Cisco Smart Business Communications System Overview
Q. What is the Cisco Smart Business Communications System?
A. For small businesses that are looking to reach, serve, and retain customers, Cisco has introduced the Smart Business Communications System. This affordable, complete system extends voice, data, video, and wireless networking to small and medium offices. It makes anytime, anywhere secure access to information possible, enabling more effective, efficient ways of communicating with customers and employees. This purpose-built business communications solution is easy to deploy and use, while allowing for business growth. Award-winning support and easy financing, delivered through local partners, complements the solution.
Q. What Cisco hardware platforms are included in the Cisco Smart Business Communications System?
A. The Cisco Smart Business Communications System portfolio includes the following:
• The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series appliances include robust voice and messaging features, PSTN and Internet connectivity, integrated network security, and an optional integrated WLAN access point
• The Cisco Catalyst® Express 520 Series Switches are fixed-configuration, Layer 2 managed Ethernet switches with wire-speed Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, integrated security, and quality-of-service (QoS) and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) features to support advanced IP Communications and wireless LAN applications.
• The Cisco Mobility Express Solution with the Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point and the Cisco 526 Wireless Express Mobility Controller enable scalable wireless coverage, centralized management, and business-class security and mobility services.
• Cisco Unified IP phones: The full Cisco Unified IP Phone portfolio is supported, including the Cisco Unified IP Communicator and wireless IP phones. Customers can choose the appropriate models based on functional requirements.
Q. What is new in Cisco Smart Business Communications System Release 1.1?
In Release 1.1 of the Cisco Smart Business Communications System the following new platforms, features, and software updates and applications will be available. Product hardware availability timeframes through Cisco channels are based on the time Cisco begins shipping the product and the time it takes distribution to stock products in inventory in the various global regions.
Hardware
• New Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series models supporting 32 and 48 users-shipping targeted for September 2007
• Support for Channelized T1/E1 interface on all Cisco Unified Communication 500 Series Models (fixed option on the 48 user model, interface card for the expansion slot in the 32, 16, and 8 user models)-support targeted for September 2007
• Four new Cisco Catalyst Express 520 switch models, with up to 24 Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports,and a new 24 port Gigabit Ethernet model- shipping targeted for September 2007
Software Enhancements
Cisco Unified CallConnector Server for Presence functionality with Single-Number Reach features (targeted for availability in October 2007)
Customizable Guest Access Web Portal in the Cisco 526 Wireless Express Mobility Controller, with Cisco Configuration Assistant to simplify configuration (targeted availability in October 2007)
• Software migration tool in Cisco Configuration Assistant to enable standalone Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point upgrades to controller-based mode (targeted availability in October 2007)
• Cisco Configuration Assistant will have two updates, one in September and one in October. Release 1.1 (September posting on Cisco.com) will include localization of Cisco Configuration Assistant in eight languages (French, Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, English, and Russian) and support for the full line of new Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series and Catalyst Express 520 Series models. Cisco Configuration Assistant Release 1.5 adds voice configuration features, troubleshooting enhancements, and ease-of-use enhancements. Availability from Cisco.com is planned for October 2007.
• Monitoring of third-party devices such as printers or servers with Cisco Monitor Manager /Director and increased support of up to 100 customer networks. Availability from Cisco.com is planned for October 2007.
Third-Party Applications
• Skype Gateway functionality (through third-party applications from Stonevoice)-targeted for October 2007
• Support for Dual-mode cellular/802.11 phone from Nokia planned for October 2007
Q. Can customers deploy Cisco Smart Business Communications System LAN Switching and Cisco Mobility Express Products without the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series?
A. Customers can purchase and deploy Cisco CE520 LAN switches or the Cisco Mobility Express solution as data and mobility solutions of the Cisco Smart Business Communication System without or prior to deploying a Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series.
Unified Communications
Q. What Cisco Unified Communications applications are included with the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series?
A. It includes call processing with Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express (CME) Version 4.2. Integrated messaging, voicemail, and Automated Attendant functionality with Cisco Unity® Express Version 2.3.4 and all necessary licensing required to deploy a typical 8-, 16-, 32-, or 48-user system are included in the price of the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series.
Additional Communications and Productivity Applications
Q. Can other Cisco Unified Communications applications be supported with the Cisco Smart Business Communications System?
A. Yes, customers and partners can optionally choose to include additional Cisco applications such as the Cisco Unified CallConnector for Windows application suite or Arc Express Operator Console (a Solutions Plus offer).
Q. Can third-party applications be used with the Cisco Smart Business Communications System?
A. Yes, applications such as the Cisco Unified CallConnectors for Microsoft Dynamics and Salesforce.com can be used as business productivity tools. Additionally Cisco is working with third-party application partners to provide productivity and business operations applications that can run on the system. The first such offering is a suite of business operations applications from IPcelerate called IPcelerate Smartsuite. In Cisco SBCS 1.1, the SkyStone Skype gateway will be included to provide integrated telephony services from Cisco SBCS to the Skype Internet VoIP facilities. These offerings will initially be available in North America and eventually in other regions. These will be sold through those distributors who carry these products for the manufacturer.
Q. What types of applications does IPcelerate provide?
A. IPcelerate offers a suite of business operations applications, IPSmartSuite, that turn the phone into more than just a voice device, allowing users to run applications on the phone for purposes such as clocking in and clocking out for a work shift, updating waiting room status, and transmitting employee alerts. IPcelerate will offer a standard small-office set of applications along with applications that are initially vertically focused toward healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and legal markets.
Q. What functionality does the Cisco Unified CallConnector application suite provide?
A. Cisco Unified CallConnector applications include Cisco Unified CallConnector for Windows and Cisco Unified CallConnector for CRM and Salesforce.com.
The Cisco Unified CallConnector for Windows client provides desktop integration with telephony functions, such as "click to dial," simplified directory lookup, and incoming call "screen pops." The Cisco Unified CallConnector for Windows server supports presence and instant messaging within the Cisco SBCS deployment, and, in the future, will support instant messaging federation with Yahoo! and other external IM services in future updates. In Cisco SBCS 1.1, Single Number Reach functionality will be provided in an add-on module to UCC for Windows, referred to as UCC-Mobility.
The Cisco Unified CallConnector for Windows client provides desktop integration with telephony functions, such as "click to dial," simplified directory lookup, and incoming call "screen pops." The Cisco Unified CallConnector for Windows server supports presence and instant messaging within the Cisco SBCS deployment, and, in the future, will support instant messaging federation with Yahoo! and other external IM services in future updates. In Cisco SBCS 1.1, Single Number Reach functionality will be provided in an add-on module to UCC for Windows, referred to as UCC-Mobility.
System Configuration and Management
Q. What system configuration and management tools are available?
A. Cisco Smart Business Communications System provides new system configuration and management tools that can be used across all SBCS solutions to increase partner efficiency and profitability, improve customer relationships, and help create new partner service offerings. The tools include:
• Cisco Configuration Assistant: Provides a singe, intuitive configuration GUI for all SBCS platforms and applications.
• Cisco Monitor Manager and Cisco Monitor Director: Provide monitoring and reporting tools for partners to proactively support their customer networks.
(Note: Cisco Smart Assist is not a product but embedded features in Cisco Configuration Assistant. It helps enable plug-and-play functionality to reduce setup time and help optimize network settings.)
Q. What Cisco Smart Assist features are available?
A. Cisco Smart Assist features are embedded in the Cisco Configuration Assistant and help reduce the time it takes to set up the devices and applications in the network by enabling plug-and-play functionality. The features can also be used to help optimize network settings. Some initial Cisco Smart Assist features include:
• Default configurations to allow auto discovery of supported devices
• Private branch exchange (PBX) configuration on the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series
• Firewall activated with a default configuration
• Automatic assignment of phone extensions
• Password and VLAN synchronization for supported system devices
Q. What is the Cisco Configuration Assistant?
A. The Cisco Configuration Assistant is a new PC-based GUI that supports "day zero" to "day two" configuration of the SBCS platforms. With it the system administrator can configure all the integrated Cisco Unified Communications applications, along with Internet connectivity, firewall and VPN security, switching and routing, and wireless LANs. The Cisco Configuration Assistant also features an interactive topology, front panel views, and drag-and-drop Cisco IOS® Software upgrades. The following languages will be supported in late 2007: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.
Q. What are the Cisco Monitor Manager and Cisco Monitor Director?
A. The Cisco Monitor Manager and Cisco Monitor Director work together to give Cisco partners tools to monitor customer networks and obtain reports for their customers. The Cisco Monitor Manager, which runs on a PC at the customer site, pulls performance data from Cisco devices and applications and can also monitor third-party devices. The Cisco Monitor Director runs on a PC at the partner site and gathers data from the customer sites to provide a network view, alerts, and reports for multiple customers. Together these tools offer proactive monitoring and reporting, enabling Cisco partners to offer value-added monthly monitoring services to their customers. The Cisco Monitor Director can be used to monitor up to 100 SMB customers.
LAN Switching
Q. What are the Cisco Catalyst Express 520 Series Switches?
A. Cisco Catalyst Express 520 Series Switches are a family of fixed-configuration, Layer 2 managed Ethernet switches that provide the reliability, scalability, and rich feature set businesses need in a cost-effective, easy-to-manage platform. These switches provide Series provide wire-speed Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, integrated security, QoS and PoE features to support essential business applications and voice, security, and wireless networking solutions with a single, comprehensive solution.
Security
Q. What security functionality is available for the Cisco Smart Business Communications System?
A. Built-in security features are supported throughout the SBCS portfolio. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series has integrated firewall functionality and supports IP Security (IPsec) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) VPNs. This provides a one-box solution for both telephony and highly secure data access. Cisco Mobility Express, the wireless component of Cisco SBCS, also provides secure wireless access with a wide range of authentication and encryption algorithms including the ability to support secure wireless guest access and authentication. In subsequent phases additional security solutions will be offered as part of the Cisco Smart Business Communications System.
Q. How do the security features compare with other Cisco security products?
A. All elements of the Cisco Smart Business Communications System are designed specifically for SMBs. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series, for example, includes integrated firewall and VPN functionality for secure Internet connectivity and remote access. Cisco Mobility Express incorporates the latest Wi-Fi standards and identity-based authentication options to support advanced mobility services such as secure guest access. Customers looking for advanced security functionality could utilize a Cisco integrated services router, which provides additional WAN connectivity options, or the Cisco ASA 5505 Adaptive Security Appliance, which provides added threat prevention with application inspection and IPS functionality.
Q. Which deployment scenarios would use the VPN capabilities?
A. VPN capabilities can be used to connect a teleworker using a Cisco 871 Integrated Services Router and an IP phone for secure data and voice access. A Cisco IP Communicator softphone and a VPN client can also be used to connect employees to their business applications while they are away from the office. For a small business with a few locations, VPN capabilities could connect the small remote offices with the main site of the business. While the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series has support for VPNs, it does not have all the enterprise branch office features found in Cisco integrated services routers such as Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST); therefore partners should consider which solution best meets their customer requirements. Additionally, employees who travel or need to connect remotely can use VPNs to connect a laptop back to the main office to access resources.
Wireless Mobility Offering
Q. How does the Cisco Smart Business Communications System provide wireless mobility?
A. Cisco Mobility Express is a business-class wireless solution that delivers the security, scalability, ease of management and feature rich mobility services SMBs require. Mobility Express provides the flexibility to easily evolve and scale from a solid mobile foundation delivering basic business-grade wireless features with Cisco Wireless Express Access points to an advanced controller based solution that can be centrally managed and easily configured with the Cisco Configuration Assistant and Cisco Wireless Express Mobility Controller.
Based on the office size, number of users, and type of applications being used customers may choose to deploy the following wireless options:
Based on the office size, number of users, and type of applications being used customers may choose to deploy the following wireless options:
• The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series has an option for an integrated access point to provide basic WLAN coverage in a small office space. This integrated access point is capable of wireless voice and data in a very small office that gets sufficient coverage from one integrated access point. If additional coverage is required, up to two external Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Points can be added with the integrated access point in the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series.
• As part of the Cisco Mobility Express Solution, customers can choose to deploy a standalone wireless architecture. Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Points can be deployed independently of the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series. Customers can deploy up to three standalone access points with the flexibility to extend wireless coverage where needed. The Cisco Configuration Assistant can be used to configure the Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Points.
• For wireless networks requiring more than three access points, Cisco offers the controller-based architecture of the Cisco Mobility Express Solution. In this architecture, the Cisco 526 Wireless Express Mobility Controller can be deployed with Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Points in controller-based mode to provide advanced wireless features. The Mobility Controller can support up to six access points and there can be up to two controllers per network. This configuration supports secure guest access, voice over wireless LAN with fast secure roaming, as well as Radio Resource Management in which the controller constantly adjusts the radio settings of the access points to help ensure optimum coverage and bandwidth.
All scenarios use the Cisco Configuration Assistant to manage the components of the Cisco Smart Business Communications System mobility offering.
IP Phone Support
Q. What Cisco Unified IP phones are supported?
A. All Cisco Unified IP phones can be used as part of the Cisco Smart Business Communications System. This includes desktop models as well as the software-based Cisco IP Communicator.
Q. Which Cisco phones are likely to be used for typical Smart Business Communications System deployments?
A. The following phones will be common choices for small business customers:
• Cisco Unified IP Phone 7906G: Entry price point and functionality for PBX configurations
• Cisco Unified IP Phone 7911G: Entry price point for low to moderate telephone traffic
• Cisco Unified IP Phone 7931G: Entry phone for Key System configurations
• Cisco Unified IP Phone 7960G/7961G: A more advanced phone with larger screen for XML applications and more soft buttons for lines or speed dials
• Cisco Unified IP Phone 7970G: Recommended when running IPcelerate or other third-party applications because the color and touch screens enhance the user interface
Q. Can I use third-party SIP phones?
A. The Cisco Smart Business Communication System is capable of working with third-party phones; however third-party phones have not yet gone through proper testing for official support.
Q. Can I use analog phones?
A. Yes, the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series includes four FXS ports that can be used for fax machines or analog phones. An expansion slot can be used to expand this to eight analog station ports.
Q. Can I use a Cisco Analog Telephone Adapter to support additional analog phones?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I use voice over WLAN phones, such as the Cisco Unified Wireless IP Phone 7921 or the Nokia Eseries dual-mode phones?
A. Yes. Both the Cisco 7921 and the Nokia Eseries dual-mode phone models E61, E61i, and E65 are already supported for use with the Nokia Intellisync SCCP client with Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express under the Cisco model number NOK-SCCP-CME-01. For the SBCS solution, this client will be available under the Cisco model number NOK-SCCP-CME-05 in Q3 2008.
Timelines
Q. When was the Cisco Smart Business Communications System announced?
A. The Cisco Smart Business Communications System was officially announced at the Cisco Partner Summit in April 2007.
Q. When are the products available?
A. There will be multiple phases in announcing and releasing Cisco Smart Business Communications System products.
The first product releases were orderable in May of 2007 and first customer shipments (FCS) began in June 2007. This included the 8- and 16-user models of the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series, the Cisco Catalyst Express 520 Switch, the Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point and the Cisco 526 Mobility Express Controller. The Cisco Configuration Assistant and the Cisco Monitor Manager and Cisco Monitor Director will also be available at FCS.
The second release of products will be in Q3 2007. See the question and answer at the top of this document for specific dates on individual components.
The first product releases were orderable in May of 2007 and first customer shipments (FCS) began in June 2007. This included the 8- and 16-user models of the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series, the Cisco Catalyst Express 520 Switch, the Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point and the Cisco 526 Mobility Express Controller. The Cisco Configuration Assistant and the Cisco Monitor Manager and Cisco Monitor Director will also be available at FCS.
The second release of products will be in Q3 2007. See the question and answer at the top of this document for specific dates on individual components.
Target Markets
Q. What is the target market for the Cisco Smart Business Communications System?
A. The initial release of the Cisco Smart Business Communications System is targeted toward SMBs. With the latest release, the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series will support up to 50 phones per location while the Catalyst Express 520 Series and Cisco Mobility Express solution can support up to 250 data users.
Q. How does Cisco define the SMB market?
A. Cisco defines SMBs as businesses with fewer than 250 employees. The SMB market comprises small offices or home offices (SOHOs), small businesses, and medium-sized businesses in all industries, with differing views on the relevance of IT. As such, the criteria for purchasing decisions and buying behavior vary greatly in this segment.
Q. I've heard that the Cisco Smart Business Communications System solution only supports up to 48 users. Is this true?
A. The Smart Business Communications System is designed and ideally suited for SMBs.. While the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series supports up to 50 phones per location, the Cisco CE520 Switches and Cisco Mobility Express Solution can support up to 250 users.
Q. Will the Cisco Smart Business Communications System be available globally?
A. Yes; the Cisco Smart Business Communications System is a global offering with localization efforts in the Cisco Unified Communications applications on the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series for Small Business (voicemail and phones) as well as on the Cisco Configuration Assistant.
Q. Which Cisco partners will sell the Cisco Smart Business Communications System?
A. There are three categories of partners. One is existing Cisco partners that are currently certified to sell Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express. They now have an easy-to-sell and -deploy solution for SMB customers. The second are new partners that have previously sold traditional Key Systems and low-end PBX systems. They will now have an offering from Cisco for SMB customers. A new certification and training process will be developed for these new VARs that previously have not sold Cisco IP telephony or data networking. The third partner category is service providers. They will use the Cisco Smart Business Communications System as customer premises equipment (CPE) and use a managed SIP trunk for voice and data access.
Q. Can Cisco or its partners sell this set of products to the small office of an enterprise customer?
A. The Cisco Smart Business Communications System is designed for the SMB and is an ideal solution for the customer who has a few sites. It is recommended that the Cisco field and partners lead enterprise customers down the Cisco integrated services router (ISR) path for routing and voice (Cisco Unified CME, SRST, and Cisco Unity Express); the Cisco Catalyst 3560 or 3750 Series path for switching; and for wireless, the Cisco Unified Wireless solutions including the Cisco Aironet® Access Points, Wireless LAN Controllers, and Wireless LAN Control System (WCS).
Service and Support
Q. What Cisco support services are available for the Cisco Smart Business Communications System?
A. Cisco SMARTnet® support will be provided for all products in the SBCS portfolio.
Q. Is the Cisco Smart Business Communications System covered by a single Cisco SMARTnet service contract?
A. Most of the Cisco Smart Business Communications System will be covered by a single Cisco SMARTnet service contract, which will be attached at the initial point of sales. Cisco SMARTnet service can be purchased for any devices not covered. To simplify the experience for the customer and partner, it is expected that the Cisco SMARTnet service contracts for all devices in a customer's Smart Business Communications System could be combined into a single unified Cisco SMARTnet contract
Q. If Cisco Smart Business Communications System products are added in the future, will they be covered by Cisco SMARTnet support?
A. Yes. When Smart Business Communications System products are added, partners can extend the customer's Cisco SMARTnet coverage through utilization of the Service Contract Center (SCC) tool. This tool makes it simple to extend Cisco SMARTnet service to the entire system as new capabilities or capacity is added to the customer's Cisco Smart Business Communications System.
Q. What does Cisco SMARTnet support provide?
A. Cisco SMARTnet support gives businesses and IT staff direct, anytime access to Cisco engineers and experts and award-winning online service tools to help ensure the fast, expert response and accountability required to resolve mission-critical network issues. Cisco SMARTnet support provides:
• 24-hour global access to the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC)
• Access to the Cisco.com extensive knowledgebase and productivity tools
• Next-business-day advance, hardware replacement (premium options available for business-critical devices, such as under-two-hour replacement and installation and configuration service)
• Ongoing operating system software updates and upgrades
• Major Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express and Cisco Unity Express Software updates in protocol, security, bandwidth, and feature improvements
Q. Can offering Cisco SMARTnet service on a Cisco Smart Business Communications System help partners increase their profit potential?
A. Yes. Cisco SMARTnet pricing for Smart Business Communications System is very competitive, and partners can offer value-add services in conjunction with Cisco SMARTnet support that will elevate their profitability potential with the Smart Business Communications System solution.
Q. Does the new Cisco Smart Care Service work with Cisco Smart Business Communications System?
A. Not at this time. Cisco Smart Care Service is an innovative new service offered by Cisco certified partners that combines network-wide technical support with proactive network monitoring, assessments, and remote repairs to deliver comprehensive network care and continuous improvement. While Smart Care Service does not currently support the Cisco Smart Business Communications System, we expect that it will in the future.
Q. What type of product warranty do the products offer?
A. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series, Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point, and Cisco 526 Wireless Express Mobility Controller all provide at least a one-year limited warranty. The Cisco Catalyst Express 520 Switch is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Competitive Differentiation
Q. Who are the main competitors for the Cisco Smart Business Communications System?
A. Key competitors are IP-enabled PBX/ Key Systems including:
• Avaya (IP Office)
• Nortel (BCM 50)
• Mitel
• ShoreTel
Q. What are the differentiators for Cisco in this space?
A. The Cisco Smart Business Communications System provides a unique, comprehensive business communications solution with tightly coupled voice, data, video, LAN switching, network security, wireless mobility, and system management that other vendors can not provide. Other vendors provide only a phone system, and integration of the phone system into the data network is limited. The ability to migrate customers to the full line of Cisco products is also a key differentiator unlike the limits customers face with other vendors. In addition, the integration of business productivity applications by Cisco and select third-party vendors will use the infrastructure solution provided by the Cisco Smart Business Communication System. The industry-leading Cisco Unified Communications applications and hardware, including the full line of Cisco IP phones, are now available to small businesses.
Q. How does Smart Business Communications System compare with Microsoft's Response Point offering?
A. There are very few details available but it appears Microsoft is enabling other partners to build solutions using the Response Point software from Microsoft (similar to Windows Mobile). We are uncertain about features, call handling, maturity of the software, etc. However we believe that the partners (such as Uniden, DLINK, and Quanta) will sell this from store shelves like we do our LVS product line from Linksys. It is primarily designed for "do-it-yourself" deployments.
The Smart Business Communications System is designed to be a VAR/service provider-led solution where the SMBs want the service/solution provided for them and they can depend on one system for all their communications needs. It also provides small businesses with a migration path as they grow and require more advanced services and functionality.
The Smart Business Communications System is designed to be a VAR/service provider-led solution where the SMBs want the service/solution provided for them and they can depend on one system for all their communications needs. It also provides small businesses with a migration path as they grow and require more advanced services and functionality.
Migration Options
Q. If a business grows beyond a system hardware limitation, such as growing beyond the 48 user Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series. What options does the business have to protect its investment?
A. Customer will be able to continue use many of the components of the Cisco Smart Business Communications System including, for example, all the Cisco phones, Cisco CE520 switches, and Cisco Mobility Express solution.. Access to the Technology Migration program will allow customers to trade up to higher-density solutions such as Cisco ISRs.
Q. If the customer wants to start with an 8-user Cisco Unified Communications model but could grow beyond that, how would it move to a 16-user model?
A. Customers that anticipate supporting more than 8 users should start with a 16-user model(s) of the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series and add the Catalyst Express 520 Switch when needed to expand LAN switching capacity to add more IP phones.
Q. If a customer needs more than a 16-user Cisco Unified Communications 500 series, what is the best option?
A. The 32- and 48-user versions of the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series will be available in Q3 2007. When available, customers anticipating growth beyond 16 users should choose the models with a higher number of voice users supported. Until then, Cisco ISRs and Cisco Catalyst switches provide scalable options for a higher number of voice users and higher number of PoE ports.
Q. How else can customers expand the system?
A. The Smart Business Communications System is expandable and can grow in several ways beyond LAN switching expansion:
• Customers who don't initially start with the Smart Business Communications System integrated wireless mobility offering can easily add the new Cisco Mobility Express wireless products to build a best-in-class wireless LAN for advanced mobility services for businesses with up to 250 employees.
• Customers can continue to add additional Cisco Unified Communications applications to the system. For example, if a customer did not initially include Cisco Unified CallConnectors, these applications can be added in the future for additional functionality.
Positioning with Linksys
Q. How does the Smart Business Communications System announcement change our plans for Linksys® and Linksys One?
A. Cisco will continue to offer a broad portfolio of products and solutions that deliver basic to enhanced business-class features to address the SMB customer segment. Cisco will also continue to invest in the broader SMB portfolio, in addition to the Linksys and Linksys One portfolios as a testament to our focus and belief in the SMB opportunity.
The total addressable market (TAM) for SMB is considered to be substantial at over $10 billion worldwide and growing at more than 9 percent annually. Cisco currently has less than 20 percent market share. Cisco views the SMB and commercial markets as a strategic growth opportunity.
The total addressable market (TAM) for SMB is considered to be substantial at over $10 billion worldwide and growing at more than 9 percent annually. Cisco currently has less than 20 percent market share. Cisco views the SMB and commercial markets as a strategic growth opportunity.
Positioning the Cisco Smart Business Communications System with the Cisco SMB Portfolio
Q. Where does the Cisco Smart Business Communications System fit within the Cisco SMB product portfolio?
A. The Cisco Smart Business Communications System is targeted at SMBs that need a simple, secure, and complete business communications system. Many Cisco routers, switches, and wireless access points are already ideal SMB products and will continue to be available to those partners and customers that need them.
Ordering and Pricing
Q. When will the Cisco Smart Business Communications System products be available?
A. The products have been orderable since May 2007 and shipping since June 2007. In Q3 2007, the system will expand with products (see the Q&A at the beginning of this document for information on added models and updates.
Q. What is the approximate price of the Cisco Smart Business Communications System?
A. From a Unified Communication view, the list price per user including an entry-level phone will start at US$699 which includes hardware, software and applicable licenses.
Q. Are there any bundles available?
A. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series bundles all the voice hardware, along with all the Cisco Communications Manager Express and Cisco Unity Express software and all of the relevant licensing into single SKUs, helping make this it extremely easy to order and deploy.
Q. Are phones covered by Cisco Smartnet support?
A. The phones can be covered by Cisco Smartnet support, but more than likely partners will purchase phones as spares and stock a small inventory for replacement purposes.
CISCO UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS 500 SERIES
General Questions
Q. What is the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series for Small Business?
A. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series is an all-in-one, simple, smart, and affordable Unified Communications platform designed specifically for growing businesses with fewer than 50 employees. It delivers industry-leading, business-class, proven Unified Communications technologies (voice, data, security, and wireless) integrated into one platform, and helps enable integration with commonly used desktop applications such as Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, Lotus Notes, and a host of customer relationship management (CRM) software applications. Functions include Automated Attendant and voicemail, public switched telephone network (PSTN) and secure Internet connectivity, Music on Hold, and analog phone and fax machine support. A wide array of Cisco Unified IP phones are supported through Power over Ethernet (PoE) ports. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series also provides the ability to network the office for voice, video, and data networking, and allows business owners and employees to be securely connected to the office while they are traveling or working from their home office.
Q. How do I order the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series?
A. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series is available from Cisco specialized resellers, partners, and service providers. For more information about ordering and pricing, contact your provider or locate a Cisco channel partner near you at: http://tools.cisco.com/WWChannels/LOCATR/openBasicSearch.do
Q. How many configurations currently exist for the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series?
A. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series has ten configurations. All of the 8- and 16-user models offer a factory option to add an integrated wireless LAN (WLAN). The 32- and 48-user models do NOT have the option of an integrated WLAN access point.
• UC520-8U-4FXO-K9 (wireless): 8-user Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express (CME) Base, Cisco Unity Express and IP phone feature license, 4 foreign exchange office (FXO; analog trunk) ports, 4 foreign exchange station (FXS) ports, and 1 voice interface card (VIC) slot
• UC520-8U-2BRI-K9 (wireless): 8-user Cisco Unified CME Base, Cisco Unity Express and phone feature license, 2 Basic Rate Interface (BRI) ports, 4 FXS ports, and 1 VIC slot
• UC520-16U-4FXO-K9 (wireless): 16-user Cisco Unified CME Base, Cisco Unity Express and phone feature license, 4 FXO (analog trunk) ports, 4 FXS ports, and 1 VIC slot
• UC520-16U-2BRI-K9 (wireless): 16-user Cisco Unified CME Base, Cisco Unity Express and phone feature license, 2 BRI ports, 4 FXS ports, and 1 VIC slot
• UC520-32U-8FXO-K9: 32-user Cisco Unified CME Base, Cisco Unity Express and IP phone feature license, with 8 FXO (analog trunk) ports and 1 VIC slot
• UC520-32U-4BRI-K9: 32-user Cisco Unified CME Base, Cisco Unity Express and phone feature license, with 4 BRI ports and 1 VIC slot
• UC520-48U-12FXO-K9:48-user Cisco Unified CME Base, Cisco Unity Express and phone feature license, with 12 FXO (analog trunk) ports
• UC520-48U-6BRI-K9: 48-user Cisco Unified CME Base, Cisco Unity Express and phone feature license, with 6 BRI ports
• UC520-48U-T/E/F-K9: 48-user Cisco Unified CME Base, Cisco Unity Express and phone feature license, with 4 FXO (analog trunk) ports, T1/E1, and 1 VIC slot
• UC520-48U-T/E/B-K9: 48-user Cisco Unified CME Base, Cisco Unity Express and phone feature license, with 2 BRI ports, T1/E1, and 1 VIC slot
Q. Does the number of users indicated in a given Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series configuration refer to a limit on the number of data users?
A. No. The number of users indicated in a given configuration (for example, UC520W-16U-4FXO-K9) refers to the limit on the number of Cisco Unified IP phone users that can be configured on that system.
Q. How do Cisco Unified CME and phone licenses work on the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series?
A. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series comes with Cisco Unified CME and phone licenses included. All a customer needs to purchase is the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series and the required IP phones. All Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series configurations come with phone license support for 8 users. The 16-user configuration increases the number of phone licenses to 16 when the Cisco Catalyst Express 520 8-port PoE companion switch is connected to the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series.
Q. What primary features does the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series support?
A. It supports Cisco Unified CME Version 4.2, Cisco Unity Express Version 2.3.4, Cisco IOS Firewall, Network Address Translation (NAT), wireless, and VPN. For a detailed feature list, please reference the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series data sheet at:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps7293/index.html
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps7293/index.html
Note: The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series is supported internationally.
Q. Does the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series support Single Number Reach?
A. Single Number Reach capabilities are available with the use of Cisco Unified CallConnector.
Q. Is direct inward dialing (DID) supported with the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series?
A. Yes, DID trunk configuration is supported with the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series by adding a 2-port or a 4-port voice interface card (FXS with DID) in the expansion VIC slot provided with all Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series configurations.
Q. Does the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series support Survivable Remote Site Telephony (SRST)?
A. No, the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series is a new platform designed for small businesses and supports standalone deployments. Cisco offers the integrated services router portfolio for deployments requiring interoperability with Cisco Unified Communications Manager and/or SRST functions. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series is meant for distributed voice deployments.
Q. Can the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series be used for a multisite deployments?
A. Yes, the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series can be used for multisite deployments where call processing is distributed. Also for a small business with a few sites, the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series can be at a main site and support is provided for up to two remote sites.
Q. Does the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series support teleworkers and Extension Mobility?
A. Yes, the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series can support a teleworker with a remote extension. In this scenario, small business owners can interact with their business from home with secure data, voice, and video, giving them flexibility for when and how they communicate with employees, suppliers, and customers.
Q. Which Cisco IOS Software releases does the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series support?
A. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series supports Cisco IOS Software Release 12.4(11)XW which supports Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express 4.2 and Cisco Unity Express 2.3.4.
Q. How is the feature set different from that for Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express?
A. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series integrates Version 4.2 of Cisco Unified CME and supports all the available features.
Q. What management or configuration tool is supported for the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series?
A. Cisco Configuration Assistant is a GUI-based configuration tool that supports the configuration and management of the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series. Cisco Configuration Assistant can also configure teleworkers for voice and wireless. It is a PC-based tool. For more information, please visit: http://www.cisco.com/go/configassist
Note: Cisco Configuration Assistant is available as a free download from http://www.cisco.com.
Q. Does the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series have a console port?
A. Yes. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series platform comes with a console or auxiliary port for the Cisco IOS command-line interface (CLI). The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series can autodetect modems and can switch between the console and the auxiliary port functions.
Q. How does the "plug-and-play" feature work on the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series?
A. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series has an embedded technology that enables autodetection, configuration, and service activation between Cisco products and applications. To complement this technology, the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series ships with a default configuration that assists with configuration for Cisco Unified CME, VLANs, wireless, NAT, and basic Cisco IOS Firewall. Upon system bootup, Cisco IP phones can register automatically with an extension starting from "201" and have the capability to dial out on an FXO port to the PSTN.
Q. Does the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series support voice interface cards (VICs)?
A. Yes. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series supports the FXS, FXO, BRI, and T1/E1 (PRI and channel associated signaling [CAS]) VICs:
• VIC-4FXS/DID
• VIC2-2FXO
• VIC2-4FXO
• VIC2-2BRI-NT/TE
• VWIC2-1MFT-T1/E1
Q. Does the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series support high-speed WAN interface cards (HWICs)?
A. No, the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series has one built-in Fast Ethernet WAN interface, which is the only WAN interface available on the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series.
Q. What phones are supported on the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series?
A. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series runs Cisco Unified CME 4.2 and therefore supports all Cisco Unified IP phones, including Cisco IP Communicator, the Cisco Unified IP Phone 7931G and 7985G models, and the Cisco Unified Wireless IP Phone 7921G.
Q. Is it possible to add an integrated WLAN access point into any Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series device?
A. No. Only the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series 8-user and 16-user configurations support an optional integrated WLAN access point for secure WLAN connectivity. The 32-user and 48-user configurations do not have this option. To add the WLAN function to a 32-user or 48-user Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series model, the customer must purchase individual Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point units. The Cisco 526 Wireless Express Mobility Controller can also be added to a Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series environment to create a unified system of access points. The Cisco 526 is extremely helpful when a customer site has three or more Cisco 521 access points deployed. Small businesses can easily extend access to data applications as well as WLAN telephony.
Q. Does the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series support Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones from Cisco?
A. Yes. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series supports Cisco SIP phones. However, when a Cisco SIP phone is running with Cisco Unified CME, the customer gets fewer features in comparison to using Cisco Skinny Client Control Protocol (SCCP) phones (refer to Table 1).
Table 1. SCCP and SIP Features
Q. Does the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series support third-party SIP phones?
A. No, the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series does not support third-party SIP phones.
Q. What kind of powering option does the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series have?
A. Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series 8-user and 16-user models use an external power supply. The 32- and 48-user models use an internal power supply.
Q. How does the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series scale its capacity? What is the upgrade path?
A. The Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series expands in voice ports through the Cisco Catalyst Express 520 companion switch(es). Every Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series configuration comes with 8 phone licenses, even the 16-, 32-, and 48-user configurations. For the 16-user configuration to utilize the additional 8 phone licenses, the 8-port Cisco Catalyst Express 520 must be connected to the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series. For the 32-user Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series solution, the 24-port Cisco Catalyst Express 520 must be connected to the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series. Similarly, for the 48-user Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series solution, two 24-port Cisco Catalyst Express 520 Switches must be connected to the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series unit. User count on a given configuration determines the maximum number of users supported. For example, an 8-user configuration does not support more than 8 IP phones, even with the Cisco Catalyst Express 520 connected. If a customer plans to grow beyond 8 ports, the customer should initially order the 16-user configuration and add the Cisco Catalyst Express 520 when needed to support additional ports.