Cisco Certified Network Consulting and Support

Sending real-time voice and video over IP has evolved from simply being being a smart method to save money on phone bills to being an indispensable technology for collaboration and worker productivity. Unified communications, at one time limited to integrating Internet-based voice calls and faxing on a single network platform to replace traditional PBX systems, today incorporates voice and video, mobile communications, IM, real-time presence, collaboration services, and more all in a cohesive framework that is manageable, extensible, secure, resilient, economical, and intuitive.

Cisco is the market leader in supplying the hardware and software infrastructure required to support the new model of unified communications (UC). Cisco's UC solution adds to the efficiency of IT networks by slashing operational costs; combining multiple collaboration features with popular software applications to improve worker output; supporting teamwork among workers, partners, and vendors to save effort and improve business results; and streamlining the management of your communications ecosystem.

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

• Call Control Agents for managing calls and sessions
• VoIP and Video Endpoints to optimize end-user engagement
• Unified Communications Applications for simplified access to real-time, chat, voice and video, phone messages, desktop sharing, and conferencing
• Communications Gateways for connecting to public networks and teleworkers

Call Processing Agents - Unified Communications Manager (CallManager)
Cisco's call-processing agent is the heart of Cisco's IP collaboration portfolio and gives you the flexibility to implement a centralized call-processing model, a decentralized design, or a mix of the two. In a centralized deployment, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) expands enterprise telephony features to packet products such as VoIP handsets, media processing devices, Voice over IP gateways, and multimedia programs across the IT environment. Unified Communications Manager supports additional voice, video, and data services including unified messaging, video conferencing, and group-based client communication networks.

The most recent release of Cisco Unified CM, previously named Cisco CallManager, includes a variety of improvements that accelerate your return on investment by lowering management and support expenses, increasing user productivity, enhancing teamwork, supporting the BYOD model of working, fortifying data protection, and making efficient use of IT resources. Top new features include automatic dial-plan replication, simplified certificate management, extended support for standards-based single sign-on (SSO) for administrators and users, device-independent call recording, on-the-road connectivity without requiring VPN, a revamped self-care interface that makes it simple for end users to set their preferences for all devices, and support for Transport Layer Security and Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol for mobile clients.

When you implement a central Cisco Unified Communications Manager cluster to control voice processing for users at remote sites, administrators can help achieve continuous call availability through Cisco SRST, an IOS Software image for Cisco routers. If a WAN connection fails, Cisco SRST in the Cisco router provides core UC Manager services until the connection is returned. For a description of Progent's consulting support for Cisco ISR routers, see consulting support services for Cisco Integrated Services routers.

For small business networks, branch offices, and retail environments that do not require the full functionality offered by Unified CM, Unified Communications Manager Express, previously known as CallManager Express offers an economical PBX alternative that handles the needs of sites with up to 450 users. Because Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is embedded in the IOS Software running on a Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR), smaller organizations can quickly set up a unified voice and data environment.

Cisco's Business Edition 6000 is a line of turn-key platforms that offer essential unified communications features including routing, gateway, premium voice and video, messaging, instant messaging and real-time presence, conferencing, and paging support, allowing any user to connect on any device from any place. All systems are shipped preloaded with a virtualization hypervisor and collaboration applications, making deployment quick and easy and cutting cost of ownership for companies with from 25 to 1000 workers. All BE6000 solutions are delivered preloaded with a virtualization hypervisor and UC applications software. Organizations can instantly activate collaboration applications whenever their requirements grow.

The office-in-a-box Business Edition 6000S includes five fixed unified communications software applications installed on a single integrated 2921V router/IP gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 server device and can handle a maximum capacity of 150 workers and 300 endpoint devices. The mid-market Business Edition 6000M supports four unified communications software application options enabled on a single virtualized Cisco UCS C220 M4 server and can handle a maximum capacity of 1000 users, 1200 devices, and 100 contact center agents. The top-of-the-line BE6000S Supports eight collaboration software application options enabled on a virtualized Cisco C220 M4 server and supports as many as 1000 users, 2500 devices, and 100 contact center agents.

For more details about Progent's expertise with Unified Communications Manager, visit Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager design, configuration, migration and troubleshooting.

Cisco IP Phones: VoIP and IP Media Phones
A communications endpoint is a user device, either a physical phone set or a soft phone program on a PC or handheld computer. In the IP environment, every IP handset or soft phone has an Ethernet connection. Voice over IP phones offer all of the capabilities that an analog phone handset has, but VoIP phones can also provide extra features including the ability to access websites or host collaboration software.

Unlike conventional PBX systems, in a Cisco IP communications environment you can implement almost instantaneous relocations, adds, and changes. You merely move the VoIP phone to its new location, attach it to the Ethernet jack, and the phone announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All user privileges and configurations are programmatically replicated, doing away with the cost and hassle of sending technicians to rewire connections. An additional efficient capability is location independence, which enables you to log into any Cisco IP phone and receive your own phone ID and rights.

Cisco offers a broad selection of Unified CM phones. Cisco's low-cost Small Business SPA 300 Series are no-frills IP and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications phones offering wide-band voice, compatibility with hosted IP telephony systems or an IP private branch exchange (PBX), easy installation and highly secure online installation, unobtrusive software updates, and browser-based configuration. The low-end SPA301 is a single-line VoIP phone with no screen or speakerphone function, a base dialer with a single Ethernet port, and a wired handset without keys. The SPA302D, designed solely for operation with the Cisco SPA232D DECT ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter), is a multiline cordless Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) IP phone that supports 10-lines, a TFT 176 x 220 color screen, and a dial pad with a speakerphone. Cisco's SPA303 is an entry-level 3-line SIP-based phone with two switched ports, a 128x64 monochrome graphical display and a speaker.

Cisco's SPA500 family VoIP phones are affordable endpoints with support for SIP and SPCP signaling protocols, two integral switch ports, speakerphones, built-in web servers, Power over Ethernet, and conferencing support. Most versions have a 128 x 64 monochrome screen display, The SPA501G VoIP phone supports eight lines and has eight soft keys but no hi-res screen. The SPA502G has a single line and has no programmable buttons. The SPA504G IP Phone supports four lines and has four programmable buttons. The SPA508G IP Phone supports eight lines and eight programmable 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 10/100/1000 Ethernet. The SPA514G supports four lines, has soft buttons, and supports 10/100/1000 Ethernet. The high-end SPA525G2 includes a 320 x 240 pixel color screen, supports five lines, and includes five programmable keys.

Cisco's IP Phones 3900 Series and IP Phones 6900 Series are specialty IP voice devices intended for infrequent-use environments such as cafeterias, elevators, and conference centers. Cisco's Unified SIP Phone 3905 features VoIP phone features a 128 x 32 pixel monochrome display, an integrated 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 display and uses a hook switch for transferring a call and conferencing.

Cisco's 7800 family of economical IP phones are VoIP desktop endpoints with backlit monochrome displays, four programmable buttons, 11 fixed-feature buttons, an integral Ethernet port with Power over Ethernet (PoE), and an integral speakerphone. The 7800 Series VoIP phones support only the SIP call control protocol. All devices in the 7800 Series incorporate the same advanced speakers and microphones as Cisco's 8800 Series IP phones to provide a best-in-class audio experience. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save technology, offered on the higher end 7800 units, cuts after-hours energy usage by up to 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a one-line VoIP phone designed for common areas and for workers with occasional-to-light call requirements. The IP 7811 comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 screen plus a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is available through an optional wideband handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a dual-line VoIP phone with a 396 x 162 screen. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line VoIP endpoint with a 396 x 162 screen and is the only model in the 7800 family to support Gigabit Ethernet. The top-of-the-line IP Phone 7861 is a 16-line endpoint targeted for administrative staff, call center personnel, and supervisors who have significant call requirements.

Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are dual-protocol (SIP/SCCP) media endpoints with a 320 x 240 pixel color display, a 1xGb Ethernet switch, Class 3 Power over Ethernet (PoE), 10 dedicated buttons and a speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7945G is a two-line device and the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G supports four lines. Both VoIP phones include a 5-inch display and four soft 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 buttons.

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a portfolio of SIP-based IP phones that features desktop units, a conference phone, and wireless IP Phones. The desktop units are five-line IP phones featuring a 5-inch 800 x 480 pixel display, a Gigabit Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, four soft buttons and 12 dedicated keys. Cisco's IP Phone 8811 includes a monochrome display and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet. Cisco's IP Phone 8841 features a WVGA color screen and supports Class 2 PoE. Cisco's IP Phone 8845 features a WVGA color display, 720p HD video, a tiltable camera, Bluetooth, Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet. The Cisco IP Phone 8851 features a WVGA color display and a USB connection with charging capability, supports Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice and Class 3 Power over Ethernet, and is available in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth models. The Cisco IP Phone 8861 includes a WVGA color screen, Bluetooth, dual USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, 802.11ac 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, two USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 Power over Ethernet.

Cisco's wireless VoIP phones are industrial-grade wireless devices designed for professionals who are on the move within campus, hospitality, health-care or other environments where IT management requires user endpoints that offer more control, data security and ruggedness than is possible with the BYOD mode of mobile collaboration. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones offer mobile onsite workers the advantages of voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) communications in environments that support 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi infrastructure. Cisco's 8821 Wireless VoIP Phone includes a 2.4 inch color screen, a rugged shell designed for shock resistance and IP67 for dust and splash resistance, extended batteries, a built-in full-duplex speakerphone, and a Bluetooth 4.0 radio to support cordless headsets. The 8821-EX Wireless VoIP Phone adds anti-sparking protection for hazardous work sites. Cisco's 8821-EX also has a case made out of yellow plastics, which makes the 8821-EX easy to find the event of a crisis. Find out about Progent's Cisco Wireless IP Phone integration and troubleshooting consulting.

Cisco's discontinued 9900 Series of high-performance VoIP endpoints combine high-definition voice with business-grade color displays to deliver a rich collaborative unified communications solution for managers and executives. The two models in the 9900 family have a Standard Definition VGA color screen, a Bluetooth radio to work with a broad selection of headsets, and an integrated 1 GE Ethernet port. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save function is optional and can reduce off-hour energy draw by 90 percent. The IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch screen and allows up to 2 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for expanding programmable line and function keys. The IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch screen, a built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi radio for deployment with Voice-over-WLAN environments, and four soft-label programmable touchscreen keys to access Cisco Unified Communications features. The 9971 VoIP phone allows up to 3 Cisco IP Expansion Modules for adding programmable line and function keys.

Unified Communications Applications
Under Cisco's Unified Communications architecture, IP voice, IP video, and other UC applications are physically separate from the call-processing and voice-processing infrastructure, and they may reside at any location within the system. A cohesive network framework provides an open platform for feature-rich business applications and acts as a firm foundation for downstream convergence-based applications. Cisco works with third-party IT industry vendors to provide a broad range of IP telephony and IP video applications and devices. Cisco also enables the capability to develop and manage customized in-house applications.

Collaborative application software offered by Cisco and supported by Progent's consultants include:

Cisco Jabber
Cisco Jabber is a unified communications application that provides presence, IM, business-quality voice, high-definition video, voice messaging, screen sharing, and real-time conferencing capabilities for PCs, Macs, tablets and smartphones. Cisco Jabber is an evolution and combination of the Cisco Unified Personal Communicator soft phone application, Cisco Mobile, and WebEx Connect, with significant enhancements to HD video features and desktop screen sharing, and extending the team environment to additional operating systems and devices. Cisco Jabber works in conjunction with Unified Communications Manager for call control, Cisco Unified Presence for IM and presence, Cisco Unity Connection for voicemail and programmable attendant, and WebEX Meeting for conferencing.

Since Cisco Jabber is based on popular communication standards, it can interoperate with a broad selection of non-Cisco platforms. As an example, XMPP allows Cisco Jabber to trade IM and presence information with other XMPP clients including as Adium for Mac, Sametime, and Microsoft Lync. Cisco Jabber capabilities are available from Microsoft Office programs including Outlook and Microsoft SharePoint. This cross-platform support optimizes output by delivering a consistent end-user experience and accommodating the bring-your-own-device paradigm of computing. Progent can provide the assistance of Microsoft-certified Exchange consultants and Microsoft SharePoint programmers who can show you how to use Jabber with Microsoft's popular collaboration platforms. Progent also can provide expertise with iPhone integration as well as Google Android smartphone and tablet integration to assist your organization to increase the productivity of your BYOD ecosystem.

WebEX Meeting Center
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center enables online meetings for users with a web browser or virtually any desktop or handheld device. Cisco WebEx Meeting Center is delivered as software as a service (SaaS) via the Cisco WebEx Cloud. This makes it easy to roll out and scale, reduces the cost of administration, avoids high initial investment, features high availability and enterprise-class security, and delivers fast performance. Important features include the ability to share discrete content or an entire screen with online attendees in real time, the ability to add rich media into presentations including PowerPoint and Flash animations, network-based recording plus playback for training and demonstrations, single sign-on (SSO) and support for other Cisco collaboration applications such as Jabber and Cisco TelePresence, plus strong data privacy and encrypted connections with strict policy management.

WebEX Meeting Center works with Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac, and Linux-powered desktops and allows mobile users to start, schedule, and participate in conferences on Google Android devices, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry handhelds, and Windows Phone. You can also launch web meetings with a few clicks from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Notes, and a variety of IM applications.

Cisco TelePresence Portfolio for On-premises Video Conferencing Environments
For midsize organizations and larger enterprises who wish to build an in-house or hybrid local/cloud solution for video conferencing, Cisco provides a selection of Cisco TelePresence software and equipment that deliver high-quality video conferencing for users with virtually any IP endpoint at any location. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable video conferencing bridge that runs in conjunction with Cisco Unified CM to provide multiparty video, audio and content sharing to unified communications environments and can expand conferences to incorporate cloud-based WebEx Meeting Center participants. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software simplifies the control of how conferencing resources are allotted for each participant, enabling administrators to specify the exact service level and experience needed for each user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server records video and presentations for live distribution and on-demand viewing.

Cisco Unity Connection and Unity Express for Unified Voicemail and Automated Attendant
Cisco's Unity Connection, an extension of Unified CM, is a unified voice messaging solution that promotes productive collaboration by providing flexible set of alternatives for accessing calls and messages within a framework that is simple to deploy and manage. Unity Connection allows you to access and manage your voicemail from your email inbox, browser, Cisco Jabber, a Cisco Unified IP Phone, an iPhone or other smartphone, or an iPad or tablet. Cisco Unity Connection also provides advanced speech-recognition features for hands-free operation and extensive Automated Attendant features such as intelligent routing for inbound phone calls and custom call-screening and message-alert options. The Unity Connection system runs as a fully virtualized system that can be hosted on a BE6000 server or a Cisco Services Ready Engine 910 router blade service module and can accommodate up to 20,000 voice mailboxes per server.

Unity Express (CUE), offered in select Cisco Integrated Services routers, provides cost-effective voicemail, integrated messaging, IVR, and greeting functions for small to medium businesses (SMBs) and enterprise branch offices with up to 500 voice mailboxes. Unity Express allows you to manage voicemail messages using a Cisco IP Phone display, your web browser, or an email client. Integrated Services Routers for which Cisco Unity Express is offered as a network module include Cisco's 1861, 2800, 2900, 3800, and 3900 families. Progent offers comprehensive deployment and troubleshooting services for ISR routers.

Unified Contact Center
Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE or UCCE) integrates with Unified Communications Manager and desktop agent apps such as Cisco Finesse to offer automatic call distribution (ACD) capabilities that allow an organization to connect customers with the appropriate salesperson or service representative. Unified CCE provides intelligent call distribution, computer telephony integration (CTI), support for multichannel customer contact management, network call queuing, interactive voice response (IVR) and consolidated enterprise-wide reporting to streamline the creation and administration of a large-scale customer contact center. Cisco products supporting Unified CCE's customer interaction management solution include Unified IP Phones, Cisco Voice Gateways, and Cisco network infrastructure.

Cisco Unified Contact Center Express (CCX) provides an out-of-the-box solution for creating a customer interaction management center for mid-scale systems that handle up to 400 agents. Multiple packages are available, as well as a variety of special options. Cisco Unified Contact Center Express integrates closely with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and provides intelligent call routing, contact management, integrated reporting, interactive voice response, and management of voice, email, chat, and social media inquiries. Cisco Unified Contact Center Express comes with Finesse, a browser-based customizable desktop agent that requires no client-side installation. Advanced options include conditional routing, projected-wait-time announcements, and productivity optimization with 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 via one phone number that rings at the same time on their Cisco desktop VoIP Phone and their smartphone. Users can transfer live conversations between their Cisco IP phone and their mobile phone without disruption. Unanswered calls can be transferred to a Unity or Cisco Unity Connection voicemail account. Users can create their own access lists that determine which calls get directed to different phones.

Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning offers an automated process for initial deployments as well as for follow-on moves, adds, changes, and deletions. An intuitive console provides a unified look at a subscriber and the subscriber's services. Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning significantly speeds up site installations and reduces the time required to implement future changes. Prime Collaboration also offers advanced analytics that show application adoption and consumption trends, allowing administrators to make more efficient use of IT resources and further reduce TCO.

Cisco Communications Gateways
Cisco's collaboration gateways permit Cisco Unified Communications deployments to communicate with public systems and with users operating beyond the firewall. Cisco's line of gateways deliver unified communications services for all types of gateway and session-border-control applications.

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

Expressway Converged Communication Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is an advanced converged media gateway that allows companies to allow team members, vendors, customers and prospects, or business partners who are working on different networks, workgroup platforms, or endpoint equipment to connect to Unified Communication functions. The Expressway gateway works with a Cisco CM deployment or Cisco Business Edition 6000 (BE6000), or can be run through the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS) to help make collaboration more universal. Key capabilities of Cisco Expressway are:

• Mobile and Remote Access: Remote users with any Jabber-compatible client or teleworkers with Cisco TelePresence endpoints have the convenience of single-sign-on (SSO) as well as Transport Layer Security (TLS) and can connect to all their collaboration applications (video, voice, data IM, and presence) without the inconvenience establishing a VPN. Also, teleworkers can use their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without the need for a VPN tunnel, delivering a user experience at home that is identical to the office.
• Jabber Guest Support: Expressway is required for enabling the Cisco Jabber Guest, which permits “guests” to communicate with your organization simply and securely via streamlined browser and mobile multimedia phone calls.
• Cisco Cloud Access: Expressway can function as a gateway that creates a path between on-premises Cisco or non-Cisco systems and Cisco's WebEx cloud. By supporting Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms, Cisco Expressway deliver a world-class, scalable meeting environment that transparently combines voice, high-definition video, and data sharing to anyone, at any location, using any device.
• Interoperability: If your company currently has third-party video technology, Cisco Expressway can help you to migrate easily to Cisco technology when it makes business sense. Cisco Expressway provides video interoperability with standards-based H.323, H.264 SVC, or Session Initiation Protocol systems. Interoperability standards allowed by Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to SIP, and Microsoft Lync 2013 H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC) to AVC/H.264.

• Cisco WebEx Cloud Connected Audio (CCA) for SIP-media-connected conferencing
• Voice and Video recording
• Enterprise Call-center and interactive-voice-response (IVR) applications
• Policy-based evaluation of phone calls
• B2B immersive telepresence over SIP

Cisco's Legacy UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Phone Systems
The end-of-life Cisco Unified Communications 500 product line is an early VoIP and unified communications appliance and software package for small businesses. UC500 models provide voice, data, voicemail, automated attendant, video, security, and WiFi capabilities, run with older Cisco VoIP phones, and support public switched telephone network connections.

All UC500 packages include a desktop switch appliance with 8 Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) interfaces plus additional FXS and foreign exchange office (FXO) ports, a firewall, and VPN. Built-in WiFi is an option. VoIP user capacity can be increased by connecting with Cisco Catalyst Express companion switches. Each UC500 offering also comes with software 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 include 4 foreign exchange stations and 4 FXO interfaces. The Cisco UC540 system supports 24 to 32 clients and has 8 foreign exchange office interfaces. The Cisco UC560 system allows 48 VoIP clients and 12 FXO ports.

Progent's Cisco-certified VoIP consultants can assist you to support your legacy UC500 VoIP system or design and carry out a smooth migration to a modern VoIP solution like the Cisco Business Edition 4000.

How Progent Can Assist You with Cisco IP Voice and IP Media Phones, CUCM, and Telepresence
Progent offers online or on-premises help from a certified CCIE Collaboration expert to assist you to plan, deploy, manage and repair converged 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 Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, IP voice and video phones and soft phones, UC applications like Cisco Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's video conferencing technologies, collaboration gateways, utilities incorporated into Cisco Catalyst switches and routers. Progent can also provide support for technologies such as Cisco SRST, CUBE, H.323 and H.264 gateways, CAC, IP voice trunks, various signaling protocols, and Cisco's architecture for voice, video and integrated data. Progent's SIP infrastructure experts can also assist you to create SIP connectivity solutions that include SIP-based IP voice phones and video phones, SIP-based CUBE trunks, and SIP administration tools with CUCM.

Progent's application programmers can create specialized unified communications software that will enable your organization to integrate the capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your business processes for enhanced productivity. Progent can analyze your existing network and Internet access architecture to make sure your environment is configured to accommodate high-quality IP voice and high-definition video, help you to choose and install Cisco hardware and software that make sense for your current needs and downstream growth plans, and integrate your Cisco Unified Communications solution with products from other suppliers. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified data security and compliance consultants can assist you to create, implement, and validate an enterprise-wide security and compliance plan for your unified communications ecosystem. In addition, Progent can help your organization to configure Cisco fault-tolerant technologies like Cisco Unified SRST for cost-effective call control backup in branch office and home-office sites, and Progent's disaster recovery planning experts can help you create a viable DR/BC plan to protect your business-critical communications environment.

Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Services
Versions of Unified Communications Manager 8.6 before 8.6 and all versions of CallManager have arrived at end-of-life. This means Cisco will no longer enhance, repair, or validate this older software. Security patches for this business-critical product will stop, which in some situations could create compliance or potential liability issues.

Progent will continue to provide world-class support services for outdated editions of Cisco Unified CM and Cisco CallManager, but in case your company is still running a legacy release of this essential software your organization should begin immediately to plan your upgrade. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting professionals can assist your company to migrate non-disruptively to the current version of Cisco Unified Communications Manager and can often save clients up to 50% off consulting service expense compared to most IT service firms because of Progent's documented process and hands-on experience in this area. By adhering to best practices, Progent can make sure your organization sees a quick return on your investment by helping you take full advantage of the new and improved feature set, reduced administrative and support costs, more productive collaboration, and stronger security provided by the current edition of Unified CM.

Progent's migration consulting services include ROI assessment, project management, system testing, Cloud connectivity, setting up endpoint devices from Cisco and third-party providers, mobile integration, data protection services, management automation, disaster recovery/business continuity 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 predictable and affordable.

To find out more information concerning Progent's consulting assistance for Cisco solutions, select a topic:

• Introduction to Cisco Consulting Services
• Fast Remote Access to a CCIE Engineer
• Cisco Firepower Series Firewalls: Integration and Troubleshooting Expertise
• ASA 5500-X Firewalls with Firepower: Setup and Management Services
• Cisco ASA 5500 Firewall Upgrade. Migration Expertise
• Cisco PIX 500 Firewall Management Assistance
• Cisco Routers Engineering Expertise
• Cisco Wireless Network Design Expertise
• Cisco Aironet Access Points Design Services
• Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 Wireless Access Points Engineering Expertise
• Catalyst Wi-Fi 6/6E APs Planning, Deployment and Troubleshooting Support
• Cisco WiFi Controllers Consulting
• Meraki Access Points Engineering Support
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and CallManager Configuration and Technical Support
• Cisco Jabber Integration Services
• Cisco Catalyst Switches Deployment Expertise
• Cisco Nexus Switches Support and Troubleshooting Services
• Cisco Meraki MS Switches Support and Troubleshooting Services
• Cisco Security and VPN Consulting Help
• SIP and CUBE Infrastructure Solutions: SIP Trunking and Cisco CUBE Integration Consulting
• Cisco Duo MFA Two-factor Authentication (2FA) Services for Remote Workers
• Design Solutions for Cisco-powered Data Centers
• Infrastructure Design Consulting for Service Providers
• Centralized Cloud-based and Hybrid Network Management Strategies for Cisco-powered Infrastructure