This topic provides links to descriptions of components, component documentation, and matrixes.
•IP Telephony Overview—Describes the primary Cisco software components in IP telephony systems.
•Review Release Matrix—Identifies the components and their software versions that you need.
•Component Resources Documentation—Lists the documentation avialable for each component.
•Cisco Unified Communications Compatibility Tool —Provides tables that identify the compatible software release versions for each product in each Cisco Unified Communications release.
•Software Advisor Tool —Helps you find software releases that are compatible with your hardware configuration, locate information about a particular software release, identify a software release that supports specific features you want, or compare the features in two software releases.
•Cisco Interoperability Portal —Provides information about configuring Cisco technologies with third-party products and lists features that interoperate between Cisco solutions and other vendors.
For an additional overview of primary components that can be installed and configured in the IP telephony environment, see Component Installation Guides and Component Reference Configurations in the Implement tab.
Ordering Tools
Solution Expert is a web-based tool that assists in the design, configuration, quoting, and ordering of Unified Communications products. Solution Expert is available for Cisco sales and partner systems engineers who have Unified Communications specializations.
With the Solution Expert tool, users can generate a recommended solution based on their requirements. Users can modify the recommended configuration if desired. Solution Expert validates any changes when it presents the new solution. Solution Expert also generates a bill of materials with list pricing, a Visio diagram, and other design documentation.
The Quote Builder tool is a solutions quoting application for Cisco Unified Communications products. Quote Builder is available to specialized partners and Cisco employees.
With Quote Builder, users can build a system quote with design documents to aid in the implementation of the solution. Quote Builder also validates designs for common deployments. Quote Builder generates a bill of materials, a network diagram, and design guides for deployment.
Ordering guides for most Cisco Unified Communications products are available for partners and Cisco employees. For information on available ordering guides, click the "What is available for Partners" tab to view a list of the ordering guides and other marketing collaterals.