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Exchanging live voice and video over Internet Protocol has advanced from simply being being a savvy way to cut phone carrier bills to being a strategic technology for collaboration and worker productivity. Unified IP communications, at one time restricted to combining Internet-based voice and faxes on the same network platform in order to replace expensive PBX equipment, today encompasses voice and video, mobility, messaging, presence, services, and more in a single environment that is easy to manage, extensible, highly secure, fault-tolerant, economical, and user friendly.

Cisco is the leader in providing solutions required to support the modern model of unified communications (UC). Cisco's unified communications architecture enhances the productivity of information networks by cutting operational expenses; integrating multiple collaboration features with familiar software applications to increase user output; supporting teamwork among employees, associates, and vendors to save effort and improve business outcomes; and streamlining the administration of your converged voice and data ecosystem.

Cisco's UC solutions cover these main product areas:,

• Call Control Platforms for controlling calls and sessions
• Collaboration Endpoints to optimize worker productivity
• UC Applications for integrated access to real-time, chat, voice and video, phone messages, white boarding, and voice/video conferencing
• Communications Gateways for connecting to public networks and teleworkers

Call Processing Agents - Unified Communications Manager/CallManager
Cisco's call-processing agent is the heart of Cisco's IP Communications portfolio infrastructure and gives you the flexibility to implement a central call-processing model, a decentralized model, or a mix of both. In a centralized approach, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) extends enterprise telephony capabilities to packet telephony devices such as IP handsets, media processing products, Voice over IP gateways, and multimedia programs across the IT environment. Unified Communications Manager supports extra mixed media services such as unified messaging, multimedia conferencing, and group-based client interaction networks.

The most recent release of Cisco Unified CM, previously named CallManager, offers a variety of improvements that speed up your return on investment by lowering management and maintenance expenses, improving worker output, enhancing teamwork, accommodating the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) model of computing, fortifying security, and allowing efficient utilization of IT infrastructure. Top innovations include automatic dial-plan replication and batch provisioning, simplified certificate control, extended support for single sign-on (SSO) for administrators and end users, hardware-independent call recording, mobile access without requiring VPN, a revamped self-care interface that makes it easy for end users to install their options for all devices, and support for Transport Layer Security for mobile users.

When you implement a centralized Unified Communications Manager cluster to control call processing for users at remote locations, administrators can help ensure non-stop phone availability using Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, a Cisco IOS Software image for routers. If a WAN connection fails, Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony in the router offers core Cisco Unified Communications Manager services until the connection is returned. For a description of Progent's consulting support services for Cisco ISR routers, see consulting and troubleshooting support for Cisco routers.

For small business networks, branch locations, and retail environments that do not need the complete feature set available from Unified CM, Unified Communications Manager Express, previously known as CallManager Express provides an economical PBX alternative that handles the needs of sites with up to 450 users. Since Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is embedded in the IOS Software running on a Cisco router, smaller offices can quickly set up a converged voice and data environment.

The Cisco Business Edition 6000 is a family of end-to-end platforms that provide fundamental unified communications capabilities including routing, IP gateway, premium voice/video, messaging, chat and presence, voice and video conferencing, and paging services, allowing any end user to collaborate on any endpoint device from anywhere. All BE6000 systems are shipped preinstalled with virtualization and collaboration applications, making implementation quick and simple and cutting cost of ownership for organizations with up to 1000 employees. All versions are shipped preinstalled with a virtualization hypervisor and Unified Communications applications software. You can instantly activate UC software applications whenever their needs evolve.

The small-scale BE6000S includes five preselected UC applications preloaded on a single combination 2921V router/gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 blade server device and supports up to 150 users and 300 devices. The mid-market Business Edition 6000M includes 4 UC application options enabled on a single virtualized Cisco UCS C220 M4 server and supports as many as 1000 users, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The top-of-the-line BE6000S includes 8 collaboration software application options enabled on a single virtualized C220 M4 server platform and can handle up to 1000 users, 2500 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents.

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

IP Phones: VoIP and IP Media Phones
A communications endpoint is a user instrument, and can be a physical handset or a soft phone program on a desktop or handheld computer. In the IP environment, each IP handset or soft phone is Ethernet connected. VoIP phones have all of the capabilities that an ordinary phone handset provides, but IP phones can also offer additional functions such as being able to connect to the web or host productivity-enhancing applications.

In contrast to conventional PBX technology, in a Cisco IP communications environment you can perform almost instant relocations, additions, and modifications. All you do is move the IP handset to your new spot, attach it to an Ethernet connection, and the IP phone announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All client privileges and configurations are automatically re-established, doing away with the expense and hassle of sending technicians to wiring closets. Another efficient capability is location independence, which enables you to sign into any Cisco IP phone and get your personal phone ID and rights.

Cisco provides a broad range of Unified CM hardware endpoints. The entry-level SPA 300 family are no-frills IP and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) screenless or monochrome phones that feature wide-band audio, compatibility with hosted Internet Protocol phone environments or an IP private branch exchange (PBX), simple deployment and secure online installation, zero-downtime software upgrades, and browser-based configuration. The low-end SPA301 is a single-line IP endpoint with no screen or speakerphone function, a base dialer with a single Ethernet connector, and a corded handset without a keypad. The SPA302D, designed solely for operation with Cisco's SPA232D Multi-Line DECT ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter), is a multiple-line wireless Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications IP phone that offers 10-lines, a 176 x 220 pixel color screen, and a dial pad with speakerphone capability. The SPA303 is an affordable 3-line IP phone with dual Ethernet ports, a 128x64 monochrome graphical display and a speakerphone.

The SPA500 line VoIP phones are low-cost endpoints with support for both SIP and SPCP call control protocols, two Ethernet switch ports, speakerphones, built-in web servers, PoE, and conferencing support. Most versions have a 128 x 64 pixel mono screen display, The SPA501G IP Phone supports eight lines and has eight programmable keys but no hi-res screen. The SPA502G IP Phone supports a single line and has no soft buttons. The SPA504G VoIP phone supports four lines and has four soft keys. The SPA508G IP Phone supports eight lines and eight programmable keys. The SPA509G supports 12 lines and features 12 soft buttons. The SPA512G IP Phone supports four lines, no programmable keys and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The SPA514G IP Phone supports four lines, has soft buttons, and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The high-end SPA525G2 includes a 320 x 240 pixel color display, supports five lines, and includes five soft keys.

Cisco's IP Phones 3900 Series and IP Phones 6900 Series are specialty VoIP endpoints intended for infrequent-use environments like cafeterias, hallways, and conference centers. The Unified SIP Phone 3905 features VoIP phone features a 128 x 32 mono non-backlit screen, an integrated 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and Power over Ethernet. The bare-bones Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a one-line endpoint with no screen and requires a hook switch for transferring a call or conferencing.

The 7800 Series of budget-priced IP phones are VoIP endpoints featuring backlit monochrome screens, four soft buttons, 11 fixed-feature buttons, an Ethernet port with Class 1 Power over Ethernet (PoE), and an integral speakerphone. Cisco's 7800 Series VoIP phones support only the SIP call control protocol. All devices in the 7800 family feature the same high-fidelity speakers and microphones as Cisco's 8800 Series IP phones to deliver a state-of-the-art audio solution. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save technology, offered on the higher end 7800 units, reduces off-hours energy consumption by up to 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a one-line VoIP phone designed for shared areas and for employees with occasional-to-light call needs. The IP 7811 VoIP phone comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 display and a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is offered via an extra-cost wideband handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a two-line VoIP endpoint with a 396 x 162 display. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line VoIP endpoint with a 396 x 162 screen and is the only unit in the 7800 family that provides 1xGb Ethernet. The high-end IP Phone 7861 VoIP phone is a 16-line device intended for administrative staff, call center agents, and managers who have significant voice communications requirements.

The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are dual-protocol (SIP/SCCP) media devices with a 320 x 240 color screen, an integral Gigabit 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 include a 5-inch display and four programmable buttons. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G device is an eight-line media phone featuring a 5.6-inch touch screen and five soft keys.

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a line of SIP-only endpoints that features desktop devices, a conference IP phone, and 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 keys and 12 dedicated keys. The Cisco IP Phone 8811 includes a backlit mono screen and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet (PoE). The Cisco IP Phone 8841 features a WVGA color screen and supports Class 2 PoE. Cisco's IP Phone 8845 has 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 a 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 versions. Cisco's IP Phone 8861 includes a WVGA color display, Bluetooth, two USB connections with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Class 4 Power over Ethernet. The Cisco IP Phone 8865 includes a WVGA color screen, 720p HD video, an adjustable camera, Bluetooth, dual USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 Power over Ethernet.

Cisco's wireless IP phones are hardened Wi-Fi handsets designed for professionals who are mobile within office, hospitality, retail or other environments where management wants user endpoints that offer more administrative control, security and durability than is achievable with the Bring-Your-Own-Device mode of mobile communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones provide mobile on-premises workers the advantages of voice over wireless LAN technology in workplaces that support 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi. The 8821 Wireless VoIP Phone features a 2.4 inch color screen, a durable shell designed to withstand dropping and IP67 for dust and splash resistance, long-life batteries, a built-in full-duplex speakerphone, and a Bluetooth 4.0 transceiver to support wireless headsets. Cisco's 8821-EX Wireless IP Phone adds spark suppression for use in hazardous work sites. Cisco's 8821-EX also features a case composed of yellow plastics, which makes it easier to locate during a crisis. Find out about Progent's Cisco Wireless IP Phone integration consultants.

Cisco's discontinued 9900 Series of high-performance VoIP phones combine high-quality voice with business-grade color screens to offer a rich multimedia UC experience for knowledge professionals and executive management. The two models in the 9900 line incorporate a Standard Definition VGA color display, a Bluetooth 2.0 radio to support a broad choice of headsets, and an integrated 1 GE Ethernet port. Cisco's EnergyWise feature is optional and can lower off-hour energy draw by up to 90 percent. The IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch screen and allows up to 2 Cisco IP Color Key Expansion Modules for expanding programmable line and function keys. The Cisco IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch screen, a built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi transceiver for deployment with voice-over-wireless LAN networks, and 4 soft-label touchscreen keys to invoke Cisco Unified Communications features. The 9971 supports up to 3 Cisco IP Expansion Modules for adding programmable line and function keys.

Cisco Unified Communications Application Software
Under Cisco's Unified Communications architecture, IP phone, video, and other converged applications are independent from the call- and voice-processing infrastructure, and they may be at any location within the system. A single connectivity framework offers a versatile environment for feature-rich applications and provides a solid basis for downstream convergence-based applications. Cisco works with leading technology partners to provide a broad range of IP voice and IP video software applications and devices. Cisco also supports the capability to develop and administer customized in-house programs.

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

Jabber
Cisco Jabber is a UC application that provides presence, instant messaging, business-quality voice, HD video, voice messaging, desktop sharing, and online conferencing capabilities for PCs, Apple Macs, iPads and Android tablets as well as iPhones, Android phones, and Blackberries. Jabber is an evolution and combination of the Unified Personal Communicator soft phone application, Cisco Mobile, and WebEx Connect, with important enhancements to video features and desktop screen sharing, and expanding the team environment to additional platforms and devices. Cisco Jabber operates in conjunction with Unified Communications Manager for call management, Cisco Unified Presence for instant messaging and presence, Unity Connection for voicemail and programmable attendant, and Cisco WebEx Meeting for conferencing.

Since Cisco Jabber is built around popular industry protocols, it can communicate with a broad selection of third-party platforms. For instance, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) enables Jabber to exchange instant messaging and presence data with a variety of XMPP clients including as Adium for Mac, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync and Office Communications Server. Jabber capabilities can be accessed from Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft SharePoint. This extensive platform support maximizes output by providing a consistent end-user experience and accommodating the bring-your-own-device model of computing. Progent can provide the services of certified Exchange consultants and SharePoint application developers who can show you how to use Jabber with Microsoft's powerful collaboration platforms. Progent also can provide expertise with Apple iPhone and iPad integration and Android smartphone integration and management to help you to enhance the business value of your BYOD environment.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center
WebEX Meeting Center provides online meetings for users with a web browser or virtually any PC or handheld device. Cisco WebEx Meeting Center is offered as software as a service (SaaS) via the Cisco WebEx Cloud. This makes it easy to deploy and scale, streamlines management, avoids heavy initial investment, features high availability and world-class security, and delivers consistently high throughput. Key capabilities include the ability to share specific content or your entire screen display with online attendees in real time, the capability to add multimedia into your presentations including PowerPoint and Flash videos, recording plus playback for training, single sign-on and support for Cisco collaboration applications such as Jabber and Cisco TelePresence, plus stringent data privacy and encrypted connections with tight policy management.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center works with Windows, Apple Mac, and Linux-powered PCs and permits mobile users to start, calendarize, and participate in meetings on Android devices, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry handhelds, and Microsoft Windows Phone. Users can also launch web conferences with a few clicks from Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes, and a selection of IM applications.

Cisco TelePresence Products for In-house Video Conferencing Environments
For medium-size organizations and enterprises who want to create a local or hybrid on-premises/cloud environment for teleconferencing, Cisco provides a portfolio of Cisco TelePresence products that deliver high-quality and standards-based video conferencing for participants with virtually any endpoint device at any location. Cisco TelePresence Server is a scalable video conferencing bridge that runs in conjunction with Cisco Unified Communications Manager to deliver multiparty video, audio and content sharing to unified communications deployments and can extend conferences to incorporate cloud-based Cisco WebEx Meeting Center users. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software streamlines the control of the way video conferencing resources are rationed for each participant, enabling administrators to specify the exact service level and user experience needed for each user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server records video and presentations for real-time distribution and video on demand viewing.

Cisco Unity Connection Platform and Unity Express for Converged Voice Messaging
The Cisco Unity Connection, an extension of Unified CM, is a converged voice messaging system that accelerates teamwork by offering flexible set of alternatives for accessing calls and messages within an environment that is easy to implement and administer. Unity Connection allows you to read and manage your voice messages from your email inbox, web browser, Cisco Jabber, a Cisco Unified IP Phone, an iPhone or other smartphone, or a tablet. Unity Connection also provides advanced speech-recognition features for hands and eyes free operation and extensive Automated Attendant features such as smart routing for inbound calls and easily customizable call-screening and message-alert settings. The Cisco Unity Connection platform operates as a fully virtualized system that can reside on a BE6000 server or a Cisco Services Ready Engine 910 router blade service module and can accommodate up to 20,000 voice mailboxes on each server.

Unity Express (CUE), available in select Cisco Integrated Services routers, offers affordable voicemail, integrated messaging, IVR, and automated-attendant services for small to mid-size businesses and enterprise satellite locations with as many as 500 users. Cisco Unity Express permits users to manage voicemail using a Cisco Unified IP Phone screen, a browser, or your email system. ISR Routers for which Unity Express is available as a network module or advanced integration module include Cisco's 2800, 2900, 3800, and 3900 Series. Progent can provide certified consulting and troubleshooting services for all Integrated Services Routers.

Unified Contact Center
Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE or UCCE) integrates with Cisco CUCM and desktop agent apps like Finesse to provide automatic call distribution (ACD) features that allow an organization to connect customers with the appropriate sales or service agent. UCCE provides intelligent call routing, computer telephony integration, multichannel contact management, network-wide call queuing, interactive voice response and advanced company-wide reporting to simplify the deployment and management of a modern contact center. Cisco platforms incorporated in Unified CCE's customer contact management ecosystem include Cisco Unified IP Phones, Voice, and Cisco network infrastructure.

Unified Contact Center Express (CCX) provides an out-of-the-box solution for building a customer contact center for branch or midmarket deployments that support up to 400 agents. Multiple packages are available, as well as a selection of special options. Unified Contact Center Express works with Cisco CUCM and provides intelligent call routing, contact interaction management, reporting, interactive voice response, and the ability to manage voice, email, chat, and social media requests. Cisco Unified CCX includes Finesse, a web-based desktop agent that requires no client software setup. Advanced options include call-in-queue, expected-wait-time announcements, and workforce quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect for Single Number Reach
Mobile Connect, commonly known as Single Number Reach, allows users to be called via a single number that rings at the same time on their Cisco desktop VoIP Phone and their mobile phone. Users can transfer active conversations between their Cisco VoIP phone and their smartphone without disruption. Calls that are not answered can be redirected to a Unity or Unity Connection account. Users can create their own access lists that determine which calls get directed to different phones.

Cisco Prime Collaboration
Cisco Prime Collaboration offers an automated platform for first-time installs as well as for “day 2” moves, additions, changes, and deletions. A user-friendly interface provides a single look at a user and the user's services. Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning substantially accelerates site installations and minimizes the time required for future updates. Prime Collaboration also offers advanced analytics including technology adoption and consumption rates, enabling administrators to optimize resources and further reduce TCO.

Cisco Collaboration Gateways
Cisco's collaboration gateways allow Cisco converged communications environments to communicate with public systems and with clients operating outside the corporate firewall. Cisco's line of gateways deliver unified communications services for all types of gateway as well as session-border-control applications.

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

Expressway Converged Communication Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful converged media gatekeeper that enables organizations to allow employees, suppliers, customers, or partners who are working on different networks, workgroup platforms, or endpoint equipment to connect to Unified Communication features. Cisco's Expressway collaboration gateway integrates with an enterprise Cisco Communications Manager deployment or Cisco Business Edition, or can be accessed through the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution to make productive collaboration more universal. Key capabilities of Cisco Expressway include:

• Mobile and Remote Connectivity: Remote users with any Jabber-supported desktop or handheld computer or teleworkers with Cisco TelePresence endpoints have the convenience of one-time sign-on and of Transport Layer Security (TLS) and can connect to all their Jabber workloads (video, business-quality voice, rich content instant messaging, and realtime presence) without requiring the extra step of starting a VPN connection. In addition, telecommuters can utilize their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without the need for a VPN tunnel, delivering a user experience at home identical to the corporate office.
• Jabber Guest Support: Expressway is integral for enabling the Cisco Jabber Guest, which makes it possible for “guests” to communicate with your business easily and securely through lightweight browser and mobile video calls.
• Cisco Cloud Connectivity: Cisco Expressway can function as a gateway that creates a path between onsite Cisco or third-party collaboration solutions and the WebEx cloud. By offering support for Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms (CMRs), Cisco Expressway deliver an advanced, scalable conferencing experience that seamlessly combines high-quality voice, high-definition video, and content sharing to any client, anywhere, on any endpoint.
• Interoperability: If your company already has third-party video products, Cisco Expressway can help you to move efficiently to Cisco technology whenever you choose. Cisco Expressway offers video compatibility with industry standard H.323, H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC), or SIP systems. Interoperability capabilities supported by Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to Session Initiation Protocol, and Microsoft Lync H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC) to H.264/AVC.

• WebEx Cloud Connected Audio (CCA) for SIP-media-connected audio conferencing
• Voice and Video recording
• SIP-based Call-center and interactive-voice-response (IVR) applications
• Policy-led evaluation of phone calls
• B2B immersive telepresence over SIP

Cisco's Legacy UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Gateways
The legacy Cisco Unified Communications 500 (UC500) product line is a VoIP gateway system for small organizations. UC500 models deliver voice, data, voicemail, auto attendant, IP video, firewall, and WiFi capabilities, run with older Cisco VoIP phones, and support PSTN connections.

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

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

How Progent Can Assist You with Cisco VoIP and IP Media Phones, CUCM, and Video Conferencing
Progent offers online or onsite help from a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Collaboration consultant to assist your business to design, implement, administer and repair unified communications environments built on Cisco Unified Communication products in a centralized, distributed, or hybrid deployment. Progent's Cisco consultants have extensive experience with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and CallManager, VoIP phones and other endpoints, UC applications like Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's immersive telepresence products, communication gateways, utilities incorporated into Cisco Catalyst switches and routers. Progent can also offer expertise with related technologies such as Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, CUBE, H.323 gateways, Call Admission Control, VoIP trunks, various signaling protocols, and Cisco's architecture for voice, video and integrated data. Progent's SIP integration consultants can also help you to create SIP infrastructure solutions that include SIP-based IP voice phones and video phones, SIP-based CUBE trunks, SIP conferencing and SIP administration tools with CUCM.

Progent's application programmers can build specialized unified communications software that will enable your company to integrate the capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your company processes for increased efficiency. Progent can audit your existing network and Internet connectivity infrastructure to make sure your environment is configured to support high-quality Voice over IP and HD video, assist you to choose and deploy Cisco products appropriate for your present situation and future growth objectives, and integrate your Cisco collaborative communications solution with technology from other suppliers. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified data security and compliance consultants can assist you to create, carry out, and test a comprehensive security and compliance strategy for your converged communications ecosystem. Also, Progent can assist you to deploy Cisco high-availability mechanisms like Cisco Unified Survivable Remote Site Telephony to provide affordable call control backup in remote-branch and teleworker sites, and Progent's disaster recovery and business continuity preparedness experts can help you develop a sensible disaster recovery strategy to protect your vital communications environment.

Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Upgrade Consulting
Versions of Unified CM lower than 8.6 and every version of its predecessor CallManager have arrived at end-of-life. This means Cisco will cease to develop, repair, or test the product software. Security updates for this pivotal application will end, which in certain circumstances could create compliance or potential liability problems.

Progent will continue to offer premiere support for outdated versions of Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, but if you are still running a legacy edition of this critical application your organization should start now to prepare for your upgrade. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting professionals can help you to migrate efficiently to the current edition of Unified Communications Manager and can typically save customers as much as 50% off consulting fees compared to most IT service firms thanks to Progent's documented process and hands-on experience in this area. By following leading practices, Progent can make sure your organization gets a quick return on your IT investment by showing you how to benefit fully from the enhanced feature set, lower administrative and support expense, more productive collaboration capabilities, and tighter data protection offered by the latest release of Cisco Unified Communications Manager.

Progent's migration consulting services include ROI analysis, project management or co-management, system testing, Cloud integration, configuring collaboration endpoints from Cisco and other suppliers, mobile connectivity, security and compliance services, streamlined management, disaster recovery planning, network architecture design, training for IT staff and end users, and ongoing consulting and technical support. Progent also offers ultra-affordable migration packages to keep your costs predictable and affordable.

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