Cisco Voice over IP SupportSending live voice and video over IP has progressed from simply being being a shrewd means to save money on phone carrier bills to a strategic technology for collaboration and productivity. Unified IP communications, once restricted to combining Internet-based voice and faxes on one system in order to take the place of expensive PBX equipment, now includes VoIP and video, mobile communications, IM, presence, collaboration services, and much more within a single framework that is manageable, extensible, protected, fault-tolerant, cost-effective, and user friendly.

Cisco is the global leader in supplying the hardware and software infrastructure required to support the new model of unified communications (UC). Cisco's unified communications solution enhances the productivity of IT networks by slashing operating expenses; combining multiple collaboration features with familiar software applications to improve user output; supporting teamwork among workers, associates, and suppliers to save effort and improve business outcomes; and streamlining the administration of your converged voice and data environment.

Cisco's UC technology include these important product areas:,

  • Call Control Platforms for controlling rich media calls and sessions
  • Communications Endpoints to enhance end-user productivity
  • UC Applications for easy access to presence, IM, voice and video, phone messages, desktop sharing, and voice/video conferencing
  • IP Gateways for providing connectivity with outside networks and telecommuters
Progent can provide the remote or on-premises consulting services of a Cisco-certified CCIE (Collaboration) expert who can assist businesses of any size to design, install, manage, upgrade, expand, relocate, and troubleshoot Cisco unified communications products so you can maximize the strategic value of your communications investment. Progent can provide expert consulting for every element of Cisco's unified communications solutions such as call management software, VoIP and softphones, and immersive telepresence platforms. Progent also offers consulting and support services for Cisco's realtime media-optimized network infrastructure products including ISR routers, Catalyst and Nexus switches, ASA firewalls, and voice gateways.

Call Control Agents - Unified Communications Manager (CallManager)
Cisco Collaborative Communications Consulting and SupportCisco's call-processing agent is the core of the Cisco IP collaboration solution and gives you the versatility to implement a centralized call-processing model, a decentralized design, or a mix of the two. In a centralized approach, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) extends enterprise phone features to packet network devices such as VoIP phones, media management appliances, VoIP gateways, and mixed media programs throughout the IT environment. Cisco Unified Communications Manager supports extra multimedia services including unified messaging, video conferencing, and collaborative customer communication networks.

The most recent release of Cisco Unified Communications Manager, previously named Cisco CallManager, offers a wealth of enhancements that expedite your return on investment by lowering administrative and support expenses, increasing user output, enhancing collaboration, supporting the bring-your-own-device style of computing, strengthening security, and making optimal use of IT infrastructure. Headline new features include automatic dial-plan replication, streamlined certificate control, extended support for single sign-on for managers and end users, device-agnostic call recording, on-the-road access without requiring VPN tunneling, a revamped self-care utility that makes it easy for workers to install their options and preferences for all devices, and support for Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol for mobile clients.

When you implement a central Unified Communications Manager cluster to control call processing for users at remote sites, IT managers can help achieve continuous call operation through Cisco SRST, an IOS Software image for routers. If a Wide Area Network connection breaks, Cisco SRST in the router offers core Cisco UC Manager functions until the connection is returned. To learn about Progent's consulting support for Cisco ISR routers, see consulting and troubleshooting support for Cisco Integrated Services routers.

For small businesses, branch locations, and retail environments that do not require the complete feature set offered by Unified CM, Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express, previously known as CallManager Express offers a budget-friendly solution that handles the needs of sites with as many as 450 workers. Because Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is embedded in the Cisco IOS Software operating on a Cisco ISR router, smaller organizations can quickly set up a converged voice and data solution.

The Cisco BE6000 is a line of one-stop solutions that offer fundamental collaboration capabilities including routing, gateway, premium voice and video, messaging, chat and presence, voice and video conferencing, and paging support, enabling any user to collaborate on any endpoint device from anywhere. All Business Edition 6000 versions come preconfigured with a virtualization hypervisor and Unified Communications applications software, making implementation quick and simple and reducing operating expenses for organizations with as many as 1000 employees. All BE6000 systems come preconfigured with virtualization and Unified Communications applications. You can simply enable UC software applications when their needs dictate.

The office-in-a-box Business Edition 6000S supports five preselected collaboration applications preloaded on one integrated 2921V router/gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 blade server device and supports up to 150 workers and 300 endpoint devices. The medium-scale BE6000M includes 4 UC application options enabled on a single virtualized Cisco UCS C220 M4 server platform and can handle up to 1000 users, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The high-end Business Edition 6000H includes eight UC software application options activated on a virtualized C220 M4 server and has the ability to support as many as 1000 users, 2500 devices, and 100 contact center agents.

For more information about Progent's support for Unified Communications Manager (CallManager), see Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager design, configuration, upgrades and technical support.

IP Phones: VoIP and IP Video Phones
An IP communications endpoint is a user device, and can be a hardware handset or a software phone application that runs on a desktop or handheld computer. In the IP world, every IP endpoint has an Ethernet connection. IP phones have all of the capabilities that an analog phone handset provides, but VoIP phones can also offer extra features such as the ability to access the web or run collaboration applications.

Cisco VoIP Phones Consulting FirmIn contrast to ordinary Private Branch Exchange systems, in a Cisco IP communications environment you can implement virtually instant moves, adds, and changes. All you do is take the VoIP phone to its new spot, plug it into an Ethernet connection, and the IP phone registers itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All client permissions and configurations are automatically re-established, eliminating the expense and delay of dispatching support personnel to wiring closets. An additional useful capability is location independence, which enables you to log into any Cisco VoIP phone and receive your own phone ID and rights.

Cisco provides a broad range of VoIP hardware endpoints. The entry-level SPA 300 Series are basic IP and DECT screenless or monochrome phones offering wide-band audio, support for hosted Internet Protocol phone environments or an IP private branch exchange, easy installation and highly secure remote provisioning, zero-downtime software upgrades, and browser-based configuration. The low-end SPA301 is a one-line VoIP phone with no screen or speakerphone, a base dialer with one Ethernet connector, and a corded handset with no a keypad. The SPA302D, intended solely for use with the Cisco SPA232D Multi-Line DECT Analog Telephone Adapter, is a multiple-line cordless Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) IP phone that offers 10-lines, a TFT 176 x 220 pixel color screen, and a dial pad with a speakerphone. Cisco's SPA303 is an economical three-line SIP-based phone with dual switched Ethernet ports, a 128x64 mono display and a speaker.

Cisco SPA500 IP Phones Integration and SupportThe SPA500 line VoIP phones are low-cost endpoints with support for both SIP and SPCP call control protocols, two integral switch ports, speakerphones, Power over Ethernet, and conferencing support. Most versions have a 128 x 64 pixel monochrome screen display, The SPA501G has eight lines and has eight programmable keys but no hi-res screen. The SPA502G IP Phone supports a single line and has no soft keys. The SPA504G has four lines and has four programmable buttons. The SPA508G VoIP phone supports eight lines and eight soft keys. The SPA509G VoIP phone supports 12 lines and features 12 soft buttons. The SPA512G IP Phone supports four lines, no soft buttons and supports 10/100/1000 Ethernet. The SPA514G IP Phone supports four lines, has programmable keys, and supports Gigabit Ethernet. The top-of-the-line SPA525G2 VoIP phone has a 320 x 240 color display, supports five lines, and includes five soft keys.

Cisco's Unified IP Phones 3900 Series and IP Phones 6900 Series are specialty VoIP endpoints designed for occasional-use environments such as cafeterias, hallways, and conference facilities. The Unified SIP Phone 3905 features VoIP phone features a 128 x 32 pixel mono screen, an integrated Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and PoE. The simple Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a one-line device with no display and uses a hook switch for transferring a call or joining a conference.

The 7800 Series of economical IP phones are VoIP desktop devices featuring backlit monochrome screens, four soft buttons, 11 fixed-feature buttons, an Ethernet switch with Class 1 PoE, and a speakerphone. Cisco's 7800 Series VoIP phones support only the SIP signaling protocol. All devices in Cisco's 7800 Series feature 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 feature, available on the advanced 7800 units, reduces off-hours energy consumption by as much as 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a one-line phone intended for shared areas and for workers with infrequent call needs. The IP 7811 VoIP phone comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 display and a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is available via an optional 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 VoIP phone with a 396 x 162 screen and is the only device in the 7800 family to support Gigabit Ethernet. The high-end IP Phone 7861 is a 16-line device targeted for administrators, contact center personnel, and managers who have heavy voice communications needs.

The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are dual-protocol (SIP/SCCP) IP voice and video devices with a 320 x 240 color display, an integral 10/100/1000 Ethernet switch, Class 3 PoE, 10 fixed-feature keys and a speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7945G is a two-line unit and the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G includes four lines. Both IP phones have a 5-inch display 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 8800 Series IP Phones Integration Consulting

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a portfolio of SIP-based endpoints that includes desktop devices, a conference IP phone, and mobile wireless IP Phones. The desktop models are five-line IP phones featuring a 5-inch 800 x 480 pixel screen, a Gigabit Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, four programmable buttons and 12 dedicated keys. The Cisco IP Phone 8811 features a backlit mono screen and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet (PoE). The Cisco IP Phone 8841 has a WVGA color screen and supports Class 2 PoE. Cisco's IP Phone 8845 features a WVGA color display, 720p HD video, an adjustable camera, Bluetooth, Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, and supports Class 2 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8851 has a WVGA color screen 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. Cisco's IP Phone 8861 includes a WVGA color screen, Bluetooth, two USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE. 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, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 Power over Ethernet.

Cisco Wireless VoIP Phone Integration and Troubleshooting SupportCisco's wireless IP phones are hardened Wi-Fi handsets designed for professionals who are on the move within campus, hospitality, retail or other venues where management wants user endpoints that offer more control, security and ruggedness than is achievable with the Bring-Your-Own-Device mode of mobile communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones provide mobile onsite users the benefits of voice over wireless LAN communications in workplaces with 802.11x Wi-Fi. Cisco's 8821 Wireless IP Phone includes a hi-res color screen, a rugged case designed for shock resistance and IP67 for dust and moisture resistance, extended batteries, a speakerphone, and an integrated Bluetooth transceiver to support wireless headsets. Cisco's 8821-EX Wireless VoIP Phone adds spark suppression for use in hazardous environments. The 8821-EX also has a case made out of yellow plastics, which makes the device easy to locate in a crisis. Learn about Progent's Wireless IP Phone integration and troubleshooting consulting.

Cisco 9900 Series IP Phones SupportCisco's legacy 9900 Series of powerful VoIP phones integrate high-quality voice with high-resolution color displays to deliver a rich collaborative experience for knowledge professionals, managers, and executives. The two models in the 9900 family include an SD 24-bit color display, a Bluetooth transceiver to work with a broad selection of headsets, and an integrated 1 GE Ethernet port. Cisco's EnergyWise feature is optional and can cut off-work energy consumption by as much as 90 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch screen and allows up to 2 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for adding customizable line and function keys. The Cisco IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch screen, a built-in Wi-Fi transceiver for deployment with wireless environments, and four customizable touchscreen keys to invoke Cisco Unified Communications functions. The 9971 IP phone supports up to 3 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for expanding customizable line and function keys.

Unified Communications Application Software
Under Cisco's Unified Communications platform, IP phone, IP video, and other converged applications are physically separate from the call- and voice-processing infrastructure, and they may reside at any location within the system. A single network infrastructure offers an open environment for powerful applications and serves as a firm basis for downstream convergence-based applications. Cisco cooperates with third-party IT industry vendors to offer a wide range of IP voice and IP video applications and devices. Cisco also supports the ability to develop and manage specialized in-house applications.

Collaborative applications available from Cisco and supported by Progent include:

Jabber
Jabber is a unified communications client application that supports presence, instant messaging, business-quality voice, high-definition video, voice messaging, screen sharing, and real-time conferencing features for PCs, Apple Macs, Apple and Android tablets as well as smartphones. Cisco Jabber is an evolution and integration of the Unified Personal Communicator soft phone, Cisco Mobile, and WebEx Connect, with major improvements in the areas of video capabilities and desktop sharing, and extending the team experience to more platforms and endpoint hardware. Cisco Jabber operates with Unified CM for call management, Cisco Unified Presence for IM and presence, Unity Connection for voicemail and programmable attendant, and WebEX Meeting for conferencing.

Since Jabber is based on popular industry protocols, it can interoperate with a broad range of third-party products. For example, XMPP enables Cisco Jabber users to trade IM and presence data with other XMPP clients including as Adium, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync. Jabber collaboration features are available from Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook and SharePoint. This extensive platform compatibility optimizes productivity by providing a common user environment and accommodating the BYOD model of computing. Progent can provide the assistance of certified Exchange and Outlook consultants and Microsoft SharePoint application developers who can show you how to use Jabber with Microsoft's powerful collaboration platforms. Progent also can provide expertise with Apple iPhone integration and Android smartphone integration and management to assist you to enhance the productivity of your BYOD ecosystem.

WebEX Meeting Center
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center provides online meetings for participants using a browser or virtually any PC or handheld device. Cisco WebEx Meeting Center is delivered as software as a service through Cisco's WebEx Cloud. This makes it easy to deploy and expand, streamlines administration, avoids high up-front investment, offers high availability and world-class data protection, and provides excellent performance. Key features include support for sharing discrete content or an whole screen display with online participants in real time, the capability to add multimedia into presentations including Microsoft PowerPoint and Flash videos, session and content recording plus playback for training and demonstrations, single sign-on and integration with Cisco collaboration applications such as Jabber and Cisco TelePresence, plus strong data privacy and encrypted access with tight policy control.

WebEx Web Conferencing Consultants

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center works with Microsoft Windows, Mac, and Linux-powered desktops and permits mobile users to launch, calendarize, and attend conferences on Android devices, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry handhelds, and Microsoft Windows Phone. Users can also launch web meetings with a few clicks from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Notes, and a selection of instant messaging applications.

Cisco TelePresence Portfolio for On-premises Teleconferencing Environments
For medium-size organizations and enterprises who want to build a local or hybrid local/cloud solution for video conferencing, Cisco provides a portfolio of Cisco TelePresence software and equipment that enable high-quality teleconferencing for attendees with almost any endpoint device at any location. Cisco TelePresence Server is a scalable teleconferencing bridge that works with Cisco Unified Communications Manager to provide multiparty telepresence to UC deployments and can extend conferences to incorporate cloud-based WebEx Meeting Center users. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software streamlines management of the way teleconferencing bandwidth and features are allocated for each participant, enabling managers to define the exact service level and experience required for each user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server collects video conference presentations for real-time distribution and on-demand viewing.

Cisco Unity Connection Platform and Unity Express for Unified Voicemail and Automated Attendant
The Cisco Unity Connection, an integrated extension of Cisco Unified Communications Manager, is a unified voice messaging solution that facilitates productive collaboration by providing a variety of options for retrieving calls and messages within a framework that is simple to deploy and maintain. Cisco Unity Connection lets you read and manage your voice messages from your Exchange inbox, browser, Cisco Jabber messaging integration platform, a Cisco Unified VoIP Phone, an iPhone or other smartphone, or an iPad or tablet. Unity Connection also offers sophisticated speech-recognition capabilities for hands and eyes free operation and powerful Automated Attendant capabilities such as smart routing for inbound phone calls and easily customizable call-filtering and message-notification options. The Unity Connection platform operates as a fully virtualized system that can reside on a BE6000 server or a Cisco Services Ready Engine 910 router service module and can accommodate as many as 20,000 voice mailboxes on each server.

Cisco Unity Express (CUE), offered in select Cisco Integrated Services routers, provides affordable voicemail, unified messaging, interactive voice response, and greeting functions for small to mid-size businesses (SMBs) and enterprise satellite offices with up to 500 voice mailboxes. Unity Express permits you to manage voicemail using a Cisco IP Phone screen, your web browser, or an email system. ISR Routers for which Unity Express is available as a network module include Cisco's 1861, 2900, 3800, and 3900 Series. Progent can provide certified deployment and support services for ISR routers.

Cisco Unified Contact Center
Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE or UCCE) works with Cisco Unified CM and agent desktop apps like Cisco Finesse to offer automatic call distribution capabilities that allow an organization to match customers with the right sales or support person. UCCE offers intelligent call routing, computer telephony integration (CTI), support for multichannel contact management, network-wide call queuing, IVR and advanced company-wide reporting to simplify the deployment and administration of a large-scale customer contact center. Cisco products supporting Unified CCE's client contact management ecosystem include Cisco Unified IP Phones, Cisco Voice Gateways, and Cisco LAN/WAN technology.

Cisco Unified Contact Center Express (CCX) provides an out-of-the-box bundle for creating a customer contact center for mid-scale deployments that handle as many as 400 agents. Several bundles are offered, plus a variety of special options. Unified Contact Center Express works with Unified Communications Manager and provides smart call distribution, contact management, reporting, interactive voice response, and the ability to manage voice, email, web chat, and social media inquiries. Unified CCX includes Cisco Finesse, a browser-based desktop agent that needs no client-side installation. Optional advanced features include call-in-queue, projected-wait-time messages, and workforce quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect and Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, popularly known as Single Number Reach, makes it possible for users to be called via one phone number that rings at the same time on their Cisco VoIP Phone and their cell phone. Users can transfer active calls between their desktop VoIP phone and their smartphone seamlessly. Unanswered calls can be redirected to a Cisco Unity or Cisco Unity Connection account. Users can create personal access lists that determine which calls are extended to alternate phones.

Prime Collaboration
Cisco Prime Collaboration offers an automated platform for first-time installs and for follow-on moves, adds, changes, and deletions. A user-friendly console provides a unified view of a subscriber and the subscriber's services. Cisco Prime Collaboration substantially speeds up company-wide installations and reduces the time required to implement ongoing changes. Prime Collaboration also offers management analytics that show application adoption and consumption trends, allowing organizations to make more efficient use of IT resources and further lower TCO.

Cisco Collaboration Gateways
Cisco's communications gateways allow Cisco Unified Communications deployments to connect with other networks and with users working outside the firewall. Cisco's line of communication gateways deliver UC services for all types of gateway as well as session-border-control applications.

Collaboration gateways offered by Cisco and supported by Progent include:

Expressway Communication Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful collaboration gateway that allows companies to allow workers, suppliers, customers, or partners who are using various outside networks, workgroup applications, or endpoint equipment to connect to Cisco Unified Communication services. The Expressway collaboration gateway integrates with an enterprise Cisco Communications Manager deployment or Cisco Business Edition 6000, or can be accessed through the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution to make productive collaboration more pervasive. Important features of Cisco Expressway include:

  • Mobile and Off-site Connectivity: Off-site users who have any Jabber-compatible client or telecommuters with Cisco TelePresence endpoints have the convenience of one-time sign-on as well as Transport Layer Security (TLS) and can access all their Jabber workloads (video, voice, content instant messaging, and presence) without requiring the inconvenience establishing a VPN connection. Also, telecommuters can use their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without the need for a VPN, providing a user experience at home the same as the office.
  • Jabber Guest Support: Expressway is required for enabling Cisco's Jabber Guest, which permits “guests” to interact with your business easily and safely using lightweight web-browser and mobile multimedia phone calls.
  • Cisco Cloud Connectivity: Expressway can act as a gateway that creates a path between onsite Cisco or non-Cisco collaboration solutions and Cisco's WebEx cloud. By offering support for Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms, Cisco Expressway offers an advanced, extensible conferencing environment that seamlessly combines voice, HD video, and content sharing to any client, at any location, on any device.
  • Interoperability: If your organization already has non-Cisco video systems, Cisco Expressway can help you to migrate efficiently to Cisco products when it makes business sense. Cisco Expressway offers video compatibility with standards-based H.323, H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC), or Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) systems. Gateway standards allowed by Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and Microsoft Lync 2013 H.264 Scalable Video Coding to H.264/AVC.
Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE)
Cisco Unified Border Element is a collaboration edge session border controller that connects converged business communications systems to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). In addition to providing session border control, Cisco Unified Border Element provides easy and affordable collaboration beyond the enterprise firewall. Important unified communications features enabled by CUBE include:
  • WebEx Cloud Connected Audio (CCA) for SIP-media-connected audio conferencing
  • Voice/Video recording
  • Enterprise Call-center and interactive-voice-response solutions
  • Policy-based security evaluation of voice calls
  • Business-to-business immersive telepresence over SIP
Cisco Unified Border Element software is available for licensing on Cisco IOS software and can be run on a wide selection of Cisco's enterprise-class routers, including Cisco's ASR 1000 routers, the ISR 4000 family, the ISR G2 Series, and high-end models of Cisco's 800 Series fixed-configuration routers. Cisco's virtualized CUBE, called vCUBE, runs as a software load in an ESXi virtual application container.

Cisco's Legacy UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Phone Systems
The end-of-life Cisco Unified Communications 500 (UC500) Series is an all-in-one VoIP and unified communications system for small businesses. UC500 packages provide voice, data, voicemail, automated attendant, IP video, security, and wireless capabilities, run with older Cisco VoIP phones, and support various public switched telephone network interfaces.

Cisco UC500 Series VoIP Gateway Consultants

Cisco's legacy UC500 VoIP switch was the heart of a comprehensive unified communications solution

All of UC500 packages include a compact switch appliance with 8 Power-over-Ethernet ports plus additional foreign exchange stations (FXS) and foreign exchange office (FXO) ports, a firewall, and VPN. Built-in WiFi is an option. User capacity can be expanded by connecting with Cisco Catalyst Express switches. Each UC500 model also includes licenses for Cisco Unified Communications Manager for VoIP call processing and Cisco Unity Express software for voice messaging and automated attendant. The Cisco UC520 package supports 8 to 16 users and include 4 FXS and 4 FXO ports. The Cisco UC540 package allows 24 to 32 users and has 8 foreign exchange office ports. The Cisco UC560 package allows 48 users and 12 FXO interfaces.

Progent's Cisco-certified VoIP experts can help you to support your legacy UC500 VoIP system or plan and carry out a smooth upgrade to a modern VoIP system such as Cisco's cloud-managed Business Edition 4000.

How Progent Can Assist You with Cisco IP Voice and IP Media Phones, CUCM, and Video Conferencing
Progent offers remote or onsite access to a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Collaboration specialist to help your business to plan, implement, administer and troubleshoot converged communications environments based on Cisco Unified Communication products in a centralized, cloud-based, or hybrid environment. Progent's Cisco consultants have in-depth backgrounds with Unified Communications Manager and CallManager, VoIP phones and soft phones, Unified Communications applications such as Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's teleconferencing products, communication gatekeepers, utilities incorporated into Cisco Catalyst switches and routers. Progent can also offer support for related technologies like Cisco SRST, CUBE, H.323 gateways, CAC, VoIP trunks, various signaling protocols, and AVVID. Progent's SIP infrastructure consultants can in addition help you to create SIP connectivity environments that include SIP VoIP phones and video endpoints, SIP trunks, SIP conferencing and SIP management tools via Cisco Unified CM.

Progent's application developers can create specialized IP telephony applications that will enable your organization to incorporate the features of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your company operations for increased productivity. Progent can revue your current network and Internet access architecture to make sure your system is optimized to support high-quality VoIP and high-definition video, assist you to choose and deploy Cisco hardware and software appropriate for your current needs and downstream expansion strategy, and integrate your Cisco collaborative communications solution with technology from other vendors. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified information security consultants can assist you to develop, implement, and validate a comprehensive security strategy for your converged communications ecosystem. In addition, Progent can assist you to configure Cisco fault-tolerant mechanisms 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 planning consultants can help you develop a sensible disaster recovery strategy to protect your vital unified communications environment.

Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Services
Versions of Unified Communications Manager 8.6 earlier than 8.6 and every release of its predecessor CallManager have reached end-of-life. This means Cisco will cease to develop, repair, or test this older software. Security updates for this pivotal product will end, which in certain circumstances may create regulatory compliance or even legal liability problems.

Progent continues to offer world-class support services for end-of-life editions of Cisco Unified CM and Cisco CallManager, but if your business is still running an out-of-dated version of this critical software you should start now to prepare for your migration. Progent's collaboration consultants can assist you to migrate efficiently to the latest release of Cisco Unified CM and can often save clients as much as 50% off consulting costs versus most IT service firms because of Progent's documented procedures and experience in this area. By following best practices, Progent can ensure that your organization sees a quick return on your IT investment by showing you how to take full advantage of the enhanced features, lower management and support expense, more productive collaboration capabilities, and tighter security provided by the newest edition of Cisco Unified Communications Manager.

Progent's migration consulting services include ROI assessment, project management or co-management, pilot testing, Cloud connectivity, setting up endpoint devices from Cisco and third-party vendors, smartphone and tablet connectivity, security and compliance consulting, streamlined management, disaster recovery planning, network topology design, staff and user training, and ongoing consulting services and technical support. Progent also offers ultra-affordable upgrade packages to make sure your costs are predictable and affordable.

To find out additional information about Progent's engineering support for Cisco solutions, choose a subject:

To ask Progent about professional help for Cisco networking, call 1-800-993-9400 or see Contact Progent.