Cisco Network Consultants

Exchanging real-time voice and video over IP (VoIP and Video over IP) has advanced from simply being being a shrewd technique to reduce phone bills to an indispensable tool for collaboration and productivity. Unified IP communications, at one time limited to managing Internet-based voice and faxes on the same system to take the place of expensive PBX systems, now encompasses voice and video, mobility, instant messaging, presence, collaboration services, and more all in a centralized framework that is manageable, scalable, highly secure, resilient, cost-effective, and intuitive.

Cisco is the leader in providing the hardware and software infrastructure for supporting the new paradigm of unified communications (UC). Cisco's unified communications product line adds to the productivity of information systems by slashing operating costs; integrating rich media features with familiar software applications to increase user output; facilitating collaboration among employees, associates, and suppliers to save time and enhance business results; and streamlining the support of your communications infrastructure.

Cisco's UC technology address these primary product categories:,

• Call Control Agents for controlling rich media calls and sessions
• Collaboration Phones and Softphones to enhance end-user engagement
• Unified Communications Software Applications for more productive access to real-time, IM, voice and video, phone messages, desktop sharing, and conferencing
• Communications Gateways for interfacing with outside networks and teleworkers

Call Processing Software - Unified Communications Manager/CallManager
The call-processing agent is the core of the Cisco IP telephony portfolio and provides the versatility to deploy a centralized call-processing model, a decentralized model, or a combination of the two. In a centralized approach, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) extends enterprise phone features to packet devices such as VoIP handsets, media processing appliances, Voice over IP gateways, and multimedia applications throughout the IT environment. Cisco Unified Communications Manager enables additional voice, video, and data services such as unified messaging, multimedia conferencing, and group-based customer interaction networks.

The most recent version of Cisco Unified CM, previously branded CallManager, includes a wealth of enhancements that expedite ROI by lowering management and maintenance costs, increasing user output, enhancing collaboration, accommodating the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) model of working, elevating data protection, and making efficient utilization of IT resources. Top new features include Global Dial Plan Replication (GDPR), streamlined certificate management, extended support for single sign-on (SSO) for administrators and end users, hardware-independent call recording, mobile access without the need for VPN tunneling, a new self-care utility that makes it easy for users to manage their options and preferences for all of their devices, and support for Transport Layer Security and Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol for mobile users.

When you implement a central Unified Communications Manager cluster to manage voice processing for customers at remote sites, administrators can help achieve continuous call operation through Cisco SRST, a Cisco IOS Software image for routers. If a Wide Area Network link breaks, Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony incorporated in the Cisco router provides core Cisco Unified Communications Manager functions until the link is repaired. For a description of Progent's consulting support services for Cisco ISR routers, refer to consulting support services for Cisco Integrated Services routers.

For small business networks, branch locations, and retail deployments that do not need the complete functionality available from Unified CM, Unified Communications Manager Express, formerly named CallManager Express offers a budget-friendly PBX alternative that handles the needs of locations with up to 450 workers. Since 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 deploy a converged voice and data solution.

The Cisco BE6000 is a line of all-in-one solutions that provide fundamental unified communications capabilities including routing, IP gateway, high definition voice/video, messaging, instant messaging and real-time presence, teleconferencing, and paging support, allowing any user to connect on any endpoint device from any location. All BE6000 versions are shipped preloaded with a virtualization hypervisor and Unified Communications applications, making deployment quick and easy and reducing operating expenses for organizations with up to 1000 employees. All BE6000 solutions come packaged preloaded with virtualization and Unified Communications applications software. Organizations can instantly enable Unified Communications applications as their requirements dictate.

The small-scale BE6000S includes five fixed UC software applications installed on one integrated 2921V router/gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 blade server platform and supports as many as 150 workers and 300 devices. The medium-scale BE6000M includes 4 unified communications application options enabled on a single virtualized Cisco UCS C220 M4 server platform and supports as many as 1000 workers, 1200 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 platform and supports as many as 1000 workers, 2500 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents.

For additional information about Progent's expertise with Unified Communications Manager (CallManager), visit Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) and Cisco CallManager design, integration, migration and troubleshooting.

IP Phones: IP Voice and IP Media Endpoints
A communications endpoint is a user instrument, either a hardware phone set or a soft phone application that runs on a PC or mobile computer. In the IP environment, each VoIP phone is Ethernet connected. IP phones have all of the features that an analog telephone has, but IP phones can also provide extra features including being able to access websites or host business applications.

In contrast to ordinary PBX technology, in a Cisco IP communications environment you can perform virtually instant moves, adds, and changes. You merely take the IP handset to your new spot, plug it into an Ethernet jack, and the device announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All client privileges and configurations are programmatically replicated, eliminating the expense and hassle of dispatching technicians to rewire connections. Another useful feature is location independence, which allows you to sign into any Cisco VoIP device and receive your own phone number and privileges.

Cisco offers a broad selection of VoIP handsets. Cisco's low-cost Small Business SPA 300 family are no-frills IP and DECT screenless or monochrome phones offering wide-band voice, support for hosted IP phone systems or an IP private branch exchange (PBX), simple deployment and safe online provisioning, unobtrusive software updates, and web-based set up. The value-priced SPA301 is a one-line VoIP phone with no display or speakerphone, a base dialer with a single Ethernet connector, and a wired handset without keys. The SPA302D, designed solely for use with Cisco's SPA232D Multi-Line DECT ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter), is a multiline wireless DECT IP phone that supports 10-lines, a TFT 176 x 220 pixel color display, and a keypad with speakerphone capability. The SPA303 is an entry-level three-line SIP-based IP phone with dual switched ports, a 128x64 monochrome graphical display and a speakerphone.

The SPA500 Series IP phones are low-cost endpoints with support for both SIP and SPCP call control protocols, two integral Ethernet switch ports, speakerphones, PoE, and voice conferencing capability. Most versions have a 128 x 64 pixel mono screen display, The SPA501G has eight lines and has eight soft buttons but no hi-res screen. The SPA502G VoIP phone supports a single line and has no soft buttons. The SPA504G has four lines and has four soft keys. The SPA508G VoIP phone supports eight lines and eight soft buttons. The SPA509G VoIP phone supports 12 lines and has 12 soft keys. The SPA512G VoIP phone supports four lines, no soft keys and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The SPA514G IP Phone supports four lines, has programmable keys, and supports 10/100/1000 Ethernet. The high-end SPA525G2 IP Phone has a 320 x 240 color screen, supports five lines, and includes five soft buttons.

Cisco's IP Phones 3900 Series and IP Phones 6900 Series are specialty VoIP endpoints designed for infrequent-use settings like cafeterias, hallways, and conference centers. The Unified SIP Phone 3905 IP Phone features a 128 x 32 pixel monochrome non-backlit display, a 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and Power over Ethernet (PoE). The simple Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a one-line device without a screen and requires a hook switch for transferring a call or conferencing.

Cisco's 7800 line of value-priced IP phones are VoIP endpoints featuring backlit mono screens, four soft buttons, 11 fixed-feature buttons, an integral Ethernet port with PoE, and an integral speakerphone. The 7800 Series support only the SIP signaling protocol. All models in Cisco's 7800 line feature 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, cuts after-hours energy usage by up to 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a one-line VoIP phone intended for shared areas as well as for employees with infrequent voice communications needs. The IP 7811 VoIP phone comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 screen plus a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is available through an extra-cost handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a dual-line phone with a 396 x 162 display. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line endpoint with a 396 x 162 screen and is the only device in the 7800 series that provides Gigabit Ethernet. The high-end IP Phone 7861 is a 16-line endpoint targeted for administrative staff, call center personnel, and supervisors who have significant voice communications requirements.

Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are SIP and SCCP media devices with a 320 x 240 color display, a 10/100/1000 Ethernet switch, Class 3 Power over Ethernet (PoE), 10 dedicated keys and a speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7945G is a two-line device and the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G features four lines. Both VoIP phones have a 5-inch screen and four programmable buttons. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G device is an eight-line IP voice and video phone with a 5.6-inch touch screen and five soft keys.

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a portfolio of SIP-only endpoints that includes desktop devices, a conference phone, and wireless IP Phones. The desktop units are five-line IP phones with a 5-inch 800 x 480 screen, a Gigabit Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, four programmable keys and 12 dedicated buttons. Cisco's IP Phone 8811 features a backlit monochrome screen and supports Class 2 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8841 has a WVGA color screen 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 PoE, and is available in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth models. Cisco's IP Phone 8861 has a WVGA color display, Bluetooth, dual USB connections with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 Power over Ethernet. The Cisco IP Phone 8865 has 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, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE.

Cisco's wireless VoIP phones are hardened Wi-Fi handsets designed for workers who are mobile within office, hospitality, retail or other environments where IT management requires user endpoints that offer more control, security and ruggedness than is possible with the Bring-Your-Own-Device mode of workplace communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones offer on-the-move onsite users the advantages of voice over wireless LAN communications in workplaces that support 802.11x Wi-Fi. The 8821 Wireless IP Phone includes a 2.4 inch color display, a rugged shell rated Mil-SPEC 810G to withstand dropping and IP67 for particulate and splash resistance, extended batteries, a full-duplex speakerphone, and an integrated Bluetooth radio for hands-free operation with cordless headsets. Cisco's 8821-EX Wireless VoIP Phone adds anti-sparking protection for use in hazardous environments. The 8821-EX also features a shell made of industry-standard yellow plastics, which makes the 8821-EX easier to find in a crisis. Find out about Progent's Wireless VoIP Phone integration and troubleshooting consultants.

Cisco's discontinued 9900 line of high-performance IP endpoints combine high-quality voice with high-resolution color displays to offer a rich collaborative experience for knowledge professionals, managers, and executives. Both IP phones in the 9900 family have a Standard Definition 640x480 pixel color display, a Bluetooth transceiver to work with a wide choice of headsets, and an integrated 1 GE Ethernet port. Cisco's Power Save feature is optional and can reduce off-hour power consumption by 90 percent. The IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch display and allows up to 2 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for adding programmable line and function keys. The Cisco IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch screen, an integrated Wi-Fi radio for connecting to Voice-over-wireless LAN (VoWLAN) environments, and four customizable touchscreen keys to access Cisco Unified Communications functions. The 9971 VoIP phone supports up to 3 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for expanding customizable line and function keys.

Cisco Unified Communications Applications
Under Cisco's Unified Communications platform, IP telephony, IP video, and other UC applications are independent from the call- and voice-processing infrastructure, and they may reside at any location within the system. A single connectivity framework offers an open environment for feature-rich business applications and acts as a solid foundation for future convergence-based software. Cisco works with leading IT industry companies to provide a wide selection of IP phone and IP video software applications and products. Cisco also enables the capability to develop and manage specialized internal applications.

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

Cisco Jabber
Cisco Jabber is a converge media application that supports presence, IM, voice, high-definition video, voice messaging, screen sharing, and online conferencing functions for PCs, Apple Macs, tablets plus iPhones, Android phones, and Blackberries. Cisco Jabber is an evolution and integration of the Unified Personal Communicator soft phone, Cisco Mobile, and Cisco WebEx Connect, with significant improvements in the areas of HD video features and desktop screen sharing, and extending the team environment to additional operating systems and endpoint hardware. Jabber operates in conjunction with Unified CM 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.

Because Jabber utilizes key industry protocols, it can communicate with a wide selection of third-party products. As an example, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol enables Jabber users to trade instant messaging and presence information with a variety of XMPP clients such as Adium for Mac, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync. Cisco Jabber collaboration features are available from Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft SharePoint. This extensive platform support optimizes productivity by providing a common end-user experience and fully enabling the bring-your-own-device model of computing. Progent can provide the expertise of certified Exchange and Outlook consultants and Microsoft SharePoint application developers who can show you how to take advantage of Jabber with Microsoft's popular collaboration platforms. Progent also offers expertise with iPhone and iPad integration and Google Android phone integration to assist your organization to enhance the productivity of your BYOD ecosystem.

WebEX Meeting Center
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center enables web and video meetings for participants using a browser or virtually any PC or mobile computer. Cisco WebEx is offered as SaaS through the Cisco WebEx Cloud. This makes it simple to deploy and expand, reduces the cost of administration, eliminates major up-front investment, offers maximum uptime and world-class data protection, and provides fast throughput. Important capabilities include support for sharing discrete content or an whole screen display with online attendees in real time, the capability to incorporate multimedia into presentations including Microsoft PowerPoint and Flash videos, session recording plus playback for training, single sign-on and support for Cisco collaboration applications such as Cisco Jabber and TelePresence, plus stringent data protection and encrypted connections with tight policy control.

WebEX Meeting Center runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux-powered desktops and notebooks and allows mobile workers to launch, schedule, and take part in conferences on Android devices, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry phones, and Windows Phone. Users can also launch web conferences with a few clicks from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Notes, and a variety of instant messaging solutions.

Cisco TelePresence Portfolio for In-house Teleconferencing Infrastructure
For medium-size businesses and larger enterprises who wish to create a local or hybrid local/cloud environment for video conferencing, Cisco provides a portfolio of Cisco TelePresence products that enable high-definition video conferencing for users with virtually any endpoint device at any location. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable teleconferencing bridge that runs with Cisco Unified Communications Manager to provide multiparty video, audio and content sharing to converged environments and can extend meetings to support cloud-based Cisco WebEx Meeting Center participants. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software simplifies the control of how teleconferencing bandwidth and features should be allocated for each participant, enabling managers to specify the exact service level and experience needed for every user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server captures video conference presentations for real-time streaming and video on demand viewing.

Cisco's Unity Connection Platform and Unity Express for Unified Voicemail and Automated Attendant
Cisco's Unity Connection, an integrated extension of Cisco Unified CM, is a converged voicemail solution that accelerates collaboration by offering a variety of alternatives for retrieving voice messages within an environment that is easy to implement and manage. Cisco Unity Connection lets you read and manage your voicemail messages from your Exchange inbox, web browser, Cisco Jabber messaging integration platform, a Cisco Unified VoIP Phone, an iPhone or other smartphone, or a tablet. Unity Connection also provides sophisticated voice-recognition features for hands and eyes free management and extensive Automated Attendant functions that include smart routing for incoming phone calls and custom call-filtering and message-alert options. The Unity Connection platform runs as a VM that can be hosted on a BE6000 server or a Cisco Services Ready Engine 910 router blade and can accommodate as many as 20,000 voice mailboxes on each server.

Cisco Unity Express (CUE), available in select Cisco Integrated Services routers, offers affordable voicemail, unified messaging, IVR, and automated-attendant functions for small to mid-size businesses (SMBs) and enterprise satellite offices with up to 500 workers. Unity Express permits you to access and manage voicemail using a Cisco Unified IP Phone screen, a browser, or an email client. Cisco routers for which Unity Express is offered as an advanced integration module include Cisco's 1861, 2800, 2900, and 3900 Series. Progent offers comprehensive deployment and support services for ISR routers.

Cisco Unified Contact Center
Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE) works with Cisco Unified CM and agent desktop software like Cisco Finesse to provide automatic call distribution features that allow an organization to match customers with the appropriate sales or service agent. UCCE provides smart call distribution, computer telephony integration, support for multichannel customer contact management, network-wide call queuing, IVR and advanced company-wide reporting to simplify the deployment and management of a modern customer contact center. Cisco platforms incorporated in Unified CCE's customer contact management solution include Cisco Unified IP Phones, Voice, and Cisco LAN/WAN technology.

Unified Contact Center Express (Unified CCX) offers an out-of-the-box solution for creating a customer contact center for branch or midmarket systems that handle as many as 400 agents. Several packages are available, plus a selection of optional advanced features. Cisco Unified CCX works with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and provides smart call routing, client management, reporting, interactive voice response, and management of voice, email, web chat, and social media inquiries. Cisco Unified CCX includes Finesse, a web-based desktop agent that needs no client-side software setup. Advanced options include call-in-queue, projected-wait-time messages, and quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect for Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, popularly known as Single Number Reach, allows users to be called from a single phone number that rings simultaneously on their desktop VoIP Phone and their mobile phone. Users can switch live conversations between their desktop IP phone and their mobile phone seamlessly. Calls that are not answered can be transferred to a Cisco Unity or Cisco Unity Connection voicemail account. Users can create personal access lists that specify which calls are extended to different endpoints.

Cisco Prime Collaboration
Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning provides an automated platform for initial deployments as well as for “day 2” moves, additions, changes, and deletions. A user-friendly console provides a unified view of a user and the user's services. Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning substantially speeds up site installations and minimizes the time needed to implement future updates. Prime Collaboration in addition provides advanced analytics that show technology adoption and consumption trends, enabling administrators to make more efficient use of IT resources and further lower total cost of ownership.

Cisco Communications Gateways
Cisco's collaboration gateways allow Cisco Unified Communications networks to connect with other networks and with users operating outside the corporate firewall. Cisco's line of communication gateways provide unified communications support for a broad range of gateway and session-border-control applications.

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

Expressway Collaboration Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful unified communications and collaboration gatekeeper that enables organizations to provide team members, vendors, customers and prospects, or business partners who are working on different network environments, collaboration applications, or endpoint devices to connect to Unified Communication services. The Expressway gateway integrates with an enterprise Cisco Communications Manager system or Cisco Business Edition, or can be run via the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS) to help make collaboration more universal. Key features of Cisco Expressway are:

• Mobile and Remote Access: Remote users with any Jabber-compatible client or telecommuters with Cisco TelePresence endpoints get the benefit of single-sign-on plus TLS security and are able to access all their Jabber applications (video, voice, data IM, and presence) without requiring the extra step of a VPN. In addition, telecommuters can utilize their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without the need for a VPN tunnel, providing a user environment at home identical to the office.
• Cisco Jabber Guest Support: Cisco Expressway is required for supporting Cisco's Jabber Guest, which permits “guests” to communicate with your organization easily and safely through streamlined web-browser and mobile multimedia phone calls.
• Cisco Cloud Connectivity: Expressway can act as a gateway that creates a path between on-premises Cisco or non-Cisco collaboration solutions and the WebEx cloud. By supporting Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms, Expressway offers a world-class, extensible conferencing experience that seamlessly combines voice, HD video, and content sharing to any client, anywhere, on any device.
• Interoperability: If your organization already has third-party video products, Expressway can assist you to move efficiently to a Cisco solution when you choose. Cisco Expressway provides video compatibility with industry standard H.323, H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC), or Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) systems. Internetworking capabilities allowed by Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and Microsoft Lync H.264 Scalable Video Coding to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC.

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

Cisco's Legacy UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Phone Systems
The legacy Cisco Unified Communications 500 (UC500) Series is a VoIP gateway system for small organizations. UC500 models provide voice, data, voicemail, automated attendant, video, security, and WiFi capabilities, work with older Cisco IP Voice phones, and support various PSTN connections.

All Cisco's UC500 packages include a compact switch with 8 Power-over-Ethernet ports and additional FXS and foreign exchange office (FXO) ports, a firewall, and VPN. Integrated WiFi is an option. User capacity can be expanded by attaching Cisco Catalyst Express companion switches. Each UC500 offering also comes with licenses for Cisco Unified Communications Manager for VoIP call processing as well as Cisco Unity Express software for voice messaging and automated attendant. The Cisco UC520 system supports 8 to 16 VoIP users and incorporate 4 FXS and 4 FXO interfaces. The Cisco UC540 package allows 32 users and provides 8 foreign exchange office ports. The Cisco UC560 system allows 48 users and 12 foreign exchange office ports.

Progent's seasoned VoIP consultants can help you to support your legacy UC500 VoIP gateway or plan and carry out an efficient migration to a modern VoIP system such as 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 offers online or onsite access to a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Collaboration specialist to help you to design, implement, manage and troubleshoot unified communications environments based on Cisco Unified Communication technology in an in-house, distributed, or hybrid environment. Progent's Cisco-certified consultants have in-depth experience with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and CallManager, IP voice and video phones and other endpoints, UC applications such as Cisco Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's teleconferencing technologies, collaboration gateways, tools incorporated into Cisco Catalyst switches and routers. Progent can also offer expertise with related technologies such as Cisco SRST, CUBE, H.323 gateways, Call Admission Control, IP voice trunks, various signaling protocols, and AVVID. Progent's SIP integration experts can also assist you to build SIP infrastructure solutions that incorporate SIP-based VoIP phones and media endpoints, SIP trunks, and SIP management tools via CUCM.

Progent's application programmers can create specialized IP telephony software that will help your organization to incorporate the features of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your company operations for enhanced productivity. Progent can evaluate your existing network and Internet access architecture to make sure your system is configured to support high-quality Voice over IP and high-definition video, help you to choose and install Cisco products that make sense for your present situation and future growth objectives, and integrate your Cisco Unified Communications solution with technology from other vendors. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified data security consultants can assist you to develop, implement, and validate a comprehensive security plan for your converged communications solution. Also, Progent can help your organization to configure Cisco fault-tolerant technologies such as Cisco Unified Survivable Remote Site Telephony for affordable call control backup in branch office and home-office sites, and Progent's disaster recovery and business continuity preparedness consultants can help you create a viable DR/BC strategy to protect your business-critical unified communications system.

Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Upgrade Services
Versions of Cisco Unified Communications Manager 8.6 lower than 8.6 and every version of CallManager have reached end-of-life. This means Cisco Engineering will cease to develop, repair, or test the product software. Security patches for this pivotal application will end, which in certain circumstances could create compliance or even legal liability issues.

Progent will continue to provide premier consulting and troubleshooting support for outdated editions of Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, but if your company is still using an out-of-dated release of this pivotal software your organization should begin now to plan your migration. Progent's collaboration consultants can assist your company to upgrade smoothly to the current version of Unified Communications Manager and can routinely save clients up to 50% off consulting service fees versus most computer service companies because of Progent's documented process and experience in this practice area. By adhering to best practices, Progent can make sure your company sees a quick return on your IT investment by helping you benefit fully from the enhanced features, reduced management and maintenance costs, more engaging collaboration, and stronger security provided by the latest release of Cisco Unified CM.

Progent's migration services include return-on-investment assessment, project management, system testing, Cloud connectivity, configuring collaboration endpoints from Cisco and other vendors, smartphone and tablet integration, security and compliance consulting, streamlined management, disaster recovery/business continuity planning, network topology design, staff and user training, and ongoing consulting and technical support. Progent also offers fixed-priced upgrade service bundles to keep your costs predictable and affordable.

To see additional details concerning Progent's professional support for Cisco technology, choose a subject:

• Introduction to Progent's Cisco Consulting Services
• Fast Online Access to a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Consultant
• Cisco Firepower Series Firewalls: Configuration and Management Support
• Cisco ASA 5500-X Firewall with Firepower Services: Consulting and Troubleshooting Support
• ASA 5500 Series Firewall Management Assistance
• PIX 500 Firewall Upgrade. Migration Assistance
• Cisco Routers Consulting Support
• Cisco Wireless Deployment Support
• Cisco Aironet APs Consulting Expertise
• Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 WiFi APs Engineering Services
• Cisco Catalyst 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6/6E Access Points Planning, Deployment and Debugging Consulting
• Cisco Wireless Controllers Consulting
• Meraki Wireless APs Consulting Help
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager Configuration and Troubleshooting
• Cisco Jabber Deployment Expertise
• Catalyst Switches Deployment Expertise
• Cisco Nexus Switches Consulting and Support Services
• Cisco Meraki Switches Deployment Expertise
• Cisco VPN and Security Engineering Help
• SIP and CUBE Infrastructure Solutions: SIP Trunking and Cisco CUBE Integration Consulting
• Cisco Duo MFA Two-factor Authentication Services for Telecommuters
• Design and Support for Cisco-based Data Centers
• Network Optimization Consulting for Internet Service Providers
• Unified Cloud-based and Hybrid Network Management Solutions for Cisco-powered Environments