3/9/2004 -- Cisco Systems Inc. last week announced revamped product offerings designed to boost the voice, video and content service offerings of its IP Communications portfolio, especially for remote offices.

The updated products include Cisco CallManager Express, Cisco Unity Express, and Cisco Application and Content Networking System.

Cisco says that its CallManager Express exploits Cisco access routers (such as the Cisco 1760, 2600XM, 2691 and 3700 Series) to support call-processing services such as call park, call pick up, call forwarding, day/night service, hunt groups, paging, and intercom to remote offices. The networking giant says that it can be deployed alongside Cisco's Unity Express to support voice mail and auto attendant capabilities.

For some time now, Cisco's Application and Content Networking System (ACNS) has supported live and on-demand video communications for branch and small office locations. The version 5.1 release bundles a content creation tool, network infrastructure, and web portal, along with a Cisco IP/TV release which boasts compliance with the Internet Streaming Media Alliance (ISMA) standards and a QuickTime- and ISMA-compatible player.

The new version of ACNS 5.1 also lets organizations deploy URL filtering, which Cisco says improves network security and accelerates the distribution of security patches and software updates. Cisco ACNS 5.1 runs on network-integrated appliances or router-integrated network modules for Cisco's 2600, 3600 and 3700 Series routers. -Stephen Swoyer