Cisco updates remote access
But vendor's voice, video and content products labelled as 'too proprietary'
Cisco has enhanced its voice, video and content product range for remote offices. But an analyst has criticised them for being proprietary, and integrators have insisted customers are looking for more tailored offerings.
Upgrades to its CallManager Express, Unity Express and Application and Content Networking products will give branch offices greater access to information, security and interoperability, the networking giant claimed.
CallManager Express 3.1 offers enhanced applications, such as call parking, forwarding, paging and intercom. When used with Unity Express 1.1 it can provide additional voice mail and auto-attendant functions.
Cisco's Application and Content Networking System (ACNS) can extend live and on-demand video communications to branch- and small-office locations.
The release of Cisco's ACNS 5.1 product will allow branch offices to use live and on-demand IP video communications, bundled with content creation, network infrastructure and web portal tools.
It allows firms to increase network security through URL filtering and to accelerate the distribution of software updates to remote offices.
Steve Blood, research director at analyst Gartner, said Cisco was facing growing competition. "[Other vendors'] architectures are much more open, whereas Cisco is still doing this through proprietary systems," he said.
Gartner recommended firms should look for open, interoperable systems to support collaboration both internally and with external partners, suppliers and customers.
But it warned collaborative communications involving more than voice are still at an early stage of adoption.
Mike Harris, managing director of Total Network Solutions, said there is still a need for customised branch office kit.
"This area is good for integrators to get more revenues, because no one vendor has the answer for voice and billing systems," he said.
Cisco will benefit from such upgrades because firms are increasingly looking to manage branch networks and give additional functionality from a centralised network, Harris added.
VARs can access Cisco Call Manager Express 3.1 and ACNS 5.1 now, while Unity Express 1.1 is set to be available from April.