Cisco Certified Network Consulting

Sending live voice and video over IP has progressed from simply being being a smart way to save money on phone carrier bills to being a required tool for collaboration and worker productivity. Converged communications, at one time limited to combining Internet-based voice calls and faxing on the same platform in order to take the place of expensive PBX systems, today incorporates voice and video, mobile communications, instant messaging, presence, services, and more within a single framework that is manageable, scalable, highly secure, resilient, cost-effective, and user friendly.

Cisco is the market leader in supplying solutions required to support the current model of unified communications (UC). Cisco's UC product line adds to the productivity of IT networks by cutting operational expenses; combining multiple collaboration functions with familiar software applications to improve user output; facilitating collaboration among employees, partners, and suppliers to save effort and improve business outcomes; and streamlining the management of your converged voice and data environment.

Cisco's Unified Communications solutions include several important product areas:,

• Call Control Platforms for managing calls and sessions
• IP Endpoints to optimize worker engagement
• UC Applications for easy access to presence, chat, voice and video, phone messages, desktop sharing, and voice/video conferencing
• IP Gateways for accessing outside networks and telecommuters

Call and Session Processing Agents - Unified Communications Manager (CallManager)
The call-processing agent is the heart of Cisco's IP collaboration portfolio and provides the versatility to implement a centralized call-processing model, a decentralized design, or a mix of both. In a centralized approach, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) expands enterprise phone capabilities to packet telephony products such as VoIP phones, media processing devices, VoIP gateways, and mixed media programs across the network. Cisco Unified Communications Manager supports extra voice, video, and data functions including unified messaging, multimedia conferencing, and group-based client interaction networks.

The most recent release of Cisco Unified CM, previously named CallManager, includes a wealth of enhancements that speed up your return on investment by lowering administrative and support expenses, improving user output, enhancing collaboration, accommodating the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) style of working, strengthening security, and allowing efficient utilization of IT infrastructure. Headline innovations include automatic dial-plan replication, streamlined certificate control, extended support for standards-based single sign-on for administrators and end users, device-agnostic call recording, on-the-road connectivity without requiring VPN, a revamped self-care interface that makes it easy for users to install their options and preferences for all of their endpoint devices, and support for Transport Layer Security and Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol for mobile clients.

When you deploy a central Cisco Unified Communications Manager cluster to manage voice processing for users at distributed sites, administrators can help achieve non-stop call availability through Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, an IOS Software image for Cisco routers. If a Wide Area Network link fails, Cisco SRST in the Cisco router provides core Cisco Unified Communications Manager capabilities until the link is restored. To learn about Progent's consulting services for Cisco routers, see consulting and troubleshooting support for Cisco routers.

For small business networks, branch offices, and retail deployments that do not require the complete functionality offered by Unified CM, Unified Communications Manager Express, formerly known as CallManager Express provides a cost-effective PBX alternative that handles the requirements of locations with as many as 450 users. Because Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is built into the Cisco IOS Software operating on a Cisco router, smaller organizations can rapidly implement a unified voice/data environment.

The Cisco BE6000 is a family of turn-key platforms that provide essential unified communications features including routing, IP gateway, premium voice and video, messaging, chat and real-time presence, voice and video conferencing, and paging services, allowing any user to connect on any endpoint device from any site. All solutions are shipped preinstalled with a virtualization hypervisor and UC applications, making implementation quick and easy and reducing cost of ownership for companies with up to 1000 workers. All systems are shipped preloaded with a virtualization hypervisor and UC applications. Organizations can simply enable UC applications when their requirements dictate.

The office-in-a-box Business Edition 6000S includes five fixed UC applications preloaded on a single combination ISR router/IP gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 server device and supports up to 150 users and 300 devices. The medium-scale BE6000M supports 4 UC application options activated on a single virtualized C220 M4 server platform and supports up to 1000 users, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The high-end Business Edition 6000H Supports eight UC software application options activated on a single virtualized Cisco UCS C220 M4 server and supports as many as 1000 workers, 2500 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents.

For more information about Progent's expertise with Unified Communications Manager (CallManager), see Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) and CallManager design, integration, upgrades and troubleshooting.

Cisco IP Phones: IP Voice and IP Video Phones
A communications endpoint is a user instrument, and can be a physical phone set or a soft phone application that runs on a desktop or handheld computer. In the IP world, every VoIP phone is Ethernet connected. Voice over IP phones offer all of the functions that a conventional phone provides, but IP phones often provide extra functions such as the ability to connect to websites or host productivity-enhancing applications.

In contrast to ordinary PBX technology, in a Cisco IP phone environment you can implement almost instant relocations, adds, and changes. You merely move the VoIP phone to its new location, plug it into an Ethernet jack, and the handset announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All user privileges and settings are automatically re-established, eliminating the expense and hassle of sending support personnel to wiring closets. Another helpful capability is extension mobility, which enables you to sign into any Cisco IP phone and receive your own phone number and rights.

Cisco offers a broad range of VoIP handsets. Cisco's low-cost Small Business SPA 300 family are basic IP and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) devices offering high-quality audio, compatibility with hosted Internet Protocol phone environments or an IP private branch exchange (PBX), simple installation and secure remote provisioning, unobtrusive software upgrades, and browser-based configuration. The value-priced SPA301 is a one-line IP phone with no screen or speakerphone, a base dialer that has a single Ethernet port, and a wired handset with no a keypad. The SPA302D, intended exclusively for operation with Cisco's SPA232D DECT ATA, is a multiple-line wireless Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) handset that supports 10-lines, a 176 x 220 color display, and a keypad with a speakerphone. The SPA303 is an economical three-line SIP-based IP phone with dual Ethernet ports, a 128x64 mono screen and a speaker.

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

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

The 7800 family of economical IP phones are VoIP devices featuring backlit mono displays, four soft keys, 11 dedicated buttons, an Ethernet port with Class 1 PoE, and an integral speakerphone. Cisco's 7800 Series VoIP phones support only the SIP call control protocol. All models in the 7800 line incorporate the same high-fidelity speakers and microphones as Cisco's 8800 Series IP phones to provide a state-of-the-art audio experience. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save technology, available on the higher end 7800 models, cuts after-hours energy consumption by as much as 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a single-line phone designed for shared areas as well as for workers with infrequent call needs. The IP 7811 VoIP phone comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 display plus a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is offered through an extra-cost wideband handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a dual-line endpoint with a 396 x 162 screen. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line endpoint with a 396 x 162 display and is the only unit in the 7800 series that provides 1xGb Ethernet. The high-end IP Phone 7861 VoIP phone is a 16-line endpoint targeted for administrators, contact center personnel, and managers who have significant voice communications needs.

The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are dual-protocol (SIP/SCCP) media devices with a 320 x 240 pixel color display, an integral Gigabit Ethernet switch, Class 3 PoE, 10 fixed-feature keys 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 display and four soft keys. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G unit is an eight-line IP voice and video phone featuring a 5.6-inch touch screen and five programmable keys.

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a portfolio of SIP-based endpoints 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 pixel screen, a Gigabit Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, four soft keys and 12 dedicated keys. Cisco's IP Phone 8811 includes a backlit monochrome screen and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet (PoE). The Cisco IP Phone 8841 has a WVGA color screen and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet. Cisco's IP Phone 8845 has a WVGA color display, 720p HD video, an adjustable camera, Bluetooth, Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet. The Cisco IP Phone 8851 has a WVGA color screen and one USB connection with charging capability, supports Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice and Class 3 PoE, and is available in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth models. The Cisco IP Phone 8861 has 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 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8865 includes a WVGA color display, 720p HD video, an adjustable camera, Bluetooth, two USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Class 4 PoE.

Cisco's wireless IP phones are hardened wireless handsets designed for workers who are on the move within campus, warehouse, health-care or other environments where IT management requires portable phones that offer more control, data security and ruggedness than is achievable with the Bring-Your-Own-Device style of workplace communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones provide mobile onsite workers the advantages of voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) technology in environments with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi infrastructure. Cisco's 8821 Wireless VoIP Phone features a hi-res color display, a durable case rated Mil-SPEC 810G to withstand dropping and compliant with IP67 for particulate and moisture resistance, long-life batteries, a speakerphone, and an integrated Bluetooth 4.0 radio to support cordless headsets. Cisco's 8821-EX Wireless IP Phone adds spark suppression for use in potentially combustible work sites. The 8821-EX also features a shell made of yellow plastics, which makes the 8821-EX easy to find the event of a crisis. Learn about Progent's Cisco Wireless IP Phone integration support.

Cisco's discontinued 9900 family of powerful IP endpoints mix high-definition voice with high-resolution color screens to deliver a productive collaborative communications solution for knowledge professionals and executives. Both IP phones in the 9900 line incorporate an SD 24-bit color screen, a Bluetooth radio to work with a wide range of headsets, and an integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet switch. The Cisco EnergyWise power-save feature is offered as an option and can lower off-hour power consumption by as much as 90 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch screen and supports up to 2 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for adding customizable line and function keys. The IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch display, a built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi transceiver for connecting to Voice-over-wireless LAN (VoWLAN) environments, and 4 soft-label programmable touchscreen keys to access Cisco UC functions. The 9971 VoIP phone supports up to 3 Cisco IP Expansion Modules for adding scalability to programmable line and feature keys.

Unified Communications Applications
Within Cisco's Unified Communications architecture, IP voice, IP video, and other UC applications are isolated from the call/voice processing infrastructure, and they may be anywhere within the network. A cohesive network framework provides an open environment for powerful business applications and acts as a solid basis for downstream convergence-based software. Cisco cooperates with third-party technology vendors to provide a broad range of IP voice and IP video software applications and devices. Cisco also supports the capability to develop and administer specialized internal applications.

Unified Communications application software available from Cisco and supported by Progent include:

Cisco Jabber
Cisco Jabber is a UC application that provides presence, instant messaging, voice, high-definition video, voicemail, desktop sharing, and real-time conferencing capabilities for PCs, Macs, tablets and iPhones, Android phones, and Blackberries. Jabber is a rebranding and combination of the Cisco Unified Personal Communicator, Cisco Mobile, and WebEx Connect, with major enhancements to HD video capabilities and screen sharing, and extending the collaboration experience to additional operating systems and devices. Cisco Jabber operates in conjunction with Cisco Unified Communications Manager for call control, Cisco Unified Presence for IM and presence, Unity Connection for voice messaging and automated attendant, and WebEX Meeting for conferencing.

Since Cisco Jabber is built around popular industry protocols, it can communicate with a broad range of non-Cisco products. For example, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol enables Cisco Jabber users to exchange instant messaging and presence data with a variety of XMPP clients such as Adium, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync. Cisco Jabber collaboration features can be accessed from Microsoft Office programs such as Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft SharePoint. This broad platform compatibility maximizes output by providing a common end-user environment and accommodating the BYOD paradigm of networking. Progent can provide the services of Microsoft-certified Exchange and Outlook consultants and Microsoft SharePoint experts who can help you to integrate Jabber with Microsoft's premier collaboration products. Progent also can provide expertise with Apple iPhone integration and management and Android phone and tablet integration to help your organization to increase the business value of your BYOD ecosystem.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center enables web meetings for users with a browser or virtually any desktop or handheld device. Cisco WebEx is delivered as software as a service (SaaS) through the Cisco WebEx Cloud. This makes it easy to deploy and scale, streamlines management, avoids high up-front investment, offers maximum uptime and enterprise-grade data protection, and delivers fast performance. Important features include support for sharing specific content or your whole screen with remote participants in real time, the ability to embed multimedia into your presentations including Microsoft PowerPoint and Flash videos, session recording plus editing and playback for training and demonstrations, single sign-on and integration with other Cisco collaboration products such as Jabber and TelePresence, plus strong data privacy and encrypted access with tight policy management.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center works with Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac, and Linux-powered PCs and permits mobile users to launch, calendarize, and take part in meetings on Google Android devices, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry handhelds, and Microsoft Windows Phone. You can also launch web conferences with a few clicks from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Lotus Notes, and a variety of IM applications.

Cisco TelePresence Products for On-premises Video Conferencing Ecosystems
For midsize organizations and larger enterprises who wish to build an on-premises or hybrid local/cloud environment for video conferencing, Cisco offers a portfolio of Cisco TelePresence platforms that deliver high-definition video conferencing for users with almost any IP endpoint at any site. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable teleconferencing bridge that works with Cisco Unified Communications Manager to bring multiparty telepresence to converged environments and can extend meetings to support cloud-based WebEx Meeting Center users. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software streamlines management of how video conferencing resources are allocated for every individual attendee, enabling managers to define the exact service level and experience required for every user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server records video conference presentations for real-time streaming and on-demand viewing.

Cisco's Unity Connection and Unity Express for Unified Voicemail
The Cisco Unity Connection, an integrated extension of Unified CM, is a unified voicemail platform that accelerates teamwork by providing flexible set of alternatives for accessing voice messages within a framework that is simple to implement and administer. Unity Connection allows you to read and manage your voicemail from your email inbox, web browser, Cisco Jabber, a Cisco Unified IP Phone, a smartphone, or a tablet. Cisco Unity Connection also provides sophisticated speech-recognition features for hands-free management and extensive Automated Attendant capabilities such as smart routing for incoming calls and easily customizable call-filtering and message-notification options. The Cisco Unity Connection platform operates as a VM that can be hosted on a Business Edition 6000 server or a Cisco Services Ready Engine 910 router blade service module and can support up to 20,000 mailboxes per server.

Cisco Unity Express (CUE), offered in select Cisco ISR routers, provides cost-effective voicemail, integrated messaging, interactive voice response (IVR), and automated-attendant services for small to mid-size businesses and corporate satellite offices with up to 500 voice mailboxes. Cisco Unity Express permits users to manage voicemail using a Cisco IP Phone display, your web browser, or your email system. Cisco routers for which Unity Express is available as a network module include Cisco's 1861, 2900, and 3900 Series. Progent offers comprehensive deployment and support services for all Integrated Services Routers.

Cisco Unified Contact Center
Unified Contact Center Enterprise (UCCE) integrates with Unified CM and agent desktop software such as Cisco Finesse to provide automatic call distribution capabilities that allow an organization to match customers with the appropriate sales or service agent. Unified CCE offers smart call distribution, computer telephony integration, multiple channel customer contact management, network call queuing, IVR and consolidated company-wide reporting to simplify the creation and administration of a large-scale customer contact center. Cisco platforms incorporated in UCCE's client interaction management ecosystem include Cisco Unified IP Phones, Voice, and Cisco LAN/WAN technology.

Unified Contact Center Express (CCX) provides an out-of-the-box bundle for building a customer contact center for branch or midmarket systems that support as many as 400 agents. Several bundles are available, plus a selection of special options. Unified CCX integrates with Unified CM and provides smart call distribution, contact management, integrated reporting, IVR, and the ability to manage voice, email, web chat, and social media inquiries. Cisco Unified CCX comes with Finesse, a web-based desktop agent that requires no client-side software setup. Optional enhancements include call-in-queue, expected-wait-time announcements, and quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect for Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, commonly referred to as Single Number Reach (SNR), makes it possible for users to be reached via one phone number that rings at the same time on their Cisco IP Phone and their smartphone. Users can transfer active calls between their Cisco IP phone and their mobile phone seamlessly. Unanswered calls can be redirected to a Cisco Unity or Cisco Unity Connection account. Users can create personal access lists that specify which calls are extended to different endpoints.

Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Prime Collaboration provides an automated platform for first-time deployments as well as for follow-on moves, adds, changes, and deletions. A user-friendly interface provides a unified view of a user and the subscriber's services. Prime Collaboration substantially speeds up site rollouts and minimizes the time required for future updates. Prime Collaboration in addition offers advanced analytics including technology adoption and usage trends, enabling administrators to make more efficient use of resources and further reduce total cost of ownership.

Cisco Communications Gateways
Cisco's collaboration gateways permit Cisco converged communications deployments to connect with other networks and with users operating outside the corporate firewall. Cisco's portfolio of communication gateways provide unified communications services for all types of gateway as well as session-border-control applications.

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

Cisco Expressway Collaboration Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is an advanced converged media gatekeeper that enables companies to provide team members, suppliers, consumers, or business partners who are working on different network environments, collaboration applications, or endpoint equipment to access to Unified Communication functions. Cisco's Expressway gateway works in conjunction with a Cisco CM deployment or Cisco Business Edition 6000 (BE6000), or can be accessed via the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution to make collaboration more pervasive. Important features of Expressway are include:

• Mobile and Off-site Access: Remote workers with any Jabber-compatible client or teleworkers with Cisco TelePresence endpoints get the benefit of single-sign-on (SSO) plus Transport Layer Security (TLS) and are able to connect to all their collaboration applications (high-definition video, high-quality voice, content instant messaging, and presence) without the extra step of establishing a VPN connection. Also, teleworkers have the ability to use their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without the need for a VPN, delivering a user experience at home identical to the corporate office.
• Jabber Guest Support: Cisco Expressway is required for enabling the Cisco Jabber Guest, which allows “guests” to communicate with your business easily and securely via lightweight web-browser and mobile multimedia calls.
• Cisco Cloud Access: Cisco Expressway can function as a gateway that connects between on-premises Cisco or third-party collaboration solutions and Cisco's WebEx cloud. By supporting Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms, Cisco Expressway deliver a world-class, extensible meeting experience that seamlessly integrates business-quality voice, video, and data sharing to any client, anywhere, using any endpoint.
• Interoperability: If your company currently has non-Cisco video technology, Cisco Expressway can help you to migrate efficiently to Cisco technology when you choose. Cisco Expressway provides video compatibility with standards-based H.323, H.264 SVC, or SIP systems. Gateway standards supported by Cisco Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to SIP, and Microsoft Lync H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC) to H.264/MPEG-4 AVC.

• WebEx Cloud Connected Audio (CCA) for SIP-based conferencing
• Voice/Video recording
• Enterprise Call-center and interactive-voice-response applications
• Policy-based security evaluation of phone calls
• Business-to-business immersive telepresence over SIP

Cisco's End-of-Life UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Gateways
The legacy Cisco Unified Communications 500 (UC500) Series is an all-in-one VoIP gateway appliance and software package for small organizations. UC500 models provide voice, data, voicemail, automated attendant, IP video, security, and wireless capabilities, work with older Cisco VoIP endpoints, and support public switched telephone network interfaces.

All of UC500 series bundles include a compact switch with 8 PoE ports and additional foreign exchange stations (FXS) and foreign exchange office (FXO) interfaces, a firewall, and VPN support. Integrated WiFi is optional. User capacity can be increased by attaching Cisco Catalyst Express companion switches. Every UC500 model also comes with 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 users and incorporate 4 foreign exchange stations and 4 FXO interfaces. The Cisco UC540 system supports 24 to 32 users and has 8 FXO interfaces. The Cisco UC560 package supports 48 users and 12 FXO ports.

Progent's seasoned VoIP consultants can assist you to maintain your legacy UC500 VoIP gateway or design and carry out an efficient migration to a modern VoIP solution such as Cisco's cloud-managed Business Edition 4000.

How Progent Can Help You with Cisco VoIP and IP Media Phones, Cisco Unified CM, and Telepresence
Progent can provide remote or onsite help from a certified CCIE Collaboration specialist to assist your business to plan, deploy, administer and repair converged communications environments built on Cisco Unified Communication products in a centralized, distributed, or hybrid environment. Progent's Cisco consultants have in-depth backgrounds with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, IP voice and video phones and soft phones, UC applications like Cisco Jabber and Unity Connection, Cisco's video conferencing technologies, communication gatekeepers, tools built into Cisco switches and routers. Progent can also offer expertise with related technologies such as Cisco SRST, Cisco Unified Border Element, H.323 gateways, CAC, IP voice trunks, PSTN, and Cisco's architecture for voice, video and integrated data. Progent's SIP integration consultants can in addition help you to build SIP infrastructure environments that include SIP VoIP phones and media phones, SIP trunks, and SIP administration tools with CUCM.

Progent's application programmers can create specialized unified communications applications that will enable your organization to integrate the features of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your business operations for enhanced efficiency. Progent can audit your current network and Internet connectivity architecture to determine whether your system is optimized to accommodate high-quality Voice over IP and high-definition video, assist you to select and deploy Cisco hardware and software that make sense for your current situation and future expansion objectives, and interface your Cisco Unified Communications solution with products from other suppliers. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified information security consultants can show you how to create, implement, and validate an enterprise-wide security and compliance strategy for your converged communications solution. Also, Progent can help your organization to configure Cisco high-availability technologies such as Cisco Unified Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST) for cost-effective call control backup in branch office and teleworker environments, and Progent's disaster recovery and business continuity planning experts can help you develop a sensible disaster recovery strategy to ensure the availability of your business-critical communications environment.

Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Services
Versions of Unified Communications Manager 8.6 lower than 8.6 and every version of CallManager have arrived at end-of-life. This means Cisco will no longer develop, repair, or validate this older software. Security patches for this pivotal product will end, which in some situations may create compliance or even legal liability problems.

Progent will continue to provide comprehensive consulting and troubleshooting support for end-of-life versions of Unified Communications Manager and CallManager, but if you are now using a legacy release of this essential application your organization should begin now to plan your migration. Progent's Cisco-certified consulting professionals can assist your company to migrate smoothly to the current release of Cisco Unified Communications Manager and can often save clients as much as 50% off consulting expense versus competing IT service companies thanks to Progent's documented procedures and experience in this area. By adhering to best practices, Progent can ensure that your business realizes a quick payback on your investment by helping you benefit fully from the enhanced feature set, reduced administrative and support costs, more engaging collaboration, and tighter data protection provided by the newest version of Unified CM.

Progent's upgrade services include ROI analysis, project management, system testing and validation, Cloud connectivity, configuring endpoint devices from Cisco and other providers, smartphone and tablet integration, security and compliance services, management automation, disaster recovery/business continuity planning, network topology design, training, and continuing consulting and troubleshooting. Progent also has put together ultra-affordable upgrade packages to make sure your costs are predictable and affordable.

To see more information concerning Progent's professional assistance for Cisco technology, pick a topic:

• Introduction to Progent's Cisco Consulting Services
• Fast Remote Assistance from a Cisco CCIE Network Engineer
• Cisco Firepower Firewalls: Integration and Management Services
• Cisco ASA 5500-X Series Firewall with Cisco Firepower: Consulting and Management Expertise
• ASA 5500 Series Firewall Management Expertise
• PIX 500 Firewall Management Services
• Cisco Routers Engineering Services
• Cisco Wireless Deployment Services
• Aironet Wireless Access Points Consulting Expertise
• Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 WiFi APs Engineering Help
• Catalyst 802.11ax Access Points Planning, Configuration and Debugging Expertise
• Cisco WiFi Controllers Support Services
• Cisco Meraki Wireless APs Consulting Help
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager Consulting and Troubleshooting
• Cisco Jabber and Management Expertise
• Cisco Catalyst Switches Consulting and Support Services
• Nexus Switches Configuration and Maintenance Services
• Cisco Meraki Switches Deployment Services
• Cisco VPN Engineering Assistance
• SIP and CUBE Integration Solutions: SIP Trunking and Cisco CUBE Integration Consulting
• Design Expertise for Cisco-based Data Centers
• Network Design Expertise for ISPs
• Centralized Network Management Techniques for Cisco Environments