Difference Between Csico Unity and Cisco Unity Connection

[Sumit Bhargava]

What are the main differences between Cisco Unity and Cisco Unity Connection (version 7)

like : 1. In Cisco Unity, servers are in Active -Failover Mode and in Unity Connection, servers are in Active-Active mode

       2.  In Cisco Unity, there is Unified Messaging and in Unity Connection, Integrated Messaging

              What is the major difference between Unified Messaging and Integrated Messaging ?

Please provide few more point of difference between the two............

[anmcbrid]

If you are trying to decide which one to use please contact your local Cisco account team.  They can give you a break down on what features each has as well as the direction they are going in the future which you will not find online to make sure you choose a product that lines up with your needs.

[Rob Huffman]

Hi Sumit,

From Christopher @ Cisco in this great "Ask the Expert" event

In a Unified Messaging environment the voice messages are not actually stored on the voice mail server. They are stored on the Microsoft Exchange or IBM Lotus Domino mail store along with faxes and emails. End users can check voice, fax, and email all in one place from either the Telephone User Interface (TUI), or their Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes email client with very little configuration by the end user if any at all.

Unified Messaging has many benefits and allows customers to maintain a single directory and mail store however it does require you to have and maintain a Microsoft Exchange or IBM Lotus Domino mail server.

Cisco Unity Connection stores voice messages on the voice mail server itself. This reduces the complexities of installing and maintaining a Microsoft Exchange or IBM Lotus Domino mail server and at the same time for sites whom would like to access voice messages from their email clients, Connection provides a means of setting up an IMAP connection to the voice mail server to access voice messages. Visa Versa for customers whom wish to access emails from the Telephone User Interface (TUI), Connections allows clients to configure an IMAP connection to the email server.

https://supportforums.cisco.com/message/493379#493379

Here is an excellent doc that highlights the differences;

Cisco Messaging Products: Feature Comparison

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/voicesw/ps6789/ps5745/ps2237/product_data_sheet0900aecd806bfc37.html

Cheers!

Rob

[David Hailey]

Sumit,

Read this blog.  It will plainly explain the difference between Integrated Messaging and Unified Messaging.

http://www.netcraftsmen.net/resources/blogs/integrated-messaging-vs-unified-messaging.html?blogger=David+Hailey

This is a tech presentation that talks quite a bit about Unity Connection vs. Unity:

http://www.netcraftsmen.net/user-group/c-mug-archive/824-cisco-unity-connection-migration.html

If you have further questions or are not sure which one may fit your needs, just ask.

Hailey

Please rate helpful posts!

Message was edited by: David Hailey - Added tech presentation link

[riandcooper]

Biggest caveat that I see with customer as user functionlity pertains, is the ability to get the voicemail in your inbox on mobile phone users with Unity.  Unfortunatley Connection requires IMAP connection, which is explained above in the other responses, which lacks the capability for voicemail by default to be dropped in the inbox, thus not making  voicemail avaiable to mobile (cell) users with email capabilites on their phones.

[David Hailey · Accepted solution]

This may well be true today but the gap may soon close...if not disappear.  Cisco is currently in EFT (Early Field Trial) or "beta" trials for Unity Connection 8.5(1) which seeks to add Unified Messaging capabilities to Unity Connection using WebDav for Exchange 2003 and Exchange Web Services (EWS) for Exchange 2007/2010.  Just a nugget to think about when you consider your customer's timing for install and what platform would be best suited to most environments.  Take a look at this blog for more info/thoughts:

http://www.netcraftsmen.net/resources/blogs/unity-connection-with-unified-messaging-where-will-unity-fit-in.html?blogger=David+Hailey

Hailey

Please rate helpful posts!

[Sumit Bhargava]

Thanks David for the prompt reply.

The presentation id too good.

[Rob Huffman]

Hi Hailey,

Fine work here on the Blog and the excellent tech presentation! +5 points

all day long for this my friend

Cheers!

Huff

PS: Loved the reference to "Making fun of Bill Bell", it's very refreshing to see

people who work hard and take their jobs seriously can still have fun