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Sending live voice and video over IP (VoIP and Video over IP) has advanced from simply being being a shrewd means to cut phone bills to being a strategic technology for competitive advantage. Unified IP communications, once restricted to combining Internet-based voice and faxes on one system in order to take the place of traditional PBX equipment, today includes rich media, mobile communications, messaging, real-time presence, services, and much more in a centralized ecosystem that is manageable, extensible, secure, fault-tolerant, economical, and user friendly.

Cisco is the market leader in providing the hardware and software infrastructure for supporting the modern paradigm of unified communications (UC). Cisco's unified communications solution enhances the productivity of IT systems by slashing operational expenses; combining rich media features with popular software applications to increase user output; facilitating teamwork among workers, associates, and vendors to save time and improve business outcomes; and streamlining the management of your communications ecosystem.

Cisco's Unified Communications technology include these primary product categories:,

• Call Control Agents for managing rich media calls and sessions
• Communications Phones and Softphones to enhance end-user productivity
• UC Software Applications for more productive access to presence, chat, voice and video, voice messages, white boarding, and voice/video conferencing
• Communications Gateways for connecting to outside networks and telecommuters

Call and Session Processing Software - Unified Communications Manager/CallManager
The call-processing agent is the centerpiece of Cisco's IP Communications solution and provides the versatility to implement a centralized call-processing design, a decentralized model, or a combination of the two. In a centralized deployment, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) expands corporate telephony capabilities to packet telephony products such as IP phones, media processing appliances, VoIP gateways, and mixed media programs across the network. Unified Communications Manager supports extra mixed media services including unified messaging, video conferencing, and group-based customer interaction networks.

The most recent release of Unified CM, formerly known as CallManager, offers a variety of enhancements that expedite ROI by cutting management and support expenses, increasing user productivity, facilitating collaboration, accommodating the bring-your-own-device model of computing, strengthening security, and allowing efficient utilization of IT resources. Top new features include Global Dial Plan Replication (GDPR), simplified certificate management, extended support for standards-based single sign-on (SSO) for administrators and users, hardware-agnostic call recording, mobile access without the need for VPN tunneling, a new self-care interface that makes it simple for end users to manage their preferences for all of their devices, and support for Transport Layer Security for mobile users.

When you implement a central Unified Communications Manager cluster to control voice processing for users at distributed sites, IT managers can help ensure non-stop call operation through Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST), an IOS Software image for Cisco routers. If a Wide Area Network connection breaks, Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony incorporated in the Cisco router provides basic Unified Communications Manager capabilities until the connection is returned. To learn about Progent's consulting support services for Cisco ISR routers, refer to consulting support services for Cisco ISR routers.

For small business networks, branch offices, and retail environments that do not require the complete feature set offered by Unified CM, Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express, formerly known as CallManager Express offers a cost-effective solution that meets the requirements of locations with up to 450 users. Since Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is built into the IOS Software running on a Cisco router, smaller offices can quickly implement a unified voice and data environment.

The Cisco Business Edition 6000 is a line of turn-key platforms that offer fundamental unified communications features such as routing, gateway, premium voice/video, messaging, IM and presence, conferencing, and paging support, enabling any end user to connect on any endpoint device from any site. All BE6000 systems come preinstalled with virtualization and Unified Communications applications software, making implementation fast and easy and cutting cost of ownership for companies with from 25 to 1000 workers. All BE6000 solutions come packaged preconfigured with a virtualization hypervisor and collaboration applications software. Organizations can simply activate UC software applications when their needs evolve.

The entry-level Business Edition 6000S supports five fixed unified communications software applications preloaded on one integrated 2921V router/gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 blade server device and can handle up to 150 users and 300 endpoint devices. The mid-market BE6000M supports four unified communications application options enabled on a single virtualized Cisco C220 M4 server and supports a maximum capacity of 1000 workers, 1200 devices, and 100 contact center agents. The top-of-the-line BE6000S Supports 8 UC software application options activated on a virtualized Cisco UCS C220 M4 server platform and supports as many as 1000 workers, 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 (Unified CM) and CallManager design, integration, upgrades and technical support.

Cisco IP Phones: VoIP and IP Video Phones
An IP communications endpoint is a user device, either a physical phone set or a soft phone program on a PC or mobile computer. In the IP world, every IP handset or soft phone has an Ethernet connection. Voice over IP phones have all of the features that an ordinary phone handset provides, but VoIP phones often have extra functions including the ability to connect to websites or run collaboration applications.

Unlike ordinary PBX technology, in a Cisco IP phone network you can perform virtually instant moves, additions, and changes. You simply move the IP phone to its new spot, attach it to an Ethernet connection, and the device announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (formerly CallManager). All user permissions and settings are automatically replicated, eliminating the cost and delay of dispatching technicians to wiring closets. An additional helpful feature is extension mobility, which enables you to log into any Cisco VoIP device and receive your personal phone extension and privileges.

Cisco provides a broad selection of Unified CM hardware endpoints. The low-cost SPA 300 family are no-frills IP and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) devices that feature wide-band voice, compatibility with hosted Internet Protocol phone systems or an IP private branch exchange (PBX), simple installation and highly secure online installation, zero-downtime software upgrades, and web-based set up. The low-end SPA301 is a one-line VoIP endpoint with no display or speakerphone, a base dialer with a single Ethernet port, and a corded handset with no a keypad. The SPA302D, intended solely for operation with Cisco's SPA232D DECT Analog Telephone Adapter, is a multiple-line wireless Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) handset that offers 10-lines, a 176 x 220 color screen, and a keypad with a speakerphone. Cisco's SPA303 is an affordable three-line IP phone with dual switched ports, a 128x64 mono graphical display and a speaker.

The SPA500 Series VoIP phones are affordable devices with support for both SIP and SPCP call control protocols, two Ethernet switch ports, speakerphones, Power over Ethernet (PoE), and voice 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 screen. The SPA502G has a single line and has no programmable keys. The SPA504G IP Phone supports four lines and has four programmable buttons. The SPA508G VoIP phone supports eight lines and eight programmable keys. The SPA509G VoIP phone supports 12 lines and features 12 programmable keys. The SPA512G has four lines, no soft buttons and supports 10/100/1000 Ethernet. The SPA514G supports four lines, has programmable keys, and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The high-end SPA525G2 includes a 320 x 240 pixel color screen, supports five lines, and includes five programmable keys.

Cisco's IP Phones 3900 Series and 6900 Series are specialty IP voice devices designed for occasional-use settings such as lobbies, hallways, and conference centers. Cisco's Unified SIP Phone 3905 features VoIP phone features a 128 x 32 mono screen, an integrated 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and Power over Ethernet. The simple Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a one-line endpoint without a display and uses a hook switch for call transfer or conferencing.

Cisco's 7800 Series of value-priced IP phones are VoIP devices with backlit monochrome displays, four programmable keys, 11 dedicated keys, an integral Ethernet switch with Power over Ethernet (PoE), and a speakerphone. Cisco's 7800 Series support only the SIP call control protocol. All models in the 7800 family incorporate the same advanced speakers and microphones as Cisco's 8800 Series IP phones to provide a best-in-class audio solution. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save technology, offered on the higher end 7800 models, reduces after-hours energy usage by as much as 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a one-line VoIP phone intended for shared locations as well as for employees with occasional-to-light call requirements. The IP 7811 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 endpoint with a 396 x 162 display. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line phone with a 396 x 162 screen and is the only model in the 7800 series to support 1xGb Ethernet. The high-end IP Phone 7861 is a 16-line device intended for administrative staff, contact center personnel, and supervisors who have significant voice communications requirements.

Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are dual-protocol (SIP/SCCP) media endpoints with a 320 x 240 pixel color screen, a 10/100/1000 Ethernet switch, Class 3 Power over Ethernet, 10 fixed-feature buttons 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 IP phones include a 5-inch display and four soft buttons. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G unit is an eight-line IP voice and video phone featuring a 5.6-inch touch screen and five soft keys.

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a family of SIP-only IP phones that features desktop devices, a conference phone, and mobile wireless IP Phones. The desktop models are five-line IP phones with a 5-inch 800 x 480 display, a Gigabit Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, four programmable buttons and 12 fixed-feature buttons. The Cisco IP Phone 8811 features a backlit mono display and supports Class 2 PoE. Cisco's IP Phone 8841 has a WVGA color display and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet. Cisco's IP Phone 8845 features a WVGA color display, 720p HD video, 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 one 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. The Cisco 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, a tiltable camera, Bluetooth, dual USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE.

Cisco's wireless IP phones are hardened wireless devices intended for workers who are mobile within office, hospitality, health-care or other environments where IT management requires portable phones that offer more control, security and durability than is possible with the Bring-Your-Own-Device style of workplace communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones provide mobile onsite workers the benefits of voice over wireless LAN communications in workplaces with 802.11x Wi-Fi. The 8821 Wireless VoIP Phone includes a hi-res color screen, a rugged shell rated Mil-SPEC 810G to withstand dropping and compliant with IP67 for dust and moisture resistance, long-life batteries, a speakerphone, and an integrated Bluetooth transceiver for hands-free operation with wireless headsets. The 8821-EX Wireless VoIP Phone adds protection against sparking for hazardous work sites. Cisco's 8821-EX also features a shell composed out of industry-standard yellow plastics, which makes it easy to find in a crisis. Find out about Progent's Cisco Wireless VoIP Phone integration consultants.

Cisco's legacy 9900 family of high-performance IP endpoints mix high-quality voice with hi-res color screens to provide a productive multimedia UC experience for knowledge professionals, managers, and executives. The two IP phones in this family incorporate an SD 24-bit color display, a Bluetooth transceiver to support a wide choice of headsets, and a built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet port. The Cisco EnergyWise power-save feature is optional and can lower off-work power use by 90 percent. The IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch display and allows up to 2 Cisco IP Expansion Modules for expanding customizable line and feature 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 wireless networks, and four soft-label touchscreen keys to access Cisco Unified Communications functions. The 9971 VoIP phone allows up to 3 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for expanding customizable line and function keys.

Cisco Unified Communications Application Software
Under Cisco's Unified Communications architecture, IP telephony, IP video, and other converged applications are separate from the call- and voice-processing infrastructure, and they may reside anywhere within the system. A single connectivity framework offers a versatile platform for powerful business applications and provides a solid basis for future convergence-based applications. Cisco works with leading technology companies to offer a broad selection of IP phone and video applications and products. Cisco also enables the ability to develop and administer customized internal programs.

Unified Communications applications offered by Cisco and supported by Progent include:

Cisco Jabber
Cisco Jabber is a unified communications client application that supports presence, IM, business-quality voice, HD video, voicemail, screen sharing, and online conferencing capabilities for Windows PCs, Macs, Apple and Android tablets and smartphones. Jabber is an evolution and combination of the Cisco Unified Personal Communicator soft phone, Cisco Mobile, and WebEx Connect, with major improvements to video capabilities and screen sharing, and extending the team experience to additional platforms and devices. Cisco Jabber operates with Cisco Unified Communications Manager for call and session control, Cisco Unified Presence for instant messaging and presence, Unity Connection for voicemail and automated attendant, and WebEX Meeting for conferencing.

Because Cisco Jabber utilizes key industry standards, it can communicate with a broad selection of third-party platforms. As an example, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol allows Jabber users to exchange instant messaging and presence information with other XMPP clients including as Adium for Mac OS, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync. Cisco Jabber capabilities can be accessed from Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Outlook and SharePoint. This extensive platform compatibility optimizes output by providing a consistent user environment and fully enabling the bring-your-own-device model of computing. Progent offers the assistance of Microsoft-certified Exchange and Outlook consultants and Microsoft SharePoint experts who can assist you to integrate Jabber with Microsoft's premier collaboration products. Progent also offers expertise with iPhone and iPad integration and Google Android smartphone integration and management to help you to enhance the productivity of your BYOD environment.

WebEX Meeting Center
WebEX Meeting Center enables online meetings for users with a web browser or almost any PC or mobile computer. Cisco WebEx is offered as software as a service (SaaS) via Cisco's WebEx Cloud. This makes it easy to roll out and scale, streamlines management, avoids heavy initial investment, features high availability and world-class data protection, and delivers fast throughput. Key capabilities include the ability to share specific content or an whole screen with online attendees in real time, the capability to incorporate rich media into your presentations including Microsoft PowerPoint and Flash animations, network-based recording plus editing and playback for training and demonstrations, single sign-on and integration with other Cisco collaboration applications like Cisco Jabber and TelePresence, plus stringent data privacy and encrypted access with tight policy management.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center works with Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac, and Linux-powered desktops and notebooks and allows mobile users to launch, calendarize, and attend meetings on Android devices, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry handhelds, and Microsoft Windows Phone. Users can also initiate online meetings instantly from Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes, and a variety of IM solutions.

Cisco TelePresence Portfolio for In-house Teleconferencing Infrastructure
For medium-size businesses and enterprises who want to build an in-house or hybrid in-house/cloud environment for video conferencing, Cisco offers a portfolio of Cisco TelePresence products that deliver high-definition video conferencing for participants with virtually any IP endpoint at any location. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable teleconferencing bridge that works with Cisco Unified CM to deliver multiparty video, audio and content sharing to unified communications environments and can expand conferences to include cloud-based Cisco WebEx Meeting Center participants. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software simplifies the control of how teleconferencing bandwidth and features should be allotted for every individual participant, enabling managers to specify the exact service level and user experience required for every user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server records video and presentations for live distribution as well as video on demand (VOD) playback.

Cisco's Unity Connection Platform and Unity Express for Unified Voice Messaging
The Cisco Unity Connection, an integrated extension of Unified CM, is a converged voicemail system that accelerates productive collaboration by offering a variety of alternatives for retrieving voice messages within a framework that is easy to implement and maintain. Cisco Unity Connection allows you to read and manage voicemail from your email inbox, browser, Jabber, a Cisco Unified VoIP endpoint, a smartphone, or an iPad or tablet. Cisco Unity Connection also offers sophisticated speech-recognition capabilities for hands and eyes free operation and powerful Automated Attendant capabilities that include smart routing for inbound phone calls and custom call-screening and message-notification settings. The Unity Connection system operates as a fully virtualized system that can be hosted on a Business Edition 6000 server or a Cisco Services Ready Engine 910 router blade service module and can support as many as 20,000 mailboxes per server.

Cisco Unity Express (CUE), available in select Cisco Integrated Services routers, offers affordable voicemail, integrated messaging, interactive voice response (IVR), and greeting functions for small to medium businesses (SMBs) and corporate branch offices with as many as 500 workers. Cisco Unity Express permits you to manage voicemail via a Cisco IP Phone screen, your web browser, or your email system. ISR Routers for which Cisco Unity Express is available as a network module include Cisco's 1861, 2800, 2900, 3800, and 3900 Series. Progent can provide comprehensive deployment and support services for all Integrated Services Routers.

Unified Contact Center
Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE or UCCE) integrates with Cisco CUCM and agent desktop applications like Finesse to provide automatic call distribution features that allow an organization to match customers with the right sales or support person. Unified CCE provides smart call routing, computer telephony integration (CTI), support for multichannel contact management, network-wide call queuing, interactive voice response and consolidated enterprise-wide reporting to simplify the creation and management of a large-scale customer contact center. Cisco platforms supporting Unified CCE's client contact management solution include Cisco Unified IP Phones, Cisco Voice Gateways, and Cisco LAN/WAN technology.

Unified Contact Center Express (Unified CCX or CCX) provides a packaged bundle for creating a customer contact center for mid-scale deployments that support as many as 400 agents. Several packages are offered, plus a selection of special options. Unified CCX integrates closely with Cisco CUCM and offers smart call distribution, client interaction management, reporting, interactive voice response, and the ability to manage voice, email, chat, and social media requests. Unified Contact Center Express comes with Finesse, a web-based desktop agent that requires no client-side software setup. Special options include conditional routing, expected-wait-time announcements, and workforce quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect for Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, commonly referred to as Single Number Reach, makes it possible for users to be called from a single number that rings simultaneously on their Cisco IP Phone and their smartphone. Users can switch active conversations between their desktop VoIP phone and their mobile phone without disruption. Unanswered calls can be transferred to a Unity or Unity Connection account. Users can create personal access lists that determine which calls get extended to alternate phones.

Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Cisco Prime Collaboration offers an automated platform for initial deployments and for “day 2” moves, additions, changes, and deletions. A user-friendly console provides a single view of a user and the user's services. Prime Collaboration substantially speeds up site rollouts and reduces the time needed for future changes. Prime Collaboration in addition offers advanced analytics that show technology adoption and consumption trends, allowing organizations to optimize resources and further reduce total cost of ownership.

Cisco Communications Gateways
Cisco's communications gateways permit Cisco converged communications deployments to connect with public networks and with users operating outside the firewall. Cisco's portfolio of gateways deliver unified communications support 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 Collaboration Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful converged media gateway that allows organizations to allow colleagues, vendors, customers and prospects, or business partners who are using different network environments, collaboration platforms, or endpoint devices to connect to Unified Communication functions. Cisco's Expressway collaboration gateway works with an enterprise Cisco Communications Manager system or Cisco Business Edition 6000, or can be accessed via the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS) to make collaboration more pervasive. Important capabilities of Cisco Expressway are:

• Mobile and Remote Connectivity: Off-site workers who have any Jabber-supported client or telecommuters with Cisco TelePresence endpoints get the benefit of single-sign-on and of Transport Layer Security (TLS) and are able to access all their collaboration workloads (high-definition video, high-quality voice, content instant messaging, and presence) without requiring the extra step of a VPN. In addition, telecommuters can use their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without the need for a VPN, providing a user environment at home the same as the office.
• Jabber Guest Support: Expressway is critical for supporting Cisco's Jabber Guest, which permits “guests” to communicate with your business easily and safely through lightweight browser and mobile multimedia calls.
• Cisco Cloud Access: Expressway can function as a gateway that creates a path between onsite Cisco or third-party collaboration solutions and the WebEx cloud. By supporting Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms (CMRs), Cisco Expressway deliver a world-class, extensible conferencing experience that seamlessly integrates voice, video, and data sharing to any client, anywhere, on any endpoint.
• Interoperability: In case your company already has non-Cisco video systems, Cisco Expressway can help you to move easily to Cisco products when it makes business sense. Cisco Expressway offers video interoperability with standards-based H.323, H.264 SVC, or Session Initiation Protocol environments. Gateway capabilities allowed by Cisco Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and Microsoft Lync 2013 H.264 SVC to H.264/AVC.

• Cisco WebEx Cloud Connected Audio (CCA) for high-capacity SIP-media-connected conferencing
• Voice and Video recording
• SIP-based Call-center and interactive-voice-response solutions
• Policy-led evaluation of voice calls
• B2B teleconferencing over SIP

Cisco's End-of-Life UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Phone Systems
The end-of-life Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series is a VoIP and unified communications solution for small businesses. UC500 packages deliver voice, data, voicemail, automated attendant, IP video, firewall, and wireless functionality, work with older generation Cisco IP Voice endpoints, and support public switched telephone network (PSTN) connections.

All UC500 series bundles include a compact switch appliance with 8 PoE ports and additional foreign exchange stations (FXS) and FXO interfaces, a firewall, and VPN. Integrated WiFi is optional. VoIP user capacity can be increased by attaching Cisco Catalyst Express companion switches. Every UC500 model also includes licenses for Cisco Unified Communications Manager for VoIP call processing and Cisco Unity Express software for voice messaging and automated attendant. The Cisco UC520 system supports 8 to 16 VoIP users and include 4 FXS and 4 FXO ports. The Cisco UC540 package allows 32 users and provides 8 foreign exchange office ports. The Cisco UC560 package supports 48 VoIP clients and 12 FXO interfaces.

Progent's seasoned VoIP consultants can assist you to maintain your legacy UC500 VoIP system or plan and implement an efficient migration to a current VoIP solution such as the Cisco cloud-managed Business Edition 4000.

How Progent Can Help You with Cisco IP Voice and IP Media Phones, CUCM, and Video Conferencing
Progent can provide online or onsite access to a certified CCIE Collaboration expert to help you to plan, implement, administer and troubleshoot converged communications networks built on Cisco Unified Communication products in a centralized, distributed, or hybrid deployment. Progent's Cisco engineers have extensive backgrounds supporting Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, Voice over IP and video phones and soft phones, UC applications like Cisco Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's teleconferencing products, communication gatekeepers, tools incorporated into Cisco Catalyst switches and routers. Progent can also provide expertise with related technologies such as Cisco SRST, CUBE, SIP gateways, CAC, IP voice trunks, PSTN, and Cisco's AVVID architecture. Progent's SIP infrastructure consultants can in addition help you to build SIP connectivity solutions that incorporate SIP IP voice phones and media phones, SIP-based CUBE trunks, SIP conferencing and SIP administration tools with Cisco Unified CM.

Progent's custom application programmers can build specialized IP telephony software that will help your business to integrate the features of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your business operations for enhanced productivity. Progent can analyze your current network and Internet access architecture to make sure your system is optimized to accommodate high-quality Voice over IP and high-definition video, assist you to select and deploy Cisco products that make sense for your present situation and downstream expansion plans, and integrate your Cisco collaborative communications solution with products from other suppliers. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified data security and compliance consultants can show you how to develop, implement, and test a comprehensive security and compliance plan for your unified communications solution. In addition, Progent can help you to deploy Cisco fault-tolerant mechanisms like Cisco Unified Survivable Remote Site Telephony for affordable call control redundancy in branch office and telecommuter sites, and Progent's disaster recovery preparedness consultants can help you create a sensible DR/BC plan to protect your vital communications system.

Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Upgrade Consulting
Versions of Unified CM earlier than 8.6 and every release of its predecessor CallManager have arrived at end-of-life. Therefore Cisco will no longer develop, fix, or validate this older software. Security patches for this business-critical product will end, which in certain circumstances could cause compliance or even legal liability problems.

Progent will continue to offer world-class consulting and support for outdated versions of Unified Communications Manager and CallManager, but if your company is still running a legacy version of this critical software your organization should start now to prepare for your upgrade. Progent's collaboration consulting professionals can help you to migrate smoothly to the latest version of Unified Communications Manager and can often save clients up to 50% off consulting fees versus most IT service companies thanks to Progent's documented process and hands-on experience in this practice area. By adhering to best practices, Progent can ensure that your business sees a quick return on your IT investment by helping you take full advantage of the enhanced feature set, lower administrative and maintenance expense, more engaging collaboration capabilities, and tighter data protection provided by the latest edition of Cisco Unified CM.

Progent's migration services include return-on-investment assessment, project management or co-management, pilot testing and validation, Cloud connectivity, configuring collaboration endpoints from Cisco and other vendors, smartphone and tablet integration, data protection consulting, management automation, disaster recovery planning, network topology design, training, and continuing consulting and troubleshooting. Progent also offers fixed-priced migration service bundles to keep your costs visible and affordable.

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