Sending real-time voice and video over Internet Protocol (VoIP and Video over IP) has evolved from simply being being a savvy means to save money on phone carrier bills to an indispensable technology for productive collaboration. Converged IP communications, once restricted to managing Internet-based voice and faxes on one system to take the place of traditional PBX systems, today incorporates rich media, mobile communications, instant messaging, presence, collaboration services, and more in a centralized environment that is manageable, extensible, secure, resilient, economical, and intuitive.
Cisco is the global leader in supplying solutions for supporting the current paradigm of unified communications (UC). Cisco's UC architecture adds to the productivity of information systems by slashing operating costs; combining multiple collaboration functions with familiar software applications to improve worker output; supporting teamwork among workers, associates, and vendors to save effort and enhance business results; and streamlining the administration of your communications infrastructure.
Cisco's UC technology cover several important product categories:,
Call Control Agents - Unified Communications Manager (CallManager)
The call-processing agent is the core of the Cisco IP collaboration portfolio and provides the versatility to implement a central call-processing design, a decentralized model, or a mix of both. In a centralized deployment, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) expands corporate phone capabilities to packet products such as IP phones, media processing appliances, Voice over IP gateways, and mixed media applications across the network. Cisco Unified Communications Manager enables extra voice, video, and data functions such as unified messaging, video conferencing, and group-based client interaction networks.
The latest version of Cisco Unified Communications Manager, previously known as Cisco CallManager, offers a wealth of enhancements that accelerate ROI by lowering management and support costs, increasing worker productivity, enhancing collaboration, supporting the BYOD style of working, strengthening data protection, and making optimal utilization of IT infrastructure. Top innovations include automatic dial-plan replication and batch provisioning, streamlined certificate management, expanded support for standards-based single sign-on (SSO) for administrators and end users, hardware-independent call recording, mobile connectivity with no need for VPN tunneling, a new self-provisioning interface that makes it easy for workers to manage their preferences for all endpoint devices, and support for Transport Layer Security and Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol for mobile users.
In cases where you deploy a centralized Cisco Unified Communications Manager cluster to control call processing for customers at remote sites, administrators can help achieve non-stop phone service through 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 functions until the link is returned. To learn about Progent's consulting support services for Cisco ISR routers, refer to consulting and troubleshooting support services for Cisco Integrated Services routers.
For small businesses, branch locations, and retail environments that do not need the complete feature set offered by Unified CM, Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express, previously known as CallManager Express provides a cost-effective PBX alternative that meets the needs of sites with up to 450 workers. Because Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is embedded in the Cisco IOS Software running on a Cisco ISR router, smaller offices can quickly set up a converged voice and data environment.
The Cisco BE6000 is a line of complete platforms that provide essential collaboration features such as routing, gateway, high definition voice and video, messaging, chat and real-time presence, conferencing, and paging services, enabling any user to collaborate on any endpoint from any site. All systems are delivered preloaded with virtualization and Unified Communications applications, making implementation quick and easy and reducing operating expenses for organizations with from 25 to 1000 workers. All BE6000 systems are shipped preconfigured with a virtualization hypervisor and UC applications software. Organizations can simply activate collaboration applications when their needs dictate.
The office-in-a-box Business Edition 6000S includes five fixed UC software applications preloaded on a single combination 2921V ISR router/gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 server device and can handle as many as 150 workers and 300 devices. The medium-scale Business Edition 6000M includes four UC software application options enabled on a virtualized Cisco UCS C220 M4 server platform and can handle a maximum capacity of 1000 workers, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The top-of-the-line Business Edition 6000H includes 8 collaboration software application options enabled on a virtualized C220 M4 server and has the capacity for up to 1000 workers, 2500 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents.
For more details about Progent's support for Unified Communications Manager, visit Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager design, integration, upgrades and technical support.
Cisco IP Phones: VoIP and IP Media Phones
A communications endpoint is an end-user instrument, and can be a hardware phone or a software phone application on a desktop or mobile computer. In the Internet Protocol world, each IP handset or soft phone is Ethernet connected. VoIP phones have all of the functions that an analog telephone provides, but Voice over IP phones can also provide extra features including being able to access websites or host business software.
In contrast to traditional Private Branch Exchange systems, in a Cisco IP phone network you can implement virtually instantaneous moves, adds, and modifications. You merely move the VoIP phone to your new spot, attach it to the Ethernet connection, and the handset announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All client permissions and configurations are automatically replicated, eliminating the expense and delay of sending technicians to wiring closets. Another helpful feature is location independence, which allows you to sign into any Cisco VoIP phone and get your own phone extension and rights.
Cisco provides a broad range of Unified CM hardware endpoints. Cisco's entry-level SPA 300 Series are basic IP and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) screenless or monochrome phones that feature high-quality voice, compatibility with hosted Internet Protocol phone environments or an IP PBX, simple deployment and safe online provisioning, zero-downtime software updates, and browser-based configuration. The low-end SPA301 is a single-line IP phone with no screen or speakerphone, a base dialer with a single Ethernet connector, and a corded handset without keys. The SPA302D, designed solely for operation with Cisco's SPA232D Multi-Line DECT Analog Telephone Adapter, is a multiple-line wireless Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications handset that supports 10-lines, a TFT 176 x 220 pixel color display, and a dial pad with a speakerphone. The SPA303 is an affordable 3-line SIP-based phone with dual switched ports, a 128x64 mono display and a speaker.
The SPA500 Series VoIP phones are low-cost endpoints that support both SIP and SPCP signaling protocols, two integral Ethernet switch ports, speakerphones, Power over Ethernet, and 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 LCD display. The SPA502G has a single line and has no soft keys. The SPA504G VoIP phone supports four lines and has four soft buttons. The SPA508G VoIP phone supports eight lines and eight soft keys. The SPA509G VoIP phone supports 12 lines and has 12 programmable keys. The SPA512G has four lines, no programmable buttons and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The SPA514G VoIP phone supports four lines, has soft keys, and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The high-end SPA525G2 IP Phone has a 320 x 240 pixel color screen, supports five lines, and includes five soft buttons.
Cisco's IP Phones 3900 Series and IP Phones 6900 Series are specialty VoIP devices designed for occasional-use settings like lobbies, hallways, and conference facilities. Cisco's Unified SIP Phone 3905 IP Phone features a 128 x 32 pixel mono screen, an integrated 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and PoE. The simple Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a one-line endpoint with no display and requires a hook switch for call transfer or joining a conference.
Cisco's 7800 family of value-priced IP phones are VoIP desktop devices with backlit mono displays, four programmable buttons, 11 dedicated keys, an integral Ethernet switch with Power over Ethernet, and a speakerphone. Cisco's 7800 Series support only the SIP signaling protocol. All devices in the 7800 Series incorporate the same advanced speakers and microphones as Cisco's 8800 Series IP phones to provide a state-of-the-art audio experience. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save technology, available on the advanced 7800 units, reduces off-hours energy consumption by as much as 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a single-line VoIP phone designed for shared areas and for employees with occasional-to-light voice communications requirements. The IP 7811 comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 display plus a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is available via an extra-cost 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 endpoint with a 396 x 162 screen and is the only unit in the 7800 family to support 1xGb Ethernet. The high-end IP Phone 7861 VoIP phone is a 16-line device intended for administrative staff, call center agents, and supervisors who have significant voice communications 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, a 10/100/1000 Ethernet switch, Class 3 Power over Ethernet, 10 fixed-feature keys and a speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7945G is a dual-line device and the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G supports four lines. Both VoIP phones include a 5-inch screen and four programmable 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 portfolio of SIP-based endpoints that includes desktop devices, a conference 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 soft keys and 12 fixed-feature buttons. Cisco's IP Phone 8811 features a mono screen and supports Class 2 PoE. Cisco's IP Phone 8841 has a WVGA color display 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 Power over Ethernet. The Cisco IP Phone 8851 has a WVGA color screen and one USB port with charging capability, supports Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice and Class 3 Power over Ethernet, and is available in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth models. The Cisco IP Phone 8861 includes a WVGA color display, Bluetooth, two USB connections with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 Power over Ethernet. The Cisco IP Phone 8865 has a WVGA color screen, 720p HD video, a tiltable camera, Bluetooth, dual USB connections with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE.
Cisco's wireless IP phones are hardened wireless handsets intended for professionals who are on the move within office, hospitality, retail or other venues where management requires portable phones that provide more administrative control, security and durability than is achievable with the BYOD mode of workplace communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones offer mobile on-premises users the benefits of voice over wireless LAN technology in environments with 802.11x Wi-Fi. The 8821 Wireless VoIP Phone features a 2.4 inch color display, a rugged case rated Mil-SPEC 810G to withstand dropping and compliant with IP67 for dust and moisture resistance, extended batteries, a speakerphone, and a Bluetooth radio to support wireless headsets. Cisco's 8821-EX Wireless IP Phone adds spark suppression for hazardous work sites. Cisco's 8821-EX also has a shell fabricated of yellow plastics, which makes the device easy to find in an emergency. Find out about Progent's Cisco Wireless IP Phone integration consultants.
Cisco's legacy 9900 Series of powerful IP endpoints combine high-quality voice with high-resolution color displays to offer a productive multimedia communications solution for managers and executives. Both IP phones in this line have a Standard Definition 24-bit color display, a Bluetooth transceiver to work with a wide range of headsets, and a built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet port. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save feature is offered as an option and can cut off-work power use by as much as 90 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch display and supports up to 2 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for adding scalability to programmable line and function keys. The IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch screen, an integrated 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi transceiver for connecting to Voice-over-WLAN environments, and four customizable touchscreen keys to access Cisco UC functions. The 9971 supports up to 3 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for adding scalability to customizable line and function keys.
Cisco Unified Communications Application Software
Within Cisco's Unified Communications architecture, IP phone, video, and other converged applications are physically isolated from the call/voice processing mechanism, and they may be anywhere within the network. A single network infrastructure provides an open environment for feature-rich business applications and serves as a solid foundation for future convergence-based applications. Cisco cooperates with third-party IT industry vendors to provide a wide range of IP voice and video applications and products. Cisco also enables the ability to create and manage customized internal programs.
Collaborative application software available from Cisco and supported by Progent's consultants include:
Jabber
Cisco Jabber is a unified communications client application that supports presence, instant messaging, voice, HD video, voice messaging, desktop sharing, and real-time conferencing capabilities for Windows PCs, Macs, iPads and Android tablets plus smartphones. Cisco Jabber is an evolution and combination of the Cisco Unified Personal Communicator, Cisco Mobile, and Cisco WebEx Connect, with important enhancements to video capabilities and screen sharing, and extending the team environment to more platforms and devices. Cisco Jabber works with Unified CM for call management, Cisco Unified Presence for IM and presence, Unity Connection for voicemail and programmable attendant, and Cisco WebEx Meeting for conferencing and online meetings.
Since Cisco Jabber is built around key communication protocols, it can interoperate with a wide selection of third-party products. For instance, XMPP allows Jabber users to exchange IM and presence data with a variety of XMPP clients including as Adium for Mac, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync. Jabber collaboration features can be accessed from Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook and SharePoint. This extensive platform support optimizes productivity by delivering a consistent user environment and accommodating the BYOD model of computing. Progent can provide the assistance of certified Exchange consultants and SharePoint programmers who can assist you to use Jabber with Microsoft's premier collaboration platforms. Progent also can provide expertise with iPhone and iPad integration as well as Google Android phone integration to assist your organization to enhance the productivity of your BYOD environment.
WebEX Meeting Center
WebEX Meeting Center provides web and video conferencing for users with a web browser or almost any PC or handheld device. WebEx Meeting Center is delivered as software as a service via the Cisco WebEx Cloud. This makes it simple to deploy and scale, streamlines administration, avoids heavy up-front expenditures, features high availability and enterprise-class security, and delivers consistently high performance. Key capabilities include support for sharing specific content or your entire screen display with remote attendees in real time, the capability to add multimedia into presentations including PowerPoint and Flash videos, network-based recording plus playback for training and demonstrations, single sign-on and support for other Cisco collaboration applications such as Cisco Jabber and Cisco TelePresence, plus strong data privacy and encrypted access with strict policy control.
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux-powered desktops and permits mobile users to start, schedule, and attend conferences on Android smartphones and tablets, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry handhelds, and Microsoft Windows Phone. Users can also launch web conferences with a few clicks from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Lotus Notes, and a variety of instant messaging solutions.
Cisco TelePresence Products for On-premises Teleconferencing Ecosystems
For midsize organizations and larger enterprises who want to create an on-premises or hybrid local/cloud solution for video conferencing, Cisco offers a selection of Cisco TelePresence software and equipment that deliver high-quality video conferencing for participants with virtually any IP endpoint at any location. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable video conferencing bridge that runs in conjunction with Cisco Unified CM to provide multiparty telepresence to unified communications deployments and can extend conferences to include cloud-connected Cisco WebEx Meeting Center users. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software streamlines the control of how teleconferencing bandwidth and features should be allotted for each attendee, enabling managers to define the exact service level and user experience required for each user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server records video and presentations for real-time distribution and video on demand (VOD) viewing.
Cisco Unity Connection and Unity Express for Unified Voicemail and Automated Attendant
The Cisco Unity Connection, an integrated extension of Unified CM, is a unified voice messaging system that promotes collaboration by offering a variety of options for retrieving voice messages within an environment that is simple to deploy and manage. Cisco Unity Connection allows you to access and manage voicemail from your Exchange inbox, web browser, Jabber, a Cisco Unified VoIP Phone, a smartphone, or an iPad or tablet. Unity Connection also offers sophisticated voice-recognition features for hands and eyes free management and extensive Automated Attendant features that include intelligent routing for inbound calls and easily customizable call-screening and message-notification settings. The Cisco Unity Connection platform operates as a fully virtualized system that can be hosted on a Business Edition 6000 server or a Cisco SRE 910 router blade service module and can support up to 20,000 mailboxes on each server.
Cisco Unity Express (CUE), offered in certain Cisco ISR routers, offers affordable voicemail, integrated messaging, interactive voice response, and automated-attendant services for small to mid-size businesses and enterprise satellite locations with up to 500 voice mailboxes. Unity Express allows you to manage voicemail messages using a Cisco IP Phone display, your web browser, or an email system. ISR Routers for which Cisco Unity Express is available as an advanced integration module include Cisco's 1861, 2900, 3800, and 3900 Series. Progent can provide comprehensive deployment and support services for all Cisco routers.
Cisco Unified Contact Center
Unified Contact Center Enterprise (UCCE) works with CUCM and desktop agent applications like Finesse to provide automatic call distribution (ACD) features that allow an organization to connect customers with the proper salesperson or service representative. Unified CCE or UCCE provides smart call routing, computer telephony integration (CTI), multichannel contact management, call queuing, interactive voice response and consolidated company-wide reporting to simplify the deployment and administration of a modern customer contact center. Cisco platforms supporting UCCE's customer contact management ecosystem include Unified IP Phones, Cisco Voice Gateways, and Cisco LAN/WAN technology.
Unified Contact Center Express (CCX) provides an out-of-the-box solution for creating a customer contact center for mid-scale deployments that handle up to 400 agents. Several packages are offered, plus a selection of optional advanced features. Unified Contact Center Express works with Unified Communications Manager and provides intelligent call routing, contact management, integrated reporting, IVR, and management of voice, email, chat, and social media inquiries. Unified Contact Center Express comes with Finesse, a web-based desktop agent that needs no client software setup. Optional enhancements include call-in-queue, projected-wait-time announcements, and workforce and quality management.
Cisco Mobile Connect and Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, popularly referred to as Single Number Reach (SNR), allows users to be reached via a single phone number that rings at the same time on their Cisco IP Phone and their mobile phone. Users can transfer active calls between their Cisco IP phone and their cell phone without disruption. Unanswered calls can be redirected to a Cisco Unity or Unity Connection voicemail account. Users can create their own access lists that determine which calls are extended to alternate endpoints.
Cisco Prime Collaboration
Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning provides an automated platform for first-time deployments and for follow-on moves, adds, changes, and deletions. A user-friendly console provides a unified view of a subscriber and the subscriber's services. Cisco Prime Collaboration substantially speeds up company-wide installations and reduces the effort required to implement ongoing updates. Prime Collaboration also offers advanced analytics including application adoption and consumption rates, enabling administrators to make more efficient use of IT resources and further reduce TCO.
Cisco Communications Gateways
Cisco's collaboration gateways allow Cisco Unified Communications deployments to connect with public systems and with clients operating outside the corporate firewall. Cisco's portfolio of communication gateways provide unified communications support for a broad range of gateway and session-border-control deployments.
Communications gateways available from Cisco and supported by Progent's certified consultants include:
Expressway Communication Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful collaboration gatekeeper that enables companies to allow employees, suppliers, customers, or business partners who are working on different networks, workgroup platforms, or endpoint devices to connect to Unified Communication features. The Expressway gateway works with an enterprise Cisco CM deployment or Cisco Business Edition 6000 (BE6000), or can be accessed through the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS) to help make collaboration more universal. Key features of Cisco Expressway are:
Cisco's End-of-Life UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Phone Systems
The end-of-life Cisco Unified Communications 500 (UC500) product line is a VoIP communications solution for small organizations. UC500 packages deliver voice, data, voicemail, automated attendant, video, firewall, and wireless capabilities, work with older Cisco VoIP phones, and support various PSTN interfaces.
All UC500 series bundles include a desktop switch with 8 Power-over-Ethernet ports and additional FXS and foreign exchange office (FXO) interfaces, a firewall, and VPN support. Integrated WiFi is an option. VoIP user capacity can be increased by connecting with Cisco Catalyst Express switches. Every UC500 model also includes licenses for Cisco Unified Communications Manager for VoIP call processing and Cisco Unity Express software for voice messaging and automated attendant. The Cisco UC520 system supports 8 to 16 VoIP users and include 4 foreign exchange stations and 4 FXO interfaces. The Cisco UC540 package supports 32 clients and provides 8 FXO interfaces. The Cisco UC560 system supports 48 VoIP clients and 12 FXO ports.
Progent's Cisco-certified VoIP experts can help you to maintain your legacy UC500 VoIP system or design and implement a smooth upgrade to a modern IP telephony and voicemail solution such as Cisco's Business Edition 4000.
How Progent Can Help You with Cisco VoIP and IP Media Phones, CUCM, and Video Conferencing
Progent can provide remote or onsite access to a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Collaboration specialist to help you to design, implement, administer and troubleshoot unified communications networks based on Cisco Unified Communication products in an in-house, distributed, or hybrid deployment. Progent's Cisco engineers have in-depth backgrounds integrating Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, VoIP phones and soft phones, UC applications like Cisco Jabber and Unity Connection, Cisco's video conferencing products, communication gateways, utilities built into Cisco Catalyst switches and routers. Progent can also offer support for related technologies such as Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, Cisco Unified Border Element, SIP gateways, Call Admission Control, IP voice trunks, PSTN, and AVVID. Progent's SIP infrastructure consultants can in addition assist you to build SIP connectivity environments that incorporate SIP-based VoIP phones and media phones, SIP-based CUBE trunks, SIP conferencing and SIP administration tools via CUCM.
Progent's application programmers can create specialized unified communications software that will enable your business to integrate the features of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your company processes for enhanced efficiency. Progent can audit your existing network and Internet connectivity architecture to determine whether your environment is optimized to support high-quality IP voice and high-definition video, help you to select and deploy Cisco hardware and software appropriate for your current situation and future growth objectives, and interface your Cisco collaborative communications products with products from other suppliers. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified network security consultants can show you how to create, implement, and test a comprehensive security strategy for your converged communications ecosystem. In addition, Progent can help your organization to deploy Cisco fault-tolerant mechanisms such as Cisco Unified SRST for affordable call control backup in branch office and telecommuter sites, and Progent's disaster recovery preparedness experts can help you create a viable disaster recovery strategy to ensure the availability of your vital communications system.
Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Services
Versions of Cisco Unified Communications Manager 8.6 before 8.6 and every release of CallManager have reached end-of-life. This means Cisco will no longer enhance, repair, or test this older software. Security updates for this pivotal product will end, which in some situations may create regulatory compliance or even legal liability problems.
Progent continues to provide world-class consulting and troubleshooting support for outdated releases of Cisco Unified CM and CallManager, but if you are now using an out-of-dated edition of this essential application your organization should begin now to prepare for your migration. Progent's collaboration consultants can assist your company to upgrade efficiently to the current edition of Cisco Unified CM and can typically save customers up to 50% off consulting expense versus most computer service firms thanks to Progent's documented process and experience in this area. By following best practices, Progent can make sure your business gets a fast payback on your IT investment by showing you how to benefit fully from the new and improved features, reduced administrative and maintenance costs, more productive collaboration capabilities, and stronger data protection provided by the latest release of Cisco Unified Communications Manager.
Progent's upgrade services include ROI analysis, project management or co-management, system testing and validation, Cloud connectivity, setting up endpoint devices from Cisco and third-party vendors, smartphone and tablet connectivity, security and compliance services, streamlined management, disaster recovery planning, network infrastructure design, training, and continuing consulting services and troubleshooting. Progent also offers ultra-affordable migration service bundles to make sure your costs are predictable and affordable.
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