Cisco suite brings IP together

Cisco has introduced a new product suite called the Unified Communications system that combines a variety of voice, data and video products and applications designed to improve communications within organizations.

Announced at VoiceCon yesterday in Orlando, Fla., the system will allow users to integrate communications with their information technology infrastructures. It is based on Cisco's service-oriented network architecture (SONA), which was announced in December 2005.

It is an IP-based system that includes Cisco's CallManager, Unity, MeetingPlace and IP Contact Center, according to the company. It also adds new capabilities, called the Unified Personal Communicator, Unified Presence Server and Customer Interaction Analyzer. Current customers will be able to upgrade their existing systems to take advantage of the new capabilities.

“We are taking a systems approach to our IP communications solution," said Brent Byrnes, regional manager for Federal Advanced Technologies at Cisco. "With what we’re shipping in the next 90 days, our customers are going to see a lot more of a systems approach as opposed to a point solution.”

Byrnes said he expects large agencies to be the first customers, civilian first and then the Defense Department.

“I think we’re going to see some existing customers take a look at making an incremental upgrade so they can take advantage of the new features," he said.