The Cisco Unified Communications system provides a portfolio of voice, video, mobility, and IP communications solutions designed to facilitate efficient and effective interaction between employees, partners, and customers, while providing the foundation for a collaborative workforce. By promoting greater levels of collaboration, these solutions can help organizations be more agile, exceed customer expectations, outpace their competitors, and realize a measurable return on investment.

Improve Business with Better Communications

New unified communications products and functionality further streamline business processes.

Voice for Small, Midsized and Large Businesses

Voice for Service Providers

Solution Components

There are five basic technology components of a Cisco Unified Communications system. Select the links below to learn more and view the related products.

IP Telephony products: Enable your organization to run voice, data, and video communications over a single, converged network. Includes call-processing software, telephones, and endpoint devices.
Unified Communications Applications: Include unified communications, messaging, mobility and conferencing products that integrate presence and preference information and desktop business tools.
Contact Center Applications: Include software with multi-channel contact-center and self-service capabilities.
Communications Infrastructure products: Include Cisco routers and switches that form a foundation for an integrated communications system.
Management Tools: Include software that actively monitors voice elements in the network.

1. IP Telephony Call Processing

Cisco provides call-processing software for organizations of all sizes and types to manage voice and video calls among IP phones, media processing devices, voice-over-IP (VoIP) gateways to the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and multimedia applications.

Product	Number of Users	Distributed or Centralized	Redundancy	Server or Router Based
Cisco Unified Communications Manager	Up to 30,000 per cluster	Centralized—up to 100 can be combined in a single system	Yes	Server
Cisco Unified Communications Manager Business Edition	Up to 500	Centralized	No (Cisco Unified Survivable Remote Site Telephony can be used locally to back up some of the Cisco Unified IP Phones)	Server
Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express	Up to 240, depending on selection of Cisco Integrated Services Router	Centralized for small businesses or distributed in branch offices	Yes	Router
Cisco Unified Survivable Remote Site Telephony	Up to 720, depending on selection of Cisco Integrated Services Router	Distributed in branch offices	Yes	Router

Telephones and Endpoints

Cisco Unified IP Phones lead the IP communications device market and provide a complete portfolio with ease of use, superior audio quality, increased accessibility for people with disabilities, ergonomic physical design, capability to add custom applications, and advanced services, and features. The portfolio includes options for uses from the company lobby to the manufacturing floor to the executive suite, at home, on the road, or in branch offices.

Product	Features
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7985G	Personal desktop video phone offering executives and managers instant, face-to-face communications Incorporates all the components required for video calls (camera, LCD screen, speaker, keypad, and handset) in one easy-to-use unit Integrated Ethernet switch and 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connection through an RJ-45 interface for LAN connectivity
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7971G-GE	First to provide unconstrained bandwidth to desktop applications Latest Gigabit Ethernet VoIP telephony technology Backlit, high-resolution, color touchscreen for easy access to communications information, XML applications, and features Integrated Ethernet switch and 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet connection via an RJ-45 interface for LAN connectivity Support for IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE) or a local power supply Standards-compliant SIP phone support
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7970G	Backlit, high-resolution, color touchscreen for easy access to communications information, XML applications, and features Access to eight telephone lines (or combination of lines and telephony features) High-quality speakerphone and built-in headset connection Integrated Ethernet switch and 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connection through an RJ-45 interface for LAN connectivity Support for both Cisco prestandard and IEEE 802.3af PoE Standards-compliant SIP phone support
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7961G-GE	Latest Gigabit Ethernet VoIP telephony technology Higher-resolution display supports advanced XML applications and double-byte characters/Unicode Supports IEEE 803.af PoE or local power supply Access to six phone lines (or combination of lines and telephony features) Integrated Ethernet switch and 10/100/100BASE-T Ethernet connection via an RJ-45 interface for LAN connectivity Standards-based Standards-compliant SIP phone support
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7961G	Higher-resolution display supports advanced XML applications and double-byte characters/Unicode Supports IEEE standard 802.3af inline power and Cisco legacy power Access to six phone lines (or combination of lines and telephony features) Integrated Ethernet switch 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connection through an RJ-45 interface for LAN connectivity. Standards-based Standards-compliant SIP phone support
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7960G	Meets the needs of users with a high amount of phone traffic in enclosed office environments Access to six telephone lines (or combination of lines and telephony features) Supports XML applications to the screen Integrated Ethernet switch and 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connection through an RJ-45 interface for LAN connectivity Standards-compliant SIP phone support
Cisco Unified IP Phone Expansion Module 7914	Provides 14 additional buttons and an LCD display to extend the capabilities of the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7960G, 7961G, 7961G-GE, 7970G, and 7971G-GE Buttons can be programmed as directory numbers, line keys, or speed-dial keys Up to two modules can be used on a single IP phone connection
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7941G-GE	Latest Gigabit Ethernet VoIP telephony technology Higher-resolution display supports advanced XML applications and double-byte characters/Unicode Supports IEEE 803.af PoE or local power supply Access to two phone lines (or combination of line access and telephony features) Integrated Ethernet switch and 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connection through an RJ-45 interface for LAN connectivity Standards-based Standards-compliant SIP phone support
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7941G	Higher-resolution display supports advanced XML applications and double-byte characters/Unicode Supports IEEE 803.af PoE or local power supply Access to two phone lines (or combination of line access and telephony features) Integrated Ethernet switch and 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet connection through an RJ-45 interface for LAN connectivity Standards-based Standards-compliant SIP phone support
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7940G	Addresses the needs of transaction workers who conduct a medium amount of telephone traffic in office cubicle environments Access to two telephone lines or one line and a telephony feature Supports XML applications to the screen Integrated Ethernet switch and 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connection through an RJ-45 interface for LAN connectivity Standards-compliant SIP phone support
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7931G	24 programmable line/feature buttons Four-way LEDs (red/green/amber/off) for indicating call/line state Dedicated Hold, Transfer, and Redial buttons 802.AF PoE only, no Cisco PoE Supported by Cisco Unified CallManager 4.0(2) in first release. Future support for Cisco Unified Communications Manager planned.
Cisco Unified Wireless IP Phone 7921G	IEEE 802.11a,b,and g standards Larger, 2-inch color display (176x220 TFT) Speakerphone capabilities New combination charger/speakerphone stand Application button that supports push-to-talk via XML Dedicated keys for mute and volume Longer battery life (100 hours standby time)
Cisco Unified Wireless IP Phone 7920	Supports the 802.11b protocol Roaming; security; extension-mobility support; services, configuration utility updates; user-profile and text-entry enhancements; QoS, and management throughout an end-to-end Cisco network Support for Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise and Cisco Unified Contact Center Express Delivers text and graphics messages on the screen using an XML format
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7911G	Single-line access and four interactive soft keys Supports XML applications to the screen Enhanced feature roadmap Integrated 10/100 Switch Ethernet connection through an RJ-45 interface for LAN connectivity IEEE 802.3af power; Cisco inline power Cisco Unified CallManager v. 4.1(3) security Manufacturing certificates Secure media/signaling Authenticated configuration SIP-ready with Cisco Unified CallManager 5.0 and Cisco Unified CallManager Express 3.4
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7912G	Single-line access and four interactive softkeys Supports XML applications to the screen Integrated Ethernet switch and 10/100BASE-T Ethernet connection through an RJ-45 interface for LAN connectivity Call hold indicator, message waiting indicator on the handset Prestandard PoE plus a local power option with a power cube Standards-compliant SIP phone support
Cisco Unified IP Phone 7906G	Single-line access and four interactive soft keys Supports XML applications to the screen. 10BASE-T Ethernet connection through an RJ-45 interface for LAN connectivity Choice of IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE), Cisco inline power, or local power through an optional power adaptor Call hold indicator, message-waiting indicator on the handset Standards-Compliant SIP Phone Support
Accessories
Cisco Unified IP Conference Station 7936	Addresses the needs of a small to midsize conference room or office Regular telephony keypad plus three soft keys and menu navigation keys to guide users through call features and functions Backlit, pixel-based LCD display
Cisco IP Communicator	Software-based application that delivers enhanced telephony support through PCs Provides functionality of Cisco Unified IP Phone 7970G: Access to eight telephone lines (or a combination of lines and telephony features) Supports XML applications to screen Provides high-quality calls and connections to company services while on the road, in the office, or any place you can access the corporate network
Cisco Unified Video Advantage	A video telephony solution comprising the software application and a USB camera Brings video telephony functionality to Cisco Unified IP Phones Attached to a PC and used with a Cisco Unified IP Phone, enables you to place and receive video calls on your enterprise IP telephony network using a familiar phone interface
Cisco ATA 180 Series Analog Telephone Adaptors	Cost-effective, handset-to-Ethernet adaptors that enable analog devices support VoIP services Supports devices such as analog phones, teletypewriter (TTY) machines, fax machines (fax pass-through support), and audio conference telephones
Cisco VG248 Analog Phone Gateway	A high-density gateway for using analog phones, fax machines, modems, voicemail systems, and speakerphones within a Cisco Unified Communications Manager enterprise voice system Offers 48 full-featured analog phone lines to be used as extensions to the Cisco Unified Communications system
GSM/802.11 IP Phones	Fixed-mobile converged IP solution featuring Nokia dual-mode business devices and Cisco wired and wireless IP infrastructure Nokia handset will have a built-in Skinny Client Control Protocol (SCCP) and GSM cellular radio that communicates directly with Cisco Unified CallManager 4.x and 5.x via SCCP as an integrated IP phone device
Cisco Unified CallConnector Mobility	Works with Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express 4.0 to deliver single number reach capabilities Allows users to redirect incoming calls to two different designated client devices Call routing rules can be personalized using the Cisco Unified CallConnector toolbar
Cisco Unified Mobility	Works with Cisco Unified Communications Manager to deliver single number reach Associates desktop IP phone number with up to four remote phone destinations
Cisco Unified Mobile Communicator	Extends unified communications experience and services to mobile devices Provides ability to dial contacts through Cisco Unified Communications Manager Provides ability to view presence indication and access enterprise directories from mobile device
Cisco Unified Phone Application Suite	Suite of productivity applications Enables personalization of Cisco Unified IP Phone 7906G, 7911G, 7931G, 7941G, 7961G, 7970G, and 7971G-GE Access through either service URL associated with a line button or through the existing services button on the phone Allows users to create personal ring tones and wallpaper

2. Unified Communications Applications / Unified Communications Clients

Cisco offers a wide array of unified communications clients, ranging from advanced soft-phone functions with Cisco IP Communicator to Cisco Unified Video Advantage, which provides a multimedia interface for video telephony communications. Cisco Unified Personal Communicator provides an integrated communications experience with powerful productivity tools such as presence (availability), instant messaging, conferencing, and Web collaboration, in addition to basic soft-phone and video telephony capabilities. For Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express environments, the Cisco Unified CallConnector for Microsoft Office delivers easy-to-use call control and presence features using toolbars in common applications.

Product	Integration with Cisco Call Processing	Personal Computer Operating System Support	Also Required to Deploy
Cisco IP Communicator	Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express Cisco Unified Communications Manager	Windows only
Cisco Unified Video Advantage	Cisco Unified Commmunications Manager Express Cisco Unified Communications Manager	Windows only	Cisco VT Camera, Cisco Unified IP Phone or Cisco IP Communicator
Cisco Unified Personal Communicator	Cisco Unified CallManager v5.0	Windows or Macintosh	Cisco VT Camera, Cisco Unified IP Phone, Cisco Unified Presence
Cisco Unified CallConnector for Microsoft Office	Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express v4.0	Windows XP

Cisco Unified Application Environment

Cisco supports the capability to develop and manage custom applications. The Cisco Unified Application Environment allows development of innovative applications that help organizations integrate the telephony capabilities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager into business processes for increased productivity. Cisco Unified Application Environment uses a simplified interface that makes developing applications intuitive for developers and reduces the need for specialized knowledge of telephony protocols.

Messaging

The Cisco Unity products bring unified messaging solutions that help improve communications, productivity, and customer-service capabilities throughout any size organization. The Cisco Unity portfolio provides three options that integrate with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express call-processing products. The products also provide various levels of integration with e-mail and voicemail systems and call-processing products from other vendors.

Product	Number of Users	E-mail Integration	Redundancy	Speech Recognition
Cisco Unity Express	Up to 250	Integrated	No	None
Cisco Unity Unified Messaging	7500 per server, networked to 250,000	Integrated or Unified (Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, or Novell GroupWise)	Yes	Yes
Cisco Unity Connection	Up to 3000	Integrated	No	Yes

Conferencing

Cisco multimedia conferencing solutions integrate voice, video, and Web conferencing capabilities to make remote meetings as natural and effective as face-to-face meetings.

Product	Number of Concurrent Users	Connectivity	Video Collaboration	Meeting Setup Options
Cisco Unified MeetingPlace	960 on IP; 1152 over time-division multiplexing (TDM) 1152 Web conferencing 1152 video conferencing	TDM or IP	Yes	Web, Cisco Unified IP Phones, telephone user interface, Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes, instant messaging clients
Cisco Unified MeetingPlace Express	20 to 200 voice conferencing 6-120 Web conferencing	IP only (TDM with gateway)	Yes, Cisco Unified MeetingPlace Express VT 1.2	Web, Cisco Unified IP Phones, telephone user interface, Cisco Unified Personal Communicator
Cisco Unified MeetingPlace Express VT	40	IP only	Yes (Yes (initiated from SCCP endpoints and Cisco Unified Personal Communicator)	Ad hoc and conference control interface
Cisco Unified Videoconferencing	A single multipoint control unit (MCU) can support up to 96 audio and 72 video ports; also supports autocascading of multiple MCUs for greater scalability	IP, ISDN	Yes	Ad hoc and conference control interface
Cisco TelePresence 3000	Supports up to 6 participants at each side of the table	IP, SIP	Supports 1080p and 720p high-definition images on 65-inch plasma displays; can interoperate with standards-based video systems, initially with Cisco Unified Conferencing for TelePresence and then natively for HD-based systems (second half CY2007)	Web, Cisco Unified IP Phone
Cisco Telepresence 1000	Supports up to 2 participants at each side of the table	IP, SIP	Supports 1080p and 720p high-definition images on 65-inch plasma displays; can interoperate with standards-based video systems, initially with Cisco Unified Conferencing for TelePresence and then natively for HD-based systems (second half CY2007)	Web, Cisco Unified IP Phone
Cisco Unified Conferencing for TelePresence	36 or more simultaneous Cisco TelePresence screens; mix of Cisco TelePresence 3000 and 1000 supported; 48 audio-only attendees	IP, SIP, H.323 (audio)	Supports 1080p and 720p high-definition images on 65-inch plasma displays; Cisco Unified Conferencing for TelePresence will provide future with standards-based video systems in a future release.	Microsoft Outlook calendar, Web browser, Unified IP Phone
Cisco TelePresence Multipoint Switch	36 or more simultaneous Cisco TelePresence screens; mix of Cisco TelePresence 3000 and 1000 supported	IP, SIP	Supports 1080p and 720p high-definition images on 65-inch plasma displays; can interoperate with standards-based video systems, initially with Cisco Unified Conferencing for TelePresence and then natively for HD-based systems (second half CY2007)	Web, Cisco Unified IP Phone

3. Contact Center Applications

Cisco Unified Contact Center products enable highly available and sophisticated customer interaction management, including skills-based routing, voice self-service, computer telephony integration (CTI), and multichannel contact management over an IP infrastructure.

Product

Number of Agents

Multisite support

TDM Integration

Redundancy

Cisco Unified Contact Center Express

Up to 300

Yes

Yes (through Cisco Unified Contact Center gateway PG and Cisco Unified Intelligent Contact Management)

Yes in 4.0 (0) and 4.1 (0)

No in 4.5(0)

Yes in 5.0(0)

Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise

Up to 6000 per instance. Multiple instances can be deployed.

Yes

Cisco Unified Contact Center Hosted

Unlimited

Yes

Additional offerings that enable multichannel, multisite contact center solutions integrated with traditional ACD systems:

Product	Features
Cisco Unified Intelligent Contact Management Enterprise	Call-routing and computer telephony integration (CTI) solution for legacy automatic call distribution (ACD) systems Based on real-time feeds from ACDs with status of agents and queues at each site, makes intelligent routing decisions while the call is still in the public switched telephone network (PSTN)
Cisco Unified IP IVR	Provides an open, extensible, and full-featured foundation for the creation and delivery of interactive voice response (IVR) applications.
Cisco Unified Customer Voice Portal	Automated voice XML-based speech self-service solution that works with the assisted-service Cisco Unified Contact Center products
Cisco Unified Customer Interaction Analyzer	Interprets all contact-center interactions, including emoticons Provides new levels of reporting customer information Uses data to provide more targeted ways to recruit, train, and coach employees while measuring their performance

4. Communications Infrastructure

Routers and switches comprise the basic infrastructure elements of the Intelligent Information Network. When choosing a router, consider the number of phones, which call-processing solution you select, and the other functions the router will perform. When selecting a switch, Power over Ethernet (POE) removes the need for each phone to have an external power source.

Cisco Integrated Services Routers	Cisco Switches with Power Over Ethernet
Cisco 1800 Series	Cisco Catalyst 3560 Series
Cisco 2800 Series	Cisco Catalyst 3750 Series
Cisco 3800 Series	Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series
Cisco 7200 Series	Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series
	Cisco Catalyst Express 500 (PoE optional)

5. Management Tools

The Cisco Unified Communications Management Suite allows businesses to actively monitor their Cisco Unified Communications solution to discover potential problems, maintain quality and user satisfaction, and help minimize service downtime.

Product	Function	Number of Users	Voice or Data
Cisco Unified Operations Manager	Monitor and diagnose problems, test and track changes and inventory	1000 to 30,000	Voice and data
Cisco Unified Service Monitor	Track and report on user experience	1000 to 30,000	Voice
Cisco Unified Provisioning Manager	Deploy, provision, and manage moves, additions, and changes	1000 to 30,000	Voice
Cisco Unified Service Statistics Manager	Generate executive and operations reports and capacity-planning reports	1000 to 30,000	Voice
Cisco netManager - Unified Communications	Provides monitoring, reporting, and status	250 to 1,000	Voice and Data
Cisco Monitor Manager	Self-managed real-time monitoring, alerting, reporting	5 to 250	Voice and Data
Cisco Monitor Director	Managed service product for real-time monitoring, alerting, reporting	5 to 250	Voice and Data