The Design Process—Planning Analyzing Requirements

Cisco Unity Feature and Function Evaluation Comparison with existing voice messaging Capacity planning—infrastructure Messaging infrastructure Telephony infrastructure Network infrastructure

Voice-Messaging Feature Usage Analysis Develop user survey questionnaires. Observe users. Conduct focus groups. Seek out the special-case users. Perform gap analysis—match feature and function use with Cisco Unity capabilities. Analyze the existing system configuration. Research existing traffic patterns. Analyze existing support issues for both e-mail and voice mail. Define training criteria. Cisco Unity Usage Analysis.doc

Lab Trial and Proof of Concept Simulate a production network and install Cisco Unity. Configure product options. Execute test plans. Record and assess the installation.

Production Pilot Develop a pilot installation plan. Select pilot members. Implement. Monitor and document. Survey pilot members. Analyze results.

Site Surveys Messaging infrastructure—Inventoried by site Messaging servers Routing and administrative groups Telephony infrastructure PBXs, voice ports, and switch settings Network infrastructure Domain controllers, DNS, and global catalog server Physical placement of Cisco Unity servers Rack space and power Deployment models and design rules User density mapped accurately

Compile Data Finalize feature and function analysis. Include lessons learned from pilot. Organize. Apply usage analysis results to design process. Can be used to set Cisco Unity configuration. Incorporate existing naming conventions. Incorporate special requirements.

Summary Do a full feature and function analysis comparing Cisco Unity to the existing voice-messaging systems. Compile accurate usage information for existing systems through questionnaires, surveys, focus groups, and observation. Simulate and test the production system in a lab environment. Select pilot members, conduct a fixed-length pilot, and analyze pilot results. Conduct detailed site surveys, paying particular attention to physical placement of Cisco Unity servers and associated infrastructure issues. Carefully compile and organize your data from all steps. This is the basis for your detailed design.