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Mid-size and enterprise companies that rely on Verizon's unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) tools are getting some good news: the company is adding management of several applications to its Cisco Unified Communications System Release 7.0 portfolio.

Verizon has been managing Cisco IP PBXs for five years, and Cisco has been creating new applications that whole time. The challenge for Verizon is to offer applications once they reach critical mass. Verizon's team works with Cisco starting with the planning stages so they know what's coming up. They can then modify Verizon's system to accommodate the new apps and train their network services operations people.

This release includes four additions to the Cisco portfolio, all of which enhance a customer's connected phone and computer systems.

Cisco Unity Connection: This voicemail application offers all the features you'd expect from voicemail and is highly scalable. Users can access e-mail, voice, and fax messages from one inbox.

Cisco Unified Contact Center Express: This small contact center app comes with five free licenses, so you can try setting up a call center with minimal investment. The app includes call routing, prompts, and interactive voice response. For an extra fee, you can set it up to receive voice commands, so that callers can simply speak their requests. The center supports up to 300 agents.

Cisco Unified Presence: This is similar to Microsoft's Office Communications Server, but for customers with a heavy Cisco focus and not much Microsoft. It delivers presence information and instant messaging. Since it's connected to the phone system, it not only lets you know if a colleague is at their desk and available, but also whether or not they're on the phone. Use it to determine the best time for calls and meetings.

Cisco Emergency Responder: One hassle with VOIP phone systems is that an IT person needs to input location data for every phone, so that 911 calls carry the right location information. If you move phones and the information isn't updated, you risk emergency responders going to the wrong address. To help with that task, the Emergency Responder app automatically updates location data based on the customer's IP data.

Verizon's management includes systems designed to monitor and stop problems from the outset. Algorithms determine where a fault indicator might be. When the monitoring software detects indicators of a problem, it notifies customers so they can solve them.

"Interest in UC&C capabilities continues to grow and enterprises recognize the transformative value deployments can have across their organizations," says Blair Crump, group president-worldwide sales, Verizon Business. "Verizon Business -- with its support for multiple unified communications platforms; extensive managed, hosted and professional services capabilities; and global IP network -- is well-positioned to help customers make the most of UC&C deployments."

If you'd like to get started with Verizon's managed Cisco UC&C portfolio, talk to a Verizon salesperson or visit the Web site for managed services solutions.

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