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Exchanging live voice and video over Internet Protocol (VoIP and Video over IP) has advanced from simply being being a smart method to save money on phone bills to being a strategic technology for productive collaboration. Converged communications, once restricted to integrating Internet-based voice calls and faxing on the same system in order to take the place of expensive PBX systems, today encompasses VoIP and video, mobility, messaging, presence, collaboration services, and much more in a cohesive environment that is easy to manage, scalable, secure, resilient, cost-effective, and intuitive.

Cisco is the leader in supplying the hardware and software infrastructure required to support the current model of unified communications (UC). Cisco's unified communications product line adds to the productivity of IT networks by cutting operational costs; integrating multiple collaboration features with popular software programs to increase worker output; supporting collaboration among workers, partners, and vendors to save time and enhance business outcomes; and streamlining the administration of your communications environment.

Cisco's Unified Communications solutions cover several primary product categories:,

• Call Control Agents for controlling rich media calls and sessions
• Collaboration Endpoints to enhance worker engagement
• Unified Communications Software Applications for more productive access to presence, IM, voice and video, phone messages, white boarding, and voice/video conferencing
• Communications Gateways for connecting to outside networks and teleworkers

The most recent version of Unified Communications Manager, formerly named CallManager, includes a variety of enhancements that speed up ROI by lowering administrative and support expenses, improving worker output, facilitating teamwork, supporting the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) model of working, fortifying security, and making optimal use of IT infrastructure. Headline innovations include automatic dial-plan replication, streamlined certificate control, expanded support for single sign-on for administrators and users, hardware-agnostic call recording, mobile connectivity with no need for VPN, a new self-provisioning interface that makes it easy for users to set their options for all of their endpoint devices, and support for Transport Layer Security for mobile clients.

When you implement a central Cisco Unified Communications Manager cluster to manage call processing for customers at distributed locations, administrators can help ensure continuous call availability through Cisco SRST, a Cisco IOS Software image for routers. If a Wide Area Network connection breaks, Cisco Survivable Remote Site Telephony in the router offers basic Cisco Unified Communications Manager functions until the connection is restored. For a description of Progent's consulting support for Cisco ISR routers, refer to consulting and troubleshooting support for Cisco ISR routers.

For small businesses, branch offices, and retail deployments that do not need the full functionality available from Unified CM, Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express, formerly named CallManager Express offers an economical solution that meets the requirements of locations with as many as 450 users. Since Unified Communications Manager Express Unified Communications Manager Express (Unified CCX) is embedded in the Cisco IOS Software running on a Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR), smaller organizations can quickly implement a unified voice/data solution.

The Cisco Business Edition 6000 is a line of complete solutions that offer fundamental unified communications features such as routing, IP gateway, high definition voice/video, messaging, IM and real-time presence, teleconferencing, and paging services, allowing any user to collaborate on any device from any location. All BE6000 versions are shipped preconfigured with a virtualization hypervisor and Unified Communications applications, making deployment fast and simple and cutting operating expenses for organizations with as many as 1000 employees. All systems come packaged preinstalled with virtualization and Unified Communications applications. You can simply enable UC software applications when their needs dictate.

The entry-level BE6000S includes five fixed UC applications installed on a single combination router/gateway/virtualized E1600 M2 server platform and supports up to 150 users and 300 endpoint devices. The mid-market Business Edition 6000M supports 4 unified communications software application options enabled on a virtualized Cisco UCS C220 M4 server platform and supports a maximum capacity of 1000 users, 1200 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents. The top-of-the-line Business Edition 6000H Supports eight collaboration software application options enabled on a single virtualized Cisco C220 M4 server platform and has the ability to support up to 1000 workers, 2500 endpoint devices, and 100 contact center agents.

For more details about Progent's expertise with Unified Communications Manager (CallManager), visit Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager design, configuration, upgrades and troubleshooting. Cisco IP Phones: IP Voice and IP Video Endpoints
An IP communications endpoint is a user instrument, and can be a physical phone set or a soft phone program on a PC or mobile computer. In the Internet Protocol world, every IP phone is Ethernet connected. Voice over IP phones offer all of the features that a conventional phone handset provides, but Voice over IP phones can also offer extra functions such as the ability to connect to the web or run business applications.

Unlike traditional Private Branch Exchange technology, in a Cisco IP phone network you can perform almost instantaneous moves, adds, and changes. All you do is move the IP handset to its new location, plug it into the Ethernet connection, and the handset announces itself with Cisco Unified Communications Manager. All user privileges and settings are programmatically re-established, doing away with the expense and delay of dispatching technicians to wiring closets. An additional useful feature is location independence, which enables you to sign into any Cisco VoIP phone and receive your own phone extension and privileges.

Cisco offers a wide range of Unified CM hardware endpoints. Cisco's low-cost SPA 300 family are basic IP and Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications devices that feature wide-band voice, compatibility with hosted Internet Protocol telephony systems or an IP private branch exchange (PBX), simple deployment and highly secure remote provisioning, zero-downtime software upgrades, and web-based set up. The value-priced SPA301 is a one-line VoIP endpoint with no screen or speakerphone function, a base dialer with one Ethernet connector, and a corded handset without a keypad. The SPA302D, designed solely for use with the Cisco SPA232D Multi-Line DECT ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter), is a multiline cordless DECT handset that offers 10-lines, a TFT 176 x 220 pixel color display, and a keypad with a speakerphone. The SPA303 is an affordable three-line SIP-based IP phone with two Ethernet ports, a 128x64 monochrome graphical display and a speaker.

The SPA500 family VoIP phones are affordable endpoints with support for SIP and SPCP call control protocols, two Ethernet switch ports, speakerphones, built-in web servers, Power over Ethernet, and conferencing support. Most models have a 128 x 64 mono screen display, The SPA501G has eight lines and has eight programmable buttons but no LCD display. The SPA502G VoIP phone supports a single line and has no programmable buttons. The SPA504G VoIP phone supports four lines and has four programmable buttons. The SPA508G IP Phone supports eight lines and eight programmable keys. The SPA509G supports 12 lines and features 12 programmable keys. The SPA512G IP Phone supports four lines, no soft keys and supports 10/100/1000 Ethernet. The SPA514G VoIP phone supports four lines, has programmable buttons, and supports Gigabit Ethernet. The top-of-the-line SPA525G2 IP Phone has a 320 x 240 color display, supports five lines, and includes five soft buttons.

Cisco's Unified IP Phones 3900 Series and 6900 Series are specialty VoIP devices designed for infrequent-use settings such as lobbies, hallways, and conference facilities. Cisco's Unified SIP Phone 3905 features VoIP phone features a 128 x 32 pixel monochrome non-backlit display, a 10/100 Ethernet switch, a speakerphone, and Power over Ethernet (PoE). The bare-bones Cisco Unified IP Phone 6901 is a one-line device without a screen and requires a hook switch for call transfer and joining a conference.

The 7800 line of economical IP phones are VoIP desktop devices with backlit monochrome displays, four programmable keys, 11 dedicated keys, an integral Ethernet switch with PoE, and a speakerphone. The 7800 Series support only the SIP signaling protocol. All devices in the 7800 family incorporate the same advanced speakers and microphones as Cisco's 8800 Series IP phones to deliver a state-of-the-art audio solution. Cisco's EnergyWise power-save technology, offered on the higher end 7800 models, cuts off-hours energy consumption by as much as 60 percent. The Cisco IP Phone 7811 is a single-line phone intended for shared areas as well as for employees with occasional-to-light 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 available through an extra-cost wideband handset. Cisco's IP Phone 7821 is a two-line endpoint with a 396 x 162 display. The IP Phone 7841 is a four-line endpoint with a 396 x 162 display and is the only model in the 7800 series to support 1xGb Ethernet. The top-of-the-line IP Phone 7861 VoIP phone is a 16-line endpoint targeted for administrators, contact center agents, and managers who have significant voice communications needs.

Cisco Unified IP Phone 7900 Series are dual-protocol (SIP/SCCP) media devices with a 320 x 240 pixel color screen, a 10/100/1000 Ethernet switch, Class 3 Power over Ethernet, 10 fixed-feature keys and a speakerphone. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7945G is a two-line unit and the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7965G features four lines. Both IP phones have a 5-inch screen and four soft keys. The Cisco Unified IP Phone 7975G device is an eight-line IP voice and video phone featuring a 5.6-inch touch screen and five soft keys.

Cisco's IP Phone 8800 Series is a line of SIP-based IP phones that features desktop devices, a conference IP phone, and mobile 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 buttons. The Cisco IP Phone 8811 includes a backlit mono screen and supports Class 2 Power over Ethernet. Cisco's 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, a tiltable 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 Power over Ethernet, and is offered in Bluetooth and non-Bluetooth versions. Cisco's IP Phone 8861 has a WVGA color display, 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. The Cisco IP Phone 8865 includes a WVGA color display, 720p HD video, an adjustable camera, Bluetooth, dual USB ports with charging capability, and supports Cisco Intelligent Proximity for Mobile Voice, Wi-Fi, and Class 4 Power over Ethernet.

Cisco's wireless VoIP phones are industrial-grade Wi-Fi handsets designed for professionals who are on the move within office, warehouse, retail or other environments where IT management wants user endpoints that provide more administrative control, security and durability than is possible with the Bring-Your-Own-Device mode of mobile communications. Cisco's 8821 and 8812-EX wireless IP phones provide on-the-move on-premises users the advantages of voice over wireless LAN communications in environments that support 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi infrastructure. Cisco's 8821 Wireless IP Phone features a 2.4 inch color screen, a rugged case designed for shock resistance and compliant with IP67 for dust and splash resistance, extended batteries, a built-in speakerphone, and a Bluetooth radio for hands-free operation with cordless headsets. The 8821-EX Wireless VoIP Phone adds spark suppression for hazardous work sites. The 8821-EX also features a case composed out of yellow plastics, which makes the device easier to locate during a crisis. Learn about Progent's Wireless IP Phone integration and troubleshooting consultants.

Cisco's legacy 9900 Series of high-performance IP endpoints mix high-definition voice with business-grade color video to deliver a rich multimedia UC experience for knowledge professionals and executives. Both IP phones in this family incorporate a Standard Definition VGA color display, a Bluetooth 2.0 transceiver to support a wide range of headsets, and an integrated 1 GE Ethernet port. The Cisco EnergyWise feature is optional and can reduce off-work energy consumption by 90 percent. The IP Phone 9951 features a 5-inch screen and allows up to 2 Cisco IP Expansion Modules for adding programmable line and feature keys. The Cisco IP Phone 9971 features a 5.6-inch screen, a built-in 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi transceiver for deployment with voice-over-wireless LAN environments, and four customizable touchscreen keys to access Cisco Unified Communications features. The 9971 supports up to 3 IP Expansion Modules for adding scalability to customizable line and function keys. Unified Communications Applications
Within Cisco's Unified Communications architecture, IP telephony, IP video, and other UC applications are physically independent from the call- and voice-processing mechanism, and they may reside anywhere within the network. A single network infrastructure offers a versatile environment for powerful business applications and acts as a solid basis for downstream convergence-based software. Cisco cooperates with leading IT industry vendors to provide a broad range of IP voice and video applications and products. Cisco also supports the ability to develop and manage specialized in-house programs.

UC application software offered by Cisco and supported by Progent's consultants include:

Jabber
Jabber is a UC client application that supports presence, instant messaging, business-quality voice, video, voicemail, desktop sharing, and online conferencing features for PCs, Apple Macs, tablets plus smartphones. Cisco Jabber is an evolution and combination of the Cisco Unified Personal Communicator, Cisco Mobile, and Cisco WebEx Connect, with major enhancements to HD video capabilities and desktop screen sharing, and expanding the team environment to additional platforms and endpoint hardware. Cisco Jabber works with Unified CM for call and session management, Cisco Unified Presence for IM and presence, Cisco Unity Connection for voicemail and programmable attendant, and Cisco WebEx Meeting for conferencing and online meetings.

Because Jabber utilizes popular communication standards, it can interoperate with a broad range of third-party products. For example, XMPP enables Jabber users to trade IM and presence information with other XMPP clients such as Adium for Mac, Sametime, and Microsoft Lync and Office Communications Server. Jabber collaboration features are available from Microsoft Office programs including Outlook and Microsoft SharePoint. This cross-platform compatibility optimizes output by providing a common end-user experience and fully enabling the bring-your-own-device paradigm of networking. Progent offers the services of Microsoft-certified Exchange consultants and SharePoint application developers who can help you to use Jabber with Microsoft's powerful collaboration products. Progent also offers expertise with iPhone integration as well as Google Android phone and tablet integration to assist your organization to enhance the business value of your BYOD ecosystem.

Cisco WebEx Meeting Center
Cisco WebEx Meeting Center provides online meetings for participants using a web browser or almost any PC or handheld computer. Cisco WebEx Meeting Center is delivered as SaaS through Cisco's WebEx Cloud. This makes it simple to deploy and scale, streamlines administration, eliminates high up-front investment, offers high availability and enterprise-class data protection, and provides consistently high performance. Key capabilities include support for sharing discrete content or an whole screen with remote attendees in real time, the capability to incorporate rich media into your presentations including PowerPoint and Flash animations, network-based recording plus editing and playback for future reference and training, single sign-on (SSO) and integration with other Cisco collaboration products like Jabber and TelePresence, plus strong data protection and encrypted connections with strict policy management.

WebEX Meeting Center runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux-powered desktops and notebooks and permits mobile workers to start, calendarize, and take part in meetings on Google Android smartphones and tablets, Apple iPhones and iPads, BlackBerry phones, and Windows Phone. Users can also launch online meetings instantly from Microsoft Office, Outlook, Notes, and a variety of instant messaging applications.

Cisco TelePresence Products for On-premises Teleconferencing Infrastructure
For medium-size businesses and larger enterprises who want to create an in-house or hybrid on-premises/cloud solution for video conferencing, Cisco provides a portfolio of Cisco TelePresence platforms that enable high-quality video conferencing for attendees with almost any endpoint device at any site. Cisco TelePresence Server is a scalable video conferencing bridge that runs in conjunction with Cisco Unified Communications Manager to deliver multiparty video, audio and content sharing to converged deployments and can expand conferences to include cloud-connected Cisco WebEx Meeting Center participants. Cisco TelePresence Conductor software simplifies the control of how teleconferencing bandwidth and features should be allotted for every individual attendee, allowing managers to define the exact service level and experience needed for every user. Cisco TelePresence Content Server captures video and presentations for real-time streaming as well as video on demand (VOD) viewing.

Cisco's Unity Connection and Unity Express for Converged Voicemail and Automated Attendant
The Cisco Unity Connection, an extension of Cisco Unified Communications Manager, is a unified voicemail solution that promotes collaboration by offering a variety of options for accessing voice messages within an environment that is simple to implement and administer. Unity Connection lets you access and manage voicemail from your Exchange inbox, browser, Jabber, a Cisco Unified IP endpoint, a smartphone, or a tablet. Cisco Unity Connection also offers sophisticated voice-recognition capabilities for hands-free management and extensive Automated Attendant features that include smart routing for inbound phone calls and custom call-screening and message-notification settings. The Cisco Unity Connection platform operates as a virtual machine that can reside on a BE6000 server or a Cisco Services Ready Engine 910 router service module and can support as many as 20,000 voice mailboxes per server.

Unity Express (CUE), offered in select Cisco ISR routers, offers cost-effective voicemail, unified messaging, interactive voice response, and automated-attendant services for small to mid-size businesses (SMBs) and corporate satellite locations with as many as 500 workers. Unity Express permits you to access and manage voicemail messages via a Cisco IP Phone screen, your web browser, or your email system. Cisco routers for which Cisco Unity Express is available as a network module include Cisco's 2800, 2900, and 3900 Series. Progent offers comprehensive configuration and troubleshooting services for all Cisco routers.

Unified Contact Center
Unified Contact Center Enterprise (Unified CCE) integrates with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and desktop agent software like Cisco Finesse to offer automatic call distribution (ACD) features that allow an organization to connect customers with the proper sales or service agent. UCCE offers smart call routing, computer telephony integration, multiple channel contact management, call queuing, interactive voice response (IVR) and advanced enterprise-wide reporting to streamline the creation and administration of a modern customer contact center. Cisco products incorporated in Unified CCE's client contact management solution include Cisco Unified IP Phones, Voice, and Cisco LAN/WAN technology.

Unified Contact Center Express (CCX) offers a packaged solution for creating a customer contact center for branch or midmarket systems that handle as many as 400 agents. Multiple packages are offered, as well as a selection of optional enhancements. Unified Contact Center Express works with Unified Communications Manager and provides smart call distribution, client interaction management, integrated reporting, interactive voice response, and management of voice, email, chat, and social media requests. Unified CCX comes with Cisco Finesse, a browser-based customizable desktop agent that requires no client installation. Special options include conditional routing, projected-wait-time messages, and productivity optimization with workforce and quality management.

Cisco Mobile Connect for Single Number Reach
Mobile Connect, popularly known as Single Number Reach, allows users to be reached via a single phone number that rings simultaneously on their desktop IP Phone and their mobile phone. Users can switch live calls between their desktop IP phone and their mobile phone seamlessly. Unanswered calls can be redirected to a Cisco Unity or Unity Connection voicemail account. Users can create personal access lists that specify which calls get directed to different phones.

Prime Collaboration
Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning provides an automated platform for first-time deployments and for “day 2” moves, additions, changes, and deletions. A user-friendly console provides a unified look at a user and the subscriber's services. Prime Collaboration Provisioning substantially speeds up company-wide installations and minimizes the effort needed to implement ongoing updates. Prime Collaboration in addition provides management analytics that show application adoption and consumption trends, allowing organizations to make more efficient use of resources and further reduce TCO. Cisco Communications Gateways
Cisco's collaboration gateways permit Cisco converged communications environments to connect with other networks and with clients working beyond the corporate firewall. Cisco's portfolio of gateways provide unified communications support for a wide variety of gateway and session-border-control applications.

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

Expressway Communication Gateway
Cisco's Expressway is an advanced converged media gateway that enables companies to provide employees, suppliers, customers, or partners who are working on various outside networks, collaboration platforms, or endpoint equipment to access to Unified Communication features. Cisco's Expressway gateway works in conjunction with a Cisco CM system or Cisco BE6000, or can be run through the cloud with Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution to help make collaboration more pervasive. Important capabilities of Expressway are are:

• Mobile and Remote Access: Off-site workers with any Jabber-compatible device or telecommuters with Cisco TelePresence endpoints get the benefit of single-sign-on plus TLS security and can access all their Jabber applications (video, voice, rich content IM, and presence) without the extra step of establishing a VPN. Also, telecommuters can utilize their Cisco TelePresence endpoints without a VPN, providing a user environment at home that is the same as the office.
• Cisco Jabber Guest Support: Expressway is required for enabling Cisco's Jabber Guest, which permits “guests” to communicate with your organization simply and securely through streamlined browser and mobile multimedia calls.
• Cisco Cloud Connectivity: Expressway can function as a gateway that connects between on-premises Cisco or third-party systems and Cisco's WebEx cloud. By supporting Cisco Collaboration Meeting Rooms (CMRs), Expressway offers a world-class, scalable conferencing experience that transparently integrates high-quality voice, video, and content sharing to any client, at any location, on any device.
• Interoperability: If your organization currently has non-Cisco video systems, Cisco Expressway can assist you to move easily to Cisco products whenever you choose. Cisco Expressway offers video interoperability with standards-based H.323, H.264 Scalable Video Coding, or Session Initiation Protocol environments. Interoperability capabilities allowed by Expressway include IPv4 to IPv6, H.323 to Session Initiation Protocol, and Microsoft Lync H.264 Scalable Video Coding to AVC/H.264.

• WebEx Cloud Connected Audio for SIP-based audio conferencing
• Voice and Video recording
• Enterprise Call-center and IVR solutions
• Policy-led evaluation of voice calls
• Business-to-business teleconferencing over SIP

Cisco's End-of-Life UC520, UC540 and UC560 VoIP Phone Systems
The legacy Cisco Unified Communications 500 product line is an early VoIP and unified communications appliance and software package for small businesses. UC500 packages provide voice, data, voicemail, automated attendant, video, firewall, and WiFi functionality, work with older generation Cisco VoIP phones, and support various PSTN connections.

All of UC500 series bundles include a desktop switch appliance with 8 Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) interfaces and additional FXS and FXO ports, a firewall, and VPN support. Integrated WiFi is optional. 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 incorporate 4 FXS and 4 FXO ports. The Cisco UC540 package supports 24 to 32 clients and provides 8 FXO ports. The Cisco UC560 system allows 48 users and 12 foreign exchange office interfaces.

Progent's seasoned VoIP consultants can help you to maintain your legacy UC500 VoIP gateway or plan and carry out an efficient upgrade to a current VoIP solution such as Cisco's Business Edition 4000. How Progent Can Help You with Cisco IP Voice and IP Media Phones, CUCM, and Telepresence
Progent can provide remote or on-premises help from a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Collaboration expert to help you to plan, install, administer and troubleshoot converged communications environments built on Cisco Unified Communication products in an in-house, distributed, or hybrid environment. Progent's Cisco-certified consultants have in-depth backgrounds integrating Unified Communications Manager and Cisco CallManager, Voice over IP and video phones and other endpoints, UC applications such as Cisco Jabber and WebEx Meeting Center, Cisco's immersive telepresence technologies, collaboration gateways, utilities incorporated into Cisco Catalyst switches and routers. Progent can also provide expertise with technologies like Cisco SRST, Cisco Unified Border Element, H.323 gateways, CAC, IP voice trunks, various signaling protocols, and AVVID. Progent's SIP infrastructure consultants can in addition help you to create SIP infrastructure solutions that include SIP-based IP voice phones and media endpoints, SIP trunks, SIP conferencing and SIP administration tools via Cisco Unified CM.

Progent's custom application programmers can create specialized IP telephony software that will help your company to integrate the capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into your company operations for enhanced productivity. Progent can revue your existing network and Internet connectivity infrastructure to make sure your system is configured to support high-quality IP voice and high-definition video, assist you to select and install Cisco products that make sense for your present situation and future expansion strategy, and integrate your Cisco collaborative communications solution with technology from other suppliers. Progent's CISSP-ISSAP certified information security consultants can show you how to create, deploy, and test an enterprise-wide security and compliance strategy for your converged communications ecosystem. Also, Progent can help your organization to configure Cisco fault-tolerant technologies such as Cisco Unified SRST for cost-effective call control backup in branch office and home-office sites, and Progent's disaster recovery and business continuity preparedness consultants can help you develop a viable disaster recovery plan to ensure the availability of your business-critical communications environment.

Unified Communications Manager/CallManager Migration Consulting
Versions of Cisco Unified Communications Manager 8.6 earlier than 8.6 and all versions of CallManager have reached end-of-life. This means Cisco will cease to enhance, fix, or test the product software. Security patches for this pivotal product will stop, which in some situations may create regulatory compliance or potential liability issues.

Progent continues to offer world-class support services for end-of-life releases of Cisco Unified CM and CallManager, but if you are still running a legacy release of this essential software your organization should begin immediately to prepare for your upgrade. Progent's collaboration consultants can help your company to migrate smoothly to the latest version of Cisco Unified Communications Manager and can routinely save customers as much as 50% off consulting service costs compared to competing IT service companies thanks to Progent's documented procedures and experience in this practice area. By following best practices, Progent can ensure that your business gets a fast payback on your investment by showing you how to benefit fully from the new and improved feature set, lower administrative and support expense, more productive collaboration, and stronger security offered by the latest edition of Unified Communications Manager.

Progent's upgrade consulting services include return-on-investment assessment, project management or co-management, system testing and validation, Cloud connectivity, setting up endpoint devices from Cisco and third-party vendors, smartphone and tablet integration, data protection consulting, streamlined management, disaster recovery planning, network topology design, staff and user training, and continuing consulting and troubleshooting. Progent also offers fixed-priced migration service bundles to keep your costs predictable and affordable. To learn additional information concerning Progent's engineering help for Cisco technology, pick a topic:

• Overview of Cisco Network Support
• Timely Online Assistance from a CCIE Network Engineer
• Cisco Firepower Firewalls: Integration and Troubleshooting Expertise
• ASA 5500-X Series Firewall with Firepower Services: Setup and Troubleshooting Support
• Cisco ASA 5500 Firewalls Upgrade. Migration Support
• Cisco PIX 500 Series Firewall Consulting Services
• Cisco Routers Consulting Services
• Cisco Wireless Consulting Expertise
• Aironet Access Points Design Expertise
• Cisco Small Business 100, 300 and 500 WiFi APs Deployment Expertise
• Catalyst 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6/6E Access Points Planning, Deployment and Troubleshooting Support
• Cisco Wireless Controllers Consulting
• Cisco Meraki Wireless APs Design Help
• Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM or Unified CM) and Cisco CallManager Integration and Troubleshooting
• Cisco Jabber Migration and Support Services
• Catalyst Switches Deployment Expertise
• Nexus Switches Deployment Services
• Meraki Switches Consulting and Support Services
• Cisco VPN Integration Assistance
• SIP and CUBE Integration Solutions: SIP PSTN Trunks and Cisco CUBE Integration Expertise
• Cisco Duo MFA Two-factor Authentication (2FA) Services for Telecommuters
• Infrastructure Design for Cisco-based Datacenters
• Data Center Design Consulting for Internet Service Providers
• Unified Cloud-based and Hybrid Network Management Strategies for Cisco-based Infrastructure

To ask Progent about consulting support for Cisco networking, phone 1-800-993-9400 or see Contact Progent.