Cisco Unified Messaging ConsultantsExchanging live voice and video over Internet Protocol (VoIP and Video over IP) has progressed from simply being being a shrewd means to reduce phone bills to being a required technology for collaboration and worker productivity. Converged communications, once restricted to integrating Internet-based voice and faxes on a single network platform to replace traditional PBX systems, today incorporates VoIP and video, mobility, chat, presence, collaboration services, and much more in a single environment that is manageable, extensible, protected, resilient, economical, and user friendly.

Cisco is the leader in supplying the hardware and software infrastructure required to support the new paradigm of unified communications (UC). Cisco's unified communications product line enhances the efficiency of information networks by cutting operational costs; integrating rich media functions with familiar software programs to increase user output; facilitating collaboration among employees, associates, and vendors to save effort and enhance business outcomes; and streamlining the management of your converged voice and data infrastructure.

Cisco's Unified Communications technology cover these main product categories:,

  • Call Control Platforms for managing calls and sessions
  • Communications Phones and Softphones to enhance end-user productivity
  • Unified Communications Software Applications for more productive access to presence, chat, voice and video, voice messages, desktop sharing, and conferencing
  • IP Gateways for providing connectivity with outside networks and teleworkers
Progent offers the remote or onsite consulting services of a certified CCIE specialist to assist businesses of any size to design, deploy, manage, upgrade, expand, relocate, and troubleshoot Cisco UC products so you can maximize the business advantage of your UC investment. Progent can deliver advanced consulting for all components of Cisco's unified communications solutions including call processing and control software, IP phones and softphones, and immersive telepresence platforms. Progent also provides consulting and support services for Cisco's rich media-optimized infrastructure including ISR routers, Catalyst switches, ASA firewalls, and IP voice gateways.

Call and Session Control Software - Unified Communications Manager (CallManager)
Cisco IP Communications Consulting and SupportThe call-processing agent is the centerpiece of Cisco's IP telephony infrastructure and gives you the versatility to deploy a central call-processing model, a decentralized model, or a combination of both. In a centralized approach, Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) expands enterprise telephony features to packet telephony devices such as VoIP phones, media management products, VoIP gateways, and mixed media applications throughout the IT environment. Unified Communications Manager supports extra voice, video, and data functions including unified messaging, video conferencing, and group-based customer interaction networks.

The latest release of Cisco Unified CM, formerly branded Cisco CallManager, offers a variety of enhancements that speed up your return on investment by lowering management and support costs, increasing user output, facilitating collaboration, supporting the BYOD style of computing, strengthening data protection, and allowing optimal use of IT resources. Top innovations include Global Dial Plan Replication (GDPR), streamlined certificate control, expanded support for standards-based single sign-on (SSO) for administrators and users, device-agnostic call recording, on-the-road connectivity without the need for VPN, a revamped self-provisioning utility that makes it simple for users to specify their preferences for all of their endpoints, and support for Transport Layer Security for mobile clients.

When you implement a centralized Unified Communications Manager cluster to manage call processing for users at distributed locations, administrators can help achieve non-stop call service through Cisco SRST, an IOS Software image for routers. If a WAN connection breaks, Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony in the router offers core Cisco UC Manager services until the connection is repaired. For a description of Progent's consulting support services for Cisco ISR routers, refer to consulting and troubleshooting services for Cisco Integrated Services routers.

For small business networks, branch offices, and retail deployments that do not need the complete functionality available from Unified CM, Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express, formerly named CallManager Express provides a cost-effective PBX alternative that meets the needs of sites with as many as 450 workers. Since Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is embedded in the Cisco IOS Software operating on a Cisco router, smaller organizations can quickly deploy a converged voice and data solution.

The Cisco Business Edition 6000 is a line of turn-key platforms that offer essential unified communications features such as routing, IP gateway, premium voice/video, messaging, IM and real-time presence, conferencing, and paging support, enabling any end user to connect on any endpoint device from any location. All BE6000 versions are delivered preloaded with a virtualization hypervisor and Unified Communications applications, making deployment quick and simple and cutting cost of ownership for organizations with from 25 to 1000 employees. All BE6000 solutions are shipped preinstalled with virtualization and collaboration applications software. You can instantly activate UC software applications when their requirements evolve.

The entry-level Business Edition 6000S supports five standard UC software applications installed on one integrated router/gateway/virtualized blade server device and supports as many as 150 workers and 300 endpoint devices. The mid-market Business Edition 6000M includes 4 unified communications application options enabled on a single virtualized Cisco C220 M4 server and can handle a maximum capacity of 1000 users, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The top-of-the-line Business Edition 6000H includes eight unified communications application options activated on a single virtualized C220 M4 server platform and has the ability to support as many as 1000 workers, 2500 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents.

For additional information about Progent's expertise with Unified Communications Manager, see Cisco Unified Communications Manager and CallManager planning, configuration, migration and technical support.

Cisco IP Phones: IP Voice and IP Video Endpoints
A communications endpoint is an end-user device, and can be a physical handset or a soft phone program on a PC or handheld computer. In the IP world, each IP endpoint has an Ethernet connection. IP phones offer all of the functions that an analog phone handset has, but Voice over IP phones often have additional functions including being able to access the web or host collaboration software.

Cisco Voice over IP Phones ConsultingIn contrast to traditional PBX technology, in a Cisco IP telephony environment you can perform almost instant moves, additions, and changes. You simply take the IP handset to its new location, attach it to the Ethernet connection, and the phone announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All client privileges and settings are automatically re-established, doing away with the expense and delay of sending technicians to rewire connections. Another helpful capability is extension mobility, which enables you to log into any Cisco IP phone and receive your personal phone ID and rights.

Cisco provides a broad range of collaboration handsets. The low-cost SPA 300 family are no-frills IP and DECT screenless or monochrome phones offering wide-band voice, support for hosted IP phone environments or an IP private branch exchange (PBX), easy deployment and secure online installation, in-service software upgrades, and browser-based configuration. The value-priced SPA301 is a one-line VoIP endpoint with no screen or speakerphone function, a base dialer that has one Ethernet connector, and a corded handset with no a keypad. The SPA302D, intended solely for operation with Cisco's SPA232D DECT Analog Telephone Adapter, is a multiline cordless Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) handset that supports 10-lines, a 176 x 220 pixel color display, and a keypad with a speakerphone. The SPA303 is an entry-level 3-line SIP-based IP phone with dual Ethernet ports, a 128x64 monochrome display and a speaker.

Cisco SPA500 IP Phones ConsultingCisco's SPA500 line VoIP phones are low-cost devices with support for SIP and SPCP signaling protocols, two Ethernet switch ports, speakerphones, PoE, and voice conferencing capability. Most versions have a 128 x 64 pixel mono screen display, The SPA501G IP Phone supports eight lines and has eight programmable buttons but no LCD display. The SPA502G IP Phone supports a single line and has no programmable buttons. The SPA504G IP Phone supports four lines and has four programmable buttons. The SPA508G has eight lines and eight soft buttons. The SPA509G supports 12 lines and features 12 soft buttons. The SPA512G IP Phone supports four lines, no programmable keys and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The SPA514G VoIP phone supports four lines, has programmable buttons, and supports 1xGb Ethernet. The high-end SPA525G2 IP Phone has a 320 x 240 pixel color screen, supports five lines, and includes five soft keys.

Cisco's IP Phones 3900 Series and 6900 Series are specialty VoIP endpoints designed for infrequent-use settings such as cafeterias, hallways, and conference facilities. The Unified SIP Phone 3905 IP Phone features a 128 x 32 pixel mono non-backlit screen, a Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and Power over Ethernet (PoE). The bare-bones Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a one-line device with no screen and uses a hook switch for call transfer or joining a conference.

Cisco's 7800 family of value-priced IP phones are VoIP desktop devices featuring backlit monochrome displays, four soft buttons, 11 fixed-feature buttons, an integral Ethernet switch with Power over Ethernet, and a speakerphone. The 7800 Series support only the SIP signaling protocol. All devices in the 7800 line incorporate the same high-fidelity speakers and microphones as Cisco's 8800 Series IP phones to deliver a best-in-class audio solution. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save technology, available on the advanced 7800 models, cuts off-hours energy usage by as much as 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a one-line VoIP phone intended for common locations and for workers with occasional-to-light voice communications requirements. The IP 7811 VoIP phone comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 display and a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is available via an optional handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a two-line VoIP endpoint with a 396 x 162 screen. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line VoIP phone with a 396 x 162 screen and is the only model in the 7800 series to support 1xGb Ethernet. The high-end IP Phone 7861 VoIP phone is a 16-line endpoint targeted for administrative staff, contact center agents, and supervisors who have significant voice communications requirements.

The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are dual-protocol (SIP/SCCP) media endpoints with a 320 x 240 pixel color screen, an integral 1xGb Ethernet switch, Class 3 PoE, 10 fixed-feature buttons and a speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7945G is a two-line device and the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G includes four lines. Both VoIP phones include a 5-inch screen and four soft buttons. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G device is an eight-line IP voice and video phone featuring a 5.6-inch touch screen and five soft buttons.

Cisco 8800 Series IP Phones Consultants

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a line of SIP-only IP phones that includes desktop units, a conference IP phone, and wireless IP Phones. The desktop units are five-line IP phones with a 5-inch 800 x 480 display, a Gigabit Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, four programmable keys and 12 fixed-feature buttons. The Cisco IP Phone 8811 includes a backlit monochrome display and supports Class 2 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8841 features a WVGA color display and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet. 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 has a WVGA color display and a USB port with charging capability, supports Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice and Class 3 PoE, and is available in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth versions. The Cisco IP Phone 8861 includes a WVGA color display, Bluetooth, two USB connections 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 connections with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE.

Wireless VoIP Phone Integration ConsultingCisco's wireless IP phones are hardened Wi-Fi devices designed for professionals who are on the move within campus, warehouse, retail or other venues where management requires user endpoints that provide more control, security and durability than is possible with the BYOD mode of mobile communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless VoIP phones provide on-the-move onsite users the advantages of voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) technology in environments that support 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi infrastructure. The 8821 Wireless VoIP Phone includes a 2.4 inch color screen, a rugged shell rated Mil-SPEC 810G to withstand dropping and IP67 for particulate and splash resistance, long-life batteries, a full-duplex speakerphone, and an integrated Bluetooth 4.0 transceiver for hands-free operation with wireless headsets. Cisco's 8821-EX Wireless VoIP Phone adds spark suppression for use in hazardous work sites. The 8821-EX also has a case composed of industry-standard yellow plastics, which makes it easier to find during an emergency. Learn about Progent's Wireless VoIP Phone integration and troubleshooting support.

Cisco 9900 Series Voice over IP Phones HelpCisco's discontinued 9900 line of powerful IP phones integrate high-quality voice with high-resolution color video to provide a rich collaborative communications solution for knowledge professionals, managers, and executives. Both models in this family feature an SD 24-bit color display, a Bluetooth 2.0 radio to work with a wide range of headsets, and an integrated Gigabit Ethernet port. Cisco's EnergyWise feature is offered as an option and can lower off-work power use by 90 percent. The IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch display and allows up to 2 Cisco IP Color Key Expansion Modules for expanding customizable line and feature keys. The Cisco IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch display, an integrated 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi transceiver for connecting to Voice-over-WLAN networks, and four programmable touchscreen keys to invoke Cisco Unified Communications features. The 9971 VoIP phone supports up to 3 Cisco IP Color Key Expansion Modules for expanding programmable line and feature keys.

Cisco Unified Communications Applications
Under Cisco's Unified Communications platform, IP voice, IP video, and other converged applications are physically separate from the call-processing and voice-processing infrastructure, and they may reside anywhere within the system. A single connectivity infrastructure offers an open platform for feature-rich applications and serves as a firm basis for downstream convergence-based software. Cisco cooperates with third-party IT industry vendors to provide a broad selection of IP voice and IP video applications and devices. Cisco also enables the capability to create and administer specialized internal applications.

Collaborative applications available from Cisco and supported by Progent include:

Jabber
Jabber is a UC application that supports presence, instant messaging, voice, high-definition video, voicemail, screen sharing, and real-time conferencing capabilities for Windows PCs, Apple Macs, iPads and Android tablets plus iPhones, Android phones, and Blackberries. Jabber is a rebranding and combination of the Unified Personal Communicator, Cisco Mobile, and WebEx Connect, with significant improvements to HD video capabilities and screen sharing, and expanding the team environment to additional platforms and devices. Cisco 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 voicemail and programmable attendant, and Cisco WebEx Meeting for conferencing.

Because Cisco Jabber utilizes popular industry standards, it can communicate with a broad selection of third-party products. For example, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol allows Cisco Jabber to trade IM and presence information with other XMPP clients including as Adium for Mac OS, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync. Cisco Jabber features can be accessed from Microsoft Office applications such as Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft SharePoint. This cross-platform compatibility maximizes productivity by providing a common end-user experience and accommodating the bring-your-own-device model of computing. Progent can provide the expertise of certified Exchange consultants and SharePoint application developers who can show you how to use Jabber with Microsoft's premiere collaboration products. Progent also offers expertise with iPhone integration and management as well as Android phone integration to help you to increase the business value of your BYOD environment.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center
WebEX Meeting Center provides online meetings for users with a web browser or almost any desktop or handheld device. WebEx Meeting Center is delivered as SaaS through the Cisco WebEx Cloud. This makes it easy to roll out and expand, reduces the cost of management, eliminates major up-front investment, offers high availability and enterprise-grade data protection, and delivers excellent throughput. Key features include the ability to share discrete content or your whole screen with remote attendees in real time, the ability to embed multimedia into your presentations including Microsoft PowerPoint and Flash videos, network-based recording plus editing and playback for training and demonstrations, single sign-on and support for Cisco collaboration applications like Cisco Jabber and TelePresence, plus strong data protection and encrypted connections with tight policy control.

WebEx Online Conferencing Consultants

WebEX Meeting Center works with Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac, and Linux-powered desktops and notebooks and permits mobile users to initiate, calendarize, and participate in conferences on Google Android smartphones and tablets, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry phones, and Windows Phone. Users can also launch online meetings with a few clicks from Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Notes, and a variety of IM solutions.

Cisco TelePresence Portfolio for On-premises Video Conferencing Ecosystems
For midsize businesses and enterprises who want to build an on-premises or hybrid local/cloud environment for teleconferencing, Cisco provides a selection of Cisco TelePresence products that deliver high-definition teleconferencing for users with virtually any endpoint device at any location. Cisco TelePresence Server is a scalable video conferencing bridge that runs with Cisco Unified Communications Manager to deliver multiparty video, audio and content sharing to unified communications deployments and can expand conferences to incorporate cloud-connected Cisco WebEx Meeting Center users. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software simplifies the control of how teleconferencing bandwidth and features should be rationed for each attendee, allowing administrators to specify the exact service level and experience required for every user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server records video conference presentations for real-time distribution and video on demand (VOD) viewing.

Cisco's Unity Connection Platform and Unity Express for Converged Voice Messaging
Cisco's Unity Connection, an extension of Unified Communications Manager, is a converged voicemail solution that facilitates teamwork by providing flexible set of alternatives for retrieving calls and messages within a framework that is easy to deploy and maintain. Cisco Unity Connection allows you to read and manage voicemail from your email inbox, web browser, Jabber, a Cisco Unified VoIP endpoint, an iPhone or other smartphone, or an iPad or tablet. Cisco Unity Connection also offers advanced voice-recognition capabilities for hands-free operation and powerful Automated Attendant functions such as smart routing for incoming calls and custom call-screening and message-alert options. The Unity Connection system operates as a fully virtualized system that can be hosted on a Business Edition 6000 server or a Cisco SRE 910 router blade and can accommodate as many as 20,000 mailboxes on each server.

Cisco Unity Express (CUE), available in certain Cisco ISR routers, offers affordable voicemail, unified messaging, interactive voice response (IVR), and automated-attendant functions for small to medium businesses (SMBs) and corporate satellite locations with up to 500 workers. Unity Express permits you to access and manage voicemail using a Cisco IP Phone display, your web browser, or your email client. Integrated Services Routers for which Unity Express is available as a network module or advanced integration module include Cisco's 2800, 2900, and 3900 Series. Progent offers comprehensive configuration and support services for Integrated Services Routers.

Unified Contact Center
Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise (UCCE) works with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and agent desktop applications such as Finesse to provide automatic call distribution (ACD) features that allow an organization to connect customers with the appropriate sales or service agent. Unified CCE provides smart call distribution, computer telephony integration, multiple channel contact management, network-wide call queuing, interactive voice response and consolidated company-wide reporting to simplify the deployment and management of a large-scale contact center. Cisco platforms incorporated in UCCE's client contact management ecosystem include Cisco Unified IP Phones, Voice, and Cisco LAN/WAN technology.

Cisco Unified Contact Center Express (CCX) offers a packaged solution for creating a customer contact center for mid-scale systems that support up to 400 agents. Several bundles are offered, as well as a variety of special options. Cisco Unified CCX integrates with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and offers smart call routing, contact interaction management, integrated reporting, IVR, and the ability to manage voice, email, web chat, and social media requests. Cisco Unified Contact Center Express comes with Cisco Finesse, a browser-based customizable desktop agent that needs no client-side installation. Advanced options include call-in-queue, projected-wait-time announcements, and workforce and quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect for Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, commonly known as Single Number Reach (SNR), makes it possible for users to be called via one phone number that rings at the same time on their Cisco desktop VoIP Phone and their cell phone. Users can switch live conversations between their Cisco IP phone and their smartphone seamlessly. Unanswered calls can be redirected to a Cisco Unity or Cisco Unity Connection account. Users can create their own access lists that specify which calls get extended to alternate endpoints.

Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Prime Collaboration provides an automated platform for initial deployments as well as for “day 2” moves, adds, changes, and deletions. An intuitive console delivers a unified look at a subscriber and the user's services. Prime Collaboration significantly accelerates company-wide installations and reduces the time required for ongoing updates. Prime Collaboration also offers advanced analytics including technology adoption and consumption trends, allowing organizations to make more efficient use of IT resources and further reduce TCO.

Cisco Collaboration Gateways
Cisco's collaboration gateways permit Cisco Unified Communications environments to connect with other systems and with clients operating beyond the corporate firewall. Cisco's line of communication gateways provide unified communications services for a broad range of gateway and session-border-control deployments.

Collaboration gateways available from Cisco and supported by Progent include:

Expressway Converged Communication Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful converged media gatekeeper that enables companies to allow colleagues, vendors, customers and prospects, or partners who are working on various outside networks, workgroup applications, or endpoint equipment to access to Unified Communication functions. The Expressway gateway works in conjunction with an enterprise Cisco CM system or Cisco Business Edition 6000, or can be run through the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution to help make productive collaboration more universal. Important features of Expressway are are:

  • Mobile and Remote Access: Off-site workers who have any Jabber-supported client or teleworkers with Cisco TelePresence endpoints get the convenience of single-sign-on (SSO) and of TLS security and can access all their Jabber applications (video, voice, data instant messaging, and presence) without requiring the extra step of starting a VPN connection. In addition, telecommuters can use their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without a VPN tunnel, delivering a user environment at home the same as the office.
  • Cisco Jabber Guest Support: Expressway is integral for enabling Jabber Guest, which allows “guests” to communicate with your organization simply and securely through lightweight browser and mobile video phone calls.
  • Cisco Cloud Connectivity: Expressway can function as a gateway that creates a path between on-premises Cisco or third-party systems and the WebEx cloud. By offering support for Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms, Cisco Expressway offers an advanced, extensible teleconferencing environment that transparently combines voice, HD video, and data sharing to anyone, at any location, using any endpoint.
  • Interoperability: In case your organization already has non-Cisco video products, Cisco Expressway can assist you to move efficiently to Cisco products when you choose. Cisco Expressway provides video compatibility with industry standard H.323, H.264 Scalable Video Coding, or Session Initiation Protocol systems. Interoperability capabilities 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 Unified Border Element (CUBE)
Cisco Unified Border Element is an advanced session border gateway that interconnects converged business communications systems to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). In addition to offering session border control, CUBE provides simple and affordable collaboration beyond the corporate firewall. Important collaboration functions enabled by CUBE include:
  • WebEx Cloud Connected Audio for high-capacity SIP-based audio conferencing
  • Voice and Video recording
  • SIP-based Call-center and interactive-voice-response (IVR) solutions
  • Policy-led security evaluation of phone calls
  • Business-to-business teleconferencing over SIP
Cisco Unified Border Element software can be licensed on Cisco IOS control software and can be deployed on a wide selection of Cisco's enterprise routers, including Cisco's ASR 1000 Series, the ISR 4000 family, the ISR G2 Series, and high-end versions of the 800 fixed-configuration routers. The virtualized CUBE, or vCUBE, runs in an ESXi virtual application container.

Cisco's End-of-Life UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Phone Systems
The legacy Cisco Unified Communications 500 (UC500) Series is an all-in-one VoIP and unified communications appliance and software package for small organizations. UC500 packages deliver voice, data, voicemail, automated attendant, video, firewall, and wireless capabilities, work with older generation Cisco VoIP phones, and support PSTN interfaces.

Cisco UC500 Series VoIP Gateway Consultants

Cisco's legacy UC500 VoIP switch was the heart of a complete unified communications ecosystem

All of Cisco's UC500 series bundles include a compact switch appliance with 8 Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) ports plus additional foreign exchange stations (FXS) and foreign exchange office (FXO) interfaces, a firewall, and VPN. Built-in WiFi is optional. VoIP user capacity can be increased by attaching Cisco Catalyst Express companion switches. Each UC500 model also includes software licenses for Cisco Unified Communications Manager for VoIP call processing and Cisco Unity Express 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 ports. The Cisco UC540 system allows 24 to 32 users and has 8 FXO ports. The Cisco UC560 system supports 48 users and 12 foreign exchange office ports.

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

How Progent Can Help You with Cisco VoIP and IP Media Phones, CUCM, and Telepresence
Progent can provide online or on-premises access to a certified CCIE Collaboration expert to help you to design, install, administer and repair converged communications networks built on Cisco Unified Communication technology in a centralized, cloud-based, or hybrid deployment. Progent's Cisco-certified engineers have in-depth experience integrating Unified Communications Manager and CallManager, VoIP phones and soft phones, UC applications such as Jabber and Unity Connection, Cisco's video conferencing products, communication gatekeepers, tools incorporated into Cisco Catalyst switches and routers. Progent can also offer support for related technologies like Cisco SRST, Cisco Unified Border Element, H.323 gateways, CAC, IP voice trunks, various signaling protocols, and AVVID. Progent's SIP integration experts can also assist you to build SIP infrastructure environments that incorporate SIP-based VoIP phones and media phones, SIP trunks, SIP conferencing and SIP management tools with CUCM.

Progent's custom application programmers can build specialized IP telephony software that will enable your company to incorporate the features of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your company operations for increased productivity. Progent can analyze your existing network and Internet connectivity infrastructure to make sure your system is optimized to accommodate business-quality VoIP and high-definition video, help you to select and deploy Cisco hardware and software that make sense for your current needs and downstream growth objectives, and integrate your Cisco Unified Communications products with technology from other suppliers. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified network security and compliance consultants can show you how to develop, deploy, and test a comprehensive security and compliance strategy for your converged communications solution. Also, Progent can help you to deploy Cisco high-availability mechanisms like Cisco Unified Survivable Remote Site Telephony to provide affordable call control redundancy in remote-branch and telecommuter environments, and Progent's disaster recovery and business continuity preparedness experts can help you develop a viable DR/BC plan to ensure the availability of your vital communications environment.

Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Consulting
Releases of Unified CM lower than 8.6 and every version of its predecessor CallManager have reached end-of-life. Therefore Cisco will cease to develop, fix, or test this older software. Security updates for this pivotal product will end, which in some situations could cause compliance or legal liability issues.

Progent continues to provide expert support for end-of-life editions of Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, but if you are now using an out-of-dated version of this essential software your organization should begin immediately to prepare for your upgrade. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting professionals can help your company to upgrade efficiently to the current release of Cisco Unified Communications Manager and can typically save clients up to 50% off consulting service fees versus most IT service firms because of Progent's documented process and experience in this area. By following best practices, Progent can make sure your business sees a fast payback on your investment by showing you how to take full advantage of the enhanced features, lower administrative and support costs, more productive collaboration, and stronger security offered by the newest release of Unified CM.

Progent's migration consulting services include ROI assessment, project management or co-management, system testing and validation, Cloud connectivity, configuring endpoint devices from Cisco and other suppliers, mobile connectivity, data protection services, management automation, business continuity planning, network topology design, staff and user training, and ongoing consulting and technical support. Progent also has put together ultra-affordable upgrade service bundles to keep your costs visible and affordable.

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If you wish to contact Progent about technical assistance for Cisco technology, call 1-800-993-9400 or go to Contact Progent.