Cisco Certified Expert Network Consulting

Sending live voice and video over IP (VoIP and Video over IP) has advanced from simply being being a smart technique to reduce phone carrier bills to an indispensable technology for competitive advantage. Unified IP communications, at one time limited to managing Internet-based voice and faxes on the same system to replace expensive PBX equipment, now encompasses VoIP and video, mobility, messaging, real-time presence, collaboration services, and more all within a single environment that is easy to manage, extensible, highly secure, resilient, economical, and intuitive.

Cisco is the leader in supplying solutions required to support the new paradigm of unified communications (UC). Cisco's UC solution enhances the efficiency of IT networks by cutting operational costs; integrating rich media features with familiar software programs to increase user output; supporting collaboration among employees, partners, and suppliers to save time and improve business results; and streamlining the management of your communications environment.

Cisco's UC technology cover several primary product areas:,

• Call Control Agents for managing calls and sessions
• Communications Endpoints to optimize worker engagement
• Unified Communications Applications for simplified access to real-time, IM, voice and video, voice messages, desktop sharing, and voice/video conferencing
• Communications Gateways for connecting to public networks and remote users

Call and Session Processing Agents - Unified Communications Manager/CallManager
The call-processing agent is the heart of the Cisco IP Communications portfolio and gives you the flexibility to implement a central call-processing model, a decentralized model, or a combination of the two. In a centralized approach, Unified Communications Manager (UC Manager or CUCM) extends corporate phone capabilities to packet telephony network devices such as VoIP phones, media management products, Voice over IP gateways, and multimedia programs throughout the network. Unified Communications Manager enables additional multimedia services including unified messaging, video conferencing, and collaborative customer interaction networks.

The latest release of Cisco Unified Communications Manager, formerly known as Cisco CallManager, offers a wealth of improvements that expedite your return on investment by lowering administrative and maintenance costs, improving worker productivity, facilitating teamwork, supporting the BYOD style of computing, fortifying data protection, and making optimal utilization of network infrastructure. Top new features include automatic dial-plan replication and batch provisioning, streamlined certificate management, extended support for single sign-on for managers and end users, device-independent call recording, mobile connectivity without requiring VPN tunneling, a revamped self-care interface that makes it simple for workers to select their options and preferences for all of their devices, and support for Transport Layer Security and Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol for mobile clients.

When you implement a central Cisco Unified Communications Manager cluster to control call processing for customers at distributed sites, IT managers can help ensure continuous phone service using Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony, an IOS Software image for routers. If a Wide Area Network connection breaks, Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony incorporated in the Cisco router offers core Cisco Unified Communications Manager functions until the link is restored. For a description of Progent's consulting support for Cisco routers, see consulting support for Cisco ISR routers.

For small businesses, branch offices, and retail deployments that do not require the complete functionality available from Unified CM, Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express, previously known as CallManager Express provides a cost-effective solution that meets the requirements 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 running on a Cisco router, smaller offices can quickly set up a unified voice and data environment.

The Cisco BE6000 is a line of turn-key platforms that offer essential collaboration features including routing, IP gateway, premium voice/video, messaging, instant messaging and presence, conferencing, and paging support, allowing any user to connect on any device from any location. All BE6000 versions come preloaded with a virtualization hypervisor and Unified Communications applications, making deployment fast and easy and cutting operating expenses for organizations with from 25 to 1000 employees. All BE6000 solutions come packaged preconfigured with a virtualization hypervisor and collaboration applications. You can simply activate collaboration software applications when their needs dictate.

The office-in-a-box BE6000S includes five preselected collaboration software applications installed on one combination ISR router/gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 blade server device and supports a maximum capacity of 150 users and 300 devices. The mid-market BE6000M includes 4 collaboration application options activated on a virtualized C220 M4 server platform and can handle up to 1000 workers, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The top-of-the-line BE6000S includes 8 UC software application options activated on a virtualized Cisco UCS C220 M4 server and has the ability to support as many as 1000 users, 2500 devices, and 100 contact center agents.

For additional details about Progent's expertise with Unified Communications Manager (CallManager), see Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and CallManager design, configuration, upgrades and troubleshooting.

Cisco IP Phones: IP Voice and IP Video Endpoints
A communications endpoint is a user device, either a hardware phone set or a software phone application that runs on a desktop or handheld computer. In the IP environment, each IP handset or soft phone is Ethernet connected. IP phones offer all of the capabilities that an ordinary phone handset has, but VoIP phones often have extra functions such as the ability to access the web or host collaboration applications.

Unlike conventional PBX technology, in a Cisco IP communications environment you can perform virtually instantaneous relocations, additions, and changes. You simply move the VoIP handset to your new location, plug it into an Ethernet jack, and the IP phone announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (formerly CallManager). All user permissions and settings are programmatically replicated, eliminating the expense and delay of dispatching support personnel to wiring closets. Another efficient feature is location independence, which enables you to log into any Cisco VoIP phone and get your personal phone number and privileges.

Cisco provides a broad range of collaboration handsets. Cisco's low-cost Small Business SPA 300 Series are no-frills IP and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications screenless or monochrome devices offering high-quality audio, compatibility with hosted IP telephony systems or an IP private branch exchange (PBX), easy deployment and secure remote provisioning, unobtrusive software upgrades, and web-based configuration. The value-priced SPA301 is a one-line IP phone with no screen or speakerphone function, a base dialer with one Ethernet connector, and a corded handset with no a keypad. The SPA302D, designed solely for operation with Cisco's SPA232D DECT Analog Telephone Adapter, is a multiline cordless DECT IP phone that supports 10-lines, a 176 x 220 pixel color display, and a keypad with speakerphone capability. The SPA303 is an economical three-line IP phone with two switched Ethernet ports, a 128x64 monochrome screen and a speakerphone.

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

Cisco's IP Phones 3900 Series and 6900 Series are specialty IP voice devices intended for infrequent-use settings like cafeterias, elevators, and conference centers. The Unified SIP Phone 3905 IP Phone features a 128 x 32 pixel monochrome screen, a 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and Power over Ethernet (PoE). The bare-bones Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a single-line device with no display and uses a hook switch for transferring a call and conferencing.

Cisco's 7800 Series of economical IP phones are VoIP desktop endpoints with backlit mono screens, four soft buttons, 11 fixed-feature keys, an Ethernet port with PoE, and a speakerphone. The 7800 Series IP Phones support only the SIP signaling protocol. All models in Cisco's 7800 family feature the same advanced speakers and microphones as Cisco's 8800 Series IP phones to provide a state-of-the-art audio solution. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save technology, available on the higher end 7800 models, cuts off-hours energy usage by up to 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a one-line phone designed for common locations as well as 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 through an extra-cost wideband 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 phone with a 396 x 162 display and is the only model in the 7800 series that provides Gigabit Ethernet. The high-end IP Phone 7861 VoIP phone is a 16-line device targeted for administrative staff, call center agents, and supervisors who have significant voice communications needs.

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

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

Cisco's wireless VoIP phones are industrial-grade Wi-Fi devices designed for professionals who are on the move within office, warehouse, retail or other environments where management wants user endpoints that offer more control, security and durability than is possible with the BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) mode of mobile collaboration. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless VoIP phones provide on-the-move on-premises workers the benefits of voice over wireless LAN (VoWLAN) communications in environments with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi. Cisco's 8821 Wireless IP Phone includes a hi-res color screen, a rugged shell designed to withstand dropping and IP67 for dust and splash resistance, extended batteries, a full-duplex speakerphone, and an integrated Bluetooth radio for hands-free operation with cordless headsets. The 8821-EX Wireless IP Phone adds protection against sparking for use in hazardous work sites. Cisco's 8821-EX also has a case composed out of industry-standard yellow plastics, which makes it easy to find in a crisis. Learn about Progent's Cisco Wireless VoIP Phone integration and troubleshooting consultants.

Cisco's legacy 9900 Series of advanced IP phones integrate high-quality voice with high-resolution color displays to provide a productive collaborative unified communications solution for knowledge professionals and executives. Both models in the 9900 line include a Standard Definition VGA color screen, a Bluetooth radio to support a broad range of headsets, and a built-in 1 GE Ethernet port. The Cisco Power Save feature is optional and can reduce off-hour energy draw by as much as 90 percent. The 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 function keys. The IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch display, an integrated Wi-Fi transceiver for deployment with Voice-over-WLAN environments, and four customizable touchscreen keys to invoke Cisco UC functions. The 9971 allows up to 3 IP Expansion Modules for expanding programmable line and function keys.

Unified Communications Applications
Under Cisco's Unified Communications architecture, IP voice, IP video, and other UC applications are isolated from the call/voice processing mechanism, and they may be anywhere within the system. A single connectivity framework provides an open platform for powerful applications and acts as a firm basis for downstream convergence-based applications. Cisco works with third-party IT industry companies to provide a wide selection of IP phone and IP video applications and products. Cisco also enables the ability to create and manage customized internal applications.

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

Cisco Jabber
Cisco Jabber is a UC application that supports presence, instant messaging, voice, high-definition video, voicemail, desktop sharing, and online conferencing functions for Windows PCs, Apple Macs, tablets plus smartphones. Jabber is a rebranding and integration of the Unified Personal Communicator soft phone application, Cisco Mobile, and WebEx Connect, with major enhancements to HD video features and screen sharing, and extending the team environment to additional platforms and devices. Jabber operates in conjunction with Unified CM for call control, Cisco Unified Presence for instant messaging and presence, Unity Connection for voicemail and programmable attendant, and Cisco WebEx Meeting for conferencing.

Because Cisco Jabber is based on popular communication protocols, it can interoperate with a broad selection of non-Cisco platforms. For example, XMPP enables Cisco Jabber users to trade IM and presence data with a variety of XMPP clients including as Adium, IBM Sametime, and Microsoft Lync and Office Communications Server. Cisco Jabber collaboration features can be accessed from Microsoft Office programs including Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft SharePoint. This broad platform support optimizes output by delivering a common end-user experience and fully enabling the BYOD model of networking. Progent offers the assistance of certified Exchange consultants and SharePoint application developers who can help you to use Jabber with Microsoft's powerful collaboration products. Progent also offers help with iPhone integration and Android smartphone integration to help you to increase the business value of your BYOD environment.

WebEX Meeting Center
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center provides web conferencing for participants using a browser or virtually any PC or handheld computer. Cisco WebEx is offered as software as a service through the Cisco WebEx Cloud. This makes it easy to roll out and scale, reduces the cost of administration, eliminates high up-front expenditures, features high availability and enterprise-class security, and delivers consistently high throughput. Key features include support for sharing discrete content or your entire screen with online participants in real time, the ability to add rich media into presentations including PowerPoint and Flash videos, recording plus editing and playback for training and demonstrations, single sign-on and integration with Cisco collaboration products such as Cisco Jabber and TelePresence, plus stringent data protection and encrypted access with strict policy management.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center runs on Windows, Apple Mac, and Linux desktops and notebooks and allows mobile workers to start, schedule, and attend conferences on Android smartphones and tablets, iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry phones, and Windows Phone. You can also initiate web meetings with a few clicks from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Notes, and a selection of instant messaging solutions.

Cisco TelePresence Products for In-house Video Conferencing Environments
For medium-size businesses and enterprises who want to create a local or hybrid on-premises/cloud environment for teleconferencing, Cisco offers a portfolio of Cisco TelePresence platforms that deliver high-quality video conferencing for participants with almost any endpoint device at any site. Cisco TelePresence Server is an expandable video conferencing bridge that runs in conjunction with Cisco Unified Communications Manager to bring multiparty telepresence to unified communications deployments and can extend meetings to incorporate cloud-based WebEx Meeting Center users. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software simplifies the control of the way conferencing bandwidth and features should be allotted for every individual participant, allowing managers to define the precise service level and experience needed for every user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server collects video and presentations for live distribution as well as on-demand viewing.

Cisco Unity Connection Platform and Unity Express for Converged Voicemail
The Cisco Unity Connection, an integrated extension of Unified CM, is a unified voice messaging platform that facilitates collaboration by providing flexible set of alternatives for accessing calls and messages within an environment that is easy to deploy and manage. Unity Connection lets you access and manage voicemail messages from your Exchange inbox, browser, Jabber, a Cisco Unified VoIP endpoint, an iPhone or other smartphone, or a tablet. Unity Connection also provides sophisticated voice-recognition features for hands-free management and extensive Automated Attendant features that include smart routing for inbound calls and easily customizable call-screening and message-notification settings. The Unity Connection system operates as a virtual machine that can be hosted on a BE6000 server or a Cisco SRE 910 router blade service module and can support as many as 20,000 mailboxes on each server.

Cisco Unity Express (CUE), offered in select Cisco Integrated Services routers, provides affordable voicemail, integrated messaging, interactive voice response, and automated-attendant functions for small to medium businesses and corporate branch offices with up to 500 users. Unity Express permits you to manage voicemail using a Cisco Unified IP Phone screen, your web browser, or your email client. Integrated Services Routers for which Unity Express is available as a network module include Cisco's 2800, 2900, 3800, and 3900 families. Progent offers certified configuration and support services for all ISR routers.

Unified Contact Center
Unified Contact Center Enterprise (UCCE) integrates with Cisco CUCM and desktop agent apps like Finesse to offer automatic call distribution capabilities that allow an organization to connect customers with the right salesperson or service representative. UCCE offers smart call routing, computer telephony integration (CTI), support for multichannel customer contact management, network call queuing, IVR and consolidated enterprise-wide reporting to simplify the creation and administration of a large-scale contact center. Cisco products supporting Unified CCE's client interaction management ecosystem include Cisco Unified IP Phones, Voice, and Cisco network infrastructure.

Unified Contact Center Express (Unified CCX) offers an out-of-the-box bundle for creating a customer contact center for mid-scale deployments that handle as many as 400 agents. Multiple packages are available, plus a selection of special options. Unified Contact Center Express works with CUCM and provides intelligent call routing, client interaction management, integrated reporting, interactive voice response, and management of voice, email, chat, and social media requests. Cisco Unified CCX includes Finesse, a browser-based customizable desktop agent that needs no client-side installation. Optional advanced features include conditional routing, estimated-wait-time announcements, and quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect and Single Number Reach (SNR)
Mobile Connect, popularly referred to as Single Number Reach (SNR), makes it possible for users to be reached from one number that rings simultaneously on their Cisco desktop VoIP Phone and their cell phone. Users can switch active calls between their desktop IP phone and their mobile phone seamlessly. Calls that are not answered can be redirected to a Unity or Cisco Unity Connection voicemail account. Users can create their own access lists that determine which calls are directed to alternate phones.

Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning offers an automated process for initial installs as well as for follow-on moves, adds, changes, and deletions. A user-friendly interface delivers a single view of a user and the subscriber's services. Cisco Prime Collaboration substantially accelerates company-wide installations and minimizes the effort needed for future updates. Prime Collaboration also provides management analytics including technology adoption and consumption trends, allowing organizations to optimize IT resources and further reduce total cost of ownership.

Cisco Collaboration Gateways
Cisco's communications gateways permit Cisco converged communications deployments to communicate with other systems and with users working outside the corporate firewall. Cisco's portfolio of gateways provide unified communications services for a wide variety of gateway and session-border-control deployments.

Collaboration gateways available from Cisco and supported by Progent include:

Expressway Collaboration Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is an advanced converged media gateway that enables organizations to allow employees, suppliers, customers and prospects, or business partners who are working on various outside networks, collaboration applications, or endpoint devices to access to Cisco Unified Communication features. Cisco's Expressway collaboration gateway integrates with an enterprise Cisco CM deployment or Cisco Business Edition 6000, or can be run via the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution to make productive collaboration more pervasive. Key features of Cisco Expressway include:

• Mobile and Off-site Access: Off-site workers with any Jabber-supported client or telecommuters with Cisco TelePresence endpoints get the benefit of single-sign-on (SSO) as well as TLS security and are able to access all their Jabber workloads (high-definition video, voice, rich content IM, and realtime presence) without requiring the extra step of a VPN connection. Also, telecommuters can utilize their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without the need for a VPN tunnel, delivering a user experience at home the same as the office.
• Jabber Guest Support: Expressway is required for supporting the Cisco Jabber Guest, which allows “guests” to communicate with your organization easily and safely via lightweight web-browser and mobile video phone calls.
• Cisco Cloud Access: Cisco Expressway can function as a gateway that connects between on-premises Cisco or non-Cisco collaboration solutions and Cisco's WebEx cloud. By supporting Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms (CMRs), Expressway deliver an advanced, scalable teleconferencing experience that transparently integrates high-quality voice, high-definition video, and content sharing to any client, at any location, on any endpoint.
• Interoperability: If your organization already has non-Cisco video systems, Cisco Expressway can assist you to migrate easily to a Cisco solution when you choose. Cisco Expressway offers video interoperability with industry standard H.323, H.264 SVC, or Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) systems. Gateway standards allowed by Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to SIP, and Microsoft Lync 2013 H.264 SVC to H.264/AVC.

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

Cisco's Legacy UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Gateways
The legacy Cisco Unified Communications 500 product line is a VoIP communications system for small organizations. UC500 packages deliver voice, data, voicemail, auto attendant, IP video, firewall, and wireless capabilities, run with older generation Cisco IP Voice phones, and support public switched telephone network (PSTN) connections.

All of Cisco's UC500 packages include a compact switch appliance with 8 PoE interfaces plus additional FXS and FXO ports, a firewall, and VPN. Built-in WiFi is an option. VoIP user capacity can be increased by connecting with Cisco Catalyst Express companion switches. Each UC500 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 interfaces. The Cisco UC540 system supports 32 users and has 8 FXO interfaces. The Cisco UC560 system allows 48 VoIP clients and 12 foreign exchange office ports.

Progent's Cisco-certified VoIP experts can help you to support your legacy UC500 VoIP system or design and carry out an efficient upgrade to a current IP telephony and voicemail solution like Cisco's Business Edition 4000.

How Progent Can Assist You with Cisco IP Voice and IP Media Phones, CUCM, and Video Conferencing
Progent offers online or onsite help from a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Collaboration consultant to assist your business to plan, install, administer and repair converged communications networks built on Cisco Unified Communication technology in a centralized, cloud-based, or hybrid deployment. Progent's Cisco-certified engineers have extensive backgrounds with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and CallManager, IP voice and video phones and other endpoints, Unified Communications applications like Cisco Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's teleconferencing technologies, collaboration gatekeepers, utilities built into Cisco Catalyst switches and routers. Progent can also provide expertise with technologies like Cisco SRST, Cisco Unified Border Element, H.323 and SIP gateways, Call Admission Control, VoIP trunks, PSTN, and Cisco's architecture for voice, video and integrated data. Progent's SIP integration consultants can also assist you to build SIP infrastructure environments that include SIP-based VoIP phones and video phones, SIP trunks, SIP conferencing and SIP administration tools with Cisco Unified CM.

Progent's custom application developers can create specialized unified communications applications that will enable your company to integrate the capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your business operations for enhanced productivity. Progent can audit your current network and Internet access architecture to determine whether your environment is configured to support business-quality VoIP and HD video, help you to choose and deploy Cisco products that make sense for your present situation and downstream expansion objectives, and interface your Cisco collaborative communications products with technology from other vendors. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified information security consultants can assist you to develop, implement, and test a comprehensive security plan for your unified communications ecosystem. Also, Progent can help your organization to configure Cisco fault-tolerant technologies like Cisco Unified SRST to provide affordable call control redundancy in remote-branch and home-office sites, and Progent's disaster recovery and business continuity planning consultants can help you develop a viable disaster recovery strategy to ensure the availability of your vital unified communications system.

Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Services
Versions of Cisco Unified Communications Manager 8.6 earlier than 8.6 and every release of CallManager have arrived at end-of-life. This means Cisco Engineering will no longer enhance, fix, or validate the product software. Security updates for this pivotal application will stop, which in some situations could create regulatory compliance or even potential liability problems.

Progent will continue to offer world-class support services for outdated versions of Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, but in case your business is still running a legacy edition of this essential application your organization should begin immediately to plan your upgrade. Progent's Cisco-certified consultants can assist your company to migrate smoothly to the current version of Cisco Unified Communications Manager and can often save customers as much as 50% off consulting expense versus competing IT service companies because of Progent's documented process and hands-on experience in this practice area. By following leading practices, Progent can ensure that your organization realizes a fast return on your investment by showing you how to benefit fully from the enhanced features, lower administrative and support costs, more engaging collaboration capabilities, and stronger security offered by the latest release of Cisco Unified Communications Manager.

Progent's upgrade consulting services include ROI assessment, project management, pilot testing and validation, Cloud connectivity, configuring collaboration endpoints from Cisco and other vendors, mobile integration, data protection consulting, streamlined management, disaster recovery planning, network architecture design, staff and user training, and ongoing consulting and technical support. Progent also offers ultra-affordable upgrade service bundles to make sure your costs are visible and under control.

To find out additional details concerning Progent's professional help for Cisco technology, pick a topic:

• Introduction to Cisco Consulting Services
• Timely Remote Assistance from a Cisco CCIE Engineer
• Cisco Firepower Series Firewalls: Integration and Management Services
• Cisco ASA 5500-X Firewall with Firepower: Integration and Troubleshooting Services
• Cisco ASA 5500 Firewalls Management Assistance
• PIX 500 Firewall Consulting Expertise
• Cisco Routers Engineering Expertise
• Cisco Wireless Network Design Help
• Aironet Access Points Engineering Services
• Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 WiFi Access Points Deployment Services
• Cisco Wireless Controllers Experts
• Meraki Access Points Deployment Support
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and CallManager Integration and Troubleshooting
• Cisco Jabber Consulting and Support Services
• Cisco Catalyst Switches Engineering Expertise
• Cisco Nexus Switches Deployment Services
• Cisco Meraki Switches Deployment Expertise
• Cisco Security and VPN Consulting Expertise
• SIP and CUBE Infrastructure Solutions: SIP Trunking and Cisco CUBE Integration Consulting
• Design Solutions for Cisco-powered Data Centers
• Network Optimization Services for Service Providers
• Centralized Network Management Techniques for Cisco-based Environments