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Sending live voice and video over Internet Protocol has progressed from simply being being a smart technique to cut phone carrier bills to an indispensable technology for competitive advantage. Converged IP communications, at one time limited to integrating Internet-based voice calls and faxing on one platform to replace traditional PBX systems, now includes VoIP and video, mobile communications, instant messaging, presence, services, and much more within a cohesive environment that is manageable, extensible, highly secure, resilient, economical, and user friendly.

Cisco is the market leader in providing the hardware and software infrastructure for supporting the new paradigm of unified communications (UC). Cisco's UC solution adds to the productivity of information networks by slashing operating expenses; integrating multiple collaboration features with familiar software applications to improve worker output; facilitating collaboration among employees, partners, and suppliers to save effort and improve business results; and streamlining the management of your communications infrastructure.

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

• Call Control Agents for managing calls and sessions
• Communications Phones and Softphones to enhance worker engagement
• UC Software Applications for simplified access to presence, IM, voice and video, phone messages, white boarding, and voice/video conferencing
• IP Gateways for interfacing with public networks and teleworkers

Call and Session Control Agents - Unified Communications Manager/CallManager
The call-processing agent is the heart of the Cisco IP Communications infrastructure and provides the flexibility to deploy a centralized call-processing design, a decentralized design, or a mix of the two. In a centralized deployment, Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) expands enterprise telephony capabilities to packet telephony devices such as IP phones, media management products, Voice over IP gateways, and multimedia applications across the IT environment. Cisco Unified Communications Manager enables extra mixed media functions including unified messaging, multimedia conferencing, and collaborative client communication networks.

The most recent release of Cisco Unified Communications Manager, formerly named Cisco CallManager, includes a wealth of improvements that expedite ROI by lowering management and support expenses, improving user output, enhancing teamwork, accommodating the BYOD model of computing, fortifying security, and allowing optimal use of network resources. Headline innovations include automatic dial-plan replication, streamlined certificate management, expanded support for single sign-on (SSO) for administrators and end users, device-agnostic call recording, on-the-road connectivity with no need for VPN tunneling, a new self-provisioning interface that makes it easy for workers to set their preferences for all endpoint devices, and support for Transport Layer Security and Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol for mobile clients.

When you implement a centralized Unified Communications Manager cluster to manage call processing for customers at remote sites, IT managers can help achieve non-stop phone operation through Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, an IOS Software image for routers. If a WAN connection fails, Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony in the Cisco router provides basic Unified Communications Manager functions until the connection is returned. For a description of Progent's consulting support services for Cisco ISR routers, refer to consulting services for Cisco ISR routers.

For small business networks, branch offices, and retail environments that do not need the full feature set offered by Unified CM, Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express, formerly known as CallManager Express offers a cost-effective solution that handles the requirements of locations with as many as 450 users. Because Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is built into the Cisco IOS Software running on a Cisco ISR router, smaller organizations can rapidly set up a converged voice/data solution.

Cisco's Business Edition 6000 is a line of one-stop platforms that provide essential unified communications features including routing, gateway, high definition voice and video, messaging, chat and real-time presence, teleconferencing, and paging services, enabling any end user to connect on any endpoint device from any location. All BE6000 versions come packaged preloaded with a virtualization hypervisor and UC applications software, making implementation fast and easy and reducing cost of ownership for companies with from 25 to 1000 employees. All BE6000 versions come packaged preconfigured with virtualization and UC applications. You can simply activate collaboration software applications as their requirements evolve.

The office-in-a-box Business Edition 6000S includes five standard UC applications installed on a single combination router/IP gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 server platform and supports a maximum capacity of 150 users and 300 devices. The mid-market BE6000M includes 4 unified communications software application options activated on a virtualized Cisco C220 M4 server platform and supports up to 1000 users, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The top-of-the-line BE6000S includes eight UC application options enabled on a virtualized Cisco C220 M4 server and can handle as many as 1000 users, 2500 devices, and 100 contact center agents.

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

IP Phones: VoIP and IP Media Endpoints
A collaboration endpoint is a user instrument, either a physical handset or a soft phone program that runs on a PC or mobile computer. In the IP environment, each IP handset or soft phone is Ethernet connected. IP phones have all of the functions that an ordinary phone provides, but Voice over IP phones often offer extra functions including being able to connect to the web or host collaboration software.

In contrast to conventional PBX technology, in a Cisco IP telephony environment you can perform virtually instant moves, adds, and modifications. All you do is move the VoIP phone to its new location, plug it into an Ethernet connection, and the device registers itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All user permissions and configurations are automatically replicated, eliminating the cost and delay of dispatching technicians to rewire connections. An additional useful feature is location independence, which enables you to log into any Cisco VoIP phone and receive your personal phone extension and rights.

Cisco provides a wide selection of collaboration phones. Cisco's low-cost SPA 300 family are basic IP and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications screenless or monochrome devices that feature wide-band voice, compatibility with hosted IP phone systems or an IP private branch exchange (PBX), easy installation and highly secure remote provisioning, transparent software upgrades, and browser-based configuration. The value-priced SPA301 is a single-line IP endpoint with no screen or speakerphone, a base dialer that has a single Ethernet connector, and a corded handset with no keys. The SPA302D, designed exclusively for use with the Cisco SPA232D Multi-Line DECT ATA, is a multiple-line wireless DECT handset that supports 10-lines, a 176 x 220 color screen, and a keypad with speakerphone capability. Cisco's SPA303 is an entry-level 3-line SIP-based phone with two switched Ethernet ports, a 128x64 monochrome display and a speaker.

The SPA500 family IP phones are affordable devices with support for both SIP and SPCP call control protocols, two integral switch ports, speakerphones, built-in web servers, PoE, and conferencing support. Most models have a 128 x 64 pixel monochrome screen display, The SPA501G IP Phone supports eight lines and has eight soft buttons but no hi-res display. The SPA502G IP Phone supports a single line and has no soft keys. The SPA504G IP Phone supports four lines and has four soft keys. The SPA508G IP Phone supports eight lines and eight programmable keys. The SPA509G IP Phone supports 12 lines and has 12 programmable keys. The SPA512G has four lines, no programmable buttons and supports 10/100/1000 Ethernet. The SPA514G IP Phone supports four lines, has programmable keys, and supports 10/100/1000 Ethernet. The top-of-the-line SPA525G2 IP Phone has a 320 x 240 color display, supports five lines, and has five soft buttons.

Cisco's Unified IP Phones 3900 Series and IP Phones 6900 Series are specialty IP voice endpoints intended for occasional-use environments like cafeterias, elevators, and conference centers. The Unified SIP Phone 3905 IP Phone features a 128 x 32 pixel mono display, a 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and Power over Ethernet (PoE). The simple Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a one-line endpoint without a screen and requires a hook switch for transferring a call and conferencing.

Cisco's 7800 Series of budget-priced IP phones are VoIP devices with backlit monochrome displays, four programmable keys, 11 fixed-feature buttons, an integral Ethernet port with Class 1 Power over Ethernet, and an integral speakerphone. The 7800 Series support only the SIP signaling protocol. All devices in the 7800 family feature the same high-fidelity speakers and microphones as Cisco's 8800 Series IP phones to provide a state-of-the-art audio experience. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save technology, offered on the higher end 7800 units, reduces off-hours energy consumption by up to 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a one-line phone intended for common areas and for workers with infrequent call needs. The IP 7811 VoIP phone comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 display and a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is offered through an optional handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a two-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 model in the 7800 line that provides Gigabit Ethernet. The top-of-the-line IP Phone 7861 is a 16-line endpoint targeted for administrative staff, contact center agents, and supervisors who have significant call requirements.

Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are SIP and SCCP media devices with a 320 x 240 color display, an integral Gigabit Ethernet switch, Class 3 Power over Ethernet, 10 dedicated keys and a speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7945G is a dual-line unit and the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G supports four lines. Both VoIP phones include a 5-inch screen and four programmable keys. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G device 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 line of SIP-based IP phones that features desktop devices, a conference IP phone, and mobile wireless IP Phones. The desktop models are five-line IP phones with a 5-inch 800 x 480 pixel screen, a Gigabit Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, four programmable keys and 12 fixed-feature keys. Cisco's IP Phone 8811 includes a backlit monochrome display and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet (PoE). Cisco's IP Phone 8841 has a WVGA color display 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 one USB connection with charging capability, supports Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice and Class 3 Power over Ethernet, and is offered in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth models. The Cisco IP Phone 8861 includes a WVGA color screen, Bluetooth, two USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8865 includes a WVGA color screen, 720p HD video, an adjustable 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 hardened wireless devices designed for professionals who are on the move within campus, hospitality, retail or other environments where management requires user endpoints that offer more administrative control, data security and ruggedness than is possible with the Bring-Your-Own-Device mode of workplace communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless VoIP phones offer mobile on-premises users the advantages of voice over wireless LAN technology in environments with 802.11x Wi-Fi. Cisco's 8821 Wireless VoIP Phone features a hi-res color display, a rugged shell rated Mil-SPEC 810G for shock resistance and compliant with IP67 for particulate and moisture resistance, long-life batteries, a full-duplex speakerphone, and a Bluetooth 4.0 radio for hands-free operation with wireless headsets. Cisco's 8821-EX Wireless IP Phone adds protection against sparking for use in potentially combustible work sites. The 8821-EX also has a shell fabricated of yellow plastics, which makes the 8821-EX easier to find during a crisis. Find out about Progent's Wireless IP Phone integration consulting.

Cisco's legacy 9900 line of advanced VoIP endpoints integrate high-quality voice with business-grade color screens to deliver a rich multimedia unified communications solution for managers and executives. Both IP phones in the 9900 family feature an SD 24-bit color display, a Bluetooth 2.0 transceiver to work with a wide selection of headsets, and a built-in Gigabit Ethernet port. Cisco's EnergyWise function is optional and can lower off-work power use by 90 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch display and supports up to 2 IP Expansion Modules for expanding customizable line and function keys. The Cisco IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch screen, a built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi radio for connecting to Voice-over-wireless LAN (VoWLAN) networks, and 4 soft-label touchscreen keys to invoke Cisco UC features. The 9971 VoIP phone supports up to 3 Cisco IP Expansion Modules for expanding programmable line and feature keys.

Unified Communications Applications
Within Cisco's Unified Communications architecture, IP phone, IP video, and other UC applications are physically isolated from the call/voice processing infrastructure, and they may reside anywhere within the network. A single network infrastructure offers a versatile platform for feature-rich applications and serves as a firm basis for future convergence-based software. Cisco cooperates with leading technology partners to offer a broad selection of IP phone and video software applications and devices. Cisco also enables the capability to create and manage customized internal applications.

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

Jabber
Cisco Jabber is a unified communications client application that supports presence, IM, business-quality voice, high-definition video, voicemail, screen sharing, and real-time conferencing capabilities for Windows PCs, Apple Macs, tablets plus iPhones, Android phones, and Blackberries. Jabber is a rebranding and combination of the Unified Personal Communicator, Cisco Mobile, and Cisco WebEx Connect, with significant improvements to HD video features and screen sharing, and expanding the collaboration experience to additional operating systems and endpoint hardware. Jabber works in conjunction with Unified Communications Manager for call and session control, Cisco Unified Presence for instant messaging and presence, Cisco Unity Connection for voice messaging and automated attendant, and WebEX Meeting for conferencing.

Since Jabber is based on key industry protocols, it can communicate with a wide selection of non-Cisco products. As an example, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) allows Jabber users to exchange IM and presence data with other XMPP clients including as Adium, Sametime, and Microsoft Lync and Office Communications Server. Cisco Jabber collaboration features can be accessed from Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook and Microsoft SharePoint. This extensive platform support optimizes output by providing a common end-user experience and accommodating the BYOD paradigm of computing. Progent can provide the expertise of Microsoft-certified Exchange and Outlook consultants and Microsoft SharePoint application developers who can assist you to integrate Jabber with Microsoft's popular collaboration products. Progent also can provide expertise with iPhone integration and management as well as Android smartphone and tablet integration to help you to increase the productivity of your BYOD ecosystem.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center
WebEX Meeting Center provides web meetings for users with a web browser or virtually any desktop or mobile computer. Cisco WebEx is delivered as software as a service through Cisco's WebEx Cloud. This makes it simple to roll out and expand, reduces the cost of management, avoids high up-front investment, offers maximum uptime and enterprise-class security, and delivers fast performance. Key capabilities include support for sharing discrete content or an whole screen with online participants in real time, the ability to incorporate multimedia into your presentations including PowerPoint and Flash videos, network-based recording plus playback for training, single sign-on and integration with Cisco collaboration products such as Cisco Jabber and Cisco TelePresence, plus strong data protection and encrypted access with strict policy management.

WebEX Meeting Center works with Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac, and Linux desktops and permits mobile workers to initiate, schedule, and participate in conferences on Android smartphones and tablets, iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry phones, and Windows Phone. Users can also initiate web conferences instantly from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Notes, and a variety of IM solutions.

Cisco TelePresence Portfolio for On-premises Video Conferencing Infrastructure
For midsize organizations and enterprises who want to create an on-premises or hybrid in-house/cloud environment for video conferencing, Cisco provides a portfolio of Cisco TelePresence products that deliver high-quality and standards-based teleconferencing for users with almost any endpoint device at any location. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable teleconferencing bridge that works with Cisco Unified CM to bring multiparty video, audio and content sharing to converged deployments and can extend meetings to incorporate cloud-based WebEx Meeting Center participants. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software streamlines management of how teleconferencing resources should be allotted for every individual attendee, enabling administrators to define the precise service level and experience required for each user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server collects video conference presentations for live distribution as well as video on demand playback.

Cisco Unity Connection Platform and Unity Express for Converged Voice Messaging
The Cisco Unity Connection, an extension of Unified Communications Manager, is a converged voice messaging system that accelerates teamwork by providing flexible set of alternatives for accessing voice messages within a framework that is simple to implement and administer. Cisco Unity Connection lets you access and manage voice messages from your Exchange inbox, browser, Jabber, a Cisco Unified VoIP Phone, an iPhone or other smartphone, or an iPad or tablet. Cisco Unity Connection also offers advanced voice-recognition features for hands-free operation and powerful Automated Attendant functions that include smart routing for inbound phone calls and custom call-screening and message-notification options. The Unity Connection system operates as a virtual machine that can reside on a Business Edition 6000 server or a Cisco SRE 910 router service module and can support as many as 20,000 voice mailboxes on each server.

Cisco Unity Express (CUE), offered in certain Cisco Integrated Services routers, offers cost-effective voicemail, integrated messaging, interactive voice response, and automated-attendant services for small to medium businesses (SMBs) and enterprise branch locations with up to 500 workers. Cisco Unity Express permits you to access and manage voicemail messages using a Cisco IP Phone screen, your web browser, or your email system. Cisco routers for which Unity Express is offered as an advanced integration module include Cisco's 1861, 2900, and 3900 Series. Progent can provide certified configuration and support services for all ISR routers.

Unified Contact Center
Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE) works with CUCM and agent desktop software such as Cisco Finesse to provide automatic call distribution features that allow an organization to match customers with the right salesperson or service representative. Unified CCE offers intelligent call distribution, computer telephony integration, multiple channel contact management, network call queuing, interactive voice response (IVR) and advanced enterprise-wide reporting to simplify the creation and management of a large-scale customer contact center. Cisco products supporting UCCE's customer interaction management solution include Unified IP Phones, Cisco Voice Gateways, and Cisco LAN/WAN technology.

Unified Contact Center Express (CCX) provides an out-of-the-box bundle for building a customer interaction management center for mid-scale systems that handle as many as 400 agents. Multiple packages are available, as well as a variety of optional advanced features. Cisco Unified CCX integrates closely with Unified CM and provides smart call routing, client interaction management, reporting, interactive voice response, and management of voice, email, web chat, and social media requests. Unified CCX comes with Finesse, a browser-based desktop agent that needs no client-side software setup. Optional advanced features include call-in-queue, expected-wait-time messages, and workforce and quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect for Single Number Reach
Mobile Connect, popularly referred to as Single Number Reach (SNR), makes it possible for users to be called from a single number that rings at the same time on their Cisco desktop IP Phone and their smartphone. Users can transfer active calls between their Cisco IP phone and their smartphone seamlessly. Calls that are not answered can be redirected to a Cisco Unity or Unity Connection voicemail account. Users can create personal access lists that determine which calls are directed to different endpoints.

Cisco Prime Collaboration
Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning provides an automated process for initial installs as well as for follow-on moves, additions, changes, and deletions. A user-friendly interface provides a unified look at a subscriber and the user's services. Prime Collaboration Provisioning substantially accelerates company-wide installations and reduces the time required for future changes. Prime Collaboration also provides advanced analytics that show application adoption and consumption rates, allowing organizations to make more efficient use of IT resources and further reduce TCO.

Cisco Collaboration Gateways
Cisco's communications gateways permit Cisco Unified Communications networks to communicate with public networks and with clients operating outside the firewall. Cisco's line of gateways provide UC services for a broad range of gateway as well as session-border-control deployments.

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

Expressway Converged Communication Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful unified communications and collaboration gateway that allows companies to allow workers, suppliers, consumers, or partners who are working on various outside networks, workgroup platforms, or endpoint equipment to connect to Unified Communication features. Cisco's Expressway works with a Cisco CM system or Cisco Business Edition, or can be accessed through the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution to help make collaboration more pervasive. Key capabilities of Expressway are include:

• Mobile and Remote Connectivity: Remote users who have any Jabber-supported desktop or handheld computer or telecommuters with Cisco TelePresence endpoints have the benefit of one-time sign-on plus TLS security and are able to access all their collaboration workloads (high-definition video, voice, rich content IM, and realtime presence) without the extra step of starting a VPN connection. Also, telecommuters can use their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without the need for a VPN tunnel, providing a user experience at home identical to the office.
• Cisco Jabber Guest Support: Cisco Expressway is critical for enabling Jabber Guest, which allows “guests” to interact with your organization simply and safely through lightweight web-browser and mobile multimedia calls.
• Cisco Cloud Access: Cisco Expressway can function as a gateway that connects between onsite Cisco or non-Cisco collaboration solutions and the WebEx cloud. By offering support for Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms, Expressway offers an advanced, extensible meeting environment that seamlessly integrates voice, high-definition video, and data sharing to anyone, at any location, on any device.
• Interoperability: In case your company already has non-Cisco video products, Expressway can help you to migrate easily to a Cisco solution whenever you choose. Cisco Expressway provides video interoperability with industry standard H.323, H.264 SVC, or Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) environments. Gateway capabilities supported by Cisco Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to SIP, and Microsoft Lync H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC) to AVC/H.264.

• Cisco WebEx Cloud Connected Audio for SIP-media-connected audio conferencing
• Voice and Video recording
• Enterprise Call-center and IVR applications
• Policy-led evaluation of voice calls
• B2B immersive telepresence over SIP

Cisco's End-of-Life UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Gateways
The end-of-life Cisco Unified Communications 500 product line is a VoIP communications system for small organizations. UC500 models provide voice, data, voicemail, automated attendant, video, firewall, and WiFi capabilities, run with older Cisco IP Voice endpoints, and support PSTN interfaces.

All Cisco's UC500 series bundles include a desktop switch with 8 PoE interfaces plus additional FXS and foreign exchange office (FXO) interfaces, a firewall, and VPN. Integrated WiFi is an option. VoIP user capacity can be increased by attaching Cisco Catalyst Express companion switches. Each UC500 offering also comes with licenses for Cisco Unified Communications Manager for VoIP call processing and Cisco Unity Express software for voice messaging and automated attendant. The Cisco UC520 package supports 8 to 16 VoIP users and incorporate 4 foreign exchange stations and 4 FXO interfaces. The Cisco UC540 package allows 24 to 32 users and has 8 foreign exchange office ports. The Cisco UC560 system supports 48 users and 12 FXO interfaces.

Progent's seasoned VoIP experts can help you to maintain your legacy UC500 VoIP gateway or plan and implement a smooth upgrade to a current IP telephony and voicemail system like the Cisco cloud-managed Business Edition 4000.

How Progent Can Help You with Cisco VoIP and IP Media Phones, Cisco Unified CM, and Video Conferencing
Progent can provide online or onsite help from a certified CCIE Collaboration consultant to assist your business to plan, implement, manage and repair converged communications environments supported by Cisco Unified Communication products in a centralized, cloud-based, or hybrid deployment. Progent's Cisco consultants have in-depth backgrounds with Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, Voice over IP and video phones and soft phones, Unified Communications applications such as Cisco Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's immersive telepresence technologies, collaboration gateways, tools built into Cisco Catalyst switches and routers. Progent can also provide expertise with related technologies such as Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, CUBE, H.323 and H.264 gateways, Call Admission Control, IP voice trunks, PSTN, and Cisco's architecture for voice, video and integrated data. Progent's SIP integration consultants can also help you to create SIP connectivity solutions that include SIP-based IP voice phones and media endpoints, SIP-based CUBE trunks, SIP conferencing and SIP management tools via CUCM.

Progent's application developers can build specialized IP telephony applications that will enable your business to integrate the telephony capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your company operations for increased efficiency. Progent can revue your current network and Internet connectivity infrastructure to determine whether your system is optimized to accommodate high-quality VoIP and HD video, help you to select and install Cisco hardware and software that make sense for your current needs and downstream expansion goals, and interface your Cisco Unified Communications solution with technology from other vendors. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified information security consultants can show you how to create, implement, and validate a comprehensive security strategy for your unified communications solution. Also, Progent can help you to deploy Cisco fault-tolerant mechanisms like Cisco Unified Survivable Remote Site Telephony for cost-effective call control redundancy in remote-branch and home-office sites, and Progent's disaster recovery and business continuity planning experts can help you develop a viable DR/BC strategy to ensure the availability of your business-critical unified communications environment.

Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Services
Releases of Cisco Unified Communications Manager 8.6 lower than 8.6 and all releases of CallManager have arrived at end-of-life. This means Cisco will no longer develop, repair, or validate the product software. Security updates for this business-critical application will end, which in certain circumstances could create regulatory compliance or potential liability issues.

Progent will continue to offer expert consulting and support for end-of-life releases of Unified CM and CallManager, but if your company is now using a legacy version of this critical application you should start now to prepare for your migration. Progent's collaboration consulting professionals can assist your company to upgrade non-disruptively to the current version of Unified CM and can typically save clients as much as 50% off consulting fees compared to competing computer service companies because of Progent's documented procedures and experience in this practice area. By following best practices, Progent can ensure that your company sees a quick payback on your investment by showing you how to take full advantage of the new and improved feature set, lower management and maintenance costs, more productive collaboration capabilities, and stronger data protection provided by the current release of Unified Communications Manager.

Progent's upgrade consulting services include ROI assessment, project management, pilot testing and validation, Cloud integration, configuring collaboration endpoints from Cisco and other vendors, mobile connectivity, data protection services, streamlined management, disaster recovery/business continuity planning, network topology design, staff and user training, and ongoing consulting and troubleshooting. Progent also has put together ultra-affordable upgrade service bundles to keep your costs predictable and affordable.

To see additional information about Progent's consulting assistance for Cisco products, choose a subject:

• Overview of Cisco Engineering Services
• Fast Remote Support from a Cisco CCIE Network Engineer
• Cisco Firepower Series Firewalls: Integration and Troubleshooting Expertise
• ASA 5500-X Series Firewall with Firepower Services: Integration and Management Support
• Cisco ASA 5500 Series Firewall Integration Support
• PIX 500 Firewall Management Services
• Cisco Routers Configuration and Troubleshooting Services
• Cisco Wireless Deployment Services
• Cisco Aironet Access Points Consulting Services
• Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 Wireless APs System Design Support
• Cisco WiFi Controllers Integration Consulting
• Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Points Engineering Help
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and CallManager Integration and Technical Support
• Cisco Jabber Consulting and Support Services
• Catalyst Switches Deployment Expertise
• Nexus Switches Configuration and Maintenance Expertise
• Meraki Switches Deployment Services
• Cisco VPN Consulting Assistance
• SIP and CUBE Integration Solutions: SIP Trunks and Cisco CUBE Integration Expertise
• Design and Support for Cisco-based Datacenters
• Infrastructure Design Expertise for Internet Service Providers
• Centralized Network Management Techniques for Cisco-powered Infrastructure