Cisco brings CUCM into the Webex cloud
.jpg)
Cisco will host private instances of its flagship IP-based telephony platform in its cloud data centers to woo large businesses looking to move to the cloud with as little disruption as possible. It's the vendor's latest move to consolidate collaboration software in the Webex cloud.
The new offering, Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) Cloud, will let customers keep existing phones and third-party integrations in place as they transition to the cloud. Businesses will have the option of moving to CUCM Cloud in phases or instantly by exporting their existing user profiles to the cloud.
Businesses have had access for years to private instances of CUCM in the cloud through a product known as Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS). That offering is hosted in the data centers of Cisco's service provider partners, including Verizon, AT&T and Sprint.
In contrast, Cisco will host CUCM Cloud in the same global network of data centers that it uses to deliver Webex calling, messaging and meetings. The move is likely to renew speculation about the future of HCS, a question first raised when Cisco acquired the cloud calling provider BroadSoft last year.
Jamie Palmer, director of product management for Cisco cloud calling, acknowledged there would be some overlap between CUCM Cloud and HCS, but said the company remained committed to the latter offering. "This is not a replacement for HCS," he said.
Cisco will also sell CUCM Cloud in coordination with partners, who will manage each customer's migration to the cloud. Cisco's ten partners for the product at launch include smaller providers without a global network as extensive as Cisco's or a telecommunications giant like AT&T's, Palmer said.
"For partners who have invested in building HCS on their own, this is likely to come as unwelcome news," said Irwin Lazar, an analyst at Nemertes Research. "But for other partners, this now opens an avenue for them to sell a cloud-based solution to existing Cisco on-premises customers."
Cisco wants to deliver as many collaboration services as possible from the Webex cloud because it is more efficient and cheaper to do so. The setup lets Cisco keep phone calls and other media traffic within its network rather than route that data through external points, such as a company's network or the costly PSTN.
Cisco also expects to generate more revenue by hosting software in the Webex cloud. For example, the company will retain a larger percentage of the revenue generated by sales of CUCM Cloud than it does through sales of HCS because it provides discounts to HCS partners for hosting CUCM in their data centers.
What's more, Cisco wants to use CUCM Cloud to boost adoption of Webex Teams and Webex Meetings. The offering comes with licenses to Webex Teams, which organizations can use as a presence and softphone client instead of Cisco's on-premises software, Jabber.
Cisco will also encourage customers that adopt CUCM Cloud to use the product in their headquarters while deploying Webex Calling -- a public cloud offering powered by BroadSoft's technology -- in branch offices.
Software vendors like Cisco ultimately hope to convince all of their customers to adopt public cloud technologies, through which businesses consume cookie-cutter versions of the same software from shared infrastructure.
But private-instance offerings like CUCM Cloud provide a necessary stepping stone for many large businesses. Customers still share physical servers in the cloud, but each is given a virtual instance, allowing for more security and customization.
"For the Cisco customer base, which is a lot of really large enterprises, this is what they want," said Zeus Kerravala, founder of ZK Research. "Every large enterprise I talk to is interested in the public cloud, but they aren't going to move 50,000 or 60,000 users over."
source searchunifiedcommunications
Industry: Unified Communications

Latest Jobs
-
- IAM Consultant- OKTA
- Germany
- upto €90,000 plus benefits
-
I am looking for an experienced IAM process Manager to help drive forward a series of IAM implementation for a global Manufacturing business, Ideally you will be skilled with Okta and have knowledge of PAM Solutions, You will be responsible for: Driving the design and continuous improvement of complex IAM solutions in close collaboration with business partners Consult on the optimisation of IAM processes and design proper IT-based solutions to meet availability and quality targets Define technical specifications for SW-development (standards, design patterns, test cases, scenarios) and manage the life cycle of designed solutions Actively scan for relevant innovations and new technologies to identify further potential for improving IAM solutions and processes using OKTA Analyse new features of the regular Okta releases We are looking for someone with strong IAM experience as an Architect, Analyst, Technical Engineer, or similar role in the Identity and Security domain Experience with relevant certifications in development/administration, design and configuration of the Okta IAM platforms Familiar with LCM - joiners, movers, leavers, application federation - SAML, OIDC, SCIM and many other IAM terms Good mix of competences in IAM business process and project management concepts and tools e.g., ServiceNow, Jira, PRINCE2, SCRUM (agile)
-
- SAP Security Consultant
- France
- upto €70,000 plus benefits
-
I am looking for an experienced SAP Security Consultant. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of SAP security concepts and be able to apply them to real-world scenarios. ideally you will also have experience with Securitybridge or Onapsis, or a similar SAP security tool. Your responsibilities will include: Reviewing and auditing SAP security settings and controls Identifying and remediating security vulnerabilities Implementing security best practices Educating users on SAP security Experience experience in SAP security Experience with Securitybridge or Onapsis, or a similar SAP security tool would be very advantageous Strong understanding of SAP security concepts Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills Excellent communication and presentation skills Fluent in French & English
-
- Post Grad MSc Cyber security - Junior Cyber Risk Analyst wanted. UK
- United Kingdom
- Entry role
-
The perfect start to your new Cyber Security Career. Post Graduate Cyber Risk Analyst Wanted. Are you are fresh from earning your Cyber Security MSc and eager to start your career in Cyber Security? We are looking for a recent post graduate to join a forward thinking Cyber Security Consultancy for the ideal entry role into Cyber Security. Whilst employed industry experience is not expected, as full training and support will be provided, a history of recent education in Cyber Security / Cyber Risk is essential. We are looking for someone with an inquisitive mind, who is confident to ask the right questions and who isn't afraid to challenge the status quo. Superb communication skills are a must (in person, written and verbal) This is a UK based role that is remote first with monthly travel (1-2 a month) to meet with the team and in time to meet clients. If you aren’t available to travel this isn’t the opportunity. We are unable to provide VISA sponsorship as there will be a requirement to achieve Security clearance If you're adaptable, open to fresh perspectives, and excited to be part of a forward-thinking team and looking for an opportunity to help make a difference in a Cyber consulting role, this opportunity is for you. For more information apply here……
-
- Microsoft Exchange Contractor | London | OUTSIDE IR35 | SC Cleared
- London
- OUTSIDE IR35
-
Microsoft Exchange Contractor | London | OUTSIDE IR35 | SC Cleared • We require someone that has experience of migration exchange from windows server 2012 to 2019. • In depth understand of On-Prem exchange server management and deployment. • Experience migrating On-Prem exchange servers from 2012 upwards. • Secure Email Gateway experience essential Due to the nature of the requirement the individual must be commutable to London 2-3 days a week.