Cisco Webex Calling
Purpose-built enterprise telephony with hunt groups, call queues, operator console, compliance recording, and analog device support — built natively, not approximated.
UCaaS Modernization
Best-of-Breed Communications Built Around How Teams Actually Work
Cisco Webex Calling for enterprise telephony. Slack for team messaging and collaboration. Both platforms lead in their specific domain without forcing compromises on the other.
Purpose-built calling and collaboration that integrates seamlessly — not a single-vendor suite that compromises on both.
Enterprise-grade UC architecture designed for feature depth and workflow integration.
A Different Approach
Purpose-built platforms that excel in their domain
Single-vendor UC suites make compromises across every function they serve. Our approach combines the best calling platform with the best collaboration platform.
The Single-Vendor Compromise
Unified Communications platforms promise one app, one license, one vendor — but deliver compromises across every function they serve.
Telephony features become bolt-ons to collaboration platforms
Voice quality suffers from architecture optimized for messaging
Collaboration experience constrained by calling requirements
Enterprise calling features approximated, not built natively
Best-of-Breed Architecture
Webex Calling for enterprise telephony depth. Slack for collaboration workflow. Both integrate without compromising their core strengths.
Slack Enterprise
Team messaging and workflow platform with deep enterprise integrations, external collaboration, and the workflow builder that development and operations teams prefer.
Implementation Process
Structured migration from legacy UC to best-of-breed architecture.
1
Assessment & Design
Document current UC environment, design Webex Calling configuration and Slack workspace architecture.
2
Network & Platform Prep
Implement QoS for voice quality, configure Webex Calling organization, set up Slack workspace with enterprise governance.
3
Migration & Integration
Execute phased user migration, configure Webex-Slack integration, decommission legacy platforms.
Technical Capabilities
Complete UC architecture design and deployment.
Webex Calling Configuration
Dial plan design, calling features, PSTN connectivity, device provisioning, and emergency calling setup.
Slack Enterprise Setup
Workspace governance, SSO integration, compliance configuration, and app approval workflows.
Platform Integration
Webex-Slack integration for click-to-call, call status, and voicemail management within Slack interface.
Outcomes
- Enterprise telephony with full feature depth on Webex Calling
- Team collaboration on preferred platform without compromise
- Unified communications workflow through platform integration
- Legacy on-premises UC infrastructure decommissioned
- Voice quality validated and optimized for your network
Ideal Fit
- Organizations migrating from CUCM, Avaya, or Mitel to cloud UC
- Teams already using Slack who want to preserve their workflow
- Enterprises requiring advanced telephony features and compliance recording
- Organizations with Salesforce CRM seeking Slack integration value
Platform Comparison
When best-of-breed beats single-vendor suites
Different UC approaches serve different organizational needs and priorities.
Recommended
Webex Calling + Slack
Best-of-Breed
Purpose-built calling and collaboration platforms that integrate without compromise.
Best Fit
Organizations requiring enterprise telephony depth and flexible collaboration workflows.
Tradeoffs
Two platforms to manage instead of one unified suite.
IVI Recommendation
Recommended for enterprises with complex calling requirements and teams who value Slack's workflow capabilities.
Microsoft Teams
Single-Vendor Suite
Collaboration platform with calling features added for unified experience.
Best Fit
Organizations deeply embedded in Microsoft 365 with light telephony requirements.
Tradeoffs
Limited enterprise calling features and voice quality constraints.
Legacy On-Premises
Status Quo
Existing CUCM, Avaya, or Mitel platforms with ongoing maintenance costs.
Best Fit
Organizations not ready for cloud migration or with specific on-premises requirements.
Tradeoffs
Hardware refresh costs, maintenance complexity, and limited modern collaboration features.
Why IVI
UC expertise across platforms and migration complexity
Migration Expertise
Proven experience migrating from CUCM, Avaya, and Mitel to cloud UC platforms.
Cisco Specialization
Cisco-designed migration tools and processes for CUCM to Webex Calling transitions.
Multi-Platform Experience
Migration experience across Avaya Aura, Mitel MiVoice, and other legacy UC platforms.
Phased Approach
Risk-managed migration with rollback capability maintained throughout the process.
Integration Architecture
Deep understanding of how Webex Calling and Slack integrate for unified workflow.
Platform Integration
Webex-Slack integration configuration for click-to-call and call management within Slack.
Enterprise Governance
Slack workspace configuration with SSO, compliance, and data retention appropriate for enterprise environments.
Network Optimization
QoS and network design for voice quality across your infrastructure.
Related Resources
Related Resources
Review related solution pages, supporting materials, and additional resources that help explain where this solution fits and how it can be applied.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Webex Calling + Slack deployment.
We run CUCM on-premises. What does migration to Webex Calling involve?
Webex Calling migration from CUCM uses Cisco-designed migration tools to translate your dial plan configuration. Most Cisco desk phones (8800 and 7800 series) are compatible with Webex Calling registration after firmware updates — you typically don't need to replace handsets. We execute the migration in phases by location or user group, maintaining CUCM for unmigrated users until each phase is validated and complete.
Can we migrate just calling to Webex while keeping Teams for messaging?
Yes. Webex Calling and Slack are independently deployable platforms. If your Teams adoption is strong for messaging, we can design a Webex Calling deployment that integrates with Teams through the Webex integration for Microsoft Teams. Alternatively, if you're ready to migrate both calling and messaging, we deploy the full Webex Calling + Slack architecture.
We have analog phones and fax lines that need to be preserved. Can Webex Calling support these?
Yes. Webex Calling supports analog telephone adapter (ATA) devices that connect legacy analog phones and fax machines to the cloud platform. During our assessment phase, we inventory your analog endpoints and design ATA deployment for each location with analog requirements, ensuring continuity for these critical devices.
Our team already uses Slack extensively. Will adding Webex Calling disrupt their workflow?
It enhances their workflow. The Webex + Slack integration adds calling capability directly within the Slack interface — your team can place calls, see call status, and manage voicemail from Slack. The collaboration workflow they already prefer gains calling functionality without requiring them to learn a new application or change their daily habits.
How does voice quality compare between Webex Calling and Teams Phone?
Webex Calling runs on Cisco's global network infrastructure with calling architecture designed specifically for voice quality. SIP trunking, codec negotiation, and QoS are managed by Cisco's 25 years of enterprise voice experience. Teams Phone operates on Microsoft's collaboration infrastructure, which prioritizes messaging and meetings over voice optimization.
What PSTN connectivity options are available with Webex Calling?
Webex Calling supports three PSTN connectivity models: Cisco Calling Plans for full Cisco management, Operator Connect partnerships to retain your existing carrier relationship, and Local Gateway (CUBE) configuration to preserve existing SIP trunks. We design the PSTN approach based on your current contracts, cost requirements, and operational preferences.
Do you support organizations that want to stay with Microsoft Teams?
Yes. We provide honest assessment of your UC requirements and existing investments. For organizations deeply embedded in Microsoft 365 with light telephony needs and strong Teams adoption, staying with Teams may be the right choice. We'll tell you if that's your situation and can help optimize your Teams Phone deployment if that's the best fit for your organization.
What ongoing support do you provide after the UC migration is complete?
We support the platform through our Aegis co-managed services for ongoing monitoring and optimization, plus professional services for capability expansion as your needs evolve. This includes platform administration support, user onboarding for new hires, feature optimization, and integration with new business applications as your organization grows.