Steps To Automation Of Cisco Unified Communications

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Cisco Unified Communications (UC) is a communications system based on IP.  It integrates voice, video, data, and mobility products and applications. It enables more effective, secure communications and has the potential to transform the way we communicate. UC is a communications paradigm shift comparable to the invention of the telegraph. 

Through the integration of voice, video, and data, UC breaks down geographic barriers to effective hybrid communication. Business can be conducted in a fluid manner that advances and evolves with you. For a long time, information has been at our fingertips, but UC enables the sharing of this information to create knowledge and value.

ut what if there’s more to Cisco UC than we could ever imagine? Let’s take a look at how automated user provisioning changed the game.

The Importance of Automated User Provisioning in UC

Automated user provisioning, is a method of automating the process of granting and managing access to applications, systems, and data within an organization.

The first key tenant of Identity and Access Management (IAM) is automated user provisioning. However, in the same way, that automated provisioning can deploy and activate services for users. It can also remove user access to systems, applications, and data. This is known as de-provisioning.

The act of provisioning and de-provisioning user access is a form of lifecycle management. It is used for onboarding and offboarding personnel as an organizational change.

How to Automate Cisco Unified Communications Manager

Cisco Unified Computing System Manager (UCSM) and Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) have become even more important administrative tools. Especially, in the new era of hybrid and remote work.

There are a lot of provisioning tools that could help automate your CUCM software. However, the process of installing and updating them is similar. Here’s how.

1. Select a Provisioning Software Account  

Choose an existing or new account on the server of your choice. However, there might be different plans you can choose to fit your budget. Choosing one that would bring the most benefit to your organization is ideal.

You must also not forget to pick an automated user provisioning software that is compatible with Cisco.

2. Create a User Profile

Create a user in the chosen automated user provisioning software with the ability to connect using only a password. In creating a profile, you will be able to customize and select options that fit your organization.

3. Integrate into Your Organization

Integrating your automated user provisioning software to Cisco can be done with just a few clicks. However, there are still differences in the process depending on which provisioning tool you are to use. Most of the time, it is as easy as installing an app on your computer.

4. Do Not Forget to Back Up!

Many automated provisioning software offers backups using cloud computing as well. If you chose to get that package, the steps to back up are as follows: 

• Log in to the Disaster Recovery System at CUCM. Back up, then Backup Device. This is where you enter the information for your server.      
• In the Backup Device section of the provisioning software, click “Add New” and give your SFTP server a name.
• Below this field is a “Select Destination” field where you can enter your SFTP server details, path, and credentials.
• If you do not want to set up automation, you can also specify how many backups you want to keep on the SFTP server.  

Once this is completed, you can schedule the backup.

• To create a new schedule in CUCM, navigate to Backup, Scheduler, and click “Add New.” 
• You could now define how often the backup is uploaded to your SFTP server. 
• Save the timeline by pressing the “Enable Schedule” button.

Automated Provisioning Tools: How it Paved the Way for Multi-Cloud Adoption

The adoption of public cloud services has transformed the way companies manage their IT infrastructure. Computing resources are no longer fixed upfront investments. Rather, they are an ongoing operational expense.

Enterprise IT infrastructure has evolved into a more dynamic and complex environment. The users are able to spin up new cloud resources with a few mouse clicks.

Cloud management platforms’ cost monitoring and optimization tools can provide you with the visibility you need into your cloud costs and utilization. The right tools can assist you in controlling your monthly cloud bills and lowering your management overhead.

Perks of Using Automated Provisioning Tools

• Decrease the Number of Errors Made 

One of the primary reasons why businesses automate their networks is to provide accuracy and efficiency. You will achieve much better performance and reliability by reducing these errors. But this does not imply that you should reduce the number of people in your company. People are still required to make network automation work. 

• Allow Deeper Network Analysis 

You will also be able to identify issues and troubleshoot problems, as well as predict potential future problems with automated user provisioning tools. This is at the most fundamental level. However, network automation allows you to perform more complex analysis of your network by utilizing data from a variety of sources, such as mobile devices, configuration files, event logs, switches, and routers.

• Better Optimized Performance

Network automation will enable monitoring tools to notify administrators of network errors, high resource utilization levels, and performance issues. It also allows you to perform and report on service-level agreement tests with greater accuracy and speed. 

• Simplify Network Management

Another advantage of automated user provisioning tools is that network management processes will be simplified. They can deplete resources and take a long time if handled manually. Network automation allows these processes to be performed more frequently, reducing the risk of network downtime and failure. This makes management more scalable, as well as faster and simpler. 

• Increase the Network’s Dynamic

Aside from the previously discussed benefits of network programmability and automation, your network will become more dynamic as you will be able to adapt to business and user needs more effectively.

You will be able to optimize network performance, improve business agility, and accelerate the rollout of new applications and services by automating manual changes and updates.

• Limit Errors

Not only will you be able to reduce the number of errors made in your business, but you will also be able to reduce the number of risks, all thanks to automated user provisioning tools. Taking everything that has been said thus far into consideration, it is easy to see how network automation can mean a lower risk of regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, equipment failure, and performance issues.

• Allow your IT Staff to Focus on Higher-Value Tasks

Without network automation software, your IT staff will have to handle all management, monitoring, troubleshooting, and maintenance tasks manually. Network automation frees up your IT team’s time to focus on strategic initiatives, as well as identifying new opportunities, and improving productivity.

Conclusion

So there you have it! An understanding of automated user provisioning software and why it is so critical in your Cisco UC platform. As you can see, network automation provides a plethora of advantages for businesses to take advantage of. However, you will only be able to do so if you implement automation effectively, so make sure you invest a lot of time and thought into this as well.