Cisco Unified Communications Manager

Cisco Unified Communications Manager
Name	Cisco Unified Communications Manager
Developer	Cisco Systems
Initial release	1997
Latest release	14.x
Operating system	Cisco Unified Communications Manager OS
License	Proprietary

Cisco Unified Communications Manager Cisco Unified Communications Manager is an enterprise-class IP telephony and unified communications call-control platform from Cisco Systems. It provides centralized call processing for voice, video, messaging and mobility across campus, branch and data center deployments. Widely used across industries, it integrates with legacy telephony, contact centers and cloud services to support large-scale collaboration.

Overview

Cisco Systems developed the platform to replace older circuit-switched systems such as the Avaya Definity and NEC PBX families while competing with vendors like Microsoft and Amazon Web Services in unified communications. The product evolved alongside networking innovations driven by companies like Juniper Networks and standards work from Internet Engineering Task Force and 3GPP. Enterprises adopting the system include Walmart, Bank of America, General Electric, Royal Dutch Shell and United States Department of Defense organizations that require high availability and integration with systems from Siemens, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise and Mitel.

Architecture and Components

The platform uses a distributed cluster architecture inspired by data center designs from Google and Facebook, with redundancy patterns similar to IBM z/OS high-availability solutions. Core components include the call-processing nodes, Media Resources (transcoding and conferencing) often provided by Cisco TelePresence and Cisco Unified Border Element, and endpoints such as Cisco IP Phones and soft clients comparable to offerings from Polycom (now part of HP Enterprise ecosystem). Integration often leverages directory services like Microsoft Active Directory and database technologies influenced by work at Oracle Corporation. Ancillary systems interfaced include contact center platforms from Genesys and recording solutions by Verint Systems.

Deployment and Licensing

Deployments follow models similar to virtualization platforms from VMware and cloud models pioneered by Amazon EC2 and Microsoft Azure. Customers may deploy on-premises, in private clouds inspired by OpenStack deployments, or via managed services from partners such as Accenture, IBM Global Services, and DXC Technology. Licensing schemes mirror enterprise software licensing practices used by SAP and Oracle, with device-based and user-based options and support contracts analogous to those sold by Adobe Systems for enterprise suites. Regulatory-driven deployments have been carried out for institutions like World Health Organization and major financial institutions regulated under rules influenced by Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Features and Functionality

The product offers features aligned with collaboration trends set by vendors like Slack Technologies, Zoom Video Communications, and Microsoft Teams: call routing, Survivable Remote Site Telephony similar to resilience models used by AT&T, voicemail integration with systems like Cisco Unity Connection, video calling interoperable with standards from H.323 and SIP ecosystems developed by Internet Engineering Task Force, and mobile integration inspired by smartphone platforms from Apple and Google. Conferencing, presence and directory integration echo capabilities from IBM Lotus Sametime and legacy unified messaging from Microsoft Exchange. Advanced analytics and QoS monitoring draw on practices from SolarWinds and Splunk deployments.

Integration and Interoperability

Interoperability is achieved through protocols and gateways aligned with standards work by Internet Engineering Task Force and industry forums like Open Mobile Alliance. Integrations include session border control similar to Session Border Controller solutions from Acme Packet (acquired by Oracle), contact center links to NICE Systems and Cisco Finesse, and CRM connectors for Salesforce and SAP CRM. Interworking with mobile operators follows examples set by carriers such as Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group, and media connectivity leverages codecs and standards backed by organizations like Moving Picture Experts Group and ITU.

Administration and Management

Management mirrors practices in enterprise IT influenced by frameworks such as ITIL and COBIT. Administrators use web-based and API-driven tools comparable to management consoles from Red Hat and Microsoft System Center for provisioning, firmware management, and reporting. Operational procedures reference security and configuration auditing similar to programs run by Cisco Professional Services, Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers for large-scale rollouts. Monitoring and troubleshooting commonly integrate with SNMP-based systems used by Hewlett Packard Enterprise and log-analysis pipelines built with Elastic technologies.

Security and Compliance

Security features implement TLS, SRTP and authentication schemes consistent with guidance from National Institute of Standards and Technology, European Union Agency for Cybersecurity and industry best practices promoted by ISACA and Center for Internet Security. Compliance deployments address regulatory regimes such as HIPAA for healthcare, GDPR for data protection within the European Union, and financial regulations affecting institutions like JPMorgan Chase. Hardening guides and certification efforts relate to programs run by Common Criteria and assessments similar to those conducted by Underwriters Laboratories and national cybersecurity centers.

Category:Unified communications