Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2007/11/05/cisco_uc500_expansion_smb_switches/

Cisco takes unified comms to the little people

UC500 line gets bigger, Ethernet switches get smaller

By Austin Modine

Posted in Channel, 5th November 2007 19:48 GMT

Cisco is shoveling more fuel into its SMB fire, with additions and updates for its Smart Business Communications System. The new gear includes tripling unified communication capabilities to 48 users, four new Ethernet switches and a new leasing package for Europe.

The company is expanding its Unified Communications 500 line, the key platform of the company's SMB (small and medium-sized business) communications gear. UC500 does analog trunking, firewall, VPN and has optional WLAN capabilities. The new systems adds 32- and 48-user systems, building from the eight to 16-user systems in the initial release.

Cisco is also dishing out new SMB Ethernet switches in the Catalyst Express line. They come in four varieties to fill the SMB wiring closet spectrum of Cisco's Catalyst switch family:

New deployment features are being added for the Cisco 521 Wireless Express Access Point and 526 Wireless Express Mobility Controller. They include a guest access portal; automatic policy configuration for voice, data and guest access; a simplified security set-up with preset low-, medium- and high-security options; and integration with Cisco Configuration Assistant.

Lastly, Cisco is promoting a new financing package through Cisco Capital. The company says the EasyLease:Voice financing package works out to the price equivalent of a daily cup of coffee — less than a euro a day for a typical configuration and minimum of four users. Agreements run for a maximum term of 36 monts, and is available for systems from €1000 to €125,000. The offer is available in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Span and Sweden for deals approved and funded before 31 January 2008. ®