face of telecommunications. Founded in 2002, CounterPath specializes in the operator, enterprise, and channel markets. Their suite of products and solutions power the voice and video calling, messaging, and presence offerings of leading telecommunications providers such as AT&T, Avaya, BroadSoft, NEC, Verizon, and more.