Better Together: Why Cisco and Microsoft Make Sense for Modern UCC
The False Choice Between Cisco or Microsoft
Unified communications doesn’t need to be a binary choice. Many organisations have historically tried to simplify their estates by choosing a single vendor for unified communications and collaboration (UCC)—but that often sacrifices flexibility and capability.
In today’s connected enterprise, SCC supports a dual-vendor strategy that leverages Cisco and Microsoft in tandem. With modern integration tools, these ecosystems no longer conflict—they complement.
Key benefit:
A best-of-both-worlds approach that enhances user experience, avoids lock-in, and builds resilience into your collaboration estate.
The Reality of Today’s Communication Stack
Modern organisations are complex, hybrid, and fast-paced. They need tools that reflect how people actually work:
- Microsoft 365 powers collaboration, content, and calendars.
- Cisco underpins enterprise-grade voice, devices, and contact centre infrastructure.
In practice, most businesses already run both platforms. This isn’t inefficiency—it’s operational reality.
Why it matters:
Successful UCC strategies today are built around interoperability, not consolidation.
Platform Strengths at a Glance
Microsoft Teams
- Deep integration with M365: Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive.
- Familiar collaboration hub for messaging, meetings, and co-authoring.
- Strong user adoption across sectors.
Cisco
- Reliable, scalable telephony: CUCM and Webex Calling.
- Advanced devices and room systems.
- Expertise in voice, video, and secure network architecture.
The Case for a Hybrid Approach
✅ Best-of-Breed Deployment
Use Cisco for calling and rooms, Teams for messaging and file-sharing—with no compromise.
✅ Preserve Existing Investments
Extend the value of Cisco estates while embracing Microsoft’s collaboration features.
✅ User-Centric Flexibility
Tailor tools by role—what sales needs isn’t what support needs.
✅ Drive ROI
Leverage what you already pay for in M365 and Cisco platforms.
✅ Seamless Integration
Enable coexistence with Direct Routing, CVI, Cisco Calling for Microsoft Teams, and MTR-certified devices.
Best of Both Collaboration Across Solution Areas
📞 Enterprise Calling
- Extend Cisco’s global voice capability into Teams.
- Avoid duplicative Microsoft licensing where Cisco already excels.
- Support hybrid and on-premise needs with ease.
📈 Contact Centre
- Integrate Webex Contact Center natively into Teams.
- Add digital channels (WhatsApp, web chat), AI, and WFM tools.
- Improve agent experience and customer outcomes.
🎥 Meeting Rooms & Devices
- Deploy Cisco devices that run Teams natively.
- Use dual-mode hardware for platform flexibility.
- Add Cisco Spaces for smart, sustainable workspace management.
🔐 Security & Compliance
- Strengthen Microsoft 365 with Cisco Duo, Umbrella, AnyConnect.
- Layered protection for users, devices, and networks.
- SCC adds integrated SOC support and regulatory consultancy.
📊 Performance & Management
- Optimise traffic flows with Cisco SD-WAN and ThousandEyes.
- Unified analytics via Cisco Control Hub.
- Automated provisioning and management tooling from SCC.
Where This Strategy Adds the Most Value
- Enterprises with multi-region complexity or mixed vendor estates.
- Contact centres standardised on Cisco but back office using or moving to Teams.
- Professional services with client-dependent platform preferences.
- M&A or digital transformation scenarios where service continuity is essential.
- Regulated industries needing dual-platform governance and security.
Tackling Common Questions
“Is managing both platforms harder?”
→ Not with unified provisioning, automated tooling, integrated analytics, and SCC’s converged support model.
“Won’t users be confused?”
→ Not with SCC’s Change & Adoption as a Service ensuring clear user journeys.
“What about cost?”
→ It’s often more cost-efficient than a full migration—maximising return on existing investments.
Real-World Results in Action
From manufacturing to finance, SCC has delivered hybrid collaboration strategies that work, such as the use case outlined by Harkirat Degun, Product Director “We’re supporting a major energy provider that uses Microsoft Teams for voice across the business. To boost resilience and meet complex requirements, we’re deploying Cisco Webex Calling alongside it, and integrating Webex Contact Center with Teams so their contact centre and back-office work as one. All of this is fully managed by us end to end, so they can focus on outcomes, not infrastructure” Whether enabling Cisco-powered customer engagement inside Teams, deploying sustainable Cisco meeting rooms, or managing mixed estates from a single pane of glass—SCC have helped clients deliver on digital workplace goals.
Final Word: It’s Not About Choosing—It’s About Combining
Your UCC environment should enable your business, not constrain it. By blending Cisco’s voice and device leadership with Microsoft’s collaboration ubiquity, organisations get a secure, scalable, and future-ready foundation for work. SCC have over 200 experts working in collaboration We can assess your estate, design your roadmap, and deliver a fully integrated Cisco + Microsoft experience—from infrastructure to user adoption to managed support of converged and mixed estates.
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