Abhishek Upadhyay – Revesoft Blog https://www.revesoft.com/blog Mobile VoIP and IP Communication Platforms Tue, 28 Oct 2025 06:18:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 How Instant Messaging Apps Generate Revenue? https://www.revesoft.com/blog/ott/instant-messaging-apps-generate-revenue/ https://www.revesoft.com/blog/ott/instant-messaging-apps-generate-revenue/#comments Tue, 29 Apr 2025 10:26:36 +0000 https://www.revesoft.com/blog/?p=65 Instant Messaging Apps have changed the way we communicate. Billions of users worldwide use these apps in their daily lives to chat, share, and stay connected in real time. But have you ever wondered how these apps make money when they don’t charge users? It’s not just the ads alone; these platforms are leveraging powerful […]

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Instant Messaging Apps have changed the way we communicate. Billions of users worldwide use these apps in their daily lives to chat, share, and stay connected in real time. But have you ever wondered how these apps make money when they don’t charge users? It’s not just the ads alone; these platforms are leveraging powerful monetization strategies to generate sustainable revenue streams. In this blog, we’ll explore how your favorite chat apps are turning conversations into cash. 

Let’s first set the scene with some latest statistics about instant messaging apps.

Latest Instant Messaging Apps Statistics 2025

Instant messaging has had a massive impact on digital communication. Here’s what the numbers reveal about the latest app trends, user engagement and growth.

  • As per Statista, in 2021, approximately 3.09 billion mobile phone users accessed over-the-top messaging apps to communicate. This number is estimated to grow to 3.51 billion users in 2025.
  • In January 2025, Meta-owned chat and communication app WhatsApp was the most downloaded mobile messenger app worldwide, with over 57 million downloads. Mobile social and communication app Snapchat ranked second with approximately 30 million downloads, while Telegram ranked third with approximately 27.6 million downloads worldwide. (Source: Statista)
  • WhatsApp has a whopping 2 billion monthly users. That’s around a quarter of the global population.
  • According to data.ai intelligence, WhatsApp users worldwide on the Android app spent 16 hours and 32 minutes per month, or 33.1 minutes per day on the app between 1 March and 31 May 2024. (Source: DataReportal)
  • In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, people spent a total of 15 billion minutes on WhatsApp calls each day.

 

Graph: Mobile messaging apps, average time spent in the U.S., 2018-2022

 

One thing is clear – the user growth and engagement statistics show no signs of slowing down. Messaging apps are here to stay, and the year 2025 is just the beginning of what’s to come. 

Top 5 Most Popular Instant Messaging Apps in 2025

The graph below clearly highlights the top instant messaging apps based on the number of active users per month.

 

most popular apps feb 2025

Let’s learn more about each of these apps:

WhatsApp

WhatsApp became the most downloaded app in the world in 2022, with a popularity share of 31% of the world. The majority of WhatsApp users are located in India. This is followed by Brazil, Indonesia, the United States, and Russia.

whatsApp

The reason for this success is the fact that WhatsApp provided a free online messaging alternative to SMS and any other means of instant messaging available. Besides that, users can communicate via voice and video messages as well as voice and video calling. They can share documents, images, files, and locations with each other. The app supports 60 languages and sends 100 billion messages daily. 

Interesting Insights About WhatsApp

  • WhatsApp was founded in 2009 by Jan Koum and Brian Acton and was acquired by Facebook (now Meta) in 2014 for $19 billion. 
  • In the year in which WhatsApp surpassed Facebook Messenger, it grew by 35%, whereas Facebook had 20% growth that year.

Penetration Rate definition

  • Statista’s data on the most popular messaging apps by country reveals that WhatsApp has an impressive 87.40% user penetration rate in Saudi Arabia. 

 

We Chat

wechat

Launched in 2011, the messaging app WeChat had over 1.24 billion users in the first quarter of 2022. It was created by Tencent, the Chinese Tech Company. Today, WeChat ranks as the second most popular messaging app in the world, with users spending an average of 82 minutes on the platform each day.

In China, WeChat is a leader in the instant messaging app business. It holds a significant market share, with about 1.3 billion monthly active users, and around 80% of the top 500 companies in China are registered as WeChat corporate users. 

Interesting Insights About WeChat

  • The point that makes WeChat favorable to the rest is the fact that it has numerous integrated “mini-apps” that cover a variety of services. 
  • Also, its payment function, called WeChat Pay, is a winning point. 
  • 16.5% of the global population uses WeChat, out of which 52% of WeChat users are male and 42% are female. 

Facebook Messenger

Messaging apps are becoming the new domain for businesses to display their ads. However, there are many ways other than ads for businesses to tap into the messaging market. Therefore, companies are effectively using Facebook Messenger to communicate with their potential or ongoing customers.

Facebook Messenger

According to data that Facebook provided, in the first quarter of 2025, Facebook Messenger had an estimated 947 million monthly active users. This makes it the third most popular global messaging app, behind WhatsApp (2 billion) and WeChat (1.3 billion). 

Chatbots are regarded as the future of marketing and customer service. In 2018, an announcement made by Facebook revealed that there were over 300,000 chatbots on their Messenger platform. Messaging app statistics further show that this is three times more than the previous year, when there were only 100,000 bots on Messenger. (Source: Medium)

Interesting Insights About Facebook Messenger 

  • Messenger accounts for 52% of the messaging app market, while WhatsApp has an 84% share. 
  • Over 100 billion messages are sent daily across Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram. More than 1.3 billion pictures and videos are exchanged on Messenger each day. 
  • The 25-34 age group is the largest share of Messenger users. 
  • India and the Philippines are significant markets for Messenger, with 109 million and 61.8 million active users, respectively, as of January 2025. 

 

Telegram

telegram

With a strong emphasis on security, Telegram is another instant messaging app widely popular in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Telegram was founded in 2013 by Nikolai and Pavel Durov, who also founded VKontakte, Russia’s version of Facebook. 

Telegram’s largest user base is from India, and it has over 1 billion monthly active users. The extensive feature set offered by the app highlights end-to-end secret chats, large file sharing (up to 2GB), and the ability to create groups with up to 200,000 members. 

Interesting Insights About Telegram 

  • Russia accounts for 46.7 million of Telegram’s daily active users. 
  • ‘News’ is the leading content category on Telegram, with 85% of users following at least one news channel. 
  • Telegram connects with 9.9% of the global population. The platform’s user base is 57.5% male and 42.5% female.
  • Telegram is one of the top 5 most downloaded apps globally. 

 

SnapChat

The primary purpose of creating Snapchat was to enable a way for private, ephemeral photo and video sharing, i.e., to let users share temporary photos and videos that would disappear after being viewed. However, over time, the app significantly evolved beyond disappearing messages. It introduced Stories in 2013 and leveraged Augmented Reality to launch lenses and face filters, attracting younger audiences. 

snapchat

Today, Snapchat is investing heavily in AR for businesses, including virtual try-ons, brand lenses, and tools for the retail and fashion sectors.

Interesting insights about Snapchat 

  • Snapchat boasts 443 million daily and 800 million monthly active users worldwide, with over 5 billion snaps created daily.
  • The most active countries using Snapchat are India (202.5 million), the United States (106.7 million), and Pakistan (31.9 million).
  • In terms of gender distribution, Snapchat has around 48.4% male users and 50.7% female users. 
  • The prominent audience of Snapchat lies in the age group of between 18-24 years. 
  • When it comes to customer satisfaction, Snapchat scored 74 out of 100 points on the scale.
  • Last but not least, an average user opens Snapchat 153.9 times per month. 

 

Revenue Growth Statistics of Popular Messaging Apps

The messaging landscape isn’t just evolving in features—it’s booming in revenue. These numbers tell the story. 

WhatsApp (Meta)

whatsapp revenue graph

Source: Business of Apps

  • Generated $906 million in revenue in 2023, mostly from WhatsApp Business API and click-to-chat ads.
  • Business of Apps estimated that WhatsApp generated $1.785 billion in revenue in 2024, almost entirely from WhatsApp for Business.
  • Wolfe Research, March 2025, foresees a “high-single-digit to low-double-digit billion-dollar incremental revenue opportunity” in the coming years. They also estimate a massive $30-40 billion Total Addressable Market (TAM) for WhatsApp’s business messaging services in the longer term.

 

WeChat (Tencent)

  • WeChat’s revenue in 2023 was 16.38 billion U.S. dollars. In Q4 2022, WeChat Pay services generated 48.7 billion Yuan, with a growth rate of about 32%. 
  • WeChat’s global in-app purchase (IAP) revenue reached 33 million U.S. dollars from January 1 to April 10, 2025.
  • Revenue streams include mini-programs, payments, ads, games, and enterprise services.

Telegram

  • Historically ad-free, but launched sponsored messages and premium subscriptions in 2022.
  • Telegram’s total revenue surpassed $1 billion for the first time in 2024, with growth expected from premium offerings and monetized channels.
  • Recorded a revenue of around 13.6 million U.S. dollars from in-app purchases worldwide in January 2025. 
  • In 2024, Telegram generated \$80.6 million in revenue from the Apple App Store and \$35.5 million from the Google Play Store. (Source: Statista)

Snapchat (Snap Inc.)

  • Snapchat generated $5.36 billion in revenue in 2024, an increase of 16% year-over-year. 
  • Major revenue comes from Snap Ads, AR lenses for brands, and Snap Map partnerships.
  • North America had the highest ARPU at $9.73, followed by Europe at $2.89 and the rest of the world at $1.19 in Q4 2024.

Facebook Messenger

  • As part of Meta, Messenger contributes to a combined ad revenue exceeding $115 billion in 2023.
  • Increasing use of automated messaging for business and click-to-message ads is fueling this growth.

Eventually, business communication in different organizations will rely on free and popular mobile messaging apps. Today, popular brands and small businesses around the globe prefer to communicate with their clients and customers through messaging apps. Some recent statistics that underscore this fact are: 

  • More than 40 million businesses globally are currently using Messenger, with 85% employing it for marketing and customer support.
  • On the Messenger app, more than 8 billion messages are exchanged between businesses and their customers per month.
  • 5 million businesses utilize the more advanced WhatsApp Business API for scaled communication. 
  • In key markets like India and Brazil, 80% of small-business owners use WhatsApp to communicate with customers and grow their businesses. 
  • Over 175 million people message a WhatsApp Business account every day.       
  • 70% of businesses reported increased customer satisfaction after implementing WhatsApp communication. 
  • Businesses report saving up to 30-40% on communication or customer service costs by switching to or incorporating WhatsApp Business solutions. 

(Source: D7 Networks)                                                                  

Naturally, many new entrepreneurs and communication service providers are curious about the success stories behind these popular apps. After all, they’ve become an essential part of our daily lives—offering free, cross-platform, and real-time messaging across smartphones, tablets, and computers. Before we dive into the discussion, we can already guess your next question!

 

How do App Owners Make Revenue from their Instant Messaging Apps?

This question is obvious for those who want to start a business or already own an Instant Messaging App. Whether a newcomer or owner of a messaging app, both need to put more emphasis on making revenue.

There are a few helpful things to help generate that extra revenue from your app. While the user makes calls or sends SMS, the balance will be deducted from the GSM account or the app account.

In addition to this, if there is virtual roaming, it will further add to the revenue as well. According to Grand View Research, Inc., “The global roaming tariff market size is expected to reach USD 100,750.0 million by 2025, registering a CAGR of 5.5%.”

Apart from this, enabling operators to access competitors’ customer base by engaging them with your OTT apps and then sending them different promotional content is an additional bonus in terms of revenue generation. So, here are a few guidelines with references to successful stories to tip you on the smart ways of monetizing your instant messaging app.

 

Top Ways to Earn From Your Instant Messaging Apps

1. Subscription fee or Download charge

You can develop two versions of your instant messaging apps. One will be free of charge to download and subscribe and another one with a subscription fee which will provide your users with a complete experience.

This free version can work as a teaser because after using the free version of your app, your customers will realize that the app can serve an important role in their lives which they don’t want to miss. If they enjoy what your free app offers and want a better experience, they might be willing to pay for the premium version.

If we consider that your app has 1 billion users and everyone is paying about 1 USD for renewal, it would generate about a billion dollars in revenue per year. As per statistics, in 2023, app subscriptions generated $45.6 billion worldwide. Moreover, In the app market, apps that use subscriptions generate a significant portion of revenue, accounting for 45.4% of the total revenue, compared to 54.6% from non-subscription apps in 2024. (Source: Statista)

2. In-App Purchasing

If we consider Line, which is a popular messaging app in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand, it generates revenue from two prime areas.

  • First are those free-to-play video games that make money from in-game purchases of virtual items and other services.
  • The second one is buying “stickers” featuring different emoticons, and real-life cartoon characters that users use to inbox their friends.

Besides this, WeChat can help you hail a taxi, book a dinner reservation, transfer payments, and more. Using Skype and WhatsApp you can avail calling credit as well.

The In-App purchases can also include a variety of other features, such as Personal DID Number for the end-user, Mobile TOP UP, and Money Transfer. Value-Added Services (VAS) can also help to generate more revenue from your OTT Application.

Here instead of Sending VAS content in SMS, an operator can send it through IM message to the end-user. This, therefore, helps to save SMS costs and also generate profit from VAS Services. And as IM supports rich content so it is possible to send a variety of content.

messaging-apps-pai-chart

This pie-chart shows the information on how mobile apps generate revenue. According to Sweetpricing, research shows that 32.5 % of mobile apps are making revenue both from In-App Purchasing (IAP) and In-App Advertising. 

3. In-App Advertising or Personalized Ad Targeting

In your instant messaging apps, you can add in-app advertisements through digital marketing. But how?

Well, your users always log in to your instant messaging app using their Email account/Phone numbers/ Facebook account. When these people log in, data is entered into the app, and the analytics server can easily track your customer’s behavior, likes, and tastes. Based on their interest, likes, and dislikes, you can show ads to them whenever they are using your messaging app.

Personalized Ad targeting through the segmented user base helps to reach the target audience with more precision and in turn, helps to generate revenue for the app. According to McKinsey’s study, companies using “data-driven personalization as the core factor for marketing and sales decisions can improve marketing ROI by 15% to 20%”.

This step increases the chances of making revenue, as you are only showing the things your customer wishes to see. However, you should be careful that this process does not hamper your user’s experience. LINE Messenger and WeChat are the few OTT communications players to demonstrate revenue from In-App advertising.

Business Communication Solution through FREE Instant Messaging Apps

It is the unmatched convenience and cost-effectiveness of free and instant messaging apps that have become the preferred mode of communication. As a result, these apps are rapidly gaining traction among entrepreneurs, communication service providers, and VoIP vendors who wish to tap into this growing market. 

Now, let’s move to the real part:

If you too are enthusiastic about launching a instant messaging app, but thinking that it could take years to build a powerful one, then we have a good news for you.

We empower service providers with the REVE Voice, Video & Messaging App – a Complete White-Label IP Communication Solution that delivers all the features and functionalities of popular platforms like WhatsApp and other such platforms. Think of it as giving you the power of WhatsApp, Signal, or Viber — but with your name, your branding, and your control.

Key Highlights of REVE:

  • Custom Branding for Your App
  • Free Calling Between App Users
  • Make GSM Calls via Wi-Fi or Mobile Data
  • Offer Premium Value-Added Services
  • All Major Platforms Supported 

If you want to launch a community app, a corporate communication tool, or even a regional messaging platform, REVE’s solution cuts the cost, time, and complexity, while giving you enterprise-grade performance from day one.

Key Takeaway!

To summarize, Free Messaging Apps or Instant Messaging Apps are the main targets of communication in recent days because of the highest level of convenience and cost-effective features. So, this business is emerging for entrepreneurs, communication services providers, and VoIP service providers who know about developing mobile messaging apps with multiple features.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do free instant messaging apps make money?

Free instant messaging apps typically make money through indirect monetization strategies. Since most users expect messaging apps to be free, companies generate revenue via advertising, in-app purchases, subscription models, API access for businesses, premium features, or even financial services. For example, WhatsApp earns revenue from its Business API, while apps like LINE and WeChat generate money through ads, games, and e-commerce services.

What are the main monetization models used by messaging apps?

The primary monetization models include:

  • Advertising: Displaying ads within the app.
  • Freemium Model: Basic services are free, while users pay for advanced features.
  • In-App Purchases: Selling digital items like stickers, themes, or games.
  • Subscription Services: Offering ad-free or enhanced versions for a recurring fee.
  • Business Tools & APIs: Charging companies to use APIs for customer communication.
  • Value-Added Services: Such as mobile payments, streaming, and cloud storage.

Do messaging apps sell user data to generate revenue?

Most reputable messaging apps do not sell user data outright. However, some may use aggregated or anonymized data for advertising or product improvement purposes. It’s essential to review an app’s privacy policy to understand its data practices.

How do in-app purchases work in messaging apps?

In-app purchases let users buy virtual goods or premium content within the app. This may include:

  • Stickers and emoji packs
  • Custom chat themes
  • Games or game credits (in super apps like WeChat or LINE)
  • Cloud storage or file sharing upgrades

These purchases are processed through app stores, with a percentage of revenue shared with the platform.

What role does advertising play in monetizing chat apps?

Advertising is one of the most common revenue streams for messaging apps. Ads can be shown in various formats:

  • Banner ads
  • Sponsored messages
  • Click-to-message ads (like in Facebook Messenger)
  • In-feed ads (e.g., WeChat Moments)

 

messaging-apps-cta

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Read Also

5 Ways to Create New Revenue Opportunities with Mobile OTT Solution

How Referral Marketing Can Help to Grow Your OTT App

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Own Telco OTT Service – A Healer for the Telecom Industry https://www.revesoft.com/blog/ott/mobile-ott-service-telco-industry/ https://www.revesoft.com/blog/ott/mobile-ott-service-telco-industry/#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2022 14:43:08 +0000 https://www.revesoft.com/blog/?p=112 Believe it or not, 75% of Telco operators have expressed concern about losing revenue to OTT players! (Source- Cartesian). This is one of the reasons for the entry of OTT in Telecom. Over-the-top (OTT) companies like Netflix, Skype, and Google are posing a serious threat to the telecom industry as customers prefer to use OTT […]

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Believe it or not, 75% of Telco operators have expressed concern about losing revenue to OTT players! (Source- Cartesian). This is one of the reasons for the entry of OTT in Telecom.

Over-the-top (OTT) companies like Netflix, Skype, and Google are posing a serious threat to the telecom industry as customers prefer to use OTT apps instead of traditional voice and messaging services. For instance, Global OTT SMS volumes are exceedingly high, so telecom operators are facing a decline in average revenue per user (ARPU).

According to a survey by Adlittle, already 25% of the total cross-border international call minutes are totally represented by Skype calls. Though Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, etc., are ruling the charts of OTT content consumption with 70% of the consumer base, that does not close the doors for those aspiring to enter the market and are ready to fight back. Consumers still look up to other media channels to fulfill their content requirements which opens the doors of opportunities for telecom operators. (Reference)

But, what do you think of the Rise of Mobile OTT Service? Can it be considered an innovative opportunity for Telecom Operators apart from it’s risks?

Well, a telecom operator can either, see the upsurge of Mobile OTT service as a cause of major upset and keep counting the loss or, can consider for the rise of OTT as an opportunity and plan smartly to fight back to the field.

As we know that every opportunity comes at a risk and so does this. Diving headfirst into OTT would simply be sheer wastage of time, money and resources. In order to achieve success, a telecom operator must focus on creating a plan and adopt unique strategies to gain back the lost revenue over the rise of mobile OTT service.

What makes Mobile OTT Service popular?

By the year 2026, Over-the-top media revenue is likely to hit the mark of 210 billion US dollars, which is more than double the 106 billion generated in the year 2020. (Source – Statista)

OTT apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Telegram are preferred among most users mainly because of availability of free of charge services through a richer user experience, and offering consumer sweet-spot features like cartoon stickers, emoticons, etc.

In addition, OTT richer user experiences include users being able to send large pictures or videos instantly, create group chats and can even see when the other person is typing a reply. These kinds of features provide real-time and friendly interface experiences to the users. Really alluring for OTT customers, right?

So, what about Telco? What steps can operators plan, rather than their traditional services, to gain back their lost position to the robust customer base?

Well, initially to avoid this one-sided influence of OTT players, Telecom Operators should plan to upgrade their traditional and costly SMS, Voice Call services as a precautionary measure.

What is the Solution?

Smart mobile operators have already realized that OTT in telecom can be an opportunity if they play their cards right at the right time. It’s high time, telecom industry should follow the walkway of OTT companies and save their existence in the market. Instead of developing new features for their traditional services, Operators should focus on changes and build Telco OTT apps.

And what if, with the help of OTT solution providers, telecom operators can build their own OTT app? Beside buying or partnering with OTT companies, the initiative of Telco introducing its own Mobile OTT Service, will enable all Telco operators to prove their strong existence in the Market.

How? Telco Operators by providing an open, consistent, and globally interoperable messaging service to its robust customer base, in a very cost effective way like Mobile OTT Service, can rise-up to the number one position all over again.

In recent years, operators have also started testing the waters in the in-house content and app development space. Bharti Airtel is a pioneer in this area, and has launched various apps for songs, movies and gaming.

However, a recent star in this field is Indian operator Jio. This Company has launched a slide of apps that are similar to popular apps like WhatsApp, Google Drive, iTunes and Apple Wallet in their features, but are more customized for the Indian users.

Now, if an operator builds its own telecom OTT app with the help of a solution provider, they have certain advantages.

How Telco OTT Apps will be useful for operators?

Offering wider features in smartphones

Telecom operators can provide chat-based games, mobile learning, smart ads and promotions which will also enrich their core products and offers to their customers.

More customizable Interface for the customers

Building a bespoke OTT application in-house gives the operator complete control over it as well as the freedom to customize. If operators partner with any OTT company, they will need to follow some regulation which can be avoided by building the app on your own.

Growth in revenue flow

Stats reveal that 65% of a company’s business comes from existing customer base. Mobile operators can capitalize by enabling their own OTT service to offset their declining revenues and it is very easy for them because operators already have a strong customer base in the market. And, almost 16% of operators believe they will generate incremental revenue from OTT services. (Source- TelecomAsia)

Deepens the relationship between customers and the operator’s brand

Launching an own OTT app can help operators to upraise loyalty as users feel relaxed as they get overall package by operators, creating an alluring point of differentiation for new operator customers.

Building Relationship with other network subscribers

By developing their own OTT app, a telecom operator can attract and build strong relationships with other network subscribers. This process can generate a big amount of revenue with a strong customer base. For example, we can see the history of Airtel, the first operator to introduce in-house OTT services with the launch of Wynk Music, a carrier-agnostic mobile application in September 2014. Wynk Music offers an intense library of over 1.7 million songs in eight languages, which received an overwhelming response with about two-thirds of users accessing it through rival operator (non-Airtel) networks. Thus, such carrier-agnostic apps can help operators build relationships with the subscribers of other networks

Why Telco Operators Should Go for  OTT Solution Providers?

Telco Operators have three options to assess their OTT service strategies:

  • Build own OTT app through customization with the help of solution providers
  • Buy a ready and developed OTT system
  • Partnering with existing OTT player(s).

Among the above three options, the last two (Buying and Partnering) don’t come with full freedom to the owner. If any operator buys or is a partner with an existing OTT company, both parties need to follow and act based on shared agreement.

On the other hand, if a Telco operator builds its own OTT app through an OTT solution provider, it’s going to be a completely third-party control free solution. In addition, it is less risky than Telco companies trying to do everything on their own.

Because, if Telco companies do not set a team of extremely dedicated developers and a customer support center (which is a matter of high investment), it can bring a disastrous result for them.

telco OTT

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Read Also

How Mobile OTT is Ruling over Telco Operator

Which Mobile OTT Features Let You Win Tough Market Competition

Note – This post was updated on 21-02-2022. 

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Enterprise Instant Messaging App-Is Security the Utmost Priority? https://www.revesoft.com/blog/enterprise/enterprise-instant-messaging-app-security-utmost-priority/ https://www.revesoft.com/blog/enterprise/enterprise-instant-messaging-app-security-utmost-priority/#respond Fri, 18 Feb 2022 11:51:22 +0000 https://www.revesoft.com/blog/?p=89 72% of UK enterprises have banned the use of public instant messaging (IM) software due to security fears, discloses a survey published by ProcessOne. (Source- HSL Mobile) Does your heart beat faster when you think about your enterprise messaging security? The fear is obvious! Because, only ‘secure’ enterprise instant messaging can progress your workflow and […]

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72% of UK enterprises have banned the use of public instant messaging (IM) software due to security fears, discloses a survey published by ProcessOne. (Source- HSL Mobile)

Does your heart beat faster when you think about your enterprise messaging security? The fear is obvious! Because, only ‘secure’ enterprise instant messaging can progress your workflow and efficiency, collaborate your employees without any hesitation, and help to make an overall productive team. The National Business Research Institute explains that a whopping $370 billion is lost annually due to disengaged employees (Source- QuickBooks)

Why is there a Need of ‘Secure’ Enterprise messaging?

With the progress of time, enterprise communication has been fast-paced where instant messaging technology has become a major communication tool. IM has moved out from the personal bed room towards the broad network of complex, secure and multiple level organizations like government offices, banks, law firms, and hospitals. Besides, it allows company employees to share internal data in a fast, reliable and friendly way. In other words, IM indeed is an informal real-time communication which wipes out the email formalities and obligations.

As most of the global enterprises are now dependent on instant communication for its cheap and easy-to-go features; it’s high time we gave priority to the safety of instant enterprise communication.

But, is there any ‘magical secure enterprise communication app’ in the market which can provide military grade security for your enterprise communication?

Are Third-Party Messaging Apps Safe for Enterprise Communication?

Mostly, enterprise instant communication takes on different formats such as voice calls, video calls, instant messaging using free messaging apps like Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, Slack, Messenger, etc. However, these third-party server based apps can easily monitor your secret communication!

And, some recent data breaching news adds extra weights on the safety of using free app for sensitive communication! Did you know that data breaches exposed 36 billion records in the first half of the year 2020? Further, it is estimated that 45% of breaches featured hacking, 17% involved malware and 22% involved phishing attacks. While the average cost of a data breach is $3.86 million as of 2020, the average time to identify a breach was 207 days ( Source ). Such alarming and worrisome statistics reveal the importance of secure communication in today’s unpredictable enterprise landscape.

Let’s take a look at some more news about high profile breaches that made headlines:

  • NSA taps Skype chats, newly published Snowden leaks confirm (Source- arsTECHNICA)
  • Microsoft listened to Skype calls with ‘no security’ to protect recordings (Source – Cnet)
  • Hillary Clinton Emails leak: Wikileaks documents claim Democratic nominee ‘thinks Saudi Arabia and Qatar fund Isis’ (Source- INDEPENDENT)
  • WhatsApp Fined $266 Million Over Data Transparency Breaches (Source – Bloomberg)
  • 533 million Facebook users’ phone numbers and personal data have been leaked online (Source – Business Insider)

It’s absurd right? You never know, the next news coverage may be on your secret enterprise conversation breaching! That’s why there is a saying, “Safety Is a Choice You Make”!

Top Benefits of a Secure Enterprise Instant Messaging App

Let’s look on why Secure Messaging App can be a strong safety guard for enterprise communication:

Secure Transmission of Valuable Internal Data

Data safety should be a primary concern for each enterprise and the first thing to understand is, “what is confidential data?” Generally, confidential data include customer information, personnel related matters, contracts, information relating to product development and innovations, as well as business strategies.

For example, you have a new deal plan on your service. Now, you need to discuss the plan with the branch heads of your company through a meeting. So, this meeting agenda and contents are highly confidential. Now, if you choose to use a free Enterprise instant messaging app for the video meeting, wherein you’ll share your plan over a third-party security management, files might get stolen or an unauthorized third-party might be snooping. This will be a great loss for your enterprise. Isn’t it?

So, before an organization processes any sensitive data through instant communication, it must be through a secure enterprise communication app which can keep clear of unsafe processing, accidental loss and damage to any confidential data.

Guarantees Ethical Transparency to your Client

Once again, trust is the core of any business and without trust, a business owner can hardly survive in the long run, right? Therefore, it is important to ensure privacy of your clients’ business data.  Once your valuable clients decide to share private information with your company, it’s your ethical responsibility to provide relevant confidentiality standards.

But how can you ensure that? For ensuring enterprise communication data safety, the server of your messaging app must be installed within your own premises.

Takes Care of your Company’s Reputation

In recent years, cyber security topped the headlines and questioned many enterprises’ reputation. What kind of damage a data breach actually results in for a company’s bread and butter? A report created and assisted by Forbes and IBM consecutively shows that becoming the victim of a data confidentiality break can cause up to 46% reputational damage to a company.

In another survey done by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the leading audit and assurance company in cyber security domain, it was found that 69% of consumers believe that the companies they use are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Also, it was found that 87% of consumers are even willing to walk away and take their business elsewhere if, or when, a data breach occurs.

These numbers highlight why securing enterprise communication should be one of the major duties for an organization. Enterprises can ensure privacy using an enterprise instant messaging app which offers an authentic app registration process with the help of additional authorization layers like: Employee E-Mail ID or Mobile Number.

Secure Enterprise Communication App, what effective features should it have?

features-enterprise-instant-messaging-app

Well, so far it’s clear that to survive in the long run you have no choice but to avail yourself of a branded, secure enterprise instant messaging app. In the race to keep your data secure, messaging app developers try hard day & night to innovate magical features in the secure communication app.

So, what are the must-have features in an all-rounder Secure Enterprise Communication App? In terms of security, the app should support:

  • Military Grade security through advanced encryption techniques such as 1024 bit encryption for security of classified business information
  • Server installation in the owner’s own premises so as to have complete control over the data storage, implementation and security policies.
  • Controlled and authorized registration process for each and every user

Besides security, a full-fledged enterprise communication app should also have:

  • White label branding to add extra spice in the internal communication
  • Cross platform support including iOS, Android, Windows and Web
  • Advanced Features like other free apps such as instant messaging (IM), audio/video calling, group chat/call, file sharing, etc.
  • Location tracking apart from advanced directory service
  • Compatibility in any network like 4G, 3G, GPRS, EDGE, CDMA, Wi-Fi and even across low-bandwidth areas.

Ready for a Better Secure Enterprise Communication App?

REVE Secure Enterprise Communication App is a reliable and cost-effective solution for enterprises across a wide range of industries. Choosing REVE Secure, you get a secure and convenient messaging platform that ensures faster yet real-time communication and collaboration which ultimately improves efficiency. Get in touch with us today for more information.

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Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

Instant Messaging for Business – Future of Corporate Communication

5 Reasons to Consider Enterprise Messaging for Your Business

Note – This post has been updated on 18-02-2022.

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Enterprise Messaging: 5 Reasons to Consider for Your Business https://www.revesoft.com/blog/enterprise/enterprise-messaging-business/ https://www.revesoft.com/blog/enterprise/enterprise-messaging-business/#comments Mon, 14 Feb 2022 07:33:22 +0000 https://www.revesoft.com/blog/?p=1240 According to a study, an average person spends 90 minutes of the day on their phone. Business productivity nowadays depends heavily on effective mobile communication.  Fast mobile messaging has become extremely important for productivity.  Almost 70-80% of internal communication within an enterprise will be conducted through messaging apps on mobile devices in the years to […]

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According to a study, an average person spends 90 minutes of the day on their phone. Business productivity nowadays depends heavily on effective mobile communication.  Fast mobile messaging has become extremely important for productivity.  Almost 70-80% of internal communication within an enterprise will be conducted through messaging apps on mobile devices in the years to come. Enterprise messaging covers the growing convergence of both physical and virtual communication sphere and offers limitless digitization opportunities in almost all areas of communication.

What is Enterprise Messaging?

Enterprises are getting bigger by the day and the market sphere is transforming to a more complex landscape. Geographical borders are getting blurred with ever growing possibility of communication.  Such a situation demands instant and versatile communication solutions for businesses to thrive on. Instant messaging for business ensures better connectivity, customer service, troubleshooting, productivity and so on.

In order to understand enterprise messaging, we can take the example of a consumer messaging app whose main function is to connect users and let them share files and information instantly. Though most of the employees must already be accustomed with the popular Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc. but those can’t fit into a typical business model for many valid reasons. A messaging app for enterprise shares this similar function but has a different set of features because of the involvement of sensitive company information. It means your employees have the right tools at the right time to maintain a consistent business tone.

5 Reasons to Consider Enterprise Messaging for Your Business

CMSWire reports that 97% of employees believe communication impacts their task efficiency on a daily basis. While this is just one, there are several other reasons for a business to consider a company-wide enterprise instant messaging app. Here are the top 5 reasons and their resulting benefits for businesses:

Enhanced problem-solving ability

Business managers need to take prompt action when needed.  Gone are the days, when we relied on email exchange and waited for a reply.  It’s very helpful when the business team can be contacted promptly, in case of an emergency or on a regular basis, for taking necessary actions.  A tidy business environment requires not only the ability of the organization to contact the employee, but also vice versa.  As everybody nowadays carries a computer in their pocket, with an enterprising messenger app, they can easily share any information or document.  Everyone can see this, and share their opinion and feedback throughout the team.

Adaptability and mobility

Enterprise instant messaging can be adapted for any type of business.  For some, enterprise instant messaging is mobile, which results in flexibility and mobility for the workers.  Nowadays, employees tend to do office work on the road, while traveling, in the middle of a meeting or from the home office. They can access the instant messaging system from their cellphones, office PC and even from a web page.  In case, a worker is not at the workplace for any reason, he can communicate and send data through the messenger to be in the communication loop all the time.

Spread of AI and VR

Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality has been developing to a level, so as to be considered as a communication tool.  With recent development of deep learning and facial recognition, interaction with AI has become more useful than before for any business. Apart from gaming, VR is now being used for better user experience and immersive communication.  Many companies, including Google and Facebook, are looking forward to integrating AI and VR into their communication platform. Chatbot can be a very useful and essential tool in enterprise instant messaging.  Along with already popular role playing in the B2C space, chatbots are entering the B2E and B2B scenarios as well.  There are lots of bot-building platforms in the market offering a whole lot of features, with each platform having its own set of unique capabilities.  Enterprise messaging can tailor itself according to the needs of the business.

Digitalization

Digitalization is currently one of the major shifts in the business landscape throughout the world.  It is basically the process of moving to a digital business. It means reshaping the business model with digital tools and trends, and moving towards a more digital business.  Interoperability and information transparency have become key components of today’s business.

Enterprise instant messaging enables this digitalization process for an organization.  It provides companies the ability to connect & update employees in real-time, to quickly solve problems, take prompt decisions and instantly align production teams & the whole of the company.

Enterprise instant messaging app can receive real-time notifications and documents from third parties, for employees and teams. Thereby, enhancing and accelerating the workflow process, and ensuring timely and up-to-date information exchange.

Cyber Security

Security is a vital issue for business, and everybody involved in digitization process.  The digitalization of business raises many security questions and data protection concerns.  Enterprising messaging apps can combine strong encryption.  The manager of the team can control the ability to see the message content for anyone or provide permission on what can be shared.  Enterprise messaging can protect confidential business information, data and intellectual property, and ensures cyber security required in this digital age.

How to Choose the Best Enterprise Messaging System for Your Business 

Today’s organizations are constantly in need of synchronization with the changing communication landscape. Enterprise messaging systems ensure organization agility, better teamwork, immersive communication, and better customer experience. Also, it makes an organization’s overall functioning much more efficient.

The following considerations can help you choose a robust, reliable and useful instant messaging for business :

Does the messaging app have the collaboration tools that your company needs?

Do you know that “teams who communicate effectively may increase their productivity by as much as 25%.” Collaboration is the key to a successful business. It is therefore important to check whether the messaging platform has all the useful collaboration features that your business needs. Audio/video calling, Call conferencing, media sharing with multiple file support, etc. are some must-have features. Further, location tracking and sharing, message broadcasting, directory searching are some features which can help your employees to collaborate much more effectively.

Do you have control over your enterprise instant messaging data?

Your company’s messaging data holds tremendous value and you certainly want to protect it from intruders. It may even be worse if the historical messaging data suddenly becomes unavailable. While the majority of the commonly used messaging apps like WhatsApp do not offer full control over user data, this is where an enterprise instant messaging app can be a big time savior. With server installation in your own premises, you get complete control over the application data, along with implementation process and security policies as well. Even if you are a small to medium size business, considering this aspect is vital.

Is the enterprise messaging app able to maintain communication privacy and security?

Communication privacy is another crucial consideration which a business simply can’t miss. You need to see what type of encryption and authentication techniques are being implemented in the messaging app and whether those techniques are good enough to protect a business’s classified information.

Does the enterprise messaging app represent your brand or company’s name or image?

An instant messaging for business app that harmonizes with your company’s image would certainly be a plus point. Check for White-label instant messaging for business solutions as they let you customize the app as per your brand’s name and theme. This also helps you in saving all the time and effort that would otherwise go in creating the app from scratch.

Does the messaging app work on different platforms to suit your communication needs?

It is interesting to know that “85% of employees use more than one communication device to communicate at work.” Cross-platform support ensures multi-device availability of the instant messaging app which is a must these days. Android, iOS, Windows, etc. are some of the most popular platforms which the messaging app should support.

It’s essential that you choose an enterprise messaging platform that best matches your business needs. At REVE Systems, we offer REVE Enterprise Communication App which is a highly secure, reliable, robust and customized platform that ensures fast and real time communication and collaboration. You can learn more about our app for instant messaging for business by getting in touch with our support team.

 

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Read Also

Instant Messaging for Business – Future of Corporate Communication

How Enterprise Instant Messaging Speeds up Business Productivity?

Note – This post has been updated on 14-02-2022. 

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Instant Messaging for Business – Future of Corporate Communication https://www.revesoft.com/blog/enterprise/instant-messaging-for-business/ https://www.revesoft.com/blog/enterprise/instant-messaging-for-business/#respond Thu, 06 Jan 2022 09:45:29 +0000 https://www.revesoft.com/blog/?p=405 Introduction  There’s a saying by famous leadership theorist John Adair, “Communication is the sister of leadership”.  Effective communication is the essence of any successful business or organization. An environment where information flows clearly and efficiently certainly results in better decision-making, teamwork, and adaptability. Today, the significance of using instant messaging for business in the corporate […]

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Introduction 

There’s a saying by famous leadership theorist John Adair, “Communication is the sister of leadership”. 

Effective communication is the essence of any successful business or organization. An environment where information flows clearly and efficiently certainly results in better decision-making, teamwork, and adaptability. Today, the significance of using instant messaging for business in the corporate landscape cannot be overstated. Instant messaging platforms enable employees to improve their internal communication, productivity, and overall business performance. Let’s understand the concept of instant messaging for business, its significance, and how you can get a branded instant messaging app for your business. 

Business Communication – Then & Now!

email communication

A few years back, email served as the primary channel for business communication. According to the statistics provided by The Radicati Group, the average office worker receives 121 emails per day. Moreover, this overwhelming volume of email communication leaves 30% of workers feeling inundated by their inboxes (Adobe). However, in recent years, the steady entrance of instant messaging for business is reshaping the idea of enterprise communication. It has redefined the notion of communicating under one’s own branding while simultaneously ensuring the traceability of sensitive business communication in real-time.

But surprisingly, enterprises don’t want their employees to use personal IM applications like Facebook Messenger, Viber, and Skype. Rather, they prefer to have a dedicated Instant messaging app that represents their corporate identity and helps them keep an audit trail as well as administrative control. This is where the role of Instant Messaging for Business truly comes to the forefront. 

What is Instant Messaging?

colleagues using instant messaging

Instant messaging or IM, in its broadest sense, refers to the use of real-time text, audio, and video communication platforms, that allow users to exchange messages and connect swiftly. Unlike the asynchronous nature of email, instant messaging allows for immediate communication, which is why these are also referred to as ‘Instant Chat Apps’. Within the corporate sphere, IM is also referred to as ‘Business IM’ because the IM platform is specifically tailored to the corporate setup. As per statistics provided by Pumble, 80% of remote workers work with Instant Messaging Apps. Business IM Platforms empower employees to connect in real-time predominantly through text, audio, and video. 

Importance of Instant Messaging for Business

effective communication statistics

Workplace communication statistics show that “86% of employees and executives cite the lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main causes for workplace failures.” These compelling statistics underscore the need for enterprises to understand the importance of instant messaging apps for their business communication. 

Accelerate Enormous Team Productivity

In the world of mobility, the demand for instant messaging solutions is evergrowing, and why not because the benefits are endless:

  • Instant messaging for business significantly reduces e-mail traffic and helps employees become more productive, as it calls for more immediate and direct responses.
  • Mobile enterprise messaging allows teams to directly address, drive, and solve topics.
  • The real-time and group messaging capabilities lead to faster response times and decision-making.

As a result, internal collaboration is improved, processes are accelerated, and productivity is increased. Employees can easily collaborate on various projects, they can instantly connect with key stakeholders, and share relevant documents.

How Does Instant Messaging Work?

Instant Messaging technology is a type of online chat through which users can send and receive text messages in real time over the internet. A typical IM app works by facilitating connection between known users which is usually done by using a contact list or a friend list. Most of the modern IM apps use ‘Push’ technology and incorporate various additional features including emojis, file sharing, video chat, location sharing and tracking, etc. Here is a step-by-step detail about how a typical IM app works:

  • Firstly, the user launches an IM application on his phone. The IM client attempts to establish communication with a designated IM server that is associated with the enterprise or organization. 
  • In response, the IM server validates the username and password, thus completing the login process and establishing the connection. 
  • Once logged in, the user can see a list of contacts who are online. As the user logs in and out, their status on the chat app change to online and offline respectively. 
  • When a user sends a message to a contact, it traverses from their IM client to the connected IM server. From there, it directly reaches the receiver along with a notification on their device. 
  • The conversation in real-time happens as the messages go back and forth between the clients and servers with very little delay. 

Key Features of Instant Messaging for Business

Instant Messaging

It’s the most fundamental feature offered by instant messaging apps that allows real-time text communication between individual users or even groups. Through this feature, users can make quick and synchronous conversations making it ideal for timely business discussions and the exchange of information. 

Audio & Video Calling

Another significant feature of IM apps is audio and video calling which allows users to have voice and video conversations in real time. In business scenarios where detailed discussions are required, audio and video calling serve the purpose. Moreover, for remote work and virtual meetings, this feature is simply invaluable. 

Call Conferencing

The conferencing feature expands on voice and video calling by allowing multiple users or participants to join a single call. Again an extremely useful feature for group meetings, client presentations, and any other type of collaboration that requires the participation of multiple parties. 

Media Sharing

Sending and receiving information is essential for streamlined business communication. The media sharing feature makes it possible by enabling employees to share various types of files such as documents, photos, videos, and audio files, directly within the IM platform. 

Directory Searching

This feature simplifies contact management by allowing users or employees to quickly search and connect with colleagues within the organization. This organized search functionality helps users easily find specific individuals. 

Location Tracking & Sharing

As the term suggests, this feature allows users to share their real-time location or request the location of other users. This is especially useful for field teams, deliveries, and coordinating in-person meetings.

Message Broadcasting

A highly valuable feature that is useful for sending company-wide announcements, updates, or alerts to a predefined group or list of recipients. This helps in ensuring that important information reaches the intended audience quickly.

Benefits of Instant Messaging for Business – There’s more!

instant messaging accounts in 2022

Sounds amazing, right? 

In addition,  instant responses like one-to-one chats for faster decision-making, group chats to quickly solve topics, team channels for immediate updates, and digital content sharing for better information exchange, etc., are the best outcomes possible through enterprise messaging apps to increase the productivity of any business.

So, what’s the ultimate upshot of using instant messaging software for business?

Faster Processes and Workflows

The ‘instant’ part of these messaging apps makes it all. One can share files just within the blink of an eye. Information can be shared with colleagues or employees as quickly as they need. How about giving feedback to team members? – Just type the comment and done, it’s that fast! Further, one can easily know who’s available and who’s out of office. Rather than typing emails to know one’s availability, one can see the status to see if the other person is online or not.

Less Hardcopy Files and Email Overload

IM apps reduce hardcopy files and email overload by streamlining quick discussions in dedicated chat channels and simplifying information retrieval, as past conversations and shared files are readily accessible through search functions. 

Reduced Message Handling Time

Since email is a formal way of communication, there are a number of things you need to think about and do before you hit that ‘Send’ button. But with messaging, it is as easy as ABC. The interactive and engaging nature of these messaging apps makes it easy and quick to handle messages.

Less Time Spent in Meetings

Physical boardroom meetings are no more exciting and the amount of time spent for such meetings makes it even worse. With emails, communication gets bogged down and sometimes, it takes endless days, weeks, and even months to close one discussion. Virtual meetings in ‘real-time’ can be easily held through instant messaging apps, presenting an impeccable alternative.

Reduced Travel Expenses and Time

Since collaboration between teams and clients gets easier and more instant, companies can save huge amounts of money that would otherwise go in traveling. Another bonus is the time savings. Spending time while traveling to collaborate for work eats up a major chunk of employees’ productive hours.

Increased Employee Satisfaction and Relationship

Instant messaging platforms are a great way to encourage the rapid flow of ideas and inspire everyone to participate and contribute. In IMs, everyone is on the same page which means each and everyone in the group has the same level of access to shared information. With this, no one feels excluded, and ultimately promotes employee satisfaction.

Exceptional Features Helps Garnishing Employee Attachments

Popular free messaging apps have defined or limited features such as one-to-one chats, group chats, file sharing, calling, etc., which is not enough for replacing the stack of files in an enterprise as well as traditional communication methods of any business. Because the Enterprise Messaging App needs to hold a lot more ifs & buts in it.

Specialized Enterprise Messaging Apps are robust, and secure, have advanced directory search options, and a location tracking system through which upper-tier employees can easily track the location of their subordinates. So, let’s check how some features of a customized enterprise messaging app can look as per your business needs:

  • The ability of universal digital content-sharing
  • Pre-defined team lists and channels
  • Access to the whole corporate directory on the go
  • Option to search for messages and content
  • Access and exchange documents from corporate file-sharing solutions
  • Zero fear of losing data or leakage

Specialized Instant Messaging Apps Provide Better Security and Data Protection

data compliance is priority

IT security has become a core topic for businesses and advanced protection of corporate data is a must nowadays. Advanced instant messaging apps for businesses provide state-of-the-art technology and address security issues comprehensively. This includes robust security measures such as robust encryption for data in transit and at rest, adherence to local data protection regulations, professional administration, and user control, layers of mobile security including EMM (Enterprise Mobility Management) support, and a comprehensive suite of tools necessary to ensure enterprise-wide security and compliance.

Employees can be More Efficient in an Aligned Team and Department

email open rate vs text message

When messages are time-sensitive, or questions require a quick answer, saving an hour and a half can be a huge boon for the company’s bottom line. Not convinced? A Deloitte study estimated that efforts to help workers be more mobile generate an extra hour of productivity per employee, per day. Moreover, enterprise mobile messaging apps allow employees to stay in sync on the go, so they can weigh in on important projects, update the team after customer meetings, and feel connected to their peers while traveling or working remotely. Imagine completely eliminating those moments of “catching up” at the start of a meeting.

The impact of instant messaging in the business world is now clearly evident. What’s the future of instant messaging? The probability that the majority of businesses will deploy new enterprise messaging apps in the next couple of years is quite high. Due to the increasing demand, instant messaging in the business world will likely spin out of the unified communications category as an individual market. Enterprise messaging is a fast-growing field and will become a big market.

Top 3 Instant Messaging Apps/Software for Business in 2023 & Beyond

WhatsApp

With over 2.5 monthly active users worldwide, today, WhatsApp is one of the easiest mediums to reach anyone including colleagues at the workplace. 

Key Features:

  1. WhatsApp Web is the web version provided by WhatsApp. Users need to scan a QR code from their mobile device and can start using WhatsApp on their computer. 
  2. WhatsApp Business is another valuable feature that provides powerful tools specifically for businesses. By using the WhatsApp API, businesses can get access to features like automated greetings, away messages, analytics, etc. 
  3. WhatsApp offers rich communication options like voice & video calling, location sharing, and group chat, and supports different types of multimedia files. 

Limitations:

Despite being an easy-to-use and feature-rich app, WhatsApp for internal communication does raise some concerns. 

  • Data Privacy – WhatsApp is owned by Facebook which makes privacy of data a big concern for companies that need complete confidentiality of their data. 
  • Data retention – The data exchanged over the app is stored on its servers which means businesses lack control over their data. Also, WhatsApp offers options for automatic deletion of messages, but that may not align with the security policies of a business. 

Slack 

Slack is another popular platform that offers channels and organized spaces where teams can discuss projects and share resources. 

Key Features:

  1. Channels – This feature helps easily organize multiple projects, ensuring everyone stays informed about the progress, thus fostering productivity.
  2. Huddles – Transition from chat to calls is possible with just a tap without affecting productivity. Additionally, team members can share screens making it a powerful tool for discussions and brainstorming.
  3. Canvases – This feature promotes collaboration by offering dedicated space to curate and share ideas related to projects.

Limitations:

  • Restricted File Storage: The lower tier and free plans of Slack offer only limited file storage. This can be a concerning challenge for businesses with extensive data storage needs as they need to manage and access older files and conversations. 
  • Security Concerns: Slack places a strong emphasis on security however, there have been instances of data breaches and security vulnerabilities in the past. Businesses with strict security requirements may need to implement additional measures.

REVE Secure Communication App

REVE Secure App

Specifically tailored for enterprises, the REVE Secure Communication App offers unparalleled reliability, security, and customization. This robust platform ensures faster yet real-time business communication and collaboration and comes with a wide range of advanced instant messaging features.  

Key features:

  1. On-premises Server Installation – For the REVE Secure Communication App, the server is set up, hosted, and maintained within the physical premises of the business. This lets the business take full command of its data, application deployment, and security policies on the database.
  2. White Label Branding –  It’s an exclusive feature that helps businesses add their company’s branding through the instant messaging app. This includes adding the logo, identity, and general information. Apart from this internal advertisement could be possible.
  3. All Platforms Availability –  The cross-platform compatibility feature of the REVE Secure app ensures multi-device accessibility on Android, Windows Phone, and iOS, including mobile phones, tablets, and PCs.
  4. Military Grade Security – The REVE Secure app employs robust 1024-bit encryption to keep highly classified information secured and ensure maximum communication privacy.

Limitations:

  • Cost – As this app supports on-premise server installation, the cost may be a bit on the higher side which may be a concern for businesses with budget limitations. 

Instant Messaging Tips & Tricks

In personal conversations, instant messaging is more casual, but here we are talking about the workplace which focuses on a professional or structured approach. here are some tips and tricks for using instant messaging in the workplace effectively:

  • Set Clear Communication Guidelines: The company must clearly establish the communication guidelines for using instant messaging such as etiquette, and appropriate use of emoticons and GIFs. 
  • Create Well-Organized Channels: This can be very helpful to categorize conversations in terms of project, team, or topic. Naming and organizing channels makes it easier to find and reference discussions. 
  • Embrace Status Updates: EMployees must use status updates to communicate their availability. This helps team members know when you’re free for discussions or busy with tasks. 
  • Respect Availability Status: Be mindful of colleagues’ offline or “Do Not Disturb” statuses. It is better to avoid sending non-urgent messages when they are unavailable. 
  • Provide Context in Conversations: When sharing documents or information, mention the context in your messages to help recipients understand the significance and relevance of the content.
  • Secure Your Account: Always ensure two-factor authentication (2FA) to prevent unauthorized access to your account. 
  • Backup Important Data: It is a good practice to periodically back up essential conversations or files to ensure you have access to critical information, even if it’s accidentally deleted.

Tips to Choose the Instant Messaging Platform for Your Business

Making an informed decision when choosing the right instant messaging platform is essential to ensure effective communication within your business. Here are some key tips to help you:

  • Ensure Top-Tier Security Standards
  • Look for White Label Branding 
  • Check Cross-Platform Support 
  • Choose a Reliable Vendor
  • Look for 24/7 Technical Support

Instant Messaging for Business – Conclusion

iTel secure app- youtube

Today’s fast-paced business work demands instant communication. Traditional communication channels are not fast enough. You just can get to know whether the person you have emailed something to is currently online or not. You might receive an answer from them within a few minutes if your luck is good. This is the main reason for the popularity of instant messaging apps. 

So, let’s sum up the facts behind the transition between Email to Instant Messaging for business in Enterprises again:

  • An average email response rate is 1 hour 30 minutes whereas text takes on average 3 minutes to respond!
  • Unlike Email or phone calls, instant messaging for business is free of overhead, and more informal in the context of subject lines, signatures, or voice messages.
  • Instant Messaging Apps are secured, protected, and simple to use. For example, we text as we talk. We use simple language, and emoticons to convey feelings, and grammar can be imperfect.
  • Enterprise instant messaging apps help increase productivity by taking only a few seconds even in a crowded or loud space, it becomes easy to multitask.
  • With a customized enterprise messaging app, it’s possible to get your own branded app as per your business requirements.

Instant Messaging for Business

Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

5 Reasons to Consider Enterprise Messaging for Your Business

How Enterprise Instant Messaging Speeds up Business Productivity?

Note – This post was last updated on 17-10-2023.

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Why Communication Service Providers Need a Session Border Controller? https://www.revesoft.com/blog/sbc/communication-service-providers-need-session-border-controller/ https://www.revesoft.com/blog/sbc/communication-service-providers-need-session-border-controller/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2021 08:15:15 +0000 https://www.revesoft.com/blog/?p=1498 Communication Service Providers today face a lot of complexities as they are trying to make a paradigm shift from the legacy of traditional telecommunication to IP based unified communication infrastructures in all areas of telecommunication. For implementing this change successfully, communication providers need a well-thought plan to deal with concerns of compatibility, centralized management & […]

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Communication Service Providers today face a lot of complexities as they are trying to make a paradigm shift from the legacy of traditional telecommunication to IP based unified communication infrastructures in all areas of telecommunication. For implementing this change successfully, communication providers need a well-thought plan to deal with concerns of compatibility, centralized management & security. To some, the mere thought of implementing, managing & securing real-time communications might seem overwhelming.

Today, SIP (session initiation protocol) is at the core of all unified communications including video, voice & collaboration. To make these sessions flow secure & flawless, Session Border Controllers must be deployed since they are the network cornerstone for new communications & services.

Session Border Controller (SBC) Market Size in 2021 is expected to increase at a CAGR of roughly 3.9% over the next five years, will touch 800 million USD in 2024, from 640 million USD in 2020 – 360 Research Reports

The main role of SBCs is to protect and secure the network from hacking attempts. As IP communication business is highly susceptible to cybersecurity attacks  such as Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed DoS (DDoS) attacks, Wangiri, Toll Fraud and Service Theft, service providers are increasingly implementing SBCs to protect their channels.

The below diagram provides the fraud losses associated with some of the fraud types.

global telecom fraud

Source: CFCA Fraud Loss Survey 2019

Main Reasons for Deploying SBCs

SBCs  are loaded with attributes such as intelligent session control and improved scalability, which plays a crucial role in the communication network. Here are some of the important reasons for deploying a session border controller.

Robust Network Security

There are multiple types of VoIP based cyber-attacks that can be carried over a provider’s network, which significantly impacts productivity & revenue. Some common VoIP attacks include service theft & fraud, DoS/DDoS attacks, spoofing, registration storms, etc. SBC protects real-time communication networks from these attacks in different ways & ensures security & flow of SIP sessions between internal & external networks.

Dynamic Scalability

The SIP communications traffic will continue to grow as your business grows with more users & traffic load.  To gain carrier-grade assured performance & maximum service availability under heavy traffic load & quality of service policies, deploying an SBC gains paramount importance.

Real-Time Performance Monitoring

With the carrier-grade network, one needs a way to facilitate high-quality data collection & organization that is timely, relevant & accurate to better manage ongoing programmatic activities. A Session Border Controller does exactly that & much more. It provides real-time comprehensive performance reports on live calls.

Intelligent Alert System

A robust intelligent alert system provides additional security to the service provider’s network. It provides different types of alerts for the unusual system, performance, customer behavior & recharge.  Based on the triggering factors, service providers can decide on actions beforehand to be taken by the SBC in those situations; saving resources, frauds & in turn increasing the profits.

Extensive SIP Interoperability

One of the major functions of SBC is to provide seamless sessions between different VoIP solutions. Different vendors & VoIP networks may communicate in incompatible protocols & codecs. This will result in a loss of traffic. So, deploying an SBC provides a smooth experience in terms of interworking & interconnecting different networks and the protocols running over them with the help of SIP normalization.

Transcoding & Interworking

One of the major jobs of Session Border Controller is to transcode calls & media services. SBC allows communication providers to offer more services with lower investment but with higher ROI (return on investment). The interworking function enables the connection of networks between different IPs, making it possible for voice & video calls coming from different switches to work seamlessly. Thereby, allowing the communication services providers to provide flawless services.

The reasons mentioned above make a session border controller an extreme necessity for communication service providers, in today’s time. If you think, you need an SBC for your business, take a free demo of REVE SBC.

Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

An Overview of Session Border Controller

Frequently Asked Questions when Buying a Session Border Controller

Note: This Blog is Updated & Reposted on 21 Sep, 2021

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How to Create Your Own WhatsApp Like Messaging App? https://www.revesoft.com/blog/ott/create-your-own-whatsapp-messaging-app/ https://www.revesoft.com/blog/ott/create-your-own-whatsapp-messaging-app/#comments Mon, 21 Jun 2021 11:41:33 +0000 https://www.revesoft.com/blog/?p=1715 Creating Your Own WhatsApp like Messaging App When you create your own WhatsApp like messaging app, you have the potential to enhance your business by generating good revenue. This is because of the growing trends of these messaging apps. These applications are also known as communication apps. Mobile data & analytics company, App Annie, in its Q2 […]

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Creating Your Own WhatsApp like Messaging App

When you create your own WhatsApp like messaging app, you have the potential to enhance your business by generating good revenue. This is because of the growing trends of these messaging apps. These applications are also known as communication apps.

Mobile data & analytics company, App Annie, in its Q2 2019 Market Index Ranking Report states that WhatsApp is the third most downloaded app on iOS & Android platforms combined. Other apps like Viber, Line, and WeChat are also widely used across the globe.

Messaging apps like WhatsApp have made the communication process extremely smooth for users. As a communication service provider, you can provide a host of benefits such as file transfer, video call, etc. Creating your own messenger, you can develop brand stickiness and open doors for additional revenue.

This blog post will walk you through all the aspects of a messenger app development starting with features and functionalities along with technical requirements for the development. And also, you will have an understanding of all the challenges that are associated with app development and how you can simplify this whole process by opting for a white label messenger app. You can read our blog on Which one you should choose – White Label Messaging App or Custom Apps.

What Features you Should Look at in a White Label Communication App?

Keeping up with the growing trends and the user’s feedback, messaging apps are shaped accordingly by their developers. It is the features of these mobile applications that attract and help service providers to retain users. Therefore, before starting a business and owning any communication apps, service providers must be confident about the features.

Messaging & Group Chat

group chat

Instant Messaging is the primary feature of all OTT Messaging Apps like WhatsApp or Viber. This feature facilitates users to exchange messages in a nearly real-time situation.

All the app-to-app messages are free of cost. Users only need an internet connection which is the basic requirement for these apps. One-to-One Messaging and Group Chat enables users to communicate in real-time from different locations at the same time.

Users have various options to create groups and sub-groups, and also control the media sharing in them. This type of communication is very useful for personal and business purposes.

Users can communicate with their family members creating personal groups. Similarly, professionals can create groups of colleagues to share product or business-related updates from time-to-time.

Registration

Registration is necessary for any user to start using these apps. The registration page in the app lets the users register and sign in. Authentication process via SMS, call or email verification follows the registration.

These authentications are necessary to ensure the validity of users. After successful completion of these registration processes, users can start to set up their profiles. This step requires the addition of their personal information and photos as per their preference.

Voice & Video Calling – with Group Calls

video call

OTT Messaging apps like WhatsApp are not only restricted to the messaging feature. Although many apps may opt for some dedicated features, it is also possible to include various other attributes as well.

While call charges are still high via traditional services, calls through these apps are mostly free of cost. Although there is some basic criteria to enjoy the free calling feature like the presence of an internet connection and the requirement to have the same app on both sides.

Users can call their contacts for free from any country with an audio calling feature. Other features like adding multiple contacts and holding conference calls can also be enjoyed.

Video calling allows visual communication between users along with the audio. The users can further hold group video call conversations.

Contact Integration

The contact integration feature of the app syncs the contact of the user into the app. This process saves the hassle of adding each contact to the app separately.

Permission for adding the contacts is asked by the app when a user starts using it. Most OTT apps nowadays have this feature as it provides users with some added convenience. Additionally, your customers can directly search if their friends are using the same app.

Sharing Options

file sharing

The option of file sharing is an essential one and it helps users in many aspects. Users can share all kinds of media and documents, namely images, videos, links, contacts, locations, voice notes, and files in other formats.

For personal usage as well as for business or professional purposes, this feature has its usefulness.

This feature offers businesses and professionals the flexibility to share their work-related files and necessary documents with a single tap from their phone at any time, irrespective of their location.

On the personal domain, sharing files make the whole user experience better and also enjoyable. Nowadays, stickers and memes are most trending in messaging app world.

Presence Management

People put status updates with texts, images, etc. Also, they check-out status of other people in their contact list. This feature is found in all the popular chat apps like WhatsApp, Facebook and many more.

Profile presence option is one of the most iconic app features. This must-have feature is beneficial for any present-day communication app. Presence management also includes stories and real-time updates as well i.e. the last time the user was online.

Dashboard

dashboard

This is one most important features you need to take care of when you create your messenger app. The dashboard of the app will provide users with the options to add users to the ‘Favourites’ section for instant access. This feature aims to make the app more user-friendly. The segregation of the favourites from the rest saves user’s time in scrolling and searching the app repetitively.

A search option in the dashboard of these apps is of further help to the user. This enables the user to search specific contact and start group conversations. It offers a very easy-to-use interface.

When you decide to create your own WhatsApp like messaging app, you can think of going for advanced customization to offer essential features in your app’s dashboard. This makes the app user-friendly and subsequently helps it to rank amongst others.

Other Extra Features

The addition of extra features is subjective to individual choices. While building your own Messaging app like WhatsApp, if you feel the need to include something different than the rest or something more than what usual apps are offering, then it is totally up to you.

While the addition of extra features also has the potential for increasing the value of the app, it also has a downside. Too many features which are far from any immediate necessity may make the app clumsy.

Therefore, the addition of extra features depend on each brand, whatever they choose to include in their app. It can include location sharing, self- destruction of messages (after being read), customizable profiles (background colours, patterns, fonts, message scheduling and more).

Tech Stack for a WhatsApp like App:

Creating a new messaging app is a complex process as there are various technologies that you need to understand and embrace. Let’s take a walkthrough of the tech stack that you will need to create an app like WhatsApp. However, it should be noted that this may vary depending on the project requirements.

For Mobile Development

  • Programming Language

It is generally a set of instructions that is used by the developer to implement algorithms and perform a specific task. For chat app development on android, Kotlin and Java are two popular programming languages. For iOS Platform, Swift and Objective-C languages are recommended.

  • Local Storage

When it comes to local storage, Core Data, which is an object graph and persistence framework for Android. Relational data can be organized and managed using this framework. For data management on iOS platform, SQLite, which is an RDBMS, can be used.

  • Authentication

Authentication of users is a must to prevent fraud and spam. Before a user (both new and existing) starts using the app, recognition is done by verifying the user identity. It can be implemented via phone number, email, social media accounts, etc. For this, usually a third party API is used. For instance Facebook SDK and Twitter Kit are generally used to implement social authentication functionality in an app.

  • Preferences

Preferences are mainly used to configure an app and are exposed o users to let them customize the look and feel and behaviour of the app. These are basically pieces of information that are stored persistently. In Android, it is called Shared Preferences and in iOS, it is UserDefaults.

  • Chats

In Android, OkHttp is a client of Http that is efficient in loading and thus helps in saving bandwidth. For iOS, Starscream is the application that connects to a server web socket in order to send and receive data.

  • Voice and Video Calls

Video and Voice Calls promotes interactive communication. To enable this, WebRTC is used which is a free and open source communication technology that allows direct peer-to-peer communication for audio and video to work inside web browser pages. There is no need to install plugins or any apps.  It is supported by almost all major web browser companies such as Mozilla, Opera, Microsoft and Google.

  • Notifications

Push Notifications are essential for user engagement as they can turn one time users into long term consumers. For Android Platform, Firebase Cloud Messaging technology is a good choice. For iOS, you can go with the native push notifications. 

For Backend Development

  • Programming Language

Some of the useful and popular programming languages for backend development are JavaScript, Ruby, CSS3, HTML5.

  • Data Storage

Data storage is another important aspect of creating an app. Backend functionality should be defined in order to store user data such as text files, messages, pictures, etc. Databases like PostgreSQL, file storage services and web servers are used here.

  • Automation Framework

In order to make the testing process easier, efficient and less time consuming, there are several automation testing frameworks that can be used. Some of which are PhantomJS, Capybara, RSpec. These are based on best practices and assumptions that helps in accelerating the testing, which is why these are being used more often.

  • Server

Puma and nginx are two popular choices for web servers. While Puma emphasizes speed and efficient usage of memory, nginx is known for reverse-proxying and load balancing.

  • Key Value Storage

Redis or Remote Dictionary Server is an open-source and advanced in-memory data structure store that offers benefits like high performance and scalability.

  • Hosting

Amazon hosting services provides reliable, scalable and cost-effective computing resources using which you can host your application.

  • Data Processing

Since a messaging app includes chatting, there will be processing of lots of messages in almost real-time, which is done with the use of WebSockets. By establishing a strong connection between the app and server, WebSockets transfer data directly and thus offer high speed and consistent communication.

  • Data Sharing

File Sharing capabilities can be added to an app with the use of specific APIs and passing the data to servers through SOAP and RESTful APIs. This will allow users to share documents, photos, videos, etc. from the phone gallery and directly from the app.

If you’re really determined to create a messaging app, it is recommended to think beyond the mobile platforms. In simple words, you can make a multi-platform messaging app by creating a web version of it, besides the Android and iOS. You can read more about web messenger here.

9 Checklist of Creating a Messaging App

Checklist

A step-by-step detailed plan should be chalked out before you start with the app development. Below mentioned are some essential steps to be considered:

  • Make a comprehensive market and competitor analysis to identify the areas
  • Work on a unique selling proposition of your app that will create a difference in the market
  • Set your business goals very clear; what exactly you want to achieve
  • Avail the service of a software solution provider who will work on creating your messaging app
  • List down the features that you want in your app in phases
  • Create a user-friendly chat app UX/UI design
  • Test and upload your app in Google Play and Apple Store
  • Optimize your app, so that its visible to users from across the globe or your target geographies
  • Adopt monetization strategies

Challenges for Building a Messaging App

Success of a mobile application is determine by two factors- User Engagement and User Retention. From the very beginning, an app should be able to attract the users as they have a lot other options to choose from. A team of app developers and designers would be required to create a fully functional messaging app which brings the task of overcoming a lot of challenges. Here are some pointers which you need to take care of:

  • First Impression is the Last Impression

A seamless onboarding user experience will make a good first impression. There’s a high probability that if a user finds it comfortable to use the app at first, he is going to keep using it rather than moving to some option.

  • Personalization Matters

Customization as per the user’s need give a personalized usage experience. It gives users the opportunity to express their personality as they may be able to change colors, pictures, fonts, etc.

  • Action Drives Engagement

Regular updates with new features and functionalities can drive better engagement. When users see big and small changes in the app, it gives them a sense that you are active and working to make the app better.

  • Security is Crucial

Security is a vital aspect to consider when creating a chat app. Telegram is an excellent example, where in-house superior encryption protocols are being implemented. Cryptographic keys are changed after a certain time period or number of messages.

Benefits of having Own Branded Messaging Apps

Keeping up with all the above features and challenges might seem difficult because it demands a lot of time, effort and resources. Moreover, the amount of money that would be spent in getting things done may be far more than your estimate. Opting for a White Label Messaging app can be a wise decision as it offers the freedom of customization which means features can be added or removed as per necessity. And apart from making your app user-friendly, personalization and owning the app with your brand name will help to establish your business.

You can reach out to us for a free consultation of your branded custom messaging app. Our team will do all the work to make your app from the scratch.

Looking for a Mobile OTT Solution?

Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Messaging App like WhatsApp or Telegram?

Why Service Providers Need Branded White Label Messaging App

Disclaimer: The brand names used here are just for a reference purpose to explain the concept to readers.

Note: This Blog is updated with the latest data on 14th December 2021

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Frequently Asked Questions While Choosing an SBC Vendor https://www.revesoft.com/blog/sbc/session-border-controller-vendors/ https://www.revesoft.com/blog/sbc/session-border-controller-vendors/#respond Wed, 02 Jun 2021 06:37:22 +0000 https://www.revesoft.com/blog/?p=1454 10 Questions to Ask from SBC Vendors when Buying Session Border Controller A Session Border Controller is a dedicated network element used to control real-time communication calls/sessions over SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) based VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) infrastructures. If you are a communication service provider and want to buy the best Session Border Controller, you must […]

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10 Questions to Ask from SBC Vendors when Buying Session Border Controller

A Session Border Controller is a dedicated network element used to control real-time communication calls/sessions over SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) based VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) infrastructures. If you are a communication service provider and want to buy the best Session Border Controller, you must be clear with some important questions, which will support your decision to choose the right SBC vendors. Some of the frequently asked questions are:

1- What are the functions of a Session Border Controller?

Session Border Controller manages and regulates the IP communication flows in a VoIP network. It is designed to tackle the complex security, interoperability, and service quality issues in a telecom network. An SBC Software secures the network through its robust security measures like an integrated Intelligent firewall, authorized access, encryption, and prevention of Robocalls using STIR/SHAKEN. Other functions of SBC software include:

  • Dynamic scaling of signaling and media traffic and media transcoding for flexible SIP session routing.
  • With its high availability and high-performance feature, it makes sure that the business is always up and running.
  • With the analysis, monitoring, and reporting feature of SBC, businesses can understand user preferences and demands and accordingly improve their services.

2- Do I need an SBC for my Communication Business?

Its often seen that customers get confused while choosing an SBC for their communication business as they are not aware of the functions. So it is very important to discuss the same with your SBC vendor. Many times you may require a Softswitch but mistakenly you will purchase an SBC. so you should know the basic difference between a Softswitch and SBC.

If you are a communication service provider then, you will need a Session Border Controller to protect your real-time communication network from various types of VoIP-based cyber-attacks.  Other important features of  SBC software include:

  • SBC helps to gain carrier-grade assured performance & maximum service availability under heavy traffic loads.
  • With a Session border controller, you can monitor and check real-time comprehensive performance reports on live calls.
  • It smoothens the process of interworking and interconnecting different networks and the protocols running over them with the help of SIP normalization.
  • Provides real-time billing platform with intelligent routing. Your business becomes more scalable using this software.

3- Does SBC support Fraud Detection and Monitoring?

An SBC software should support a fraud detection & monitoring system. The VoIP world is very vulnerable, and there are multiple frauds & VoIP attacks that can be carried out on any network. A few of the most common cyber-attacks include service theft & fraud, spoofing, denial-of-service attacks, registration storms, etc. Now, an SBC employs various techniques to protect enterprises from these cyber-attacks, including:

Media & Signalling Encryption: Prevents unauthorized parties from tampering with a real-time communication session. It basically provides an authentication mechanism to verify the identity of a client.

Topology Hiding: A B2BUA (Back-to-Back User Agent) system makes sure all the media & signal traffic goes through SBC and hides the topology, or architecture, of the network which makes the client’s IP addresses invisible & less vulnerable to the attack.

Dynamic Pinholing: This allows an application to access the IP network. SBC creates programmed pinholes & opens them for a short period that a session is active. Thereby, minimizing security exposure.

List Monitoring: Policy monitoring system monitors income requests & calls, uses rules to identify people who are & aren’t abusing network resources, and maintains a list like Whitelists, Blacklists & Greylists.

These are some most effective features that you should expect but many most popular session border controller vendors offer the product in variants, so you should be clear before choosing the right variant or configuration.

4- What is Intelligent Call Routing in an SBC?

The robust policy engine in an SBC enables enterprises & service providers to implement intelligent call-routing policies in larger deployments. It provides centralized policy control of localized policies to automatically propagate the set routing & policy rules globally, across multi-vendor networks from a single management point.

It enables organizations to manage & implement hundreds of policies. And, saves them millions of dollars annually in toll charges, for example, by routing calls based on least-cost network or loss-less routing paths, as well as by avoiding transferring calls to external public networks, whenever possible.

5- How does SBC perform under real-world network traffic loads?

All SBC vendors advertise the best of figures for their products, which have been quoted only after measuring their respective performances under stringent circumstances. But what really matters is how an SBC performs under real-world network traffic load. Generally, they do perform as expected under real-world traffic loads.

But we must also take into consideration that each enterprise has its own mix of traffic. So, to really be sure of SBC’s performance, it must be deployed in the live network load representing the right mix of traffic in the network. And, only then will we know its real power to handle that enterprise’s network load. These points you should clarify with your SBC vendors.

6- Does SBC comes with Real-time billing?

When you are taking the demo from your Session Border Controller Vendor, you should check this point, if it comes with a billing system. A lot of SBCs nowadays already have billing software integrated, usually their own brand. But, one can always buy a separate software and integrate it with their session border controller.

Real-time billing software works by communicating with the elements of the communication network, providing its nodes for authorization & authentication, and accumulating all the billing events data, which primarily consists of services rendered to customers.

Now, based on this information, it further performs ratings for the services, creates records, and modifies customer balances accordingly. And, all this happens in real time, so billing data is updated in real-time. Real-Time billing software is a unified platform for multiple services like VoIP calling, messaging, data transfer, etc.

7- How does SBC Protect Against Denial-of-Service (DOS) Attacks?

SBC is ideally placed at the border of the network to keep malicious cyber-attacks from happening. Now, one of the most common cyber-attacks is a denial-of-service (DoS) or a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. A best session border controller software protects against such attacks by:

• Dynamic Firewall Management
• Bandwidth Management
• Call Rate Limiting
• Line Rate Speed Processing

In some cases, an SBC includes a built-in firewall or, in other cases, command or control the firewall remotely so that it can do some trimming by controlling the port numbers that are being used. SBC manages this firewall dynamically by overlooking the SIP sessions to grant access to those UDP ports for that session. Along with this, it manages, blacklists or white lists to keep fraudulent IPs at bay.

Then, it also does bandwidth management by contemplating the network bandwidth. It understands the amount of traffic expected by calls per second on the available bandwidth, thereby deflecting some of the bad traffic or the traffic received above & beyond the expected call leg.

To pull off all this work, it’s critical that the Line Rate Speed Processing is at the maximum, for it to quickly look at the packets of data/information received as fast as possible & either accept or reject & respond to them accordingly. This Line Rate Speed Processing is very important to maintain its efficiency & keep these attacks from happening.

8- Will SBC interoperate with different network elements?

The open standards adopted by the VoIP & IMS architectures allow service providers to create the best of networks for themselves, by combining different network elements from different vendors. Although there are pre-defined industry-standard protocols for the VoIP industry.

Equipment vendors do instate their proprietary extensions that may or may not fully support all the network elements. So, whether an SBC interoperates with all the network elements can be surely testified. Once it’s been tested against real-time traffic to ensure end-to-end calls are going through the broad range of vendor equipment.

9- What is the Downtime of SBC? What happens in case of any failure?

Another frequently asked question is the downtime, which often customers ask while choosing a Session Border Controller vendor.  In the computing world, ‘Downtime’, commonly referred to as ‘High Availability is the ability of a system or system component to be continuously operational for a desirably long period of time. Such systems have redundant hardware & software that makes them available despite system failures.

At the time of failure, the failover process moves the processing performed by the failed component to the backup component. This process remasters the system-wide resources, restores the system to normal, & recovers partial or failed transactions, preferably within a matter of microseconds. The more transparent this failover is to users, the higher the availability of the system.

10- Even if I have an SBC will I require any other platform for a VoIP wholesale business?

You do not require any major platform for running  VoIP wholesale business. An SBC along with a class 4 Switch is enough to run all the tasks without ever needing anything else.

REVE SBC comes integrated with REVE Billing which will take care of all the billing-related tasks.

The service provider doesn’t need to buy VoIP billing software additionally. REVE SBC provides a single platform for buying & selling wholesale SMS, Voice & Mobile Top-Up, which makes running the wholesale VoIP Business easy to run.

If your chosen SBC vendors have managed to answer all these FAQs of SBC to your satisfaction, then it is the right choice.

Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

An Overview of Session Border Controller | SBC Software

Softswitch vs SBC- Understanding The Difference

This blog is updated  on 2nd June 2021

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How Enterprise Instant Messaging Speeds up Business Productivity? https://www.revesoft.com/blog/enterprise/enterprise-instant-messaging-solution/ https://www.revesoft.com/blog/enterprise/enterprise-instant-messaging-solution/#comments Sat, 29 May 2021 06:24:58 +0000 https://www.revesoft.com/blog/?p=1185 Instant messaging used in businesses help employees to communicate with each other in real-time. The main objective of using this communication process at work is to collaborate share information and make the decision-making process quick. Instant messaging has been quite popular for personal use for peer-to-peer communication but nowadays enterprise instant messaging solution is also […]

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Instant messaging used in businesses help employees to communicate with each other in real-time. The main objective of using this communication process at work is to collaborate share information and make the decision-making process quick. Instant messaging has been quite popular for personal use for peer-to-peer communication but nowadays enterprise instant messaging solution is also gaining attention as it fits into the internal communication strategy of companies.

Just think about the communication between a manager & the team members, isn’t it a vital factor within every company? That’s why it is said, ‘success cannot be achieved when there is no communication’. And, Enterprise Instant Messaging Solution is the right tool for all internal communication.

Messaging apps are becoming crucial for businesses to better connect with prospects, offer dedicated support, and deliver quick service.

Do you recall business communication in the past? The flashback reminds us of a picture of “waiting for reply” through Email, Fax or Phone. According to some studies, employees who used Enterprise Messaging Apps on the job reported less interruption than colleagues who did not! So in today’s work environment, Instant Messaging Solution is a total game-changer for productivity increase.

In fact, several types of Enterprise Instant Messaging Solution for business communication, has already emerged which is accelerating a company’s productivity.

How Does Enterprise Instant Messaging Solution speed up productivity?

enterprise instant messaging apps

  • File transfer and real-time communication with vendors, colleagues and clients can boost business relationships
  • Minimize expenses related to long-distance fax and phone usage
  • Proper tracking of all the file transfers and communication via the network for later reference by management
  • Restrict unsecured and uncontrolled IM usage, thereby minimizing violations of corporate security
  • Permit or prevent employees from making use of IM within or outside of the company network
  • Protection against spying and denial-of-service attacks, which can occur with the use of IM in public places
  • Maps official employee IDs with screen names or any required permissions-based systems, thereby ensuring that users are accountable for the activities through their IM accounts.

Several technology giants have either launched or polished their business messaging apps including Microsoft Corp.’s Yammer, Jabber by Cisco Systems, and Hangouts. Many newcomers have also entered the market, which offers secure text messaging along with the ease of use, functionality and collaborative tools much like standard consumer apps.

The work culture is changing continuously and a major workforce today is remote based. Mobile devices and tech connectivity mean workers are always connected and flexible time has become a norm. The number and sophistication of business communication applications continue to grow. Fax, Email, and other old connective tissues of business communications have failed in its critical mission as workers become overwhelmed with the new Enterprise Messaging Solution and its instant responsiveness.

According to McKinsey estimation, the global management consulting firm, Enterprise Messaging Solution has raised productivity by just improving time management, secure communication, speed of work, connectivity, and user convenience.

Better Time Management

Good time management marks a thin line between an ordinary and a successful organization. Time management provides immense benefits as it acts as a conjunction for a more refined workplace with satisfied workers. Enterprise Messaging System is a variable by which time can be managed easily and business productivity can be assured.

Promptness in Communication

Enterprise Instant Messaging Solution allows employees to have conversations at the click of a button, without opening emails or waiting for responses. IM also enables employees in different locations to have real-time conversations, thus resolving issues more quickly.

Convenience in Usage

Many Enterprise Instant Messaging apps allow customization with a host of features like IM, microblogging, forums, and document collaboration and management. This eliminates the need to switch between separate programs to communicate. Not only does this have the potential to improve efficiency, but it can increase collaboration on projects and reduce the need for meetings.

Availability in Multiple Device

The modern workplace demands  seamlessly transition between desktops, smartphones, tablets and other devices. The best enterprise text messaging service providers offer multi-device support features, that enables anytime, anywhere access from a device of the user’s choosing.

Secure communication Network

Many companies  have banned the use of public instant messaging (IM) software due to security fears. It’s important to cover the whole enterprise communication system under the security veil. Otherwise, entrepreneurs may count a big loss.

So, an enterprise messaging app is the prime most need of this era, designed with the same ease-of-use as consumer-based apps with best-in-class security that ensures secured employee communication. Employees can send a message with encryption, the ability to put an expiration date on the message keeps conversations secure and controlled while ensuring no data ever remains on the device or servers. With an enterprise messaging app, users can also expire & shed messages on demand when necessary.

As per Radicati.com, in the year 2019, the number of worldwide IM accounts (not including Mobile Messaging) total over 7.0 billion. In the next four years, this figure is expected to increase at an average annual rate of about 6% and reach over 8.9 billion by the end of 2023. This clearly speaks about the success of instant messaging and enterprises rapidly adopting this technology.

nterprise-instant-messaging

This blog is updated and reposted with the latest information on 29th May 2021

Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

Instant Messaging for Business – Future of Corporate Communication

5 Reasons to Consider Enterprise Messaging for Your Business

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8 Benefits of Hosted VoIP Service for Startups https://www.revesoft.com/blog/softswitch/benefits-hosted-voip-service/ https://www.revesoft.com/blog/softswitch/benefits-hosted-voip-service/#respond Tue, 15 Sep 2020 06:41:56 +0000 https://www.revesoft.com/blog/?p=43 Introduction In today’s time and era of digitization, startups have to face a multitude of challenges, especially when it comes to establishing a reliable, robust, and effective communication system. Traditional phone systems that are full of complexities of hardware no longer meet the demands of modern-day businesses. However, hosted VoIP services have emerged as a […]

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Introduction

In today’s time and era of digitization, startups have to face a multitude of challenges, especially when it comes to establishing a reliable, robust, and effective communication system. Traditional phone systems that are full of complexities of hardware no longer meet the demands of modern-day businesses. However, hosted VoIP services have emerged as a transformative solution for startup businesses. In this blog, we are going to explore how hosted VoIP services can benefit startup businesses. 

What is Hosted VoIP Service?

Also known as cloud-based VoIP service, hosted VoIP service is primarily a telephony solution for businesses. By using such a solution, a business can make and receive calls over the internet cloud. This means that there is no need for a traditional telephony setup that requires tons of wire and bulky hardware that could cost a fortune. Hosted VoIP services run in the cloud and are managed by a third-party service provider. 

For calling, businesses can use multiple mobile devices such as softphones, smartphones, or even IP phones that are connected to the internet. Using hosted VoIP services, a business can communicate using voice, video, and messaging services. 

With Hosted VoIP, service providers generate maximum profit at the lowest possible business costs. Worldwide adoption of Hosted VoIP service is increasing notably as more companies look to reduce business costs. And thus, when you talk about real low-capital investment, hosted service surely takes the floor.

Hosted VoIP Service is considered a highly flexible approach for low-capital businesses. It helps Start-up service providers to establish their business with minimum risks. With this service, you can offer a wide range of VoIP-based solutions to your customer base, with no capital investment, and without purchasing your own infrastructure. It’s inexpensive, easy to manage, highly scalable, customizable, and therefore can be deployed easily in no time.

Hosted VoIP Service offerings are ideal for:

  • Start-ups
  • Small and Medium-sized VoIP/Communication Service Providers (CSPs)
  • Enterprises
  • Next-Gen Service Providers (ITSPs)
  • Telephone Companies (TELCOs)

Benefits of Hosted VoIP Service

Hosted VoIP for startups

Easy and QuickStart of Business

The biggest benefit of opting for a hosted VoIP service is that there’s no need to deal with all the clutter of hardware and cables. There’s no need to hire technicians to do the setup and IT staff to look after it. You don’t even need to spare your office space for the setup. In simple words, getting started with VoIP is very easy.  because it is hosted on a data center located offsite. With a hosted VoIP service,  you can be up and running in just 24 hours, which helps you to build and run a business easily and quickly.

Cost-effective Business Operation

We know that cost is a crucial aspect when it comes to small businesses such as startups. It won’t be wrong to say that every dollar counts, right? The mention of financial savings due to cost-effective business operations is typically one of the primary benefits while discussing hosted VoIP service. 

Besides low monthly cost options, this VoIP service is available without having to invest in your own hardware and infrastructure. So when compared to traditional phone systems, hosted VoIP services come out to be more budget-friendly. 

In addition to this, you need to pay a telephone company to make calls which in case of international calls will save a ton of money for you. Instead, the business only needs to pay a monthly subscription fee basis the number of users or extensions and leverage the power of the internet to make and receive calls. This means that with a pay-as-you-go model, costs are predictable which saves businesses from the burden of any unexpected expenses. Therefore the ability of the business to save on both initial capital expenditures and ongoing operating expenses makes this solution preferable for service providers.

No Hassle of Server Maintenance & Management

Startups already have a lot on their plates and it is hard for them to allocate resources for management and maintenance of communication systems. The best way small businesses can bypass this problem is by opting for hosted services. With a hosted VoIP service, you do not need to bother about Softswitch server maintenance, management, and support, as these are handled by the host i.e. solution provider. At first, it might be hard to believe but it is true that the company that hosts the server will be responsible for taking care of all kinds of support. So, we can say that hosted VoIP service is beneficial for startups as it can save hours, and let them concentrate on the core business issues.

Regular Update and Maintenance without any Expense

There is no up-gradation or maintenance cost. Since the host handles it all, you can have the latest technology up-gradation regularly. Whereas in the on-premise server, you need to concentrate on all the other tasks, and the up-gradation might take a backseat and get delayed. Hence, hosted service ensures continuous timely up-gradation.

24×7 Global Live Customer Support

Highly-trained engineers work round the clock, on cross-vendor platforms through a dedicated online portal, to ensure unmatched quality of service for you. They are always ready to answer your questions or help you configure your services.

Sustainable Business Growth

By eliminating regular business costs like staffing, system upgrades, and maintenance, Hosted VoIP Service provides a dramatically reduced total cost of ownership to organizations. This thereby helps businesses to focus on important issues and eventually ensure sustainable business growth. As a result, Hosted VoIP can often deliver the greatest return against the allocated budget.

Complete Peace of Mind

Hosted service gives you absolute peace of mind by reducing costs, through increased staff efficiencies and technological effectiveness. This service removes all the extra hassle you must go through in case of your own business setup. Serving through the Host’s platform, you can also generate smart revenue and keep it coming. “Less Investment, More Revenue” – the main purpose of Hosted VoIP.

Business Continuity and Reliability

Gone is the time when unexpected or unplanned downtimes used to happen and there was literally nothing that businesses could do about it. Today, cloud technology has revolutionized the world, and service providers are confidently guaranteeing zero downtime. Startups are already short of resources and even a single downtime can impact hugely. 

However, with hosted VoIP services, small businesses need not worry about communication disruptions. A well-established and reliable service provider will always ensure business continuity by providing redundant infrastructure and pre-defined disaster recovery mechanisms. Reliable Hosted VoIP services always prioritize maximum uptime and security of data by implementing best-in-class measures. 

Advantages over Traditional Phone Service

hosted VoIP

Hosted VoIP Phone Service significantly reduces phone bills in comparison to traditional phone services. In addition to efficient communication, this phone system gives a more professional edge to the business. Keeping up with the recent developments in technology, a Hosted VoIP phone system is far more adaptable than the former phone service. An example is the fiber-optic internet connectivity leading to a gain in reliability and uptime.

Unified Communications

The goal of unified communication is to provide convenient access to cross-channel communications. It supports a wide range of devices like computers, mobile devices, VoIP telephony handsets, and also a number of other technologies.

By putting your phones, add-on services, internet connectivity, and data on a single network, you can achieve:

  • Improved team collaboration
  • Quicker troubleshooting
  • Higher employee productivity
  • Better customer satisfaction due to transparency

Advanced Features

Traditional phone systems already provide basic phone features. So what makes hosted VoIP stand apart? Well, these are the advanced features offered by these systems that immensely enhance collaboration and streamline workflows. Some of the key features include Conference calling, video conferencing, instant messaging, and many more. All these features are accessible to team members even those who are geographically dispersed. 

Streamlined Business Communications

Traditional Phone systems come with a lot of complexities when it comes to call routing. Businesses had to go through multiple call transfers and longer customer wait times for incoming calls. But with VoIP softphones, such issues get eliminated to a great extent. These systems are equipped with better routing algorithms that ensure efficient and fast business communication. 

Mobility

Remote work is the latest trend. Businesses and employees need communication systems that support mobility without putting any impact on the way teams can collaborate and do their work. Hosted VoIP services enable employees to use their Business VoIP number to make or receive calls on a wide range of devices like smartphones, tablets, or desktop PCs. The calls appear to originate from the VoIP number and all the calls are routed through the Hosted Voice interface.

This way, employees can benefit from unlimited long-distance calling through the virtual phone system while working remotely, in turn directly reducing costs.

Flexibility & Scalability

With Hosted VoIP, businesses can add phone lines easily within minutes. Contrary to the traditional phone system there is no need for separate phone lines for every new connection.

Therefore, the flexibility and scalability of VoIP are appropriate for businesses with seasonal fluctuations in staffing or companies experiencing fast growth.

Increased Productivity

Unified Communications and Hosted VoIP phone system simplifies collaboration within and between offices. It also increases efficiency and simplifies how employees manage their communications. This system contributes heavily to increasing productivity.

Hence, with less time spent managing PBX system communication, people can focus on tasks that contribute to business goals.

Let’s Sum it Up!

There are tremendous benefits that hosted VoIP services offer to startups and help them build and establish a solid communication infrastructure. Not only saving them a lot of money and support for remote work but also providing unmatched scalability, VoIP services are surely the ultimate hub of tools that businesses need to gain success in today’s competitive markets. With hosted VoIP services, it becomes much easier for small to medium-sized businesses to cultivate collaboration and deliver phenomenal customer service. 

iTel Switch – An Overview

Therefore, considering the hassle-free business process enhanced productivity and smart revenue growth; REVE Systems provides iTel Switch with integrated billing on a hosted basis and iTel Mobile Dialer with Byte Saver on a very low monthly rental options.

Hosted VoIP Softswitch is suitable for small and medium-sized IP telephony service providers for retail. This is also equally beneficial for carrier-grade service providers. It helps wholesale providers who don’t want to take the hassle of maintaining and monitoring the Softswitch server.

Hosted Mobile Dialer offers all the benefits of iTel Mobile Dialer including white-label & customization, VoIP Calls and SMS, cross-OS Instant Messaging, Mobile Top-up, and more. This dialer is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and Symbian as well.

Offering a diverse set of advanced features, choice of installation options, 24/7/365 customer care, and market reliability; who knows! Maybe REVE has exactly what you’re looking for in a Hosted VoIP Solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are various ways in which hosted VoIP service can be tailored to fit the unique needs of a business such as by selecting the relevant features, integrating with other business applications, customizing call routing and handling, controlling user management and administration, etc.

Hosted VoIP services offer an array of benefits that are especially suitable for startups with limited budgets. Some of the major benefits include lower initial investment, scalability, feature-rich solution, minimal IT infrastructure, and maintenance, etc.

A reliable and stable internet connection is one of the primary requirements to use a hosted VoIP service. Businesses can use broadband internet connections, fiber optic, Ethernet, or dedicated leased lines, whichever is suitable for them.

Contact for Free Demo

Read Also

Features to Look for While Buying a Class 4 Softswitch

The Difference Between Class 4 and Class 5 Softswitch

Hosted VoIP Business

Note: This blog has been updated with the latest data and facts on 28-06-23. 

The post 8 Benefits of Hosted VoIP Service for Startups appeared first on Revesoft Blog.

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