At PeterConnects we are very excited to show you a new suite of solutions that have been in development for some time.
- To enable Hybrid Calling, you must link Call Connector to your Cisco Unified Communications Manager environment by entering server information for a single node. This step provides secure bridge between Cisco Unified Communications Manager and the Cisco Webex cloud, with the connector acting as the broker between the two.
- Initiate an outbound call to a specified destination. This is also commonly referred to as Click to Call or Click to Dial. Alerts on all the devices belonging to the user. When the user answers on one of these alerting devices, an outbound call is placed from that device to the destination.
- You should not be deploying WebEx hybrid calls today. You should be using one of the offerings with WebEx Teams. Webex Teams ( CUCM calling mode) 2. WebEx Teams (Jabber Mode) Both of these options will allow team client to register as a CSF device in cucm and will use your normal MRA discovery setup to locate your expressway.
See how Webex is creating intelligent workplace experiences Delivering consistent and seamless experiences for workers everywhere Enabling every employee with a full-featured, intuitive collaboration experience that allows them to message, meet, call, share content, and collaborate from any space is a foundational requirement for the hybrid. Retrieves the UC Manager Profile setting for the person.Note.: In the future, calling behavior will be included in this API.UC Manager Profiles are applicable if your organization uses Jabber in Team Messaging mode or Calling in Webex Teams (Unified CM).The UC Manager Profile also has a organization wide default and may be overridden for individual persons.This API requires a full, user.
In this blog we would like to introduce our new Receptionist integrations for Microsoft Teams and Cisco’s Webex Teams. We will also outline our Hybrid Configurations and License Management platforms.
PeterConnects Cloud: Designed For Continuous Delivery Our cloud platform, which launched last year, now has hundreds of users. A futureproof platform designed for continuous delivery, it was built using Microservices architecture – which comprises small autonomous components that are loosely coupled.
In this way it’s different from traditional and larger systems as we can add, replace, and scale different process elements as needed. If one component fails, another can easily take over.
We also support automatic provisioning – meaning new users can be added via an automated process without manual actions – and handle all operation, fixes and updates (so customers and partners don’t need to worry about technical details).
Both secure by design and GDPR-compliant, our cloud service can support 0Auth 2.0 single sign on – compatible with both Microsoft and Cisco. With all of the measures in place, we were able to use it to create a new Unified Communications app with a single, customisable user interface – one that works across BroadWorks, Webex teams, and Microsoft Teams – through a single platform.
Microsoft Teams: Integrating Receptionist With A Multi-Layered Approach
Right now, Microsoft Teams is experiencing a wave of uptake by businesses as they adopt remote working. However, those on the frontline of calls and communications can enjoy a streamlined omnichannel process as our Receptionist console can now be fully integrated with Microsoft Teams.
Soon available in the platform’s app store, it’s aimed at those using Microsoft’s calling plans and direct routing telephony into Teams. One of the service’s main features is that it also connects to Microsoft 365 – using all available APIs – which enables the best possible user experience, as users can handle calls in a Microsoft environment. It also means that they can pull in Office 365 calendars and personal contacts’ details.
Webex Teams: Similar, But With Key Differences
While the Webex application is very similar to its Microsoft Teams counterpart in many ways, but there are some key differences.
Firstly users need to have a Webex calling license to get started. Those that do can log in via Cisco’s single sign on function. New subscribers can choose one of three packages: Essential, Advanced, and Premium.
The biggest difference from Microsoft Teams, however, is that the Receptionist console itself runs in a browser – in conjunction with Cisco phones and soft clients.
The service can be accessed easily via Cisco’s App Hub, but it won’t be part of the same environment – at least not when it launches in Q3 this year (TBC). While it’s co-hosted by both PeterConnects and Cisco, Webex Teams users and partners will see a single transparent solution.
Hybrid Configurations: Enabling Diverse Functionality
A lot of the diverse functionality we can offer right now comes from the fact we can combine services run both on-premise and in the cloud – Hybrid Configurations – across numerous Unified Communications platforms.
This is in part thanks to the Microservices architecture in our own server. As we can host so many connectors, we have a unique ability to have solutions from many different providers. This is what enables us to run both integrated and browser applications in a single ‘pane of glass’. Essentially, we could run a version of Webex Receptionist with a Microsoft Teams presence.
Go Live Dates Planned, But Delays Possible
While we’re working hard to ensure all of our new offerings are available as soon as possible, the current pandemic means that there could be some delay in bringing them to market.
As it currently stands, we’re hopeful we can make our first commercial release of Webex Teams in June or July. Our Microsoft Teams integration and Hybrid Configurations will launch in the second half of 2020.
If you or your customers would like to be a part of our initial wave for any of these solutions, please either contact your PeterConnects partner or get in touch with us directly.
Extend Call Control to the Cloud
With Cisco Webex Hybrid Call Service, you can integrate call control so tightly with Webex Teams (formerly Cisco Spark), everyone will think it’s a single service.
Cisco Webex Teams Hybrid Calling
If you're like many organizations, you want the full capabilities of Cisco Webex Teams, including messaging, meeting, and calling, but already have a Cisco phone system. You may also be using Cisco Jabber for your mobile calling and collaboration, and don’t want or aren’t ready to move your call capabilities to the cloud.
With Cisco Webex Hybrid Call Service, you can keep using your existing call control, and get all the additional benefits of the Cisco Webex service. Our Hybrid Call Service combines the Cisco Webex Teams message and meeting capabilities in our Collaboration cloud with the following Cisco call control systems:
- Cisco Unified Communications Manager
- Cisco Business Edition 6000
- Cisco Business Edition 7000
- Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution (Check to see if your Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution provider offers Cisco Webex Hybrid Services)
Benefits of Cisco Webex Hybrid Call Service
Make Mobile Calls on the Company Plan
When making mobile audio and video calls using the Cisco Webex Team app, the app uses Hybrid Call Service to become a softphone client of your call control. Webex Teams users can make and receive calls to anyone through their extensions using the company dial plan, just as if they were at their desks.
Reach People More Easily
With Hybrid Call Service, you can use your office phone number across all your devices, even when making and receiving calls from the Cisco Webex Teams app. When called, your desk phone, Jabber, and Cisco Webex Teams will ring. Answering the call on any one of them stops the ringing on the other devices.
Video Device Calling
How To Call Using Webex Teams
Connect your Cisco Webex Teams registered video devices with your Unified Communications Manager. Assign an extension and E.164 number from your enterprise dial plan to your Cisco Webex Teams video devices (including Cisco Webex Room Series and Cisco Webex Board). Make and receive calls to and from other Unified Communications Manager registered devices and external PSTN numbers using the assigned number.
Keep Communications History in One Place
It often helps to know the last time you spoke to someone so you can make reference to it in your call. When you call another Cisco Webex Teams user with the Hybrid Call Service, the call event is added to the one-to-one Cisco Webex Teams room you are sharing with that person. So the room not only includes your chat and shared documents, but also has your call history.
Enable Calling In Webex Teams
How It Works
Hybrid Call Service can be deployed on its own or together with any of the other Cisco Webex Hybrid Services. To initiate these services, a software application or connector must be deployed and run on your premises (or in the Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution partner cloud). The Hybrid Call Service connector requires Cisco Expressway.
There are no incremental subscriptions or fees for deploying this or any of the Cisco Webex Hybrid Services. The Hybrid Service Connectors and Cisco Expressway are downloadable free of charge. They are part of Cisco Unified Communications licensing schemes and the Cisco Spark service.
Find out about our other Cisco Webex Hybrid Services.