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Exchanging real-time voice and video over IP (VoIP and Video over IP) has advanced from simply being being a savvy method to reduce phone bills to being an indispensable tool for productive collaboration. Converged communications, once limited to integrating Internet-based voice and faxes on the same platform in order to take the place of expensive PBX systems, today encompasses VoIP and video, mobile communications, instant messaging, presence, services, and more within a centralized framework that is manageable, scalable, highly secure, fault-tolerant, cost-effective, and intuitive.

Cisco is the global leader in providing solutions for supporting the modern model of unified communications (UC). Cisco's UC architecture adds to the efficiency of IT systems by cutting operating expenses; combining rich media functions with popular software applications to improve worker output; facilitating collaboration among employees, partners, and suppliers to save time and improve business results; and streamlining the management of your communications infrastructure.

Cisco's Unified Communications solutions address several main product categories:,

• Call Control Platforms for controlling rich media calls and sessions
• VoIP and Video Phones and Softphones to optimize worker engagement
• UC Applications for simplified access to real-time, chat, voice and video, phone messages, desktop sharing, and voice/video conferencing
• IP Gateways for providing connectivity with public networks and remote users

Call and Session Processing Agents - Unified Communications Manager (CallManager)
The call-processing agent is the heart of the Cisco IP telephony portfolio infrastructure and provides the versatility to implement a centralized call-processing design, a decentralized design, or a combination of the two. In a centralized approach, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) expands enterprise phone capabilities to packet products such as IP handsets, media processing products, VoIP gateways, and multimedia programs across the IT environment. Cisco Unified Communications Manager supports extra multimedia functions including unified messaging, multimedia conferencing, and collaborative customer interaction networks.

The latest release of Unified CM, formerly known as Cisco CallManager, includes a wealth of enhancements that accelerate your return on investment by cutting administrative and maintenance expenses, increasing worker productivity, facilitating collaboration, accommodating the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) style of computing, fortifying data protection, and making efficient utilization of IT resources. Top new features include Global Dial Plan Replication (GDPR), simplified certificate management, expanded support for single sign-on (SSO) for managers and end users, hardware-agnostic call recording, on-the-road connectivity with no need for VPN, a new self-provisioning utility that makes it simple for workers to specify their preferences for all of their endpoints, and support for Transport Layer Security for mobile clients.

In cases where you deploy a centralized Unified Communications Manager cluster to manage call processing for users at distributed locations, IT managers can help achieve non-stop phone operation through Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, a Cisco IOS Software image for Cisco routers. If a Wide Area Network link breaks, Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony in the router offers basic Unified Communications Manager functions until the connection is restored. For a description of Progent's consulting support services for Cisco routers, refer to consulting and troubleshooting support services for Cisco Integrated Services routers.

For small businesses, branch locations, and retail environments that do not require the full functionality available from Unified CM, Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express, previously known as CallManager Express offers an economical solution that meets the needs of sites with as many as 450 workers. Because Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is embedded in the IOS Software operating on a Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR), smaller organizations can quickly set up a converged voice/data environment.

Cisco's BE6000 is a family of all-in-one solutions that provide fundamental unified communications features including routing, gateway, high definition voice and video, messaging, instant messaging and real-time presence, conferencing, and paging services, enabling any end user to connect on any device from any location. All BE6000 solutions are delivered preconfigured with virtualization and UC applications software, making implementation quick and easy and cutting operating expenses for companies with from 25 to 1000 workers. All BE6000 versions come preinstalled with a virtualization hypervisor and collaboration applications software. You can instantly enable UC applications whenever their needs grow.

The small-scale Business Edition 6000S supports five fixed unified communications software applications installed on one combination 2921V ISR router/gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 blade server platform and can handle as many as 150 workers and 300 endpoint devices. The medium-scale Business Edition 6000M includes 4 collaboration software application options activated on a virtualized C220 M4 server platform and can handle up to 1000 users, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The high-end Business Edition 6000H includes eight collaboration software application options enabled on a virtualized C220 M4 server and has the capacity for as many as 1000 workers, 2500 devices, and 100 contact center agents.

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

IP Phones: VoIP and IP Video Phones
A communications endpoint is a user instrument, either a physical phone or a software phone program on a PC or mobile computer. In the Internet Protocol environment, every IP handset or soft phone is Ethernet connected. VoIP phones offer all of the functions that an ordinary phone has, but IP phones often have additional functions such as being able to access websites or run productivity-enhancing applications.

Unlike ordinary PBX technology, in a Cisco IP phone environment you can implement virtually instantaneous moves, adds, and modifications. You simply move the IP handset to your new spot, attach it to an Ethernet jack, and the device announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All client permissions and configurations are automatically re-established, doing away with the cost and delay of dispatching technicians to rewire connections. An additional helpful capability is location independence, which enables you to sign into any Cisco IP phone and receive your own phone extension and rights.

Cisco offers a broad selection of collaboration hardware endpoints. The entry-level SPA 300 Series are basic IP and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) screenless or monochrome phones that feature high-quality audio, support for hosted Internet Protocol telephony systems or an IP private branch exchange, simple installation and safe remote provisioning, in-service software updates, and web-based configuration. The value-priced SPA301 is a one-line VoIP endpoint with no screen or speakerphone, a base dialer with one Ethernet port, and a corded handset with no keys. The SPA302D, intended exclusively for operation with the Cisco SPA232D DECT ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter), is a multiple-line wireless Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) IP phone that offers 10-lines, a TFT 176 x 220 color display, and a keypad with speakerphone capability. Cisco's SPA303 is an affordable three-line SIP-based phone with two Ethernet ports, a 128x64 monochrome screen and a speaker.

The SPA500 family VoIP phones are low-cost endpoints that support both SIP and SPCP signaling protocols, two Ethernet switch ports, speakerphones, built-in web servers, Power over Ethernet, and voice conferencing support. Most versions have a 128 x 64 pixel monochrome 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 has four lines and has four programmable keys. The SPA508G has eight lines and eight soft keys. The SPA509G IP Phone supports 12 lines and features 12 programmable buttons. The SPA512G VoIP phone supports four lines, no soft buttons and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The SPA514G IP Phone supports four lines, has soft keys, and supports 10/100/1000 Ethernet. The high-end SPA525G2 includes a 320 x 240 color screen, supports five lines, and features five soft buttons.

Cisco's IP Phones 3900 Series and IP Phones 6900 Series are specialty IP voice endpoints designed for infrequent-use environments such as cafeterias, elevators, and conference facilities. The Unified SIP Phone 3905 IP Phone features a 128 x 32 pixel monochrome screen, an integrated Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and PoE. The bare-bones Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a one-line endpoint with no display and requires a hook switch for transferring a call or conferencing.

Cisco's 7800 Series of value-priced IP phones are VoIP desktop endpoints with backlit mono displays, four soft keys, 11 dedicated buttons, an integral Ethernet port with Class 1 PoE, and an integral speakerphone. The 7800 Series support only the SIP call control protocol. All devices in the 7800 family feature the same advanced speakers and microphones as Cisco's 8800 Series IP phones to deliver a state-of-the-art audio solution. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save feature, available on the advanced 7800 models, reduces after-hours energy consumption by up to 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a single-line phone designed for shared locations and for employees with occasional-to-light call requirements. The IP 7811 VoIP phone comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 display and a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is available via an extra-cost handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a dual-line endpoint with a 396 x 162 screen. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line VoIP endpoint with a 396 x 162 display and is the only unit in the 7800 family that provides 1xGb Ethernet. The high-end IP Phone 7861 VoIP phone is a 16-line device intended for administrators, contact center agents, and supervisors who have heavy call needs.

Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are dual-protocol (SIP/SCCP) media devices with a 320 x 240 color display, an integral 10/100/1000 Ethernet switch, Class 3 PoE, 10 dedicated buttons and a speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7945G is a dual-line device and the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G supports four lines. Both IP phones include a 5-inch screen and four programmable buttons. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G unit is an eight-line media phone featuring a 5.6-inch touch screen and five programmable buttons.

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a portfolio of SIP-only endpoints that features desktop devices, a conference phone, and mobile wireless IP Phones. The desktop units 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 keys. Cisco's IP Phone 8811 includes a backlit mono display and supports Class 2 PoE. Cisco's IP Phone 8841 has a WVGA color display and supports Class 2 PoE. Cisco's IP Phone 8845 features a WVGA color display, 720p HD video, an adjustable camera, Bluetooth, Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, and supports Class 2 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8851 features a WVGA color screen and a USB port with charging capability, supports Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice and Class 3 Power over Ethernet, and is offered in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth models. The Cisco IP Phone 8861 has a WVGA color screen, Bluetooth, two USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 Power over Ethernet. The Cisco IP Phone 8865 includes a WVGA color screen, 720p HD video, a tiltable camera, Bluetooth, dual USB connections with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Class 4 Power over Ethernet.

Cisco's wireless VoIP phones are industrial-grade Wi-Fi handsets intended for professionals who are on the move within office, hospitality, retail or other venues where IT management wants portable phones that provide more administrative control, security and ruggedness than is achievable with the BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) mode of workplace communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones provide on-the-move on-premises users the benefits of voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) communications in workplaces with 802.11x Wi-Fi infrastructure. Cisco's 8821 Wireless VoIP Phone includes a hi-res color screen, a durable shell rated Mil-SPEC 810G to withstand dropping and compliant with 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 VoIP Phone adds anti-sparking protection for use in potentially combustible environments. The 8821-EX also features a shell fabricated of industry-standard yellow plastics, which makes the 8821-EX easy to locate the event of an emergency. Learn about Progent's Wireless IP Phone integration support.

Cisco's legacy 9900 family of high-performance IP endpoints combine high-definition voice with high-resolution color screens to provide a rich collaborative unified communications solution for managers and executives. Both models in this line have an SD 640x480 pixel color display, a Bluetooth radio to work with a wide choice of headsets, and an integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet switch. Cisco's EnergyWise function is optional and can cut off-hour power consumption by 90 percent. The IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch screen and allows up to 2 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for expanding customizable line and function keys. The IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch display, a built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi radio for connecting to Voice-over-wireless LAN (VoWLAN) networks, and 4 programmable touchscreen keys to access Cisco UC features. The 9971 allows up to 3 IP Expansion Modules for expanding programmable line and function keys.

Unified Communications Application Software
Within Cisco's Unified Communications platform, IP voice, IP video, and other converged applications are physically independent from the call-processing and voice-processing infrastructure, and they may be at any location within the network. A single network infrastructure provides a versatile platform for feature-rich applications and acts as a firm basis for downstream convergence-based applications. Cisco works with leading technology vendors to provide a broad selection of IP voice and IP video software applications and devices. Cisco also enables the capability to develop and manage specialized in-house applications.

Collaborative applications available from Cisco and supported by Progent include:

Cisco Jabber
Cisco Jabber is a converge media application that supports presence, IM, business-quality voice, video, voice messaging, desktop sharing, and online conferencing capabilities for Windows PCs, Macs, tablets and iPhones, Android phones, and Blackberries. Jabber is an evolution and integration of the Cisco Unified Personal Communicator soft phone application, Cisco Mobile, and Cisco WebEx Connect, with significant improvements in the areas of video capabilities and desktop sharing, and expanding the team environment to more operating systems and endpoint hardware. Jabber works in conjunction with Cisco Unified Communications Manager for call and session management, Cisco Unified Presence for IM and presence, Cisco Unity Connection for voice messaging and automated attendant, and WebEX Meeting for conferencing.

Because Jabber is built around key industry protocols, it can interoperate with a wide range of third-party platforms. For example, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) allows Jabber to trade IM and presence data with various XMPP clients including as Adium, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync. Cisco Jabber collaboration features are available from Microsoft Office programs including Microsoft Outlook and SharePoint. This cross-platform support maximizes productivity by delivering a consistent user experience and accommodating the bring-your-own-device paradigm of computing. Progent offers the services of Microsoft-certified Exchange and Outlook consultants and Microsoft SharePoint application developers who can assist you to take advantage of Jabber with Microsoft's premier collaboration products. Progent also offers help with Apple iPhone and iPad integration as well as Android smartphone integration and management to help you to increase the business value of your BYOD environment.

WebEX Meeting Center
WebEX Meeting Center provides web and video meetings for users with a web browser or virtually any desktop or mobile device. Cisco WebEx is delivered as software as a service (SaaS) via the Cisco WebEx Cloud. This makes it easy to roll out and expand, streamlines management, avoids high initial investment, offers maximum uptime and world-class data protection, and delivers fast performance. Important capabilities include the ability to share specific content or an entire screen with remote participants in real time, the ability to incorporate multimedia into presentations including PowerPoint and Flash animations, session recording plus editing and playback for training and demonstrations, single sign-on (SSO) and integration with Cisco collaboration products such as Cisco Jabber and Cisco TelePresence, plus stringent data protection and encrypted connections with tight policy control.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center works with Windows, Apple Mac, and Linux PCs and permits mobile workers to initiate, calendarize, and participate in conferences on Google Android devices, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry handhelds, and Microsoft Windows Phone. You can also initiate web conferences with a few clicks from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Notes, and a variety of instant messaging solutions.

Cisco TelePresence Products for In-house Video Conferencing Ecosystems
For medium-size businesses and larger enterprises who wish to build an on-premises or hybrid local/cloud environment for teleconferencing, Cisco offers a selection of Cisco TelePresence products that enable high-quality teleconferencing for attendees with almost any endpoint device at any site. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable video conferencing bridge that works in conjunction with Cisco Unified CM to deliver multiparty video, audio and content sharing to unified communications deployments and can extend meetings to support cloud-connected Cisco WebEx Meeting Center users. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software streamlines the control of how teleconferencing resources should be allotted for every individual participant, enabling administrators to specify the exact service level and user experience needed for each user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server captures video conference presentations for real-time streaming and video on demand (VOD) viewing.

Cisco's Unity Connection and Unity Express for Converged Voicemail
Cisco's Unity Connection, an extension of Cisco Unified CM, is a unified voicemail system that promotes teamwork by providing flexible set of alternatives for accessing calls and messages within a framework that is easy to deploy and manage. Unity Connection lets you read and manage voicemail from your Exchange inbox, web browser, Cisco Jabber, a Cisco Unified IP endpoint, an iPhone or other smartphone, or a tablet. Unity Connection also provides sophisticated voice-recognition capabilities for hands and eyes free management and powerful Automated Attendant functions that include smart routing for incoming calls and easily customizable call-screening and message-alert settings. The Unity Connection platform runs as a fully virtualized system that can be hosted on a BE6000 server or a Cisco Services Ready Engine 910 router service module and can support as many as 20,000 voice mailboxes per server.

Unity Express (CUE), offered in certain Cisco Integrated Services routers, provides cost-effective voicemail, integrated messaging, interactive voice response, and greeting services for small to medium businesses (SMBs) and enterprise satellite locations with up to 500 workers. Cisco Unity Express allows users to manage voicemail via a Cisco IP Phone display, a browser, or your email system. Integrated Services Routers for which Cisco Unity Express is available as an advanced integration module include Cisco's 1861, 2900, 3800, and 3900 families. Progent offers certified configuration and support services for Cisco routers.

Unified Contact Center
Unified Contact Center Enterprise (UCCE) works with Unified CM and desktop agent apps like Finesse to provide automatic call distribution features that allow an organization to connect customers with the right sales or support person. UCCE features smart call distribution, computer telephony integration (CTI), multichannel contact management, network call queuing, IVR and consolidated company-wide reporting to simplify the deployment and administration of a large-scale contact center. Cisco platforms supporting Unified CCE's customer contact management solution include Unified IP Phones, Voice, and Cisco network infrastructure.

Cisco Unified Contact Center Express (Unified CCX or CCX) offers an out-of-the-box solution for building a customer interaction management center for mid-scale deployments that support up to 400 agents. Multiple bundles are offered, plus a variety of optional advanced features. Cisco Unified CCX integrates with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and offers intelligent call distribution, client management, reporting, interactive voice response, and management of voice, email, web chat, and social media inquiries. Cisco Unified Contact Center Express comes with Finesse, a browser-based desktop agent that needs no client installation. Special options include conditional routing, estimated-wait-time announcements, and productivity optimization with workforce and quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect for Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, commonly known as Single Number Reach (SNR), makes it possible for users to be called via a single number that rings at the same time on their Cisco desktop IP Phone and their cell phone. Users can switch live conversations between their Cisco IP phone and their cell phone without disruption. Calls that are not answered can be redirected to a Unity or Unity Connection voicemail account. Users can create their own access lists that specify which calls are extended to alternate phones.

Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning provides an automated platform for first-time deployments as well as for follow-on moves, adds, changes, and deletions. An intuitive console provides a single view of a user and the subscriber's services. Cisco Prime Collaboration significantly speeds up site installations and minimizes the time needed to implement ongoing changes. Prime Collaboration also offers management analytics including technology adoption and consumption trends, enabling organizations to optimize resources and further reduce TCO.

Cisco Collaboration Gateways
Cisco's communications gateways allow Cisco Unified Communications deployments to connect with other networks and with clients operating outside the firewall. Cisco's portfolio of communication gateways deliver UC support for a wide variety of gateway as well as session-border-control deployments.

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

Cisco Expressway Collaboration Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful collaboration gateway that enables companies to allow employees, suppliers, customers and prospects, or partners who are using different networks, workgroup platforms, or endpoint devices to connect to Unified Communication services. Cisco's Expressway integrates with an enterprise Cisco Communications Manager deployment or Cisco Business Edition 6000 (BE6000), or can be run through the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS) to make productive collaboration more universal. Key capabilities of Expressway are are:

• Mobile and Off-site Connectivity: Remote users who have any Jabber-compatible desktop or handheld computer or telecommuters with Cisco TelePresence endpoints get the convenience of single-sign-on and of Transport Layer Security (TLS) and are able to connect to all their Jabber applications (video, business-quality voice, rich content IM, and realtime presence) without requiring the inconvenience starting a VPN connection. Also, teleworkers can utilize their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without the need for a VPN, delivering a user environment at home identical to the office.
• Cisco Jabber Guest Support: Expressway is integral for enabling Jabber Guest, which permits “guests” to communicate with your organization simply and securely through streamlined web-browser and mobile video calls.
• Cisco Cloud Connectivity: Expressway can act as a gateway that connects between on-premises Cisco or third-party collaboration solutions and Cisco's WebEx cloud. By offering support for Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms, Expressway offers an advanced, extensible conferencing experience that transparently combines business-quality voice, HD video, and data sharing to any client, at any location, using any endpoint.
• Interoperability: If your company already has non-Cisco video systems, Expressway can help you to move easily to a Cisco solution whenever you choose. Cisco Expressway offers video compatibility with standards-based H.323, H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC), or SIP environments. Interoperability capabilities allowed by Cisco Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to Session Initiation Protocol, and Microsoft Lync H.264 SVC to H.264/AVC.

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

Cisco's Legacy UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Gateways
The end-of-life Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series is an early VoIP gateway system for small organizations. UC500 packages deliver voice, data, voicemail, auto attendant, video, security, and WiFi functionality, work with older Cisco VoIP endpoints, and support various public switched telephone network (PSTN) connections.

All Cisco's UC500 packages include a desktop switch with 8 Power-over-Ethernet interfaces plus additional foreign exchange stations (FXS) and foreign exchange office (FXO) ports, a firewall, and VPN. Integrated WiFi is an option. VoIP user capacity can be increased by connecting with Cisco Catalyst Express companion switches. Every UC500 model also includes licenses for Cisco Unified Communications Manager for VoIP call processing as well as Cisco Unity Express for voice messaging and automated attendant. The Cisco UC520 system supports 8 to 16 VoIP users and incorporate 4 foreign exchange stations and 4 FXO ports. The Cisco UC540 system supports 24 to 32 clients and has 8 foreign exchange office interfaces. The Cisco UC560 system supports 48 VoIP clients and 12 FXO ports.

Progent's Cisco-certified VoIP consultants can assist you to support your legacy UC500 VoIP system or plan and implement a smooth upgrade to a current IP telephony and voicemail 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 on-premises access to a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Collaboration consultant to assist you to plan, install, manage and troubleshoot converged communications environments that incorporate Cisco Unified Communication products in a centralized, cloud-based, or hybrid environment. Progent's Cisco consultants have in-depth backgrounds integrating Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, VoIP phones and soft phones, UC applications such as Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's immersive telepresence technologies, communication gatekeepers, utilities incorporated into Cisco Catalyst switches and routers. Progent can also offer support for technologies like Cisco SRST, Cisco Unified Border Element, H.323 and H.264 gateways, CAC, VoIP trunks, PSTN, and Cisco's architecture for voice, video and integrated data. Progent's SIP integration consultants can in addition help you to create SIP infrastructure environments that incorporate SIP IP voice phones and video endpoints, SIP-based CUBE trunks, SIP conferencing and SIP management tools via Cisco Unified Communications Manager.

Progent's custom application developers can create specialized unified communications applications that will help your organization to integrate the capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your business processes for enhanced efficiency. Progent can evaluate your existing network and Internet access infrastructure to make sure your system is optimized to support business-quality VoIP and HD video, help you to select and integrate Cisco products appropriate for your current needs and downstream growth plans, and interface your Cisco Unified Communications solution with products from other suppliers. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified network security consultants can show you how to develop, implement, and validate a comprehensive security strategy for your converged communications solution. In addition, Progent can assist you to deploy Cisco high-availability mechanisms like Cisco Unified Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST) for affordable call control redundancy in remote-branch and telecommuter sites, and Progent's disaster recovery and business continuity preparedness consultants can help you develop a sensible disaster recovery strategy to ensure the availability of your crucial communications system.

Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Consulting
Releases of Cisco Unified CM before 8.6 and every version of its predecessor CallManager have reached end-of-life. Therefore Cisco will no longer develop, repair, or validate the product software. Security patches for this business-critical product will end, which in certain situations could cause compliance or even potential liability issues.

Progent will continue to provide comprehensive support services for end-of-life versions of Cisco Unified CM and CallManager, but in case you are now using a legacy edition of this essential software you should start now to plan your upgrade. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting professionals can help your company to migrate efficiently to the current edition of Unified Communications Manager and can often save clients as much as 50% off consulting service costs versus competing IT service companies thanks to Progent's documented procedures and hands-on experience in this practice area. By following best practices, Progent can make sure your business sees a fast payback on your IT investment by showing you how to benefit fully from the new and improved feature set, lower administrative and maintenance costs, more productive collaboration capabilities, and stronger security provided by the current version of Cisco Unified Communications Manager.

Progent's migration services include return-on-investment assessment, project management, pilot testing, Cloud integration, configuring endpoint devices from Cisco and other suppliers, mobile connectivity, data protection services, management automation, disaster recovery planning, network infrastructure design, training for IT staff and end users, and ongoing consulting and technical support. Progent also offers fixed-priced migration packages to make sure your costs are visible and under control.

To learn more details concerning Progent's engineering assistance for Cisco networking products, pick a topic:

• Overview of Progent's Cisco Expertise
• Timely Remote Help from a Cisco CCIE Network Engineer
• Cisco Firepower NGFW Series Firewalls: Configuration and Management Expertise
• Cisco ASA 5500-X Series Firewall with Firepower: Consulting and Management Services
• Cisco ASA 5500 Firewalls Integration Help
• Cisco PIX 500 Series Firewall Troubleshooting Help
• Cisco Routers Consulting Support
• Cisco Wireless Consulting Expertise
• Aironet APs Engineering Support
• Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 Wireless APs Engineering Services
• Catalyst Wi-Fi 6/6E Access Points Planning, Configuration and Troubleshooting Services
• Cisco WiFi Controllers Support Services
• Meraki Wireless APs Consulting Support
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager Consulting and Troubleshooting
• Cisco Jabber Consulting and Support Services
• Catalyst Switches Deployment Expertise
• Nexus Switches Support and Troubleshooting Services
• Cisco Meraki MS Switches Consulting and Support Expertise
• Cisco VPN and Network Security Setup and Troubleshooting Support
• SIP and CUBE Integration Solutions: SIP PSTN Trunks and CUBE Integration Expertise
• Cisco Duo MFA Two-factor Authentication Services for Telecommuters
• Design Expertise for Cisco-powered Datacenters and Colocation Centers
• Network Design Consulting for Service Providers
• Unified Cloud-based and Hybrid Network Management Solutions for Cisco-powered Infrastructure