Exchanging live voice and video over IP has advanced from simply being being a smart means to save money on phone bills to being a required technology for productive collaboration. Unified IP communications, once limited to integrating Internet-based voice calls and faxing on a single system to take the place of expensive PBX systems, now incorporates voice and video, mobile communications, messaging, real-time presence, collaboration services, and much more within a single framework that is easy to manage, extensible, highly secure, fault-tolerant, cost-effective, and user friendly.
Cisco is the global leader in providing the hardware and software infrastructure for supporting the modern paradigm of unified communications (UC). Cisco's UC solution enhances the productivity of information systems by cutting operational expenses; combining rich media features with popular software applications to increase worker output; supporting teamwork among workers, partners, and suppliers to save time and enhance business outcomes; and streamlining the administration of your converged voice and data environment.
Cisco's Unified Communications technology cover several primary product areas:,
Call and Session Processing Software - Unified Communications Manager/CallManager
The call-processing agent is the centerpiece of Cisco's IP telephony infrastructure and gives you the flexibility to implement a centralized call-processing design, a decentralized model, or a combination of the two. In a centralized approach, Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) expands enterprise telephony features to packet telephony network devices such as IP handsets, media management appliances, Voice over IP gateways, and multimedia applications throughout the network. Unified Communications Manager enables extra voice, video, and data functions including unified messaging, video conferencing, and group-based client communication networks.
The most recent version of Unified Communications Manager, previously named CallManager, includes a wealth of improvements that speed up ROI by lowering administrative and maintenance costs, increasing worker productivity, enhancing collaboration, accommodating the BYOD style of working, elevating data protection, and allowing optimal use of network infrastructure. Headline innovations include Global Dial Plan Replication (GDPR), simplified certificate management, extended support for standards-based single sign-on (SSO) for administrators and users, device-independent call recording, on-the-road connectivity with no need for VPN, a revamped self-provisioning utility that makes it easy for users to manage their preferences for all of their endpoint devices, and support for Transport Layer Security for mobile clients.
In cases where you deploy a central Unified Communications Manager cluster to manage voice processing for users at distributed locations, IT managers can help ensure continuous phone operation using Cisco SRST, a Cisco IOS Software image for routers. If a WAN connection breaks, Cisco SRST incorporated in the router offers core UC Manager capabilities until the connection is repaired. For a description of Progent's consulting support services for Cisco ISR routers, see consulting and troubleshooting support for Cisco Integrated Services routers.
For small business networks, branch offices, and retail deployments that do not require the complete functionality available from Unified CM, Unified Communications Manager Express, formerly known as CallManager Express offers a budget-friendly PBX alternative that handles the needs of locations with up to 450 users. Because Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is built into the Cisco IOS Software operating on a Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR), smaller organizations can rapidly set up a converged voice/data environment.
Cisco's Business Edition 6000 is a family of end-to-end platforms that provide essential collaboration capabilities including routing, IP gateway, high definition voice and video, messaging, chat and real-time presence, voice and video conferencing, and paging services, enabling any user to collaborate on any endpoint device from any location. All BE6000 systems are shipped preloaded with a virtualization hypervisor and Unified Communications applications software, making implementation quick and simple and reducing cost of ownership for companies with up to 1000 workers. All solutions come preconfigured with virtualization and collaboration applications software. You can instantly enable Unified Communications applications when their needs grow.
The office-in-a-box BE6000S includes five fixed UC software applications preloaded on a single integrated ISR router/IP gateway/virtualized blade server device and supports up to 150 users and 300 endpoint devices. The medium-scale Business Edition 6000M supports four unified communications application options enabled on a single virtualized C220 M4 server and can handle up to 1000 workers, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The high-end Business Edition 6000H includes 8 UC software application options activated on a single virtualized C220 M4 server and can handle up to 1000 workers, 2500 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents.
For additional information about Progent's support for Unified Communications Manager (CallManager), see Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager design, configuration, upgrades and technical support.
IP Phones: IP Voice and IP Video Phones
A communications endpoint is an end-user instrument, either a physical handset or a software phone application that runs on a PC or handheld computer. In the Internet Protocol environment, each IP handset or soft phone has an Ethernet connection. IP phones have all of the functions that an analog phone has, but Voice over IP phones can also offer additional features such as the ability to connect to websites or run collaboration software.
In contrast to conventional Private Branch Exchange technology, in a Cisco IP communications environment you can perform virtually instantaneous relocations, adds, and modifications. All you do is move the VoIP phone to your new location, plug it into an Ethernet jack, and the phone registers itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All client permissions and configurations are programmatically re-established, doing away with the cost and hassle of dispatching technicians to wiring closets. Another useful capability is extension mobility, which allows you to sign into any Cisco VoIP phone and receive your personal phone ID and privileges.
Cisco provides a broad range of collaboration handsets. The low-cost Small Business SPA 300 family are no-frills IP and DECT devices that feature high-quality voice, compatibility with hosted Internet Protocol phone environments or an IP private branch exchange (PBX), simple deployment and safe remote provisioning, zero-downtime software upgrades, and browser-based configuration. The value-priced SPA301 is a single-line VoIP endpoint with no screen or speakerphone function, a base dialer that has one Ethernet connector, and a wired handset without keys. The SPA302D, intended exclusively for use with Cisco's SPA232D Multi-Line DECT Analog Telephone Adapter, is a multiple-line cordless DECT handset that offers 10-lines, a TFT 176 x 220 color display, and a dial pad with speakerphone capability. The SPA303 is an affordable 3-line SIP-based phone with two Ethernet ports, a 128x64 monochrome screen and a speaker.
Cisco's SPA500 line IP phones are affordable endpoints that support both SIP and SPCP call control protocols, two switch ports, speakerphones, built-in web servers, PoE, and conferencing support. Most models have a 128 x 64 pixel monochrome screen display, The SPA501G VoIP phone supports eight lines and has eight programmable keys but no LCD screen. The SPA502G IP Phone supports a single line and has no soft buttons. The SPA504G IP Phone supports four lines and has four programmable buttons. The SPA508G has eight lines and eight soft buttons. The SPA509G IP Phone supports 12 lines and features 12 programmable buttons. The SPA512G IP Phone supports four lines, no programmable keys and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The SPA514G IP Phone supports four lines, has programmable keys, and supports Gigabit Ethernet. The top-of-the-line SPA525G2 includes a 320 x 240 color display, supports five lines, and has five programmable buttons.
Cisco's IP Phones 3900 Series and IP Phones 6900 Series are specialty IP voice devices intended for occasional-use settings such as lobbies, elevators, and conference facilities. Cisco's Unified SIP Phone 3905 IP Phone features a 128 x 32 mono screen, a 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and Power over Ethernet. The simple Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a single-line device with no display and uses a hook switch for transferring a call and joining a conference.
Cisco's 7800 Series of budget-priced IP phones are VoIP endpoints with backlit mono displays, four soft buttons, 11 fixed-feature keys, an integral Ethernet switch with Class 1 Power over Ethernet, and an integral speakerphone. Cisco's 7800 Series support only the SIP call control protocol. All devices in Cisco's 7800 family 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 higher end 7800 units, reduces after-hours energy consumption by as much as 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a single-line VoIP phone intended for shared areas and for employees with occasional-to-light call requirements. The IP 7811 VoIP phone comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 display and a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is available through an optional wideband handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a two-line endpoint with a 396 x 162 display. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line VoIP endpoint with a 396 x 162 display and is the only unit in the 7800 family that provides Gigabit Ethernet. The high-end IP Phone 7861 VoIP phone is a 16-line endpoint intended for administrators, call center personnel, and managers who have heavy call requirements.
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are SIP and SCCP media endpoints with a 320 x 240 color screen, 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 includes four lines. Both IP phones include a 5-inch display and four soft keys. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G unit is an eight-line media phone featuring a 5.6-inch touch screen and five programmable keys.
Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a line of SIP-only endpoints that features desktop devices, a conference phone, and mobile wireless IP Phones. The desktop units are five-line IP phones featuring a 5-inch 800 x 480 pixel screen, a Gigabit Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, four programmable keys and 12 fixed-feature keys. Cisco's IP Phone 8811 features a backlit monochrome display and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet. 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, an adjustable camera, Bluetooth, Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, and supports Class 2 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8851 features a WVGA color display 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 includes a WVGA color display, Bluetooth, dual USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8865 has a WVGA color display, 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 VoIP phones are hardened Wi-Fi handsets intended for professionals who are mobile within office, warehouse, retail or other venues where management wants user endpoints that provide more control, security and ruggedness than is achievable with the Bring-Your-Own-Device style of mobile collaboration. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones offer on-the-move onsite users the advantages of voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) technology in environments with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi. Cisco's 8821 Wireless IP Phone features a 2.4 inch color display, a rugged case rated Mil-SPEC 810G to withstand dropping and compliant with IP67 for particulate and moisture resistance, extended batteries, a built-in speakerphone, and an integrated Bluetooth 4.0 radio to support cordless headsets. Cisco's 8821-EX Wireless IP Phone adds spark suppression for use in potentially combustible work sites. Cisco's 8821-EX also features a case made of yellow plastics, which makes the device easy to locate the event of a crisis. Find out about Progent's Wireless VoIP Phone integration support.
Cisco's discontinued 9900 line of powerful VoIP endpoints integrate high-quality voice with high-resolution color video to provide a productive multimedia communications solution for knowledge professionals and executives. Both IP phones in this line have an SD 640x480 pixel color screen, a Bluetooth 2.0 radio to work with a broad selection of headsets, and a built-in Gigabit Ethernet switch. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save feature is offered as an option and can reduce off-work power use by up to 90 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch display and allows up to 2 IP Expansion Modules for adding scalability to programmable line and function keys. The Cisco IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch screen, an integrated 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi radio for deployment with wireless networks, and four programmable touchscreen keys to invoke Cisco Unified Communications functions. The 9971 IP phone supports up to 3 Cisco IP Expansion Modules for adding scalability to programmable line and feature keys.
Unified Communications Application Software
Within Cisco's Unified Communications platform, IP telephony, IP video, and other converged applications are isolated from the call/voice processing infrastructure, and they may reside anywhere within the network. A single network framework provides an open environment for feature-rich business applications and serves as a solid foundation for future convergence-based applications. Cisco cooperates with leading technology partners to offer a wide range of IP telephony and video applications and devices. Cisco also supports the ability to create and manage customized internal applications.
Collaborative applications offered by Cisco and supported by Progent include:
Cisco Jabber
Jabber is a converge media application that provides presence, instant messaging, business-quality voice, HD video, voicemail, screen sharing, and online conferencing features for PCs, Apple Macs, tablets as well as iPhones, Android phones, and Blackberries. Cisco Jabber is a rebranding and integration of the Unified Personal Communicator, Cisco Mobile, and Cisco WebEx Connect, with significant improvements to HD video capabilities and desktop sharing, and extending the collaboration experience to more platforms and devices. Cisco Jabber works with Unified CM for call control, Cisco Unified Presence for IM and presence, Cisco Unity Connection for voice messaging and automated attendant, and WebEX Meeting for online meetings.
Since Cisco Jabber is built around key communication protocols, it can interoperate with a wide selection of non-Cisco products. As an example, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) enables Jabber to trade IM and presence data with other XMPP clients including as Adium for Mac OS, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync. Cisco Jabber features are available from Microsoft Office programs including Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft SharePoint. This cross-platform support maximizes productivity by providing a consistent user environment and fully enabling the BYOD model of computing. Progent offers the expertise of Microsoft-certified Exchange and Outlook consultants and Microsoft SharePoint experts who can assist you to integrate Jabber with Microsoft's popular collaboration products. Progent also can provide expertise with Apple iPhone integration and management as well as Android smartphone and tablet integration to help your organization to enhance the business value of your BYOD environment.
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center provides online conferencing for users with a browser or almost any desktop or handheld computer. Cisco WebEx Meeting Center is offered as SaaS via Cisco's WebEx Cloud. This makes it easy to deploy and scale, reduces the cost of administration, avoids major up-front investment, features maximum uptime and enterprise-grade data protection, and provides fast throughput. Important features include support for sharing discrete content or an whole screen with remote attendees in real time, the capability to embed multimedia into presentations including Microsoft PowerPoint and Flash videos, session recording plus editing and playback for training and demonstrations, single sign-on and integration with Cisco collaboration applications such as Jabber and Cisco TelePresence, plus strong data privacy and encrypted access with strict policy management.
WebEX Meeting Center runs on Windows, Apple Mac, and Linux-powered desktops and notebooks and allows mobile users to initiate, schedule, and take part in conferences on Android devices, iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry phones, and Windows Phone. You can also launch web conferences with a few clicks from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Lotus Notes, and a variety of instant messaging applications.
Cisco TelePresence Products for On-premises Teleconferencing Infrastructure
For medium-size organizations and enterprises who want to build an on-premises or hybrid local/cloud solution for video conferencing, Cisco provides a selection of Cisco TelePresence software and equipment that deliver high-quality and standards-based video conferencing for participants with almost any IP endpoint at any location. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable video conferencing bridge that runs in conjunction with Cisco Unified CM to deliver multiparty video, audio and content sharing to UC environments and can extend conferences to incorporate cloud-based WebEx Meeting Center participants. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software streamlines management of the way video conferencing resources are rationed for each attendee, enabling managers to specify the exact service level and experience needed for every user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server captures video and presentations for live distribution and video on demand playback.
Cisco Unity Connection and Unity Express for Converged Voicemail
The Cisco Unity Connection, an extension of Unified Communications Manager, is a unified voicemail system that promotes productive collaboration by providing a variety of options for accessing calls and messages within a framework that is simple to deploy and maintain. Unity Connection allows you to access and manage your voicemail from your email inbox, browser, Cisco Jabber messaging integration platform, a Cisco Unified IP endpoint, an iPhone or other smartphone, or an iPad or tablet. Unity Connection also offers sophisticated voice-recognition capabilities for hands-free operation and extensive Automated Attendant functions such as intelligent routing for inbound phone calls and easily customizable call-screening and message-alert options. The Cisco Unity Connection platform runs as a virtual machine that can be hosted on a BE6000 server or a Cisco Services Ready Engine 910 router blade and can accommodate up to 20,000 voice mailboxes on each server.
Unity Express (CUE), offered in select Cisco Integrated Services routers, offers affordable voicemail, integrated messaging, interactive voice response, and automated-attendant services for small to mid-size businesses and corporate branch locations with up to 500 voice mailboxes. Cisco Unity Express permits you to manage voicemail using a Cisco Unified IP Phone display, a browser, or your email client. Cisco routers for which Unity Express is available as a network module include Cisco's 1861, 2800, 2900, and 3900 Series. Progent can provide comprehensive consulting and troubleshooting services for all ISR routers.
Cisco Unified Contact Center
Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE) works with Cisco CUCM and desktop agent apps such as Cisco Finesse to offer automatic call distribution (ACD) capabilities that allow an organization to match customers with the proper salesperson or service representative. Unified CCE or UCCE offers smart call routing, computer telephony integration (CTI), multichannel customer contact management, network-wide call queuing, interactive voice response and advanced enterprise-wide reporting to simplify the deployment and management of a modern contact center. Cisco products incorporated in UCCE's client interaction management solution include Cisco Unified IP Phones, Voice, and Cisco LAN/WAN technology.
Unified Contact Center Express (CCX) offers an out-of-the-box bundle for building a customer interaction management center for branch or midmarket systems that handle as many as 400 agents. Multiple bundles are available, plus a selection of special options. Unified Contact Center Express integrates closely with Unified CM and offers smart call distribution, client management, reporting, interactive voice response, and management of voice, email, web chat, and social media requests. Unified CCX comes with Cisco Finesse, a browser-based customizable desktop agent that requires no client installation. Optional enhancements include conditional routing, expected-wait-time messages, and workforce and quality management.
Cisco Mobile Connect and Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, popularly referred to as Single Number Reach, makes it possible for users to be reached via a single number that rings at the same time on their desktop IP Phone and their cell phone. Users can transfer live conversations between their desktop VoIP phone and their smartphone seamlessly. Calls that are not answered can be redirected to a Cisco Unity or Unity Connection voicemail account. Users can create their own access lists that determine which calls get extended to alternate endpoints.
Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Cisco Prime Collaboration provides an automated process for first-time installs and for “day 2” moves, adds, changes, and deletions. An intuitive console provides a single look at a user and the subscriber's services. Cisco Prime Collaboration significantly speeds up site rollouts and minimizes the effort needed to implement future updates. Prime Collaboration also provides advanced analytics including application adoption and consumption trends, enabling administrators to optimize IT resources and further reduce total cost of ownership.
Cisco Collaboration Gateways
Cisco's communications gateways permit Cisco Unified Communications deployments to connect with other networks and with clients operating outside the corporate firewall. Cisco's portfolio of communication gateways deliver UC support for all types of gateway and session-border-control deployments.
Communications gateways available from Cisco and supported by Progent's certified consultants include:
Cisco Expressway Collaboration Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful converged media gatekeeper that enables organizations to provide colleagues, suppliers, customers, or business partners who are using various outside networks, workgroup platforms, or endpoint equipment to access to Cisco Unified Communication features. Cisco's Expressway gateway works in conjunction with a Cisco CM deployment or Cisco Business Edition 6000, or can be run through the cloud with Cisco HCS to help make productive collaboration more universal. Important capabilities of Cisco Expressway are:
Cisco's Legacy UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Phone Systems
The legacy Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series is a VoIP communications solution for small organizations. UC500 packages deliver voice, data, voicemail, auto attendant, video, firewall, and wireless capabilities, work with older generation Cisco VoIP phones, and support various public switched telephone network (PSTN) connections.
All of Cisco's UC500 packages include a desktop switch with 8 PoE interfaces plus additional foreign exchange stations (FXS) and foreign exchange office (FXO) ports, a firewall, and VPN. Built-in WiFi is optional. User capacity can be expanded by attaching Cisco Catalyst Express 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 FXS and 4 FXO ports. The Cisco UC540 system allows 32 clients and provides 8 foreign exchange office ports. The Cisco UC560 package supports 48 VoIP clients and 12 FXO interfaces.
Progent's Cisco-certified VoIP consultants can help you to support your legacy UC500 VoIP system or plan and carry out an efficient migration to a current VoIP solution like the Cisco Business Edition 4000.
How Progent Can Help You with Cisco IP Voice and IP Media Phones, CUCM, and Telepresence
Progent offers online or onsite help from a certified CCIE Collaboration expert to help you to design, deploy, administer and troubleshoot unified communications networks built on Cisco Unified Communication products in a centralized, cloud-based, or hybrid environment. Progent's Cisco engineers have in-depth experience with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, VoIP phones and soft phones, Unified Communications applications such as Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's video conferencing products, communication gateways, tools built into Cisco switches and routers. Progent can also offer expertise with technologies like Cisco SRST, Cisco Unified Border Element, H.323 gateways, Call Admission Control, VoIP trunks, PSTN, and Cisco's AVVID architecture. Progent's SIP integration consultants can in addition assist you to build SIP infrastructure solutions that include SIP VoIP phones and media endpoints, SIP trunks, SIP conferencing and SIP administration tools via Cisco Unified Communications Manager.
Progent's application developers can build specialized unified communications applications that will enable your company to incorporate the capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your business processes for enhanced productivity. Progent can evaluate your existing network and Internet access infrastructure to make sure your system is optimized to accommodate high-quality Voice over IP and high-definition video, assist you to select and integrate Cisco hardware and software appropriate for your present needs and downstream expansion plans, and interface your Cisco Unified Communications products with products from other vendors. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified network security consultants can show you how to create, deploy, and validate a comprehensive security and compliance plan for your converged communications solution. Also, Progent can assist your organization to configure Cisco high-availability mechanisms such as Cisco Unified SRST for affordable call control redundancy in branch office and home-office environments, and Progent's disaster recovery and business continuity preparedness experts can help you develop a viable DR/BC plan to protect your crucial communications environment.
Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Services
Versions of Cisco Unified CM lower than 8.6 and all versions of CallManager have reached end-of-life. Therefore Cisco Engineering will no longer enhance, fix, or test this older software. Security patches for this pivotal product will stop, which in certain circumstances could create regulatory compliance or potential liability problems.
Progent will continue to offer comprehensive support for end-of-life editions of Cisco Unified Communications Manager and CallManager, but in case your business is now using a legacy release of this pivotal software you should start immediately to prepare for your upgrade. Progent's Cisco-certified consultants can help your company to upgrade non-disruptively to the current version of Cisco Unified CM and can typically save customers up to 50% off consulting expense compared to most IT service firms thanks to Progent's documented process and hands-on experience in this area. By adhering to best practices, Progent can make sure your organization gets a fast return on your IT investment by showing you how to take full advantage of the enhanced features, reduced management and support expense, more productive collaboration capabilities, and tighter data protection offered by the current release of Cisco Unified Communications Manager.
Progent's migration services include return-on-investment assessment, project management, pilot testing, Cloud connectivity, configuring collaboration endpoints from Cisco and other suppliers, smartphone and tablet integration, security and compliance consulting, streamlined management, business continuity planning, network topology design, training, and continuing consulting and technical support. Progent also offers fixed-priced upgrade service bundles to make sure your costs are visible and affordable.
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