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Exchanging real-time voice and video over Internet Protocol (VoIP and Video over IP) has advanced from simply being being a shrewd way to save money on phone bills to a strategic tool for collaboration and worker productivity. Converged communications, once restricted to combining Internet-based voice calls and faxing on the same network platform to replace expensive PBX systems, today incorporates rich media, mobile communications, instant messaging, real-time presence, services, and much more all in a cohesive framework that is manageable, scalable, highly secure, fault-tolerant, cost-effective, and user friendly.

Cisco is the leader in supplying the hardware and software infrastructure for supporting the current model of unified communications (UC). Cisco's unified communications solution adds to the productivity of IT networks by slashing operational costs; integrating multiple collaboration features with popular software applications to increase worker output; facilitating teamwork among employees, associates, and suppliers to save effort and enhance business outcomes; and streamlining the management of your converged voice and data infrastructure.

Cisco's Unified Communications solutions cover several main product areas:,

• Call Control Platforms for managing calls and sessions
• Collaboration Phones and Softphones to enhance worker productivity
• Unified Communications Applications for easy access to real-time, chat, voice and video, phone messages, desktop sharing, and conferencing
• Communications Gateways for connecting to public networks and teleworkers

Call Processing Agents - Unified Communications Manager/CallManager
The call-processing agent is the centerpiece of the Cisco IP collaboration infrastructure and provides the versatility to implement a central call-processing design, a decentralized model, or a mix of the two. In a centralized approach, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) expands enterprise telephony features to packet telephony network devices such as IP handsets, media management devices, VoIP gateways, and mixed media programs throughout the network. Unified Communications Manager supports additional multimedia services such as unified messaging, multimedia conferencing, and collaborative customer communication networks.

The latest version of Unified Communications Manager, previously known as CallManager, offers a wealth of enhancements that speed up ROI by cutting administrative and maintenance expenses, improving worker output, facilitating teamwork, accommodating the BYOD style of computing, strengthening security, and making optimal use of IT resources. Headline innovations include automatic dial-plan replication, simplified certificate management, extended support for single sign-on for administrators and end users, device-agnostic call recording, on-the-road connectivity with no need for VPN, a revamped self-care interface that makes it easy for workers to select their preferences for all of their endpoint devices, and support for Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol for mobile users.

When you deploy a central Unified Communications Manager cluster to control voice processing for customers at distributed sites, administrators can help ensure continuous phone availability using Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST), an IOS Software image for Cisco routers. If a Wide Area Network link breaks, Cisco SRST incorporated in the router provides basic Cisco Unified Communications Manager services until the connection is repaired. To learn about Progent's consulting support services for Cisco routers, see consulting and troubleshooting support services for Cisco routers.

For small businesses, branch offices, and retail deployments that do not require the full functionality offered by Unified CM, Unified Communications Manager Express, formerly named CallManager Express offers a budget-friendly solution that handles the needs of sites with up to 450 workers. Because Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is built into the Cisco IOS Software running on a Cisco ISR router, smaller offices can quickly implement a unified voice/data solution.

The Cisco Business Edition 6000 is a line of end-to-end platforms that offer fundamental collaboration capabilities such as routing, gateway, high definition voice and video, messaging, chat and presence, conferencing, and paging support, enabling any end user to connect on any endpoint from anywhere. All Business Edition 6000 solutions are delivered preinstalled with a virtualization hypervisor and collaboration applications, making implementation fast and easy and reducing operating expenses for organizations with from 25 to 1000 employees. All solutions come packaged preconfigured with virtualization and collaboration applications. You can instantly activate collaboration applications as their needs evolve.

The entry-level BE6000S supports five preselected UC software applications preloaded on a single combination router/IP gateway/virtualized blade server device and supports a maximum capacity of 150 users and 300 devices. The medium-scale Business Edition 6000M includes 4 UC application options enabled on a virtualized C220 M4 server platform and can handle as many as 1000 users, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The high-end Business Edition 6000H Supports 8 unified communications application options activated on a virtualized Cisco C220 M4 server and has the ability to support as many as 1000 workers, 2500 devices, and 100 contact center agents.

For additional details about Progent's expertise with Unified Communications Manager (CallManager), visit Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Unified CM) and CallManager planning, integration, migration and technical support.

IP Phones: VoIP and IP Media Endpoints
A communications endpoint is an end-user instrument, and can be a physical handset or a soft phone program that runs on a desktop or handheld computer. In the Internet Protocol world, each IP endpoint is Ethernet connected. IP phones have all of the features that an ordinary phone has, but IP phones can also provide extra features including being able to connect to websites or host productivity-enhancing software.

In contrast to ordinary Private Branch Exchange systems, in a Cisco IP telephony network you can implement almost instantaneous moves, additions, and changes. All you do is move the IP handset to your new spot, plug it into the Ethernet jack, and the phone announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All user permissions and configurations are programmatically re-established, eliminating the expense and hassle of sending support personnel to wiring closets. An additional efficient feature is extension mobility, which allows you to log into any Cisco IP phone and receive your personal phone ID and privileges.

Cisco provides a broad selection of VoIP phones. The entry-level SPA 300 Series are basic IP and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications screenless or monochrome devices that feature high-quality voice, support for hosted IP telephony systems or an IP private branch exchange, simple deployment and secure online provisioning, in-service software updates, and web-based set up. The low-end SPA301 is a one-line IP phone with no display or speakerphone, a base dialer that has one Ethernet port, and a corded handset with no keys. The SPA302D, intended exclusively for use with the Cisco SPA232D DECT ATA, is a multiple-line wireless Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) IP phone that offers 10-lines, a TFT 176 x 220 color screen, and a dial pad with a speakerphone. Cisco's SPA303 is an affordable three-line SIP-based phone with dual Ethernet ports, a 128x64 monochrome screen and a speaker.

The SPA500 line VoIP phones are affordable devices that support both SIP and SPCP signaling protocols, two Ethernet switch ports, speakerphones, built-in web servers, Power over Ethernet, and voice conferencing capability. Most versions have a 128 x 64 mono screen display, The SPA501G VoIP phone supports eight lines and has eight soft buttons but no hi-res display. The SPA502G IP Phone supports a single line and has no programmable buttons. The SPA504G VoIP phone supports four lines and has four programmable buttons. The SPA508G has eight lines and eight programmable buttons. The SPA509G IP Phone supports 12 lines and has 12 soft buttons. The SPA512G IP Phone supports four lines, no soft keys and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The SPA514G supports four lines, has programmable keys, and supports Gigabit Ethernet. The high-end SPA525G2 IP Phone has a 320 x 240 color display, supports five lines, and has five soft buttons.

Cisco's IP Phones 3900 Series and 6900 Series are specialty IP voice endpoints intended for occasional-use settings such as lobbies, hallways, and conference facilities. Cisco's Unified SIP Phone 3905 IP Phone features a 128 x 32 monochrome non-backlit screen, a 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and Power over Ethernet. The bare-bones Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a single-line endpoint with no screen and requires a hook switch for call transfer or joining a conference.

Cisco's 7800 Series of budget-priced IP phones are VoIP devices featuring backlit monochrome displays, four soft buttons, 11 fixed-feature buttons, an integral Ethernet switch with Class 1 Power over Ethernet, and an integral speakerphone. Cisco's 7800 Series support only the SIP signaling protocol. All devices in Cisco's 7800 family incorporate the same high-fidelity speakers and microphones as Cisco's 8800 Series IP phones to deliver a best-in-class audio solution. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save technology, offered on the higher end 7800 units, reduces after-hours energy usage by as much as 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a one-line VoIP phone intended for shared locations and for employees with occasional-to-light call requirements. The IP 7811 comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 display and a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is offered through an extra-cost wideband handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a dual-line phone with a 396 x 162 screen. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line VoIP phone with a 396 x 162 display and is the only unit in the 7800 family that provides Gigabit Ethernet. The top-of-the-line IP Phone 7861 is a 16-line device targeted for administrators, contact center personnel, and managers who have heavy voice communications requirements.

Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are dual-protocol (SIP/SCCP) media devices with a 320 x 240 pixel color display, a 1xGb Ethernet switch, Class 3 Power over Ethernet (PoE), 10 fixed-feature keys and a speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7945G is a two-line unit and the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G supports four lines. Both IP phones have a 5-inch display and four soft buttons. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G device is an eight-line media phone with a 5.6-inch touch screen and five soft buttons.

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a line of SIP-only IP phones that includes desktop units, a conference phone, and mobile wireless IP Phones. The desktop units are five-line IP phones featuring a 5-inch 800 x 480 pixel display, a Gigabit Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, four programmable buttons and 12 dedicated keys. The Cisco IP Phone 8811 features a backlit monochrome screen and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet (PoE). The Cisco IP Phone 8841 features a WVGA color screen and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet. Cisco's IP Phone 8845 features a WVGA color display, 720p HD video, a tiltable camera, Bluetooth, Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, and supports Class 2 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8851 features a WVGA color screen and a USB port with charging capability, supports Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice and Class 3 Power over Ethernet, and is offered in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth versions. Cisco's IP Phone 8861 includes a WVGA color screen, Bluetooth, two USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8865 includes a WVGA color display, 720p HD video, an adjustable camera, Bluetooth, two USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 Power over Ethernet.

Cisco's wireless VoIP phones are industrial-grade Wi-Fi devices designed for professionals who are mobile within campus, hospitality, health-care or other environments where management requires user endpoints that provide more administrative control, data security and durability than is possible with the BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) style of mobile communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones provide on-the-move onsite users the benefits of voice over wireless LAN communications in environments with 802.11x Wi-Fi. The 8821 Wireless VoIP Phone includes a hi-res color screen, a rugged shell designed for shock resistance and IP67 for dust and splash resistance, long-life batteries, a speakerphone, and an integrated Bluetooth 4.0 transceiver to support cordless headsets. The 8821-EX Wireless IP Phone adds protection against sparking for hazardous environments. Cisco's 8821-EX also has a shell made of industry-standard yellow plastics, which makes the 8821-EX easy to locate in a crisis. Find out about Progent's Cisco Wireless IP Phone integration consultants.

Cisco's legacy 9900 Series of powerful IP endpoints integrate high-quality voice with business-grade color video to provide a rich multimedia UC experience for knowledge professionals, managers, and executives. Both IP phones in the 9900 line include an SD VGA color screen, a Bluetooth 2.0 transceiver to support a broad choice of headsets, and a built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet port. The Cisco EnergyWise function is optional and can cut off-hour energy use by up to 90 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch screen and allows up to 2 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for expanding programmable line and feature keys. The Cisco IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch screen, a built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi transceiver for connecting to voice-over-wireless LAN networks, and 4 soft-label programmable touchscreen keys to invoke Cisco Unified Communications features. The 9971 allows up to 3 Cisco IP Expansion Modules for expanding customizable line and function keys.

Cisco Unified Communications Applications
Under Cisco's Unified Communications platform, IP phone, video, and other converged applications are separate from the call- and voice-processing infrastructure, and they may be anywhere within the system. A single connectivity framework provides a versatile platform for powerful applications and serves as a solid foundation for future convergence-based applications. Cisco works with leading technology vendors to offer a wide selection of IP voice and video applications and devices. Cisco also enables the capability to develop and administer specialized internal programs.

Collaborative application software offered by Cisco and supported by Progent include:

Jabber
Jabber is a converge media client application that provides presence, IM, business-quality voice, video, voice messaging, desktop sharing, and online conferencing features for Windows PCs, Macs, iPads and Android tablets as well as iPhones, Android phones, and Blackberries. Jabber is a rebranding and combination of the Unified Personal Communicator soft phone application, Cisco Mobile, and Cisco WebEx Connect, with major improvements in the areas of HD video capabilities and screen sharing, and extending the team experience to more operating systems and devices. Jabber operates in conjunction with Unified Communications Manager for call and session control, Cisco Unified Presence for instant messaging and presence, Cisco Unity Connection for voicemail and automated attendant, and Cisco WebEx Meeting for conferencing.

Because Jabber is based on popular communication standards, it can communicate with a wide selection of non-Cisco platforms. For instance, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol allows Jabber to exchange instant messaging and presence data with other XMPP clients including as Adium for Mac, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync and Office Communications Server. Jabber capabilities are available from Microsoft Office programs including Microsoft Outlook and SharePoint. This broad platform compatibility optimizes productivity by delivering a common end-user experience and fully enabling the bring-your-own-device model of computing. Progent offers the assistance of certified Exchange consultants and SharePoint experts who can show you how to take advantage of Jabber with Microsoft's premier collaboration products. Progent also can provide expertise with Apple iPhone integration and management and Google Android smartphone integration and management to help your organization to enhance the business value of your BYOD ecosystem.

WebEX Meeting Center
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center provides web and video conferencing for users with a web browser or virtually any PC or mobile computer. WebEx Meeting Center is offered as SaaS via Cisco's WebEx Cloud. This makes it simple to roll out and expand, reduces the cost of administration, avoids major up-front expenditures, features high availability and enterprise-grade security, and provides fast performance. Important features include the ability to share specific content or your whole screen display with online attendees in real time, the capability to embed multimedia into your presentations including Microsoft PowerPoint and Flash videos, session recording plus editing and playback for training, single sign-on (SSO) and integration with other Cisco collaboration applications like Cisco Jabber and Cisco TelePresence, plus stringent data protection and encrypted connections with strict policy management.

WebEX Meeting Center works with Windows, Mac, and Linux desktops and notebooks and permits mobile workers to launch, schedule, and attend conferences on Google Android smartphones and tablets, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry handhelds, and Microsoft Windows Phone. You can also initiate web conferences instantly from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Notes, and a selection of instant messaging solutions.

Cisco TelePresence Portfolio for In-house Teleconferencing Environments
For midsize organizations and larger enterprises who want to build an in-house or hybrid local/cloud environment for video conferencing, Cisco provides a selection of Cisco TelePresence products that deliver high-quality video conferencing for attendees with almost any IP endpoint at any location. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable video conferencing bridge that works with Cisco Unified CM to bring multiparty telepresence to UC environments and can expand meetings to incorporate cloud-based WebEx Meeting Center users. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software streamlines the control of the way conferencing resources should be allocated for each participant, allowing administrators to specify the precise service level and experience needed for every user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server captures video conference presentations for real-time distribution as well as on-demand viewing.

Cisco's Unity Connection and Unity Express for Unified Voicemail
Cisco's Unity Connection, an extension of Cisco Unified CM, is a converged voicemail platform that promotes productive collaboration by offering a variety of alternatives for retrieving calls and messages within an environment that is easy to deploy and manage. Cisco Unity Connection lets you read and manage your voicemail from your email inbox, browser, Jabber, a Cisco Unified VoIP endpoint, a smartphone, or a tablet. Cisco Unity Connection also provides sophisticated voice-recognition features for hands-free operation and powerful Automated Attendant capabilities such as intelligent routing for inbound phone calls and custom call-screening and message-alert options. The Cisco Unity Connection system operates as a VM that can be hosted on a BE6000 server or a Cisco Services Ready Engine 910 router service module and can support up to 20,000 voice mailboxes per server.

Unity Express (CUE), offered in certain Cisco Integrated Services routers, offers cost-effective voicemail, integrated messaging, interactive voice response, and greeting functions for small to mid-size businesses and corporate branch offices with as many as 500 voice mailboxes. Cisco Unity Express permits users to manage voicemail messages via a Cisco IP Phone screen, a browser, or your email client. ISR Routers for which Unity Express is available as a network module or advanced integration module include Cisco's 1861, 2900, and 3900 families. Progent offers comprehensive consulting and troubleshooting services for ISR routers.

Unified Contact Center
Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE) integrates with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and desktop agent software such as Cisco Finesse to offer automatic call distribution features that allow an organization to connect customers with the right sales or service agent. Unified CCE or UCCE features smart call distribution, computer telephony integration (CTI), support for multichannel contact management, network-wide call queuing, interactive voice response (IVR) and consolidated enterprise-wide reporting to simplify the deployment and administration of a large-scale contact center. Cisco products incorporated in UCCE's client interaction management solution include Unified IP Phones, Cisco Voice Gateways, and Cisco LAN/WAN technology.

Cisco Unified Contact Center Express (CCX) provides an out-of-the-box bundle for creating a customer interaction management center for branch or midmarket systems that handle as many as 400 agents. Multiple packages are offered, plus a variety of optional enhancements. Unified CCX integrates closely with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and offers intelligent call routing, client management, integrated reporting, IVR, and management of voice, email, chat, and social media requests. Cisco Unified CCX includes Cisco Finesse, a browser-based customizable desktop agent that requires no client-side software setup. Optional enhancements include conditional routing, estimated-wait-time announcements, and workforce quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect and Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, popularly known as Single Number Reach, allows users to be reached via one phone number that rings simultaneously on their Cisco VoIP Phone and their mobile phone. Users can switch live calls between their desktop IP phone and their mobile phone without disruption. Calls that are not answered can be redirected to a Unity or Unity Connection account. Users can create their own access lists that determine which calls are extended to alternate phones.

Prime Collaboration
Prime Collaboration offers an automated platform for first-time deployments and for “day 2” moves, additions, changes, and deletions. An intuitive console provides a unified view of a subscriber and the subscriber's services. Prime Collaboration significantly speeds up site installations and reduces the effort needed to implement future changes. Prime Collaboration also provides advanced analytics including application adoption and usage trends, enabling organizations to make more efficient use of IT resources and further reduce total cost of ownership.

Cisco Communications Gateways
Cisco's collaboration gateways permit Cisco converged communications deployments to communicate with other systems and with users operating outside the firewall. Cisco's portfolio of communication gateways deliver unified communications services for a wide variety of gateway as well as session-border-control applications.

Communications gateways available from Cisco and supported by Progent's certified consultants include:

Expressway Collaboration Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is an advanced collaboration gatekeeper that allows companies to allow workers, vendors, consumers, or partners who are working on various outside networks, collaboration platforms, or endpoint equipment to connect to Unified Communication functions. The Expressway collaboration gateway works in conjunction with an enterprise Cisco CM system or Cisco Business Edition 6000, or can be accessed via the cloud with Cisco HCS to make productive collaboration more pervasive. Key capabilities of Cisco Expressway are:

• Mobile and Remote Connectivity: Off-site users who have any Jabber-supported client or telecommuters with Cisco TelePresence endpoints get the benefit of single-sign-on (SSO) plus Transport Layer Security (TLS) and can connect to all their Jabber applications (high-definition video, business-quality voice, data instant messaging, and presence) without the extra step of a VPN connection. In addition, teleworkers have the ability to utilize their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without a VPN, providing a user environment at home identical to the office.
• Jabber Guest Support: Cisco Expressway is critical for supporting Jabber Guest, which makes it possible for “guests” to communicate with your organization simply and safely through streamlined web-browser and mobile multimedia calls.
• Cisco Cloud Access: Expressway can function as a gateway that creates a path between onsite Cisco or non-Cisco collaboration solutions and the WebEx cloud. By offering support for Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms, Expressway deliver a world-class, scalable teleconferencing environment that seamlessly integrates high-quality voice, video, and data sharing to anyone, at any location, on any device.
• Interoperability: In case your company currently has non-Cisco video systems, Expressway can help you to migrate efficiently to a Cisco solution whenever you choose. Cisco Expressway offers video interoperability with industry standard H.323, H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC), or Session Initiation Protocol environments. Internetworking capabilities allowed by Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to SIP, and Microsoft Lync H.264 SVC to AVC/H.264.

• Cisco WebEx Cloud Connected Audio for high-capacity SIP-media-connected conferencing
• Voice and Video recording
• Enterprise Call-center and IVR solutions
• Policy-based security evaluation of phone calls
• B2B telepresence over SIP

Cisco's End-of-Life UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Phone Systems
The end-of-life Cisco Unified Communications 500 (UC500) Series is an early VoIP and unified communications solution for small organizations. UC500 packages provide voice, data, voicemail, automated attendant, IP video, firewall, and WiFi functionality, work with older Cisco IP Voice endpoints, and support PSTN interfaces.

All UC500 series bundles include a compact switch appliance with 8 Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) ports and additional FXS and FXO interfaces, a firewall, and VPN. Integrated WiFi is optional. User capacity can be increased by attaching Cisco Catalyst Express companion switches. Each UC500 model also includes software licenses for Cisco Unified Communications Manager for VoIP call processing as well as Cisco Unity Express software for voice messaging and automated attendant. The Cisco UC520 package supports 8 to 16 users and include 4 FXS and 4 FXO ports. The Cisco UC540 package allows 32 users and provides 8 foreign exchange office ports. The Cisco UC560 package supports 48 VoIP clients and 12 foreign exchange office interfaces.

Progent's seasoned VoIP experts can assist you to support your legacy UC500 VoIP gateway or design and implement a smooth migration to a current VoIP system such as the Cisco Business Edition 4000.

How Progent Can Help You with Cisco VoIP and IP Media Phones, Cisco Unified CM, and Telepresence
Progent can provide online or on-premises access to a certified CCIE Collaboration consultant to assist you to design, deploy, administer and repair converged communications environments that incorporate Cisco Unified Communication technology in an in-house, cloud-based, or hybrid deployment. Progent's Cisco consultants have in-depth backgrounds supporting Unified Communications Manager and CallManager, VoIP phones and other endpoints, Unified Communications applications like Jabber and Unity Connection, Cisco's video conferencing products, communication gateways, tools incorporated into Cisco switches and routers. Progent can also provide support for related technologies such as Cisco SRST, Cisco Unified Border Element, H.323 and SIP gateways, CAC, VoIP trunks, various signaling protocols, and AVVID. Progent's SIP integration consultants can also assist you to create SIP infrastructure environments that include SIP VoIP phones and media phones, SIP-based CUBE trunks, and SIP management tools via Cisco Unified Communications Manager.

Progent's custom application programmers can build specialized unified communications software that will enable your company to integrate the telephony capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your business processes for enhanced productivity. Progent can evaluate your current network and Internet access infrastructure to make sure your system is configured to support business-quality Voice over IP and high-definition video, assist you to select and deploy Cisco products appropriate for your current needs and future growth plans, and interface your Cisco Unified Communications products with technology from other vendors. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified information security consultants can assist you to create, deploy, and test an enterprise-wide security strategy for your converged communications ecosystem. In addition, Progent can assist you to deploy Cisco high-availability technologies like Cisco Unified SRST to provide cost-effective call control redundancy in remote-branch and home-office sites, and Progent's disaster recovery and business continuity planning experts can help you create a viable DR/BC plan to ensure the availability of your business-critical communications environment.

Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Services
Versions of Unified Communications Manager 8.6 earlier than 8.6 and all versions of CallManager have reached end-of-life. Therefore Cisco will cease to develop, repair, or validate this older software. Security updates for this business-critical product will end, which in certain situations may cause compliance or legal liability problems.

Progent continues to offer expert consulting and support for end-of-life releases of Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, but in case you are still using a legacy version of this critical application your organization should start now to prepare for your upgrade. Progent's collaboration consulting professionals can help you to upgrade smoothly to the current release of Unified Communications Manager and can typically save customers up to 50% off consulting service fees versus competing IT service companies thanks to Progent's documented process and hands-on experience in this area. By following best practices, Progent can make sure your business gets a fast payback on your investment by showing you how to benefit fully from the new and improved feature set, lower management and support expense, more productive collaboration, and tighter security provided by the newest edition of Unified Communications Manager.

Progent's migration services include ROI assessment, project management or co-management, system testing and validation, Cloud integration, configuring collaboration endpoints from Cisco and other suppliers, mobile connectivity, security and compliance consulting, streamlined management, disaster recovery/business continuity planning, network topology design, staff and user training, and ongoing consulting services and technical support. Progent also has put together ultra-affordable upgrade packages to keep your costs visible and under control.

To find out more details concerning Progent's consulting help for Cisco technology, choose a subject:

• Overview of Progent's Cisco Expertise
• Timely Online Assistance from a CCIE Consultant
• Cisco Firepower Firewalls: Configuration and Troubleshooting Services
• ASA 5500-X Firewall with Firepower Services: Setup and Management Support
• ASA 5500 Firewalls Management Services
• Cisco PIX 500 Firewall Maintenance Services
• Cisco Routers Configuration and Troubleshooting Expertise
• Cisco Wireless Network Design Support
• Cisco Aironet Wireless APs Deployment Support
• Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 Wireless Access Points System Design Services
• Catalyst Wi-Fi 6 Wireless APs Solution Design, Deployment and Troubleshooting Consulting
• Cisco Wireless Controllers Experts
• Meraki Wireless Access Points Deployment Support
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager Integration and Troubleshooting
• Cisco Jabber Integration Expertise
• Catalyst Switches Engineering Services
• Cisco Nexus Switches Configuration and Maintenance Services
• Cisco Meraki Switches Deployment Services
• Cisco VPN and Network Security Setup and Troubleshooting Help
• SIP and CUBE Integration Solutions: SIP PSTN Trunks and CUBE Integration Consulting
• Infrastructure Design for Cisco-based Datacenters
• Infrastructure Optimization Services for Service Providers
• Centralized Network Management Techniques for Cisco-powered Infrastructure