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Exchanging live voice and video over IP (VoIP and Video over IP) has progressed from simply being being a shrewd technique to save money on phone carrier bills to a required technology for collaboration and worker productivity. Converged communications, at one time restricted to integrating Internet-based voice and faxes on one platform to replace traditional PBX systems, now includes voice and video, mobility, chat, real-time presence, services, and more all within a single environment that is manageable, scalable, protected, resilient, economical, and intuitive.

Cisco is the market leader in supplying solutions required to support the new model of unified communications (UC). Cisco's UC architecture adds to the productivity of information networks by slashing operating expenses; combining rich media features with familiar software programs to increase user output; supporting collaboration among employees, associates, and vendors to save effort and improve business results; and simplifying the administration of your converged voice and data ecosystem.

Cisco's Unified Communications solutions address these main product categories:,

• Call Control Agents for controlling calls and sessions
• Collaboration Endpoints to enhance end-user productivity
• UC Software Applications for easy access to presence, IM, voice and video, phone messages, desktop sharing, and voice/video conferencing
• IP Gateways for accessing public networks and telecommuters

Call and Session Processing Software - Unified Communications Manager (CallManager)
The call-processing agent is the core of Cisco's IP Communications portfolio infrastructure and provides the versatility to implement a centralized call-processing design, a decentralized model, or a combination of both. In a centralized approach, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) extends enterprise telephony features to packet devices such as IP handsets, media management products, Voice over IP gateways, and mixed media programs throughout the IT environment. Unified Communications Manager supports additional voice, video, and data functions including unified messaging, multimedia conferencing, and collaborative customer interaction networks.

The latest release of Cisco Unified CM, previously known as CallManager, offers a variety of improvements that accelerate ROI by cutting management and support costs, improving worker output, facilitating teamwork, accommodating the BYOD model of computing, fortifying data protection, and making optimal use of network infrastructure. Headline innovations include automatic dial-plan replication, simplified certificate management, extended support for single sign-on (SSO) for managers and users, device-agnostic call recording, on-the-road access without requiring VPN, a revamped self-provisioning utility that makes it easy for users to set their options for all endpoints, and support for Transport Layer Security and Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol for mobile users.

In cases where you implement a centralized Unified Communications Manager cluster to control call processing for users at distributed sites, administrators can help ensure continuous phone service using Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST), a Cisco IOS Software image for routers. If a Wide Area Network link fails, Cisco SRST in the router provides basic UC Manager services until the connection is repaired. For information about Progent's consulting services for Cisco ISR routers, refer to consulting services for Cisco ISR routers.

For small businesses, branch locations, and retail environments that do not require the complete functionality offered by Unified CM, Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express, formerly known as CallManager Express provides a budget-friendly PBX alternative that handles the requirements of locations with up to 450 users. Since Cisco 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 deploy a unified voice/data solution.

Cisco's BE6000 is a line of complete platforms that offer essential unified communications capabilities such as routing, gateway, high definition voice and video, messaging, IM and real-time presence, teleconferencing, and paging services, enabling any end user to collaborate on any endpoint from any place. All BE6000 versions are shipped preloaded with virtualization and collaboration applications software, making implementation quick and easy and reducing operating expenses for companies with up to 1000 workers. All BE6000 systems are shipped preinstalled with a virtualization hypervisor and UC applications. Organizations can instantly enable Unified Communications software applications as their needs evolve.

The entry-level BE6000S includes five standard UC applications preloaded on a single integrated 2921V router/gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 blade server device and can handle a maximum capacity of 150 users and 300 endpoint devices. The medium-scale BE6000M includes 4 unified communications software application options enabled on a virtualized Cisco C220 M4 server and can handle up to 1000 workers, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The high-end BE6000S Supports eight collaboration software application options enabled on a virtualized Cisco UCS C220 M4 server platform and can handle up to 1000 users, 2500 devices, and 100 contact center agents.

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

Cisco IP Phones: VoIP and IP Media Endpoints
An IP communications endpoint is an end-user device, either a physical phone or a software phone application on a desktop or mobile computer. In the IP environment, every IP handset or soft phone has an Ethernet connection. VoIP phones offer all of the functions that an analog telephone provides, but IP phones can also have additional functions including being able to connect to the web or run productivity-enhancing applications.

In contrast to ordinary PBX technology, in a Cisco IP communications network you can implement almost instant relocations, adds, and modifications. All you do is move the IP phone to your new location, attach it to an Ethernet connection, and the handset announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (formerly CallManager). All client permissions and settings are automatically replicated, doing away with the expense and hassle of sending technicians to wiring closets. Another efficient capability is extension mobility, which enables you to log into any Cisco VoIP device and receive your personal phone number and privileges.

Cisco offers a wide selection of Unified CM handsets. The entry-level Small Business SPA 300 family are no-frills 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 deployment and safe remote provisioning, in-service software upgrades, and browser-based set up. The low-end SPA301 is a one-line IP endpoint with no screen or speakerphone, a base dialer that has one Ethernet connector, and a wired handset without keys. The SPA302D, designed solely for operation with Cisco's SPA232D DECT ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter), is a multiline wireless Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications handset that offers 10-lines, a 176 x 220 color screen, and a keypad with speakerphone capability. Cisco's SPA303 is an economical three-line SIP-based IP phone with dual Ethernet ports, a 128x64 mono graphical display and a speaker.

The SPA500 family IP phones are low-cost endpoints that support both SIP and SPCP call control protocols, two switch ports, speakerphones, PoE, and voice conferencing support. Most models have a 128 x 64 mono screen display, The SPA501G VoIP phone supports eight lines and has eight soft keys 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 soft keys. The SPA508G VoIP phone supports eight lines and eight programmable keys. The SPA509G VoIP phone supports 12 lines and has 12 soft keys. The SPA512G has four lines, no programmable buttons and supports Gigabit Ethernet. The SPA514G VoIP phone supports four lines, has soft keys, and supports Gigabit Ethernet. The top-of-the-line SPA525G2 VoIP phone has a 320 x 240 color screen, supports five lines, and has five programmable buttons.

Cisco's IP Phones 3900 Series and 6900 Series are specialty VoIP devices intended for occasional-use settings such as lobbies, hallways, and conference centers. The Unified SIP Phone 3905 IP Phone features a 128 x 32 pixel monochrome non-backlit screen, a 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and Power over Ethernet (PoE). The simple Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a single-line endpoint 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 devices featuring backlit mono screens, four soft keys, 11 dedicated buttons, an integral Ethernet port with Power over Ethernet (PoE), and a speakerphone. The 7800 Series 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 state-of-the-art audio experience. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save technology, offered on the advanced 7800 units, reduces off-hours energy usage by up to 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a one-line phone intended for shared areas as well as for employees with occasional-to-light voice communications requirements. The IP 7811 VoIP phone comes with a 3.28-inch 384 x 106 screen plus a narrow-band speakerphone. Wideband audio is available via an optional wideband handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a two-line phone with a 396 x 162 display. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line VoIP phone with a 396 x 162 display and is the only device in the 7800 series that provides Gigabit Ethernet. The high-end IP Phone 7861 VoIP phone is a 16-line endpoint intended for administrative staff, call center personnel, and managers who have heavy call needs.

Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are SIP and SCCP media devices with a 320 x 240 pixel color screen, a 10/100/1000 Ethernet switch, Class 3 Power over Ethernet, 10 dedicated 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 VoIP phones include a 5-inch screen and four soft buttons. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G unit is an eight-line media phone with a 5.6-inch touch screen and five programmable buttons.

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a portfolio of SIP-based IP phones that includes desktop devices, 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 programmable buttons and 12 fixed-feature keys. The Cisco IP Phone 8811 includes a mono screen and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet. The Cisco IP Phone 8841 has a WVGA color display and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet. Cisco's IP Phone 8845 features a WVGA color display, 720p HD video, an adjustable camera, Bluetooth, Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, and supports Class 2 PoE. The Cisco IP Phone 8851 features a WVGA color display and one USB connection with charging capability, supports Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice and Class 3 PoE, and is offered in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth models. Cisco's IP Phone 8861 includes a WVGA color screen, Bluetooth, dual USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Class 4 Power over Ethernet. The Cisco IP Phone 8865 has a WVGA color screen, 720p HD video, 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 Power over Ethernet.

Cisco's wireless IP phones are hardened wireless handsets designed for professionals who are on the move within office, hospitality, health-care or other environments where IT management requires user endpoints that provide more control, data security and ruggedness than is achievable with the BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) mode of mobile communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones provide on-the-move onsite workers the benefits of voice over wireless LAN communications in workplaces with 802.11x Wi-Fi infrastructure. The 8821 Wireless IP Phone features a 2.4 inch color display, a durable shell rated Mil-SPEC 810G to withstand dropping and IP67 for particulate and splash resistance, long-life batteries, a speakerphone, and a Bluetooth 4.0 transceiver for hands-free operation with wireless headsets. The 8821-EX Wireless IP Phone adds protection against sparking for use in potentially combustible work sites. The 8821-EX also features a case fabricated of yellow plastics, which makes the 8821-EX easier to locate the event of a crisis. Find out about Progent's Cisco Wireless IP Phone integration and troubleshooting consultants.

Cisco's legacy 9900 line of advanced VoIP phones integrate high-definition voice with business-grade color displays to deliver a productive collaborative UC experience for knowledge professionals and executives. The two IP phones in the 9900 family include a Standard Definition VGA color screen, a Bluetooth transceiver to support a broad choice of headsets, and an integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet port. The Cisco EnergyWise feature is offered as an option and can reduce off-work power consumption by 90 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch screen and supports up to 2 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for adding scalability to programmable line and feature keys. The IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch display, a built-in Wi-Fi radio for deployment with Voice-over-wireless LAN (VoWLAN) environments, and 4 soft-label touchscreen keys to invoke Cisco Unified Communications functions. The 9971 VoIP phone supports up to 3 IP Color Key Expansion Modules for adding customizable line and feature keys.

Unified Communications Applications
Within Cisco's Unified Communications platform, IP telephony, video, and other converged applications are physically isolated from the call/voice processing mechanism, and they may be anywhere within the system. A single network infrastructure offers an open environment for feature-rich business applications and acts as a firm foundation for future convergence-based software. Cisco works with leading technology partners to provide a broad selection of IP phone and IP video applications and products. Cisco also supports the ability to create and manage customized in-house applications.

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

Cisco Jabber
Jabber is a UC application that provides presence, IM, voice, video, voice messaging, screen sharing, and real-time conferencing functions for Windows PCs, Apple Macs, tablets plus iPhones, Android phones, and Blackberries. Jabber is an evolution and integration of the Cisco Unified Personal Communicator soft phone application, Cisco Mobile, and WebEx Connect, with significant enhancements to video features and desktop sharing, and expanding the collaboration experience to additional operating systems and devices. Cisco Jabber works in conjunction with Cisco Unified CM for call control, Cisco Unified Presence for IM and presence, Unity Connection for voicemail and automated attendant, and WebEX Meeting for online meetings.

Because Cisco Jabber utilizes key industry protocols, it can interoperate with a broad range of third-party platforms. For instance, Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol allows Jabber to exchange instant messaging and presence data with various XMPP clients including as Adium for Mac OS, Sametime, and Microsoft Lync. Jabber collaboration features are available from Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook and SharePoint. This cross-platform compatibility maximizes productivity by delivering a consistent user experience and fully enabling the BYOD paradigm of computing. Progent offers the services of Microsoft-certified Exchange consultants and Microsoft SharePoint programmers who can help you to take advantage of Jabber with Microsoft's popular collaboration platforms. Progent also offers expertise with iPhone integration and management as well as Android phone and tablet integration to assist your organization to increase the productivity of your BYOD ecosystem.

WebEX Meeting Center
WebEX Meeting Center enables online conferencing for participants using a web browser or virtually any PC or handheld computer. Cisco WebEx is offered as SaaS through Cisco's WebEx Cloud. This makes it simple to roll out and expand, streamlines administration, avoids high initial expenditures, features high availability and enterprise-class security, and provides excellent performance. Important capabilities include the ability to share discrete content or an entire screen with online attendees in real time, the ability to add rich media into presentations including PowerPoint and Flash animations, recording plus playback for future reference and training, single sign-on and support for other Cisco collaboration applications such as Cisco Jabber and Cisco TelePresence, plus strong data privacy and encrypted access with tight policy control.

WebEX Meeting Center works with Windows, Apple Mac, and Linux desktops and allows mobile workers to start, calendarize, and take part in meetings on Android smartphones and tablets, iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry handhelds, and Microsoft Windows Phone. You can also initiate web conferences instantly from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Notes, and a variety of IM applications.

Cisco TelePresence Portfolio for On-premises Video Conferencing Environments
For medium-size businesses and enterprises who want to build a local or hybrid on-premises/cloud solution for video conferencing, Cisco provides a selection of Cisco TelePresence products that enable high-quality and standards-based video conferencing for participants with almost any IP endpoint at any site. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable teleconferencing bridge that works in conjunction with Cisco Unified Communications Manager to bring multiparty telepresence to unified communications environments and can extend meetings to incorporate cloud-connected Cisco WebEx Meeting Center participants. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software streamlines management of the way teleconferencing bandwidth and features should be allotted for every individual attendee, allowing managers to define the exact service level and experience required for every user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server captures video conference presentations for real-time streaming and video on demand (VOD) viewing.

Cisco's Unity Connection Platform and Unity Express for Converged Voicemail and Automated Attendant
The Cisco Unity Connection, an extension of Unified Communications Manager, is a converged voice messaging platform that accelerates teamwork by offering a variety of options for accessing calls and messages within a framework that is simple to deploy and maintain. Unity Connection lets you read and manage voicemail messages from your Exchange inbox, browser, Jabber, a Cisco Unified VoIP endpoint, an iPhone or other smartphone, or an iPad or tablet. Unity Connection also provides sophisticated voice-recognition features for hands and eyes free operation and extensive Automated Attendant functions such as smart routing for incoming phone calls and easily customizable call-screening and message-alert options. The Cisco Unity Connection platform runs as a VM that can reside on a BE6000 server or a Cisco Services Ready Engine 910 router blade and can accommodate as many as 20,000 mailboxes per server.

Cisco Unity Express (CUE), available in certain Cisco ISR routers, provides cost-effective voicemail, integrated messaging, interactive voice response (IVR), and greeting services for small to medium businesses (SMBs) and enterprise satellite offices with up to 500 workers. Cisco Unity Express permits users to access and manage voicemail using a Cisco IP Phone display, your web browser, or an email system. Integrated Services Routers for which Unity Express is available as a network module or advanced integration module include Cisco's 1861, 2800, 2900, and 3900 Series. Progent can provide certified configuration and troubleshooting services for all Integrated Services Routers.

Cisco Unified Contact Center
Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE) integrates with Unified Communications Manager and agent desktop software such as Cisco Finesse to offer automatic call distribution (ACD) capabilities that allow an organization to connect customers with the appropriate sales or support person. Unified CCE or UCCE provides intelligent call distribution, computer telephony integration (CTI), multichannel customer contact management, call queuing, interactive voice response and advanced enterprise-wide reporting to simplify the deployment and administration of a large-scale customer contact center. Cisco products incorporated in UCCE's customer interaction management solution include 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 branch or midmarket systems that handle as many as 400 agents. Several bundles are available, as well as a variety of optional enhancements. Cisco Unified CCX integrates with CUCM and offers intelligent call routing, client management, reporting, IVR, and the ability to manage voice, email, web chat, and social media inquiries. Cisco Unified Contact Center Express includes Cisco Finesse, a browser-based customizable desktop agent that requires no client-side installation. Special options include conditional routing, expected-wait-time messages, and workforce quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect for Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, popularly known as Single Number Reach, allows users to be reached via one phone number that rings simultaneously on their Cisco desktop VoIP Phone and their cell phone. Users can switch active conversations between their Cisco VoIP phone and their mobile phone without disruption. Unanswered calls can be transferred to a Cisco Unity or Cisco Unity Connection voicemail account. Users can create personal access lists that specify which calls are directed to different phones.

Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Prime Collaboration provides an automated process for first-time installs and for follow-on moves, adds, changes, and deletions. A user-friendly interface delivers a single look at a subscriber and the subscriber's services. Cisco Prime Collaboration substantially accelerates company-wide rollouts and reduces the time required to implement future changes. Prime Collaboration also provides management analytics including application adoption and usage trends, enabling organizations to optimize IT resources and further reduce TCO.

Cisco Collaboration Gateways
Cisco's collaboration gateways allow Cisco Unified Communications networks to connect with other networks and with users operating beyond the firewall. Cisco's portfolio 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's certified consultants include:

Expressway Communication Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is a powerful unified communications and collaboration gatekeeper that enables companies to provide workers, suppliers, customers and prospects, or business partners who are using various outside network environments, collaboration platforms, or endpoint equipment to access to Unified Communication functions. The Expressway collaboration gateway integrates with an enterprise Cisco Communications Manager system or Cisco Business Edition 6000, or can be run through the cloud with Cisco HCS to help make collaboration more pervasive. Important features of Cisco Expressway are:

• Mobile and Remote Access: Off-site workers with any Jabber-compatible desktop or handheld computer or telecommuters with Cisco TelePresence endpoints have the benefit of one-time sign-on and of Transport Layer Security (TLS) and can connect to all their Jabber workloads (high-definition video, voice, rich content IM, and realtime presence) without requiring the inconvenience a VPN. Also, telecommuters have the ability to utilize their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without the need for a VPN tunnel, delivering a user experience at home the same as the office.
• Cisco Jabber Guest Support: Expressway is critical for enabling Cisco's Jabber Guest, which makes it possible for “guests” to interact with your business easily and securely using lightweight web-browser and mobile video calls.
• Cisco Cloud Connectivity: Expressway can act as a gateway that connects between onsite Cisco or third-party systems and the WebEx cloud. By supporting Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms, Expressway offers an advanced, extensible conferencing experience that seamlessly combines high-quality voice, HD video, and data sharing to any client, anywhere, using any endpoint.
• Interoperability: If your company already has non-Cisco video products, Cisco Expressway can assist you to migrate easily to Cisco technology whenever you choose. Cisco Expressway provides video compatibility with industry standard H.323, H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC), or Session Initiation Protocol systems. Gateway capabilities supported by Cisco Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and Microsoft Lync 2013 H.264 SVC to AVC.

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

Cisco's End-of-Life UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Gateways
The legacy Cisco Unified Communications 500 product line is an early VoIP gateway system for small organizations. UC500 packages provide voice, data, voicemail, automated attendant, video, firewall, and wireless functionality, work with older generation Cisco IP Voice phones, and support PSTN connections.

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

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

How Progent Can Assist You with Cisco VoIP and IP Media Phones, Cisco Unified CM, and Telepresence
Progent can provide online or onsite access to a certified CCIE Collaboration expert to help you to design, install, administer and repair converged communications networks that incorporate Cisco Unified Communication technology in an in-house, distributed, or hybrid deployment. Progent's Cisco consultants have in-depth experience supporting Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, IP voice and video phones and soft phones, Unified Communications applications such as Cisco Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's teleconferencing technologies, collaboration gateways, tools built into Cisco switches and routers. Progent can also provide support for related technologies such as Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, CUBE, H.323 gateways, CAC, VoIP trunks, PSTN, and AVVID. Progent's SIP infrastructure consultants can also help you to build SIP connectivity solutions that incorporate SIP-based VoIP phones and media phones, SIP-based CUBE trunks, SIP conferencing and SIP administration tools via CUCM.

Progent's application developers can build specialized IP telephony applications that will enable your company to integrate the capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your business processes for increased efficiency. Progent can audit your existing network and Internet connectivity architecture to make sure your environment is optimized to accommodate high-quality VoIP and HD video, assist you to choose and deploy Cisco hardware and software appropriate for your current situation and future growth plans, and interface your Cisco collaborative communications products with technology from other suppliers. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified data security and compliance consultants can show you how to develop, carry out, and test a comprehensive security and compliance strategy for your unified communications ecosystem. Also, Progent can assist your organization to deploy Cisco fault-tolerant technologies such as Cisco Unified Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST) for affordable call control backup in remote-branch and teleworker sites, and Progent's disaster recovery and business continuity preparedness experts can help you create a viable DR/BC plan to ensure the availability of your business-critical unified communications system.

Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Consulting
Versions of Cisco Unified CM before 8.6 and all releases of its predecessor CallManager have arrived at end-of-life. Therefore Cisco will cease to develop, fix, or validate the product software. Security updates for this pivotal application will end, which in some situations may create compliance or potential liability problems.

Progent continues to offer premier consulting and troubleshooting support for outdated versions of Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, but if you are still using a legacy edition of this critical software you should start now to prepare for your upgrade. Progent's collaboration consulting professionals can help your company to migrate non-disruptively to the current release of Cisco Unified CM and can often save clients as much as 50% off consulting expense compared to most IT service firms because of Progent's documented process and experience in this practice area. By following best practices, Progent can ensure that your company realizes a fast return on your IT investment by showing you how to benefit fully from the enhanced features, lower management and maintenance costs, more productive collaboration, and stronger data protection provided by the current version of Cisco Unified Communications Manager.

Progent's upgrade services include ROI analysis, project management or co-management, pilot testing and validation, Cloud connectivity, configuring endpoint devices from Cisco and other providers, mobile connectivity, data protection services, streamlined management, disaster recovery planning, network architecture design, training, and continuing consulting and technical support. Progent also has put together ultra-affordable migration service bundles to keep your costs predictable and under control.

To see more details about Progent's engineering support for Cisco technology, choose a subject:

• Overview of Progent's Cisco Network Support
• Timely Online Access to a CCIE Engineer
• Cisco Firepower Series Firewalls: Configuration and Troubleshooting Services
• Cisco ASA 5500-X Series Firewall with Cisco Firepower: Consulting and Management Support
• Cisco ASA 5500 Series Firewall Troubleshooting Support
• Cisco PIX Firewall Maintenance Services
• Cisco Routers Consulting Support
• Cisco Wireless Consulting Help
• Aironet APs Deployment Expertise
• Cisco Small Business WiFi APs Consulting Services
• Catalyst 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6/6E Wireless APs Planning, Configuration and Debugging Consulting
• Cisco WiFi Controllers Integration Consulting
• Cisco Meraki Access Points Design Expertise
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager Consulting and Technical Support
• Cisco Jabber Consulting and Support Expertise
• Cisco Catalyst Switches Deployment Services
• Cisco Nexus Switches Consulting and Support Services
• Meraki Switches Deployment Services
• Cisco VPN Setup and Troubleshooting Expertise
• SIP and CUBE Integration Solutions: SIP Trunking and Cisco CUBE Integration Consulting
• Cisco Duo MFA Two-factor Authentication (2FA) Services for At-Home Workers
• Design Solutions for Cisco-powered Data Centers
• Infrastructure Optimization Consulting for Service Providers
• Centralized Cloud-based and Hybrid Management Technologies for Cisco-based Environments