Sending live voice and video over IP has advanced from simply being being a smart method to save money on phone bills to a required tool for collaboration and productivity. Converged communications, at one time restricted to combining Internet-based voice and faxes on one platform in order to replace expensive PBX systems, now includes rich media, mobility, messaging, presence, services, and much more all in a cohesive framework that is easy to manage, extensible, protected, fault-tolerant, economical, and user friendly.
Cisco is the leader in providing solutions for supporting the modern paradigm of unified communications (UC). Cisco's UC solution enhances the efficiency of IT systems by slashing operating expenses; integrating rich media features with familiar software programs to increase user output; facilitating collaboration among workers, associates, and suppliers to save effort and improve business outcomes; and streamlining the support of your converged voice and data environment.
Cisco's UC technology address these primary product areas:,
Call and Session Control Agents - Unified Communications Manager (CallManager)
Cisco's call-processing agent is the heart of Cisco's IP collaboration system and provides the versatility to deploy a central call-processing model, a decentralized design, or a mix of both. In a centralized approach, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) extends corporate telephony capabilities to packet telephony products such as VoIP handsets, media management appliances, Voice over IP gateways, and multimedia applications throughout the IT environment. Cisco Unified Communications Manager supports additional voice, video, and data functions including unified messaging, video conferencing, and group-based customer communication networks.
The most recent release of Cisco Unified Communications Manager, previously known as Cisco CallManager, offers a wealth of improvements that speed up your return on investment by lowering management and support costs, increasing user productivity, facilitating teamwork, supporting the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) model of computing, elevating security, and making efficient use of IT resources. Headline new features include automatic dial-plan replication, simplified certificate control, expanded support for single sign-on for administrators and end users, device-agnostic call recording, on-the-road access with no need for VPN tunneling, a new self-care utility that makes it simple for users to install their preferences for all devices, and support for Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol for mobile clients.
When you implement a centralized Cisco Unified Communications Manager cluster to manage voice processing for users at remote sites, administrators can help ensure continuous phone operation through Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, an IOS Software image for routers. If a WAN link fails, Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony in the router offers basic UC Manager services until the connection is restored. For a description of Progent's consulting support services for Cisco routers, see consulting support for Cisco Integrated Services routers.
For small businesses, branch locations, 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 cost-effective solution that meets the requirements of sites with up to 450 workers. Because Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is embedded in the Cisco IOS Software operating on a Cisco ISR router, smaller offices can quickly set up a unified voice/data environment.
Cisco's Business Edition 6000 is a line of end-to-end solutions that offer essential collaboration features including routing, gateway, high definition voice/video, messaging, chat and real-time presence, conferencing, and paging support, enabling any end user to collaborate on any device from anywhere. All systems are delivered preinstalled with virtualization and collaboration applications, making implementation fast and simple and reducing cost of ownership for organizations with up to 1000 workers. All BE6000 versions come packaged preinstalled with virtualization and UC applications. You can instantly enable Unified Communications applications whenever their requirements grow.
The entry-level Business Edition 6000S includes five standard unified communications applications installed on a single integrated router/gateway/virtualized blade server platform and can handle as many as 150 workers and 300 devices. The mid-market Business Edition 6000M includes four collaboration application options activated on a virtualized C220 M4 server and can handle up to 1000 workers, 1200 devices, and 100 contact center agents. The high-end Business Edition 6000H includes eight unified communications application options enabled on a virtualized C220 M4 server and supports up to 1000 users, 2500 devices, and 100 contact center agents.
For additional information about Progent's support for Unified Communications Manager (CallManager), visit Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) and Cisco CallManager design, integration, migration and technical support.
Cisco IP Phones: IP Voice and IP Media Endpoints
A communications endpoint is an end-user instrument, either a hardware handset or a soft phone program on a desktop or handheld computer. In the Internet Protocol world, each IP phone is Ethernet connected. Voice over IP phones offer all of the capabilities that a conventional phone has, but IP phones can also offer extra features including the ability to access the web or host business applications.
Unlike traditional PBX technology, in a Cisco IP communications network you can implement almost instantaneous relocations, adds, and changes. All you do is take the IP phone to its new spot, attach it to the Ethernet connection, and the IP phone announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All client permissions and settings are automatically re-established, eliminating the expense and delay of sending technicians to wiring closets. An additional helpful capability is extension mobility, which allows you to sign into any Cisco VoIP device and receive your personal phone number and rights.
Cisco provides a wide selection of VoIP hardware endpoints. Cisco's low-cost SPA 300 Series are basic IP and DECT phones offering wide-band audio, compatibility with hosted IP telephony systems or an IP PBX, simple deployment and secure online installation, unobtrusive software updates, and browser-based set up. The value-priced SPA301 is a single-line VoIP phone with no screen or speakerphone function, a base dialer that has a single Ethernet connector, and a corded handset with no a keypad. The SPA302D, designed exclusively for operation with Cisco's SPA232D Multi-Line DECT ATA, is a multiple-line cordless Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications IP phone that supports 10-lines, a TFT 176 x 220 color screen, and a dial pad with speakerphone capability. Cisco's SPA303 is an entry-level three-line SIP-based phone with two Ethernet ports, a 128x64 mono graphical display and a speaker.
The SPA500 Series IP phones are low-cost endpoints that support 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 monochrome screen display, The SPA501G VoIP phone supports eight lines and has eight programmable buttons but no hi-res display. The SPA502G IP Phone supports a single line and has no soft buttons. The SPA504G VoIP phone supports four lines and has four programmable buttons. The SPA508G IP Phone supports eight lines and eight soft keys. The SPA509G IP Phone supports 12 lines and has 12 programmable keys. The SPA512G IP Phone supports four lines, no soft buttons and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The SPA514G IP Phone supports four lines, has programmable keys, and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The top-of-the-line SPA525G2 includes a 320 x 240 color screen, supports five lines, and includes five programmable buttons.
Cisco's Unified IP Phones 3900 Series and IP Phones 6900 Series are specialty IP voice endpoints intended for infrequent-use settings like lobbies, hallways, and conference centers. Cisco's Unified SIP Phone 3905 IP Phone features a 128 x 32 pixel mono non-backlit screen, a 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and Power over Ethernet (PoE). The bare-bones Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a one-line endpoint without a 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 devices with backlit monochrome screens, four programmable keys, 11 dedicated keys, an integral Ethernet switch with Power over Ethernet (PoE), and a speakerphone. Cisco's 7800 Series VoIP phones support only the SIP call control protocol. All models in Cisco's 7800 Series incorporate the same high-fidelity speakers and microphones as Cisco's 8800 Series IP phones to deliver a state-of-the-art audio experience. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save feature, available on the advanced 7800 units, reduces off-hours energy consumption by up to 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a single-line phone designed for common areas as well as for workers with infrequent 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 via an optional wideband handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a dual-line phone with a 396 x 162 display. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line VoIP phone with a 396 x 162 display and is the only model in the 7800 family that provides 1xGb Ethernet. The top-of-the-line IP Phone 7861 VoIP phone is a 16-line device targeted for administrative staff, contact center personnel, and managers who have heavy call needs.
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are dual-protocol (SIP/SCCP) media endpoints with a 320 x 240 pixel color screen, an integral 1xGb Ethernet switch, Class 3 Power over Ethernet, 10 fixed-feature keys and a speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7945G is a two-line device and the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G includes four lines. Both VoIP phones have a 5-inch screen and four soft keys. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G device is an eight-line media phone featuring a 5.6-inch touch screen and five soft buttons.
Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a portfolio of SIP-only IP phones that includes desktop devices, a conference phone, and 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 soft keys and 12 dedicated keys. Cisco's IP Phone 8811 features a monochrome screen and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet. Cisco's IP Phone 8841 features a WVGA color display and supports Class 2 PoE. 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 features a WVGA color display and one USB connection with charging capability, supports Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice and Class 3 Power over Ethernet, and is offered in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth models. 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 ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE.
Cisco's wireless VoIP phones are hardened Wi-Fi devices intended for workers who are on the move within campus, warehouse, retail or other environments where management wants user endpoints that provide more administrative control, data security and durability than is achievable with the BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) style of workplace communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones offer mobile onsite workers the benefits of voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) communications in workplaces that support 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi infrastructure. The 8821 Wireless IP Phone features a 2.4 inch color display, a durable case rated Mil-SPEC 810G to withstand dropping and compliant with IP67 for dust and splash resistance, extended batteries, a speakerphone, and an integrated Bluetooth transceiver for hands-free operation with wireless headsets. The 8821-EX Wireless VoIP Phone adds spark suppression for use in potentially combustible environments. The 8821-EX also has a case made out of yellow plastics, which makes it easy to find during an emergency. Find out about Progent's Cisco Wireless VoIP Phone integration support.
Cisco's legacy 9900 line of high-performance VoIP endpoints mix high-quality voice with business-grade color screens to deliver a productive collaborative unified communications solution for knowledge professionals and executive management. Both models in this line feature an SD 24-bit color screen, a Bluetooth 2.0 radio to support a wide range of headsets, and a built-in 1 GE Ethernet switch. Cisco's Power Save function is offered as an option and can reduce off-work energy use by up to 90 percent. The IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch screen and supports up to 2 Cisco IP Expansion Modules for adding programmable line and feature keys. The Cisco IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch display, an integrated 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi radio for connecting to wireless networks, and 4 customizable touchscreen keys to access Cisco UC functions. The 9971 VoIP phone supports up to 3 Cisco IP Expansion Modules for expanding customizable line and feature keys.
Cisco Unified Communications Applications
Within Cisco's Unified Communications architecture, IP voice, IP video, and other UC applications are physically independent from the call-processing and voice-processing infrastructure, and they may be at any location within the system. A single network framework provides an open environment for powerful business applications and serves as a firm foundation for future convergence-based software. Cisco cooperates with leading IT industry partners to provide a broad selection of IP voice and video applications and products. Cisco also supports the ability to develop and manage customized internal programs.
UC applications offered by Cisco and supported by Progent's consultants include:
Jabber
Jabber is a unified communications client application that provides presence, instant messaging, business-quality voice, high-definition video, voice messaging, desktop sharing, and online conferencing capabilities for Windows PCs, Apple Macs, Apple and Android tablets as well as smartphones. Jabber is a rebranding and combination of the Cisco Unified Personal Communicator soft phone, Cisco Mobile, and Cisco WebEx Connect, with major enhancements in the areas of video capabilities and desktop screen sharing, and expanding the team environment to additional operating systems and devices. Cisco Jabber works in conjunction with Unified Communications Manager for call control, Cisco Unified Presence for IM and presence, Unity Connection for voicemail and programmable attendant, and WebEX Meeting for conferencing.
Since Cisco Jabber utilizes key communication standards, it can interoperate with a wide range of non-Cisco platforms. As an example, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) enables Cisco Jabber users to trade IM and presence data with a variety of XMPP clients including as Adium for Mac, Sametime, and Microsoft Lync and Office Communications Server. Jabber capabilities can be accessed from Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook and SharePoint. This extensive platform support optimizes productivity by delivering a common user environment and fully enabling the BYOD paradigm of computing. Progent can provide the expertise of Microsoft-certified Exchange consultants and Microsoft SharePoint programmers who can show you how to take advantage of Jabber with Microsoft's powerful collaboration platforms. Progent also offers expertise with iPhone integration and Google Android smartphone and tablet integration to help you to increase the business value of your BYOD ecosystem.
WebEX Meeting Center
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center provides online meetings for participants using a browser or almost any PC or handheld device. Cisco WebEx is delivered as software as a service (SaaS) via the Cisco WebEx Cloud. This makes it simple to deploy and scale, reduces the cost of administration, avoids high initial investment, offers high availability and enterprise-class security, and provides excellent throughput. Important capabilities include the ability to share specific content or your whole screen with online attendees in real time, the capability to embed multimedia into your presentations including PowerPoint and Flash videos, session and content recording plus editing and playback for training and demonstrations, single sign-on and support for Cisco collaboration applications like Jabber and TelePresence, plus strong data protection and encrypted connections with strict policy control.
WebEX Meeting Center works with Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs and allows mobile workers to start, calendarize, and take part in meetings on Google Android smartphones and tablets, iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry phones, and Windows Phone. Users can also initiate online meetings instantly from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Lotus Notes, and a variety of instant messaging applications.
Cisco TelePresence Portfolio for In-house Video Conferencing Ecosystems
For medium-size organizations and larger enterprises who want to create an in-house or hybrid local/cloud environment for teleconferencing, Cisco provides a selection of Cisco TelePresence platforms that enable high-definition teleconferencing for users with virtually any endpoint device at any location. Cisco TelePresence Server is a scalable video conferencing bridge that runs with Cisco Unified CM to bring multiparty telepresence to unified communications environments and can extend meetings to include cloud-connected WebEx Meeting Center users. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software streamlines management of how teleconferencing bandwidth and features are allotted for every individual participant, enabling administrators to define the exact service level and experience needed for each user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server captures video and presentations for live streaming as well as video on demand (VOD) playback.
Cisco's Unity Connection and Unity Express for Unified Voice Messaging
Cisco's Unity Connection, an extension of Cisco Unified CM, is a unified voicemail system that accelerates productive collaboration by providing a variety of alternatives for accessing calls and messages within an environment that is simple to deploy and maintain. Cisco Unity Connection lets you access and manage voice messages from your email inbox, browser, Cisco Jabber messaging integration platform, a Cisco Unified VoIP Phone, a smartphone, or an iPad or tablet. Cisco Unity Connection also offers sophisticated speech-recognition features for hands and eyes free operation and powerful Automated Attendant capabilities such as intelligent routing for inbound calls and easily customizable call-screening and message-notification options. The Cisco Unity Connection platform operates as a virtual machine that can reside on a Business Edition 6000 server or a Cisco SRE 910 router service module and can support up to 20,000 voice mailboxes on each server.
Unity Express (CUE), offered in certain Cisco Integrated Services routers, offers cost-effective voicemail, integrated messaging, interactive voice response, and automated-attendant functions for small to medium businesses (SMBs) and enterprise branch offices with as many as 500 workers. Cisco Unity Express permits you to manage voicemail messages via a Cisco IP Phone screen, a browser, or an email client. Cisco routers for which Unity Express is available as a network module include Cisco's 2800, 2900, and 3900 families. Progent offers certified configuration and troubleshooting services for Integrated Services Routers.
Cisco Unified Contact Center
Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE) integrates closely with Cisco CUCM and desktop agent apps such as Finesse to offer automatic call distribution features that allow an organization to connect customers with the appropriate sales or support person. Unified CCE features intelligent call distribution, computer telephony integration, support for multichannel customer contact management, network-wide call queuing, interactive voice response (IVR) and advanced enterprise-wide reporting to simplify the deployment and management of a large-scale customer contact center. Cisco products supporting UCCE's client contact management solution include Unified IP Phones, Voice, and Cisco network infrastructure.
Unified Contact Center Express (Unified CCX) offers an out-of-the-box solution for creating a customer contact center for branch or midmarket deployments that handle up to 400 agents. Multiple packages are offered, as well as a variety of special options. Cisco Unified Contact Center Express integrates with Cisco CUCM and provides smart call distribution, client interaction management, reporting, IVR, and management of voice, email, chat, and social media inquiries. Unified CCX comes with Finesse, a web-based customizable desktop agent that needs no client installation. Advanced options include conditional routing, estimated-wait-time messages, and workforce quality management.
Cisco Mobile Connect for Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, popularly referred to as Single Number Reach (SNR), allows users to be reached via one phone number that rings at the same time on their Cisco desktop IP Phone and their mobile phone. Users can transfer active calls between their desktop IP phone and their cell phone seamlessly. Calls that are not answered can be redirected to a Cisco Unity or Cisco Unity Connection account. Users can create personal access lists that determine which calls are extended to alternate endpoints.
Cisco Prime Collaboration
Cisco Prime Collaboration provides an automated platform for initial installs as well as for follow-on moves, adds, changes, and deletions. An intuitive console provides a unified view of a subscriber and the subscriber's services. Cisco Prime Collaboration significantly speeds up site rollouts and reduces the time needed for future changes. Prime Collaboration also provides advanced analytics including application adoption and consumption trends, enabling organizations to optimize resources and further reduce total cost of ownership.
Cisco Communications Gateways
Cisco's collaboration gateways allow Cisco converged communications networks to connect with other networks and with users working beyond the corporate firewall. Cisco's line of communication gateways deliver unified communications services for a broad range of gateway as well as session-border-control deployments.
Communications gateways offered by Cisco and supported by Progent include:
Expressway Converged Communication Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful unified communications and collaboration gateway that allows companies to provide employees, suppliers, customers, or business partners who are using different network environments, workgroup applications, or endpoint equipment to access to Cisco Unified Communication services. The Expressway integrates with a Cisco Communications Manager system or Cisco Business Edition, or can be accessed via the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution to make productive collaboration more pervasive. Key features of Cisco Expressway include:
Cisco's Legacy UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Gateways
The end-of-life Cisco Unified Communications 500 product line is an early VoIP gateway solution for small businesses. UC500 packages provide voice, data, voicemail, auto attendant, video, firewall, and wireless capabilities, work with older generation Cisco VoIP endpoints, and support various public switched telephone network connections.
All of UC500 series bundles include a desktop switch appliance with 8 PoE interfaces and additional foreign exchange stations (FXS) and foreign exchange office (FXO) ports, a firewall, and VPN support. Integrated WiFi is an option. User capacity can be expanded by connecting with Cisco Catalyst Express companion switches. Every UC500 offering 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 users and incorporate 4 FXS and 4 FXO interfaces. The Cisco UC540 system supports 32 users and has 8 foreign exchange office ports. The Cisco UC560 package supports 48 VoIP clients and 12 foreign exchange office ports.
Progent's seasoned VoIP experts can help you to maintain your legacy UC500 VoIP gateway or plan and implement an efficient migration to a current IP telephony and voicemail solution such as the Cisco Business Edition 4000.
How Progent Can Help You with Cisco IP Voice and IP Media Phones, CUCM, and Video Conferencing
Progent offers online or onsite help from a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Collaboration expert to help you to design, deploy, administer and repair unified communications environments that incorporate Cisco Unified Communication technology in an in-house, distributed, or hybrid deployment. Progent's Cisco consultants have in-depth backgrounds integrating Cisco Unified Communications Manager and CallManager, IP voice and video phones and soft phones, UC applications like Cisco Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's immersive telepresence products, collaboration gatekeepers, utilities built into Cisco switches and routers. Progent can also provide expertise with related technologies such as Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, Cisco Unified Border Element, H.323 and H.264 gateways, CAC, VoIP trunks, PSTN, and Cisco's architecture for voice, video and integrated data. Progent's SIP integration experts can also assist you to build SIP infrastructure solutions that incorporate SIP VoIP phones and media endpoints, SIP trunks, SIP conferencing and SIP administration tools with CUCM.
Progent's application programmers can build specialized unified communications applications that will help your business to incorporate the telephony capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your company processes for increased efficiency. Progent can evaluate your current network and Internet access architecture to determine whether your system is configured to accommodate high-quality VoIP and high-definition video, help you to select and install Cisco hardware and software appropriate for your current needs and future growth plans, and integrate your Cisco Unified Communications products with technology from other vendors. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified network security consultants can assist you to develop, deploy, and validate a comprehensive security and compliance strategy for your unified communications ecosystem. In addition, Progent can help you to configure Cisco high-availability mechanisms such as Cisco Unified Survivable Remote Site Telephony for affordable call control backup in branch office and home-office sites, and Progent's disaster recovery and business continuity preparedness experts can help you create a viable disaster recovery plan to ensure the availability of your business-critical unified communications system.
Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Consulting
Versions of Cisco Unified CM before 8.6 and every version of its predecessor CallManager have reached end-of-life. This means Cisco will cease to develop, fix, or validate the product software. Security updates for this business-critical product will end, which in some situations may create regulatory compliance or even potential liability problems.
Progent continues to offer comprehensive support for end-of-life versions of Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, but in case your company is now using an out-of-dated release of this pivotal software your organization should start now to prepare for your migration. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting professionals can help you to migrate efficiently to the current release of Unified Communications Manager and can typically save customers up to 50% off consulting costs compared to most IT service companies because of Progent's documented process and hands-on experience in this practice area. By following best practices, Progent can ensure that your business sees a fast return on your investment by showing you how to benefit fully from the enhanced features, lower management and maintenance costs, more productive collaboration capabilities, and stronger security provided by the current edition of Unified CM.
Progent's upgrade consulting services include return-on-investment analysis, project management, pilot testing, Cloud integration, setting up collaboration endpoints from Cisco and third-party providers, smartphone and tablet connectivity, security and compliance services, management automation, disaster recovery/business continuity planning, network infrastructure design, training for IT staff and end users, and ongoing consulting and troubleshooting. Progent also has put together ultra-affordable upgrade service bundles to keep your costs predictable and affordable.
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