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Exchanging live voice and video over IP has evolved from simply being being a smart method to reduce phone carrier bills to being a required technology for productive collaboration. Unified IP communications, once limited to integrating Internet-based voice and faxes on the same system in order to take the place of expensive PBX equipment, now encompasses VoIP and video, mobile communications, chat, real-time presence, services, and much more within a single framework that is manageable, extensible, protected, fault-tolerant, cost-effective, and intuitive.

Cisco is the global leader in supplying the hardware and software infrastructure for supporting the modern paradigm of unified communications (UC). Cisco's UC solution enhances the productivity of IT systems by cutting operational expenses; combining rich media features with familiar software programs to increase user output; facilitating teamwork among workers, partners, and vendors to save time and improve business results; and simplifying the administration of your converged voice and data ecosystem.

Cisco's Unified Communications solutions cover these important product areas:,

• Call Control Platforms for managing rich media calls and sessions
• IP Endpoints to optimize worker productivity
• UC Applications for easy access to presence, chat, voice and video, phone messages, desktop sharing, and voice/video conferencing
• IP Gateways for accessing public networks and teleworkers

Call Control Software - Unified Communications Manager (CallManager)
Cisco's call-processing agent is the core of the Cisco IP collaboration system and gives you the versatility to deploy a central call-processing design, a decentralized design, or a combination of both. In a centralized deployment, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) extends corporate telephony features to packet products such as IP handsets, media management products, VoIP gateways, and mixed media programs throughout the network. Cisco Unified Communications Manager supports additional multimedia services including unified messaging, video conferencing, and group-based client interaction networks.

The latest version of Unified CM, previously branded Cisco CallManager, includes a variety of improvements that speed up ROI by lowering management and maintenance expenses, improving worker productivity, facilitating collaboration, accommodating the bring-your-own-device model of computing, fortifying security, and making optimal use of IT infrastructure. Headline innovations include automatic dial-plan replication, streamlined certificate management, expanded support for single sign-on for administrators and end users, device-independent call recording, on-the-road connectivity without requiring VPN tunneling, a new self-care interface that makes it easy for workers to install their options for all of their endpoints, and support for Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol for mobile clients.

When you implement a central Cisco Unified Communications Manager cluster to control call processing for users at remote sites, administrators can help ensure continuous phone availability using Cisco SRST, a Cisco IOS Software image for routers. If a Wide Area Network connection fails, Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony in the router provides basic Cisco UC Manager capabilities until the link is returned. For information about Progent's consulting services for Cisco ISR routers, see consulting services for Cisco ISR routers.

For small business networks, branch locations, and retail environments that do not need the full feature set offered by Unified CM, Unified Communications Manager Express, formerly named CallManager Express offers a cost-effective PBX alternative that handles the needs of sites with up to 450 workers. Since Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is embedded in the IOS Software operating on a Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR), smaller organizations can quickly set up a converged voice/data solution.

Cisco's BE6000 is a line of turn-key solutions that offer fundamental collaboration features such as routing, IP gateway, premium voice/video, messaging, chat and presence, teleconferencing, and paging support, enabling any end user to collaborate on any device from anywhere. All solutions come preconfigured with virtualization and Unified Communications applications, making implementation quick and easy and cutting operating expenses for companies with up to 1000 employees. All solutions are delivered preloaded with a virtualization hypervisor and collaboration applications software. You can simply enable collaboration software applications whenever their needs evolve.

The entry-level Business Edition 6000S includes five fixed UC applications preloaded on a single combination router/gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 server device and supports a maximum capacity of 150 workers and 300 devices. The mid-market Business Edition 6000M supports 4 collaboration software application options activated on a virtualized Cisco C220 M4 server platform and can handle up to 1000 users, 1200 devices, and 100 contact center agents. The high-end BE6000S includes 8 unified communications software application options enabled on a virtualized C220 M4 server platform and can handle as many as 1000 workers, 2500 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents.

For more information about Progent's expertise with Unified Communications Manager, visit Unified Communications Manager and CallManager planning, integration, migration and technical support.

IP Phones: VoIP and IP Video Endpoints
A collaboration endpoint is an end-user instrument, and can be a hardware handset or a software phone application on a desktop or mobile computer. In the IP environment, every VoIP handset or soft phone is Ethernet connected. Voice over IP phones offer all of the features that an ordinary phone handset provides, but Voice over IP phones often provide additional functions including being able to access websites or host business software.

In contrast to traditional Private Branch Exchange technology, in a Cisco IP communications network you can perform virtually instant moves, adds, and modifications. You simply take the VoIP phone to its new location, attach it to the Ethernet jack, and the handset announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All client rights and configurations are automatically replicated, doing away with the cost and hassle of sending technicians to wiring closets. An additional useful feature is location independence, which enables you to sign into any Cisco VoIP device and receive your own phone number and rights.

Cisco offers a wide range of Unified CM hardware endpoints. Cisco's low-cost Small Business SPA 300 Series are basic IP and DECT phones that feature wide-band voice, compatibility with hosted IP phone environments or an IP private branch exchange, easy deployment and safe online installation, transparent software upgrades, and browser-based set up. The value-priced SPA301 is a single-line IP endpoint with no display or speakerphone function, a base dialer with a single Ethernet port, and a wired handset with no keys. The SPA302D, designed exclusively for use with Cisco's SPA232D DECT ATA, is a multiple-line wireless Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) IP phone that offers 10-lines, a 176 x 220 color display, and a keypad with a speakerphone. Cisco's SPA303 is an economical 3-line SIP-based phone with dual switched ports, a 128x64 mono screen and a speakerphone.

The SPA500 family IP phones are low-cost endpoints that support SIP and SPCP signaling protocols, two integral Ethernet switch ports, speakerphones, PoE, and conferencing support. Most models have a 128 x 64 monochrome screen display, The SPA501G VoIP phone supports eight lines and has eight programmable buttons but no hi-res screen. The SPA502G IP Phone supports a single line and has no programmable keys. The SPA504G IP Phone supports four lines and has four soft keys. The SPA508G IP Phone supports eight lines and eight soft keys. The SPA509G supports 12 lines and features 12 programmable keys. The SPA512G IP Phone supports four lines, no soft buttons and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The SPA514G supports four lines, has soft buttons, and supports Gigabit Ethernet. The high-end SPA525G2 includes a 320 x 240 pixel color screen, supports five lines, and features five soft buttons.

Cisco's Unified IP Phones 3900 Series and 6900 Series are specialty VoIP endpoints intended for occasional-use environments like cafeterias, elevators, and conference facilities. Cisco's Unified SIP Phone 3905 IP Phone features a 128 x 32 pixel mono display, a 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and PoE. The simple Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a single-line endpoint without a screen and requires a hook switch for call transfer or conferencing.

The 7800 line of economical IP phones are VoIP endpoints with backlit monochrome displays, four soft buttons, 11 fixed-feature buttons, an Ethernet switch with Power over Ethernet, and a speakerphone. Cisco's 7800 Series support only the SIP signaling protocol. All devices in Cisco's 7800 Series feature 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 feature, available on the advanced 7800 models, cuts after-hours energy consumption by up to 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a single-line phone intended for shared locations as well as for employees with infrequent voice communications needs. The IP 7811 comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 screen and a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is offered via an optional wideband handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a dual-line VoIP endpoint with a 396 x 162 display. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line endpoint with a 396 x 162 display and is the only model in the 7800 line to support 1xGb Ethernet. The top-of-the-line IP Phone 7861 VoIP phone is a 16-line endpoint intended for administrative staff, contact center personnel, and supervisors who have heavy call needs.

Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are dual-protocol (SIP/SCCP) IP voice and video devices with a 320 x 240 pixel color display, an integral 10/100/1000 Ethernet switch, Class 3 PoE, 10 dedicated keys and a speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7945G is a dual-line unit and the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G features four lines. Both IP phones have a 5-inch screen 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 programmable buttons.

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a portfolio of SIP-only IP phones that includes desktop devices, a conference IP phone, and mobile wireless IP Phones. The desktop models are five-line IP phones featuring a 5-inch 800 x 480 pixel screen, a Gigabit Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, four programmable buttons and 12 fixed-feature buttons. The Cisco IP Phone 8811 features a backlit monochrome screen and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet (PoE). Cisco's 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, an adjustable camera, Bluetooth, Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, and supports Class 2 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8851 has a WVGA color screen and a USB port with charging capability, supports Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice and Class 3 PoE, and is available in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth versions. The Cisco IP Phone 8861 has a WVGA color display, Bluetooth, dual USB connections with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8865 has a WVGA color screen, 720p HD video, an adjustable camera, Bluetooth, two USB connections 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 hardened wireless devices designed for professionals who are on the move within office, warehouse, retail or other environments where IT management requires portable phones that provide more administrative control, data security and ruggedness than is achievable with the Bring-Your-Own-Device style of mobile communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones provide on-the-move onsite users the advantages of voice over wireless LAN technology in environments with 802.11x Wi-Fi. The 8821 Wireless IP Phone features a 2.4 inch color screen, a rugged shell designed for shock resistance and compliant with IP67 for particulate and splash resistance, extended batteries, a full-duplex speakerphone, and an integrated Bluetooth transceiver to support cordless headsets. Cisco's 8821-EX Wireless VoIP Phone adds spark suppression for potentially combustible work sites. The 8821-EX also has a case fabricated of industry-standard yellow plastics, which makes the 8821-EX easy to find during an emergency. Find out about Progent's Wireless VoIP Phone integration and troubleshooting support.

Cisco's discontinued 9900 line of advanced VoIP endpoints mix high-quality voice with business-grade color screens to provide a productive collaborative experience for knowledge professionals and executive management. Both models in the 9900 family have a Standard Definition 640x480 pixel color screen, a Bluetooth radio to support a broad selection of headsets, and a built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet switch. The Cisco EnergyWise function is offered as an option and can reduce off-work energy draw by as much as 90 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch display and allows up to 2 IP Expansion Modules for adding customizable line and function keys. The Cisco IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch display, a built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi radio for deployment with wireless environments, and 4 soft-label touchscreen keys to invoke Cisco Unified Communications functions. The 9971 IP phone allows up to 3 IP Expansion Modules for adding programmable line and feature keys.

Cisco Unified Communications Applications
Under Cisco's Unified Communications platform, IP telephony, IP video, and other converged applications are independent from the call-processing and voice-processing infrastructure, and they may be anywhere within the system. A single connectivity framework provides an open platform for powerful applications and serves as a solid basis for downstream convergence-based applications. Cisco works with third-party IT industry companies to offer a wide selection of IP phone and video applications and products. Cisco also supports the capability to create and administer customized internal applications.

Unified Communications applications offered by Cisco and supported by Progent's consultants include:

Cisco Jabber
Jabber is a unified communications client application that supports presence, instant messaging, voice, high-definition video, voicemail, screen sharing, and real-time conferencing features for Windows PCs, Apple Macs, tablets plus smartphones. Cisco Jabber is a rebranding and combination of the Cisco Unified Personal Communicator, Cisco Mobile, and Cisco WebEx Connect, with major improvements in the areas of HD video features and desktop sharing, and extending the collaboration environment to more platforms and endpoint hardware. Jabber works with Cisco Unified Communications Manager for call management, Cisco Unified Presence for instant messaging and presence, Unity Connection for voicemail and automated attendant, and Cisco WebEx Meeting for conferencing.

Since Jabber is built around key communication protocols, it can interoperate with a wide range of non-Cisco products. For instance, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) allows Jabber to exchange IM and presence data with various XMPP clients including as Adium for Mac OS, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync and Office Communications Server. Cisco Jabber collaboration features can be accessed from Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook and SharePoint. This cross-platform support optimizes productivity by delivering a common end-user environment and fully enabling the BYOD paradigm of computing. Progent offers the services of certified Exchange and Outlook consultants and SharePoint application developers who can assist you to integrate Jabber with Microsoft's popular collaboration platforms. Progent also offers expertise with iPhone integration and Android phone integration to assist you to increase the business value of your BYOD environment.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center enables web meetings for users with a browser or almost any PC or handheld computer. Cisco WebEx Meeting Center is offered as software as a service (SaaS) via the Cisco WebEx Cloud. This makes it easy to roll out and expand, streamlines management, eliminates major up-front expenditures, features high availability and enterprise-grade data protection, and delivers excellent performance. Key capabilities include the ability to share specific content or your entire screen display with online participants in real time, the capability to embed multimedia into presentations including Microsoft PowerPoint and Flash animations, session and content recording plus playback for future reference and training, single sign-on and integration with other Cisco collaboration applications such as Jabber and Cisco TelePresence, plus strong data privacy and encrypted connections with tight policy control.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center works with Microsoft Windows, Mac, and Linux-powered desktops and notebooks and permits mobile users to initiate, schedule, and attend meetings on Android devices, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry phones, and Microsoft Windows Phone. Users can also launch online meetings with a few clicks from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Notes, and a selection of instant messaging applications.

Cisco TelePresence Portfolio for In-house Video Conferencing Ecosystems
For midsize organizations and larger enterprises who want to build an in-house or hybrid in-house/cloud solution for teleconferencing, Cisco offers a selection of Cisco TelePresence products that enable high-quality and standards-based teleconferencing for attendees with almost any IP endpoint at any location. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable teleconferencing bridge that works with Cisco Unified Communications Manager to bring multiparty telepresence to unified communications deployments and can expand conferences to incorporate cloud-based WebEx Meeting Center participants. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software simplifies the control of the way video conferencing resources are allocated for every individual participant, enabling administrators to specify the exact service level and experience required for every user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server records video and presentations for live streaming and on-demand viewing.

Cisco Unity Connection Platform and Unity Express for Unified Voicemail
Cisco's Unity Connection, an extension of Cisco Unified Communications Manager, is a unified voice messaging system that facilitates teamwork by providing a variety of alternatives for retrieving voice messages within a framework that is simple to implement and administer. Cisco Unity Connection lets you access and manage voicemail messages from your Exchange inbox, browser, Cisco Jabber, a Cisco Unified VoIP endpoint, a smartphone, or an iPad or tablet. Cisco Unity Connection also offers sophisticated speech-recognition capabilities for hands and eyes free operation and powerful Automated Attendant capabilities that include smart routing for incoming calls and custom call-filtering and message-alert settings. The Unity Connection platform runs as a fully virtualized system that can reside on a BE6000 server or a Cisco Services Ready Engine 910 router blade and can accommodate as many as 20,000 voice mailboxes on each server.

Cisco Unity Express (CUE), offered in certain Cisco Integrated Services routers, provides cost-effective voicemail, unified messaging, interactive voice response, and automated-attendant functions for small to medium businesses and corporate satellite offices with as many as 500 voice mailboxes. Unity Express allows you to manage voicemail messages via a Cisco Unified IP Phone screen, a browser, or an email client. ISR Routers for which Cisco Unity Express is offered as a network module or advanced integration module include Cisco's 1861, 2800, 2900, 3800, and 3900 Series. Progent can provide comprehensive consulting and troubleshooting services for Integrated Services Routers.

Cisco Unified Contact Center
Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE) integrates closely with Cisco Unified CM and agent desktop software like Finesse to offer automatic call distribution features that allow an organization to connect customers with the proper sales or service agent. Unified CCE features intelligent call routing, computer telephony integration, multichannel contact management, network-wide call queuing, interactive voice response and consolidated enterprise-wide reporting to streamline the creation and management of a large-scale customer contact center. Cisco products supporting UCCE's client interaction management solution include Unified IP Phones, Cisco Voice Gateways, and Cisco LAN/WAN technology.

Unified Contact Center Express (Unified CCX or CCX) offers a packaged solution for building a customer contact center for branch or midmarket systems that handle as many as 400 agents. Several bundles are available, as well as a variety of optional advanced features. Cisco Unified Contact Center Express integrates closely with Cisco CUCM and offers smart call routing, contact interaction management, reporting, IVR, and the ability to manage voice, email, chat, and social media requests. Cisco Unified Contact Center Express includes Cisco Finesse, a web-based customizable desktop agent that needs no client software setup. Advanced options include conditional routing, projected-wait-time announcements, and quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect and Single Number Reach
Mobile Connect, popularly referred to as Single Number Reach (SNR), allows users to be called via one number that rings simultaneously on their Cisco desktop VoIP Phone and their cell phone. Users can transfer active conversations between their desktop IP phone and their mobile phone seamlessly. Calls that are not answered can be redirected to a Cisco Unity or Unity Connection account. Users can create personal access lists that determine which calls get directed to alternate endpoints.

Cisco Prime Collaboration
Prime Collaboration provides an automated process for first-time deployments as well as for “day 2” moves, additions, changes, and deletions. A user-friendly interface provides a unified view of a user and the subscriber's services. Cisco Prime Collaboration significantly speeds up site rollouts and reduces the time required to implement ongoing changes. Prime Collaboration in addition provides advanced analytics that show technology adoption and consumption trends, allowing organizations to make more efficient use of IT resources and further reduce total cost of ownership.

Cisco Communications Gateways
Cisco's communications gateways allow Cisco Unified Communications deployments to connect with other systems and with users working outside the firewall. Cisco's line of gateways provide unified communications services for a broad range of gateway as well as session-border-control applications.

Collaboration gateways available from Cisco and supported by Progent include:

Cisco Expressway Communication Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful converged media gateway that enables organizations to allow colleagues, suppliers, customers and prospects, or business partners who are using various outside networks, workgroup applications, or endpoint devices to access to Cisco Unified Communication services. Cisco's Expressway collaboration gateway works in conjunction with an enterprise Cisco CM deployment or Cisco Business Edition 6000, or can be run through the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS) to make productive collaboration more universal. Important features of Expressway are include:

• Mobile and Remote Connectivity: Off-site users who have any Jabber-compatible client or teleworkers with Cisco TelePresence endpoints get the benefit of single-sign-on (SSO) and of TLS security and are able to access all their collaboration applications (video, business-quality voice, content IM, and presence) without the extra step of starting a VPN connection. Also, telecommuters have the ability to use their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without the need for a VPN, providing a user experience at home that is identical to the corporate office.
• Cisco Jabber Guest Support: Expressway is required for supporting Cisco's Jabber Guest, which makes it possible for “guests” to communicate with your organization simply and securely using streamlined browser and mobile multimedia phone calls.
• Cisco Cloud Connectivity: Cisco Expressway can function as a gateway that creates a path between onsite Cisco or third-party systems and Cisco's WebEx cloud. By offering support for Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms, Cisco Expressway deliver an advanced, extensible conferencing environment that transparently integrates business-quality voice, video, and data sharing to any client, anywhere, on any endpoint.
• Interoperability: If your organization already has non-Cisco video technology, Cisco Expressway can assist you to migrate easily to Cisco technology when you choose. Cisco Expressway provides video compatibility with industry standard H.323, H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC), or Session Initiation Protocol systems. Internetworking capabilities supported by Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to SIP, and Microsoft Lync H.264 SVC to AVC.

• Cisco WebEx Cloud Connected Audio (CCA) for SIP-media-connected audio conferencing
• Voice and Video recording
• SIP-based Call-center and interactive-voice-response (IVR) solutions
• Policy-led evaluation of voice calls
• Business-to-business telepresence over SIP

Cisco's End-of-Life UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Phone Systems
The legacy Cisco Unified Communications 500 (UC500) product line is an early VoIP gateway appliance and software package for small organizations. UC500 models provide voice, data, voicemail, auto attendant, video, security, and wireless functionality, work with older Cisco IP Voice phones, and support various public switched telephone network interfaces.

All UC500 packages include a desktop switch with 8 PoE ports plus additional FXS and FXO interfaces, a firewall, and VPN support. Integrated WiFi is an option. VoIP user capacity can be increased by attaching Cisco Catalyst Express companion switches. Each UC500 model also includes licenses for Cisco Unified Communications Manager for VoIP call processing and Cisco Unity Express for voice messaging and automated attendant. The Cisco UC520 system supports 8 to 16 users and include 4 foreign exchange stations and 4 FXO ports. The Cisco UC540 package allows 24 to 32 clients and has 8 FXO interfaces. The Cisco UC560 package supports 48 users and 12 FXO interfaces.

Progent's seasoned VoIP consultants can help you to support your legacy UC500 VoIP system or plan and implement a smooth migration to a current IP telephony and voicemail system such as Cisco's cloud-managed Business Edition 4000.

How Progent Can Assist You with Cisco IP Voice and IP Media Phones, CUCM, and Video Conferencing
Progent offers online or on-premises access to a certified CCIE Collaboration consultant to assist your business to plan, deploy, administer and troubleshoot converged communications environments built on Cisco Unified Communication technology in an in-house, cloud-based, or hybrid deployment. Progent's Cisco engineers have in-depth backgrounds supporting Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, IP voice and video phones and other endpoints, Unified Communications applications like Cisco Jabber and Unity Connection, Cisco's teleconferencing products, collaboration gatekeepers, utilities incorporated into Cisco Catalyst switches and routers. Progent can also provide support for technologies like Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, CUBE, H.323 gateways, CAC, VoIP trunks, PSTN, and Cisco's architecture for voice, video and integrated data. Progent's SIP integration consultants can also assist you to create SIP connectivity environments that incorporate SIP VoIP phones and media phones, SIP trunks, and SIP management tools via CUCM.

Progent's custom application developers can build specialized IP telephony software that will help your organization to incorporate the capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your company processes for increased efficiency. Progent can evaluate your existing network and Internet connectivity infrastructure to determine whether your system is optimized to support business-quality VoIP and high-definition video, help you to choose and integrate Cisco hardware and software appropriate for your present needs and future expansion plans, and interface your Cisco collaborative communications solution with products from other vendors. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified network security consultants can show you how to create, implement, and validate an enterprise-wide security plan for your converged communications solution. Also, Progent can help your organization to configure Cisco high-availability mechanisms such as Cisco Unified Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST) to provide cost-effective call control redundancy in remote-branch and teleworker sites, and Progent's disaster recovery planning experts can help you develop a sensible DR/BC strategy to protect your vital communications system.

Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Upgrade Consulting
Releases of Cisco Unified CM lower than 8.6 and every release of CallManager have arrived at end-of-life. This means Cisco will no longer enhance, fix, or validate this older software. Security patches for this pivotal product will end, which in certain situations could create regulatory compliance or legal liability issues.

Progent will continue to provide comprehensive consulting and troubleshooting support for end-of-life releases of Cisco Unified Communications Manager and CallManager, but in case your company is still running a legacy version of this pivotal application you should begin now to plan your migration. Progent's collaboration consultants can help you to upgrade smoothly to the current edition of Unified Communications Manager and can routinely save customers up to 50% off consulting costs compared to competing IT service firms because of Progent's documented process and experience in this practice area. By following leading practices, Progent can ensure that your business realizes a fast payback on your investment by showing you how to take full advantage of the enhanced features, lower management and support expense, more engaging collaboration, and stronger data protection offered by the latest version of Unified Communications Manager.

Progent's upgrade services include return-on-investment assessment, project management or co-management, pilot testing and validation, Cloud integration, configuring endpoint devices from Cisco and third-party providers, mobile integration, security and compliance consulting, management automation, disaster recovery planning, network topology design, staff and user training, and continuing consulting services and troubleshooting. Progent also offers fixed-priced migration packages to make sure your costs are predictable and affordable.

To find out additional details concerning Progent's professional help for Cisco products, pick a topic:

• Introduction to Cisco Engineering Services
• Fast and Affordable Online Assistance from a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Consultant
• Cisco Firepower Series Firewalls: Configuration and Troubleshooting Support
• ASA 5500-X Firewall with Firepower Services: Setup and Management Services
• ASA 5500 Series Firewall Integration Help
• Cisco PIX 500 Series Firewall Troubleshooting Assistance
• Cisco Routers Consulting Support
• Cisco Wireless Engineering Help
• Aironet Wireless APs Engineering Expertise
• Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 WiFi APs Engineering Services
• Cisco Catalyst 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6/6E Access Points Solution Design, Deployment and Debugging Services
• Cisco Wireless Controllers Integration Consulting
• Meraki Wireless Access Points Design Services
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager Integration and Troubleshooting
• Cisco Jabber Consulting and Support Services
• Cisco Catalyst Switches Engineering Expertise
• Cisco Nexus Switches Deployment Services
• Meraki Switches Consulting and Support Services
• Cisco Security and VPN Setup and Troubleshooting Help
• SIP and CUBE Integration Solutions: SIP Trunking and CUBE Integration Consulting
• Cisco Duo MFA Two-factor Authentication Services for Telecommuters
• Design and Support for Cisco-powered Data Centers
• Network Optimization Services for ISPs
• Centralized Cloud-based and Hybrid Management Strategies for Cisco Environments