Cisco announces new products and services for SMBs

The organisation aims to improve the efficiency and productivity of SMBs throughout the UAE and beyond, by enhancing the flow of communications, future-proofing communications infrastructure and minimising the time spent managing technology.

The new solutions announced include additions to the 'Cisco Small Business Pro' series; a range of products and services designed so that SMBs can build, install and manage systems that support their evolving technology needs. Upgrading capability was a key strategy for the design of these new services, with components able to be built easily upon others. One other integral part of the Cisco Small Business Pro Service provides SMBs with three years of affordable technical support, offering software updates, next business-day hardware replacement as necessary and providing extended access to the Cisco Small Business Support Center, which is now available for the region.

Communicating with mobility is a strong segment in Cisco's portfolio and today's announcement of the Cisco Smart Business Communications System (SBCS) Release 1.5 sets out the company's stall as the leader in collaboration and communications systems to connect offices, employees and customers anywhere and at any time.

Release 1.5 includes new applications intended to boost productivity and improve customer service, including WebEx PhoneConnect, which enables employees SMBs to view meetings and join online conferences at the touch of a button, helping to save time and encouraging collaboration.

Single Number Reach is an application designed to improve customer service and virtually eliminate missed calls by routing them to a desk phone, mobile device or soft phone, whichever is the most convenient device. Other features in Release 1.5 include Cisco TimeCardView, which allows staff to clock in and out, track hours and download information to payroll applications from their IP phone.

With security becoming an increasingly important issue in communications, another new product announced today aims to provide SMB managers and directors with peace of mind. The Cisco PVC300 IP Camera features easy-to-use IP video surveillance to help small companies protect their employees and business properties via live video that can be viewed from virtually anywhere, including on an Internet-enabled mobile phone.

Camera features include pan, tilt and zoom capabilities, with software to manage up to 16 cameras from one location. The device alerts when motion is detected and can be integrated with alarms, door sensors and other security systems.

Cisco provides community-based support 24/7 via the online Cisco Small Business Support Community, whose users have grown by more than five-fold since January 2009. The Community enables partners and customers to share their knowledge and expertise about technologies that solve business problems and help keep SMBs moving forward.