VOSS Solutions has announced the general availability of Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager (CUCDM) 10.1.2. – The cloud communications “game changer”.

CUCDM 10.1.2 is the latest version of the recently re-architected UC domain manager, and is incorporated within Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS). Supplied under a Cisco OEM agreement with VOSS, CUCDM empowers:

Service providers to compete more effectively in the “public” cloud communications market
Large enterprises to manage their UC services and applications, and the various disparate network elements, from a single “private” cloud platform.

CUCDM 10.1.2 focuses on 5 core principles to improve delivery of the latest unified communications services and devices, within an efficient and low cost cloud model, while finally breaking the “one-size-fits-all” model:

Customizable design – Enables HCS partners to rapidly customize the latest collaboration solutions and corresponding fulfillment capabilities to suit an industry segment or an individual enterprise’s design requirements. The orchestration framework provides a comprehensive set of configuration capabilities to define both the technical and business logic behaviors of a feature in advanced templates without the need for code changes. This includes aspects such as detailed device configurations, GUI interface and behavior, dial plan logic, workflows, and business rules. This uniquely gives the partner the ability to offer their enterprise end customers the right blend of standard off-the-rack versus customization while also providing the ability to develop and deliver unique capabilities to the market to differentiate their offering.

Standardized deployment and operations – Enables the relevant design templates to be applied within highly automated migration and deployment processes, which means faster and more accurate customer on-boarding. Similarly, with day-to-day operations, specific templates are applied to MACD process automation, controlled by intuitive, “wizard-based” administrative portals. The unparalleled coverage of UC applications features and settings combined with the unique customization capabilities outlined above provide the widest possible automation of workflows and tasks. This also ensures that partners can achieve the highest levels of automation and related benefits, without being forced to adapt business and operational processes around the tool.

Agility – Quickly scales to add or remove users and applications with ease – Enables companies looking to move to the cloud, avoiding the pressure of “rip and replace”. Companies can more easily move part of their business or service into the cloud while retaining legacy infrastructure that has not yet reached end-of-life. This also allows partners to offer a more attractive “try before you buy” model to their customers.

Advanced service management – Enables packages of UC services and devices to be delivered to users, based on their individual work requirements, rather than en masse. This not only optimizes costs, but it also helps to drive up adoption rates.
Lowest total cost of ownership – Enables both the providers of cloud communication services and the recipient companies of those cloud services to achieve the lowest capital, deployment (migration), operating and maintenance costs.

Mike Frayne, CEO at VOSS, commented: “The rapid adoption of cloud communications services in the market today, while already buoyant, will be greatly enhanced by the introduction of CUCDM 10.1.2. This is due to the industry finally being able to move beyond the traditional limits of only offering a single, standardized, design for their cloud service.” He explained; “Cloud communications services have historically not been able to solve the dilemma of ‘standardization versus customization’. Enterprises (other than SMB), typically, want a cloud service that is tailored to their requirements (e.g. integrated to their IT systems and delivers services configuration that meets their particular business and user needs). But they also want low prices, which only comes from having a highly standardized service delivery and activation process. Service Providers have always had to limit customization in order to achieve high levels of standardization. They couldn’t deliver both … until now!”

With CUCDM 10.1.2, public and private cloud communication providers will be able to offer much more tailored solutions (service packages, configuration settings, dial plan customization, workflow logic, business rules, IT integrations, etc.), but still deliver a highly standardized “production line” cloud model, i.e. delivering the tailored benefits of an on-premise system, but with all the cost advantages and SLA benefits of the cloud.

A further enhancement to CUCDM 10.1.2 is the introduction of the latest self-service capability. Version 10.1.2 includes a highly intuitive web-based, multi-service, multi-device, portal for end user self-service. This innovation allows administrators to effectively empower end users to easily manage their full range of voice, mobility, unified messaging and presence services from any device. The fully customizable look and feel means the interface can be branded to provide a familiar look and feel for users and also provides a cross-launch capability to link in external services providing a true single point of access for users.

The combination of ease of use and access from any device helps ensure user adoption lowering operational costs while also addressing the growing expectation of users to have the ability to control and manage their corporate services as they do outside the corporate world. For more details see the self-service data sheet posted here.

Bill Dellara, VP Product at VOSS, commented: “We have long believed that end user self-service (i.e. decentralizing administration so that employees can manage their own devices and collaboration experience) is far more powerful – and much more in demand – than the traditional and more basic self-care (pin rests, etc.). We are delighted that the self-service capability in 10.1.2 takes this to the next level, offering customers an intuitive and secure interface from any mobile platform, to manage multiple UC services, applications and devices (both company and personal). And you can expect a continued array of enhancements in this area of self-service in the future.”

VOSS is exhibiting at Enterprise Connect, March 16 – 19, 2015, in Orlando Florida, at booth #728. To meet with VOSS at the event, please email [email protected].