Cisco Collaboration Portfolio To Accelerate Business Processes

Cisco has announced a new collaboration portfolio designed to help companies accelerate business processes and increase productivity. The Cisco collaboration portfolio consists of Cisco Unified Communications, Cisco TelePresence and a new Web 2.0 application platform, all of which use the network as the platform to help enable people to connect, communicate and collaborate from any application, device and workspace. The portfolio of unified communications, video and a Web 2.0 platform is designed to integrate with business applications, existing IT infrastructures and other Web services and to allow developers to create customised applications and network-based services. The new portfolio products include the following:

-- Unified Communications: Cisco Unified Communications System Release 7.0 offers improvements in total cost of ownership, ease of use, and interoperability with business applications.
-- Video: Cisco TelePresence Expert on Demand integrates the Cisco TelePresence experience into the contact centre for in-branch customer service and the ability to summon expertise directly from a Cisco TelePresence meeting.
-- Web 2.0 Applications Platform: Cisco WebEx Connect, a new SaaS platform, integrates presence, instant messaging, Web meetings and team spaces with traditional and Web 2.0 business applications.

“Collaboration is the next phase of the Internet, a phase that analysts see as a $34 billion market opportunity, and at the centre of this phase is the network,” said Don Proctor, senior vice president, software group, Cisco. “Our network platform uses open-standards protocols to expose critical collaboration services such as presence, instant messaging, call control and policy to a broad range of devices and applications. The Cisco collaboration portfolio uses this network architecture to create a collaboration experience that encompasses everything from simple text messaging to immersive Cisco TelePresence sessions.”

Cisco Unified Communications Release 7.0

Cisco Unified Communications System Release 7.0 offers enhancements to its applications development environment and provides deeper integration with desktop products from IBM and Microsoft. Mobility enhancements help extend productivity features across workspaces. Cisco Unified Mobile Communicator now supports devices running on Windows Mobile as well as Symbian and BlackBerry operating systems.

Cisco TelePresence Expert on Demand

Cisco TelePresence Expert on Demand provides a collaborative, customer service experience, enabling customers to connect with subject-matter experts for tailored service at the touch of a button. Cisco TelePresence Expert on Demand combines the power of Cisco Unified Communications and Cisco Unified Contact Centre with the immersive ‘in-person’ experience of Cisco TelePresence to transform the delivery of point-of-sale services.

Cisco WebEx Connect

Cisco WebEx Connect is a cloud-based application platform for collaborative business mash-ups. Cisco WebEx Connect includes a number of standard applications including enterprise instant messaging, team spaces, document management, calendaring and discussions, which can be combined with third-party widgets that are built using open APIs, enabling companies to work from a single workspace.