How to Become a Cisco Certified Unified Communications Manager

Today’s organizations are segmented into tens of hundreds of business units, all working towards achieving common strategic goals. But for such organizations to succeed, it is essential to have a fluid communication system in place that allows teams in different business units to work as a single unit. Organizations have fast-paced, complex, challenging work environments that require them to have a robust, comprehensive, and integrated collaboration solution, allowing users to communicate using any device and network from anywhere in a secure and reliable manner. To cater to such businesses, Cisco has introduced Unified Communications solutions that provide organizations with a scalable, safe, cost-effective, and manageable communications and network management framework.

What is a Cisco Unified Communications Manager?

Previously known as Cisco Unified Call Manager, the Cisco Unified Communication Manager (CUCM) is an integral part of the collaboration platform. It enables users to easily communicate within the organization via different mediums, such as text, voice, and video, on any device that is powered by any OS. Cisco has designed the Unified Communication Manager to simplify and improve the communications experience for organizations in the private and public sector, allowing them to enjoy cost savings, better performance, and higher productivity.

 The Cisco Unified Communication Manager (CUCM) is technically an IP-oriented communicating system that combines voice, video, data and mobility products with applications. It is a revolutionary technology in the telecommunication world, providing a safer and efficient mode of connectivity. It retains the nature of the face-to-face conversation, fostering team collaboration and information sharing. This method of communication only transfers data at an exceptional rate but also provides businesses with a broader spectrum of opportunities to pursue without having to worry about network and connection related issues. As evident as it is, a well-established network ensures a reduction in time spent on routine operations, resulting in enhanced efficiency and productivity. Cisco guarantees that its product requires the least maintenance while offering robust functionality, by using the following communication technologies:

IP telephony: The CUCM offers several hardware and software programs such as call processing agents, voice messaging systems, video devices, conferencing and other applications.

Customer Contact Center: The Cisco Unified Contact Center provides top-class customer interaction across huge networks, enabling customers to feel the importance they deserve.

Video Telephony: The Cisco Unified Video Advantage products enable real-time video communication by the same IP network and call-processing agent as CUCM. Furthermore, video communication is extremely user-friendly and can be used without any specific instructions.

Rich Media Conferencing: The Cisco Unified Meeting Place creates a social hub for all users with features like voice calling, video calling and web conferencing.

Third-party applications: Cisco collaborates with stronghold companies to provide a wide range of third-party applications that emphasize on a business’s communication and collaboration needs.

Cisco has recently released the latest version of CUCM 9.0, which includes the following updates:

• Directory enhancements
• Mobility with voice and video calling
• Native IM and presence
• Platform enhancements
• Simplified licensing usage and reporting
• Telephony feature enhancements
• Unified video and voice capabilities on a single platform

What to Expect from the Cisco Unified Communications Manager Position?

The CUCM serves as a central hub for organizational communications. This program can allow you to set up and manage a robust communications infrastructure within your organization, providing a wide range of benefits related to accurate, timely achieved results. Through the CUCM position, you will be able to perform the following functions in your organization:

• Define user configuration and understand the user web interface.
• Determine the use of hunt groups and utilize the communication system features
• Explain the on-net/off-net calling and create a route plan.
• Use BAT and utilize basic phone options
• Determine the different types of media resources, such as MOH and conferencing
• Describe the features, service, and network capabilities of the Cisco Unified Communications Manager
• Having a good understanding of configuration and importance of high availability and redundancy in the enterprise network.

The certified individual will be able to benefit their company with a number of additional features, such as:

• Enforce solutions like Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, and Security (FCAPS).
• Implement communication systems that have support for Unicode, which is compatible with higher resolution phone displays, sourced from Middle Eastern and Asian markets.
• Upgrade CUCM servers, allowing the users to have a continued, better-calling experience with little to no downtime.

Automate server installation within the organization’s software systems to streamline partner and customer deployment. They will also be able to optimize the process of searching for updates and sending notifications to administrators when key software upgrades and security fixes are available for their system. All of this will be enforced through Electronic Software Upgrade Notification.

The Cisco certified individual will be able to deploy, troubleshoot, monitor and optimize IP telephony, voice, and video and mobility solutions. They will be able to help with software upgrades on existing Cisco voice deployments. They can also provide technical assistance to Network Analysts & Network Professionals. They will be able to make up, evaluate and look solutions for call flows. After completing the CUCM requirements, the individuals will have the ability to use the checking devices to follow organized execution and settle issues after identifying them. It will help them realize how to legitimately utilize organized analyzers, memory analyzers and an assortment of device testing gear. It will enable certified individuals to facilitate people from different fields such as architecture, business industries, and other departments as well.

Certified individuals will be able to define, document, and analyze the requirements for hardware, logical processes, workflow, data, and operating system environment. They will also be responsible for making client paperwork including network assessments, implementation plans, and post-implementation documentation. The professionals must keep a record of routine product maintenance and keep themselves aware of any new developments relating to Cisco collaboration and ISPs. Other responsibilities may include working in collaboration with external associations to resolve critical issues.

The following certifications will complement the CUCM position and facilitate in handling communication and networking systems:

• Cisco Certified Network Professional Voice (CCNP Voice)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)

In a nutshell, a Cisco Certified Unified Communications Manager will have comprehensive knowledge of how to work with Unified Communication solutions, allowing them to manage communications and network system efficiently and effectively. It is advisable to get yourself certified from a reputable platform, offering courses and Cisco training taught by verified tutors.