Cisco Introduces for Business Communications Solution for SMBs and Start-Up Call Centers

Responding to the need for smart, simple and secure network solutions specifically designed for small and medium businesses (SMBs) and start-up call centers, Cisco Systems introduced the Cisco Business Communications Solution featuring a tailored family of products, services and support options to help businesses control costs, improve operational efficiencies and gain a sustainable competitive advantage.

The Cisco Business Communications Solution is the first complete purpose-built communications system for the SMB market. In the Philippines, it will be offered as part of the new Cisco SMB Class Solutions, which bring enterprise technologies in voice, routing, switching, security and wireless to SMBs that are affordable and easy to deploy.

A start-up package with 10 IP phones include cost less than US$10,000. Financing options are also explored that will allow SMEs and start-up call centers to pay this for an extended period of time instead of outright cash.

As part of the Cisco Business Communications Solution, Cisco also announced the new Cisco Catalyst® Express 500 Series switching family and additions to its IP Communications portfolio, including new IPC Communications applications and an expanded line of XML-enabled IP.

Cisco Business Communications Solution system for customers with 20 to 250 employees is based on the new Cisco Catalyst Express 500 switch and the IP Communications Express Solution featuring Cisco CallManager Express and Cisco Unity Express within the Cisco Integrated Services Router.

The Cisco Catalyst Express 500 Series switches are built specifically for businesses who want to run converged networks. As a family of wire-speed Layer 2-managed Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet switches, it provides a secure network foundation optimized for data, wireless and voice. The switches also support IEEE 802.3af compliant Power over Ethernet (PoE). Together with the Cisco Network Assistant 3.0 application, customers now can quickly and easily configure their networks and enable advanced technologies such as wireless LANs and IP Communications in a solution purpose-built for the SMB.

For simple, all-in-one communications, Cisco is introducing new versions of Cisco CallManager Express and Cisco Unity Express. Cisco CallManager Express 3.3 features embedded “MeetMe� conferencing for 20 to 96 users, enhanced call routing and queuing capabilities and increased security. Cisco Unity Express 2.2 offers new Auto Attendant integration with Basic Automatic Call Distribution and five new languages. Together, these solutions deliver affordable, converged data and voice services. They are available immediately and are free upgrades to customers with SmartNet support contracts.

Rounding out the whole offer for SMB customers, Cisco also introduced the Cisco SMB Support Assistant featuring the SMB Support Assistant portal, client electronic tools, software bug fixes and advance hardware replacement delivered next business day, where available.

For more information about Cisco’s Business Communication Solution, please visit http://www.cisco.com/go/ap/businessdialogue.