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Sending real-time voice and video over Internet Protocol (VoIP and Video over IP) has advanced from simply being being a savvy way to save money on phone bills to a required technology for competitive advantage. Unified IP communications, at one time restricted to combining Internet-based voice calls and faxing on one system to replace expensive PBX systems, today encompasses VoIP and video, mobile communications, instant messaging, presence, collaboration services, and more all in a single environment that is manageable, scalable, protected, resilient, cost-effective, and user friendly.

Cisco is the leader in supplying solutions for supporting the new paradigm of unified communications (UC). Cisco's UC product line enhances the productivity of information networks by slashing operating costs; integrating rich media features with popular software applications to improve user output; facilitating teamwork among workers, partners, and suppliers to save time and enhance business outcomes; and streamlining the support of your communications environment.

Cisco's Unified Communications technology include several main product areas:,

• Call Control Agents for controlling calls and sessions
• Collaboration Endpoints to optimize end-user engagement
• UC Applications for simplified access to real-time, chat, voice and video, voice messages, white boarding, and voice/video conferencing
• IP Gateways for interfacing with public networks and teleworkers

Call Processing Software - Unified Communications Manager/CallManager
The call-processing agent is the heart of Cisco's IP Communications solution and gives you the flexibility to implement a centralized call-processing design, a decentralized design, or a combination of both. In a centralized deployment, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) expands corporate phone capabilities to packet telephony products such as IP phones, media management appliances, VoIP gateways, and mixed media programs throughout the network. Cisco Unified Communications Manager supports additional mixed media services such as unified messaging, video conferencing, and collaborative customer communication networks.

The latest version of Cisco Unified Communications Manager, previously branded Cisco CallManager, offers a wealth of improvements that accelerate ROI by lowering management and maintenance expenses, improving worker output, facilitating collaboration, supporting the BYOD model of computing, strengthening security, and making efficient utilization of network infrastructure. Top new features include automatic dial-plan replication, streamlined certificate management, extended support for standards-based single sign-on for managers and users, hardware-agnostic call recording, on-the-road connectivity without requiring VPN tunneling, a new self-provisioning utility that makes it easy for users to specify their options for all devices, and support for Transport Layer Security for mobile clients.

In cases where you deploy a central Unified Communications Manager cluster to control voice processing for users at distributed locations, IT managers can help ensure continuous call operation using Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, an IOS Software image for Cisco routers. If a Wide Area Network connection breaks, Cisco SRST in the Cisco router offers basic Cisco UC Manager functions until the link is returned. To learn about Progent's consulting support for Cisco routers, refer to consulting support services for Cisco Integrated Services routers.

For small business networks, branch offices, and retail deployments that do not require the full functionality offered by Unified CM, Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express, previously named CallManager Express provides a cost-effective solution that handles the needs of locations with as many as 450 users. Because Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is built into the IOS Software running on a Cisco ISR router, smaller organizations can quickly deploy a converged voice/data environment.

Cisco's Business Edition 6000 is a family of complete platforms that provide essential unified communications features such as routing, IP gateway, high definition voice and video, messaging, chat and real-time presence, teleconferencing, and paging support, allowing any user to connect on any endpoint device from any place. All BE6000 systems are shipped preconfigured with a virtualization hypervisor and collaboration applications software, making deployment quick and simple and reducing cost of ownership for companies with as many as 1000 workers. All BE6000 systems are delivered preconfigured with a virtualization hypervisor and collaboration applications software. You can simply activate UC applications as their requirements evolve.

The entry-level BE6000S supports five fixed collaboration applications installed on one combination ISR router/IP gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 server device and supports up to 150 workers and 300 endpoint devices. The mid-market Business Edition 6000M supports four UC application options activated on a virtualized Cisco UCS C220 M4 server platform and supports as many as 1000 users, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The high-end BE6000S includes eight collaboration software application options enabled on a single virtualized Cisco UCS C220 M4 server and supports as many as 1000 users, 2500 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents.

For additional information about Progent's support for Unified Communications Manager, visit Unified Communications Manager (Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager planning, integration, upgrades and technical support.

IP Phones: IP Voice and IP Media Endpoints
An IP communications endpoint is an end-user instrument, either a hardware phone or a soft phone program on a PC or mobile computer. In the IP world, each VoIP handset or soft phone is Ethernet connected. VoIP phones offer all of the functions that an analog phone handset has, but Voice over IP phones often have additional features such as the ability to access the web or run business software.

Unlike conventional Private Branch Exchange systems, in a Cisco IP phone network you can perform virtually instant moves, adds, and modifications. All you do is take the VoIP handset to your new location, attach it to the Ethernet jack, and the handset registers itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (formerly CallManager). All client permissions and settings are automatically re-established, doing away with the cost and hassle of dispatching technicians to wiring closets. Another efficient feature is extension mobility, which enables you to log into any Cisco IP device and get your own phone ID and privileges.

Cisco offers a wide selection of Unified CM hardware endpoints. Cisco's low-cost Small Business SPA 300 family are basic IP and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications screenless or monochrome phones offering wide-band audio, support for hosted IP phone systems or an IP private branch exchange (PBX), simple installation and secure online installation, transparent software updates, and browser-based set up. The value-priced SPA301 is a one-line IP endpoint with no screen or speakerphone function, a base dialer that has a single Ethernet port, and a corded handset without keys. The SPA302D, intended solely for operation with Cisco's SPA232D DECT ATA, is a multiline wireless DECT IP phone that supports 10-lines, a TFT 176 x 220 color display, and a dial pad with speakerphone capability. Cisco's SPA303 is an entry-level three-line SIP-based phone with dual switched Ethernet ports, a 128x64 monochrome graphical display and a speaker.

The SPA500 family VoIP phones are low-cost endpoints that support both SIP and SPCP call control protocols, two Ethernet switch ports, speakerphones, Power over Ethernet, and conferencing support. Most models have a 128 x 64 mono screen display, The SPA501G has 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 soft keys. The SPA508G has eight lines and eight soft keys. The SPA509G VoIP phone supports 12 lines and features 12 programmable keys. The SPA512G IP Phone supports four lines, no soft keys and supports Gigabit Ethernet. The SPA514G IP Phone supports four lines, has programmable buttons, and supports 10/100/1000 Ethernet. The top-of-the-line SPA525G2 VoIP phone has a 320 x 240 color display, supports five lines, and has five programmable keys.

Cisco's IP Phones 3900 Series and 6900 Series are specialty VoIP devices intended for occasional-use settings like cafeterias, hallways, and conference facilities. Cisco's Unified SIP Phone 3905 features VoIP phone features a 128 x 32 mono display, an integrated 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and Power over Ethernet. The simple Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a one-line device with no display and requires a hook switch for call transfer and joining a conference.

The 7800 line of value-priced IP phones are VoIP desktop endpoints featuring backlit monochrome screens, four programmable keys, 11 dedicated buttons, an Ethernet port with Class 1 PoE, and an integral speakerphone. Cisco's 7800 Series VoIP phones 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 best-in-class audio experience. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save feature, offered on the higher end 7800 models, cuts after-hours energy usage by up to 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a one-line phone intended for shared locations as well as for workers with infrequent call needs. The IP 7811 comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 screen plus a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is offered through an extra-cost handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a dual-line VoIP endpoint with a 396 x 162 display. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line VoIP phone with a 396 x 162 screen and is the only unit in the 7800 line to support Gigabit Ethernet. The top-of-the-line IP Phone 7861 VoIP phone is a 16-line device intended for administrators, call center personnel, and managers who have heavy voice communications requirements.

The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are SIP and SCCP IP voice and video endpoints with a 320 x 240 color display, an integral 1xGb Ethernet switch, Class 3 Power over Ethernet (PoE), 10 dedicated keys and a speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7945G is a two-line unit and the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G supports four lines. Both VoIP phones include a 5-inch display and four programmable buttons. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G unit is an eight-line IP voice and video phone with a 5.6-inch touch screen and five soft buttons.

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a line of SIP-based IP phones that features desktop units, a conference phone, and mobile wireless IP Phones. The desktop models are five-line IP phones featuring a 5-inch 800 x 480 pixel screen, a Gigabit Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, four programmable buttons and 12 fixed-feature buttons. The Cisco IP Phone 8811 includes a backlit monochrome display and supports Class 2 PoE. Cisco's IP Phone 8841 has a WVGA color screen and supports Class 2 PoE. Cisco's IP Phone 8845 has a WVGA color display, 720p HD video, an adjustable 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 available in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth models. Cisco's IP Phone 8861 has a WVGA color screen, Bluetooth, two USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8865 includes 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, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE.

Cisco's wireless IP phones are industrial-grade wireless devices designed for workers who are on the move within office, warehouse, health-care or other environments where management requires user endpoints that offer more control, data security and durability than is achievable with the BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) mode of workplace communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones offer on-the-move on-premises workers the benefits of voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) communications in workplaces with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi infrastructure. The 8821 Wireless IP Phone includes a hi-res color display, a rugged case designed for shock resistance and compliant with IP67 for particulate and moisture resistance, extended batteries, a built-in full-duplex speakerphone, and an integrated Bluetooth transceiver to support cordless headsets. Cisco's 8821-EX Wireless IP Phone adds protection against sparking for use in hazardous environments. Cisco's 8821-EX also features a shell composed out of industry-standard yellow plastics, which makes the device easy to locate the event of an emergency. Find out about Progent's Cisco Wireless IP Phone integration consultants.

Cisco's discontinued 9900 family of powerful VoIP phones integrate high-quality voice with hi-res color video to offer a productive collaborative unified communications solution for knowledge professionals and executive management. The two models in the 9900 family incorporate a Standard Definition 640x480 pixel color display, a Bluetooth transceiver to support a wide range of headsets, and a built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet port. Cisco's Power Save function is offered as an option and can reduce off-work power consumption by up to 90 percent. The IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch display and supports up to 2 Cisco IP Expansion Modules for adding customizable line and feature keys. The Cisco IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch display, a built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi radio for deployment with voice-over-wireless LAN environments, and four customizable touchscreen keys to access Cisco Unified Communications features. The 9971 IP phone allows up to 3 Cisco IP Expansion Modules for adding programmable line and feature keys.

Unified Communications Application Software
Under Cisco's Unified Communications architecture, IP telephony, IP video, and other UC applications are physically isolated from the call-processing and voice-processing infrastructure, and they may reside anywhere within the network. A single network framework provides a versatile platform for powerful applications and provides a solid foundation for future convergence-based applications. Cisco cooperates with leading technology vendors to provide a wide range of IP telephony and IP video software applications and devices. Cisco also supports the ability to create and manage specialized in-house programs.

Unified Communications application software available from Cisco and supported by Progent include:

Cisco Jabber
Jabber is a UC application that provides presence, IM, voice, video, voice messaging, screen sharing, and real-time conferencing features for PCs, Macs, iPads and Android tablets as well as smartphones. Jabber is a rebranding and integration of the Unified Personal Communicator soft phone, Cisco Mobile, and Cisco WebEx Connect, with significant enhancements in the areas of HD video features and screen sharing, and expanding the collaboration experience to additional platforms and endpoint hardware. Cisco Jabber operates with Unified Communications Manager for call and session management, Cisco Unified Presence for instant messaging and presence, Unity Connection for voicemail and programmable attendant, and Cisco WebEx Meeting for online meetings.

Because Jabber is built around key communication protocols, it can communicate with a wide selection of non-Cisco products. For instance, XMPP allows Jabber to trade IM and presence information with a variety of XMPP clients such as Adium, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync. Cisco Jabber collaboration features can be accessed from Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook and SharePoint. This cross-platform compatibility maximizes productivity by providing a consistent user experience and accommodating the bring-your-own-device model of computing. Progent offers the services of certified Exchange and Outlook consultants and Microsoft SharePoint programmers who can help you to take advantage of Jabber with Microsoft's powerful collaboration products. Progent also offers expertise with iPhone integration and management as well as Android smartphone integration and management to assist you to enhance the productivity of your BYOD ecosystem.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center enables online conferencing for users with a web browser or almost any PC or mobile computer. Cisco WebEx Meeting Center is delivered as software as a service via Cisco's WebEx Cloud. This makes it easy to roll out and expand, streamlines management, avoids major up-front investment, offers high availability and enterprise-grade security, and provides excellent throughput. Important capabilities include support for sharing discrete content or an whole screen with remote attendees in real time, the capability to embed rich media into your presentations including Microsoft PowerPoint and Flash animations, session recording plus playback for training and demonstrations, single sign-on and integration with Cisco collaboration applications such as Cisco Jabber and Cisco TelePresence, plus stringent data protection and encrypted access with tight policy management.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center works with Microsoft Windows, Mac, and Linux-powered desktops and notebooks and allows mobile users to launch, schedule, and attend conferences on Google Android devices, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry phones, and Microsoft Windows Phone. Users can also launch online conferences with a few clicks from Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Notes, and a variety of IM solutions.

Cisco TelePresence Portfolio for In-house Teleconferencing Environments
For midsize organizations and larger enterprises who want to create an in-house or hybrid on-premises/cloud environment for video conferencing, Cisco provides a selection of Cisco TelePresence products that deliver high-definition teleconferencing for users with virtually any IP endpoint at any site. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable teleconferencing bridge that works with Cisco Unified Communications Manager to deliver multiparty video, audio and content sharing to UC deployments and can extend conferences to support cloud-based WebEx Meeting Center participants. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software streamlines management of how conferencing bandwidth and features should be rationed for each participant, allowing administrators to specify the precise service level and user experience required for each user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server captures video conference presentations for real-time streaming and video on demand viewing.

Cisco's Unity Connection Platform and Unity Express for Converged Voice Messaging
The Cisco Unity Connection, an integrated extension of Cisco Unified CM, is a unified voice messaging platform that promotes teamwork by offering a variety of alternatives for accessing voice messages within a framework that is easy to deploy and maintain. Cisco Unity Connection lets you read and manage your voice messages from your Exchange inbox, web browser, Jabber, a Cisco Unified IP endpoint, an iPhone or other smartphone, or an iPad or tablet. Cisco Unity Connection also provides sophisticated speech-recognition features for hands-free management and extensive Automated Attendant capabilities such as intelligent routing for inbound calls and custom call-screening and message-alert options. The 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 as many as 20,000 mailboxes on each server.

Unity Express (CUE), offered in certain Cisco Integrated Services routers, provides affordable voicemail, integrated messaging, interactive voice response, and greeting functions for small to mid-size businesses and corporate satellite offices with up to 500 workers. Cisco Unity Express allows you to access and manage voicemail messages via a Cisco Unified IP Phone screen, your web browser, or your email client. Cisco routers for which Cisco Unity Express is available as a network module include Cisco's 1861, 2900, 3800, and 3900 families. Progent offers comprehensive deployment and troubleshooting services for all ISR routers.

Unified Contact Center
Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE) works with Cisco Unified CM and agent desktop applications such as Finesse to provide automatic call distribution features that allow an organization to connect customers with the proper sales or support person. Unified CCE provides smart call distribution, computer telephony integration, multichannel contact management, network-wide call queuing, interactive voice response and consolidated company-wide reporting to simplify the creation and management of a large-scale contact center. Cisco products incorporated in Unified CCE's customer contact management solution include Cisco Unified IP Phones, Voice, and Cisco LAN/WAN technology.

Cisco Unified Contact Center Express (CCX) offers an out-of-the-box solution for creating a customer interaction management center for mid-scale deployments that support up to 400 agents. Several packages are offered, as well as a selection of optional advanced features. Unified Contact Center Express works with CUCM and provides intelligent call distribution, client interaction management, integrated reporting, interactive voice response, and the ability to manage voice, email, web chat, and social media inquiries. Cisco Unified CCX comes with Cisco Finesse, a browser-based desktop agent that needs no client-side software setup. Advanced options include conditional routing, projected-wait-time announcements, and productivity optimization with workforce and quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect and Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, popularly known as Single Number Reach, makes it possible for users to be reached from a single number that rings at the same time on their Cisco VoIP Phone and their cell phone. Users can transfer live calls between their desktop VoIP phone and their cell phone without disruption. Unanswered calls can be redirected to a Unity or Cisco Unity Connection voicemail account. Users can create personal access lists that determine which calls are extended to different phones.

Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Prime Collaboration provides an automated process for initial installs and for “day 2” moves, adds, changes, and deletions. A user-friendly interface delivers a single look at a subscriber and the subscriber's services. Prime Collaboration substantially speeds up site rollouts and minimizes the time needed for future updates. Prime Collaboration also offers advanced analytics including technology adoption and consumption rates, enabling organizations to make more efficient use of IT resources and further reduce total cost of ownership.

Cisco Communications Gateways
Cisco's communications gateways permit Cisco converged communications deployments to communicate with public systems and with clients operating beyond the firewall. Cisco's line of gateways deliver unified communications support for all types of gateway as well as session-border-control applications.

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

Expressway Communication Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful unified communications and collaboration gateway that enables companies to allow team members, vendors, customers, or business partners who are using various outside networks, collaboration platforms, or endpoint equipment to connect to Cisco Unified Communication features. Cisco's Expressway works with a Cisco CM system or Cisco Business Edition 6000, or can be run via the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution to make collaboration more pervasive. Important features of Cisco Expressway include:

• Mobile and Remote Access: Remote workers who have any Jabber-compatible desktop or handheld computer or telecommuters with Cisco TelePresence endpoints have the convenience of single-sign-on as well as Transport Layer Security (TLS) and can connect to all their Jabber workloads (high-definition video, voice, content IM, and presence) without the inconvenience establishing a VPN. Also, teleworkers can utilize their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without the need for a VPN, delivering a user experience at home identical to the office.
• Cisco Jabber Guest Support: Expressway is integral for enabling the Cisco Jabber Guest, which permits “guests” to communicate with your business simply and securely through lightweight browser and mobile video phone calls.
• Cisco Cloud Connectivity: Cisco Expressway can function as a gateway that connects between onsite Cisco or non-Cisco systems and the WebEx cloud. By supporting Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms, Cisco Expressway deliver an advanced, extensible conferencing experience that seamlessly integrates high-quality voice, HD video, and data sharing to anyone, at any location, using any endpoint.
• Interoperability: If your organization already has non-Cisco video products, Cisco Expressway can assist you to migrate easily to a Cisco solution whenever you choose. Cisco Expressway offers video interoperability with industry standard H.323, H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC), or Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) environments. Internetworking standards supported by Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to Session Initiation Protocol, and Microsoft Lync 2013 H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC) to MPEG-4/H.264 AVC.

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

Cisco's Legacy UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Phone Systems
The legacy Cisco Unified Communications 500 (UC500) Series is an early VoIP gateway solution for small businesses. UC500 packages provide voice, data, voicemail, auto attendant, IP video, security, and wireless functionality, run with older Cisco IP Voice phones, and support public switched telephone network (PSTN) connections.

All of UC500 packages include a desktop switch with 8 Power-over-Ethernet interfaces plus additional FXS and foreign exchange office (FXO) ports, a firewall, and VPN support. Integrated WiFi is an option. VoIP user capacity can be increased by attaching Cisco Catalyst Express companion switches. Every UC500 model also includes software licenses for Cisco Unified Communications Manager for VoIP call processing and Cisco Unity Express software for voice messaging and automated attendant. The Cisco UC520 system supports 8 to 16 VoIP users and incorporate 4 FXS and 4 FXO interfaces. The Cisco UC540 package supports 32 users and provides 8 foreign exchange office ports. The Cisco UC560 package allows 48 users and 12 foreign exchange office ports.

Progent's seasoned VoIP experts can assist you to maintain your legacy UC500 VoIP gateway or design and implement a smooth migration to a modern IP telephony and voicemail solution like Cisco's cloud-managed Business Edition 4000.

How Progent Can Assist You with Cisco IP Voice and IP Media Phones, CUCM, and Telepresence
Progent offers remote or onsite help from a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Collaboration consultant to assist you to design, install, manage and repair converged communications environments built on Cisco Unified Communication technology in an in-house, distributed, or hybrid environment. Progent's Cisco consultants have in-depth experience integrating Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, IP voice and video phones and soft phones, Unified Communications applications such as Cisco Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's teleconferencing products, collaboration gatekeepers, utilities built into Cisco switches and routers. Progent can also offer expertise with related technologies like Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, CUBE, H.323 and SIP gateways, Call Admission Control, VoIP trunks, various signaling protocols, and AVVID. Progent's SIP infrastructure consultants can also help you to build SIP infrastructure environments that incorporate SIP IP voice phones and video phones, SIP-based CUBE trunks, and SIP management tools with Cisco Unified Communications Manager.

Progent's application programmers can create specialized unified communications applications that will help your business to incorporate the capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your company processes for enhanced productivity. Progent can analyze your current network and Internet connectivity architecture to make sure your environment is optimized to accommodate business-quality VoIP and high-definition video, assist you to choose and integrate Cisco products that make sense for your present needs and future expansion plans, and integrate your Cisco collaborative communications products with products from other suppliers. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified data security consultants can show you how to develop, implement, and validate an enterprise-wide security and compliance plan for your unified communications ecosystem. Also, Progent can help you to deploy Cisco high-availability mechanisms such as Cisco Unified SRST for cost-effective call control backup in remote-branch and telecommuter environments, and Progent's disaster recovery planning consultants can help you develop a sensible disaster recovery plan to ensure the availability of your crucial unified communications environment.

Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Services
Releases of Cisco Unified CM earlier than 8.6 and every release of CallManager have reached end-of-life. This means Cisco will cease to develop, fix, or validate this older software. Security updates for this pivotal product will stop, which in some circumstances could create compliance or potential liability problems.

Progent continues to offer world-class consulting and troubleshooting support for outdated releases of Unified CM and CallManager, but if you are now running a legacy edition of this essential software you should start immediately to plan your migration. Progent's Cisco-certified consultants can assist your company to migrate smoothly to the latest release of Unified CM and can routinely save clients up to 50% off consulting service expense compared to most computer service firms thanks to Progent's documented procedures and experience in this practice area. By adhering to best practices, Progent can make sure your business realizes a fast payback on your IT investment by showing you how to take full advantage of the enhanced feature set, reduced administrative and support expense, more productive collaboration capabilities, and tighter data protection offered by the current version of Unified CM.

Progent's migration consulting services include return-on-investment analysis, project management or co-management, pilot testing and validation, Cloud integration, setting up collaboration endpoints from Cisco and other providers, mobile integration, data protection consulting, streamlined management, disaster recovery planning, network architecture design, training for IT staff and end users, and ongoing consulting services and technical support. Progent also offers ultra-affordable upgrade service bundles to keep your costs visible and under control.

To find out more information concerning Progent's professional expertise for Cisco products, pick a topic:

• Introduction to Progent's Cisco Support
• Fast Online Access to a Cisco CCIE Network Engineer
• Cisco Firepower Firewalls: Configuration and Management Support
• Cisco ASA 5500-X Series Firewall with Cisco Firepower: Integration and Troubleshooting Services
• ASA 5500 Firewalls Upgrade. Migration Services
• Cisco PIX 500 Firewall Consulting Services
• Cisco Routers Engineering Support
• Cisco Wireless Consulting Expertise
• Aironet Wireless APs Engineering Expertise
• Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 Wireless APs Deployment Expertise
• Cisco Catalyst 802.11ax Access Points Solution Design, Configuration and Debugging Support
• Cisco WiFi Controllers Integration Consulting
• Meraki Access Points Design Support
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager Configuration and Technical Support
• Cisco Jabber Integration Services
• Catalyst Switches Configuration and Maintenance Services
• Nexus Switches Consulting and Support Services
• Meraki Switches Deployment Services
• Cisco Security and VPN Integration Help
• SIP and CUBE Infrastructure Solutions: SIP Trunks and CUBE Integration Expertise
• Design Expertise for Cisco-based Datacenters
• Infrastructure Design Services for Service Providers
• Centralized Management Solutions for Cisco-based Infrastructure