A More Affordable, Flexible Path Forward with Cisco and Cloud Phone Systems
Many organizations invested in Cisco phone solutions expecting long-term value—but rising licensing costs, complex management requirements, and aging on-prem systems are making it harder to justify staying locked into the Cisco ecosystem. If you're at a crossroads and exploring more cost-effective options, you don’t have to rip and replace the hardware you already own. From enhanced E911 to one-touch panic buttons and multi-site scalability, Verge Business Cloud unlocks modern safety and compliance features for your existing Cisco devices—without a costly overhaul.
Why Organizations Look for a Cisco Alternative
Cisco is a powerful platform, but it’s not always the right fit for modern IT, safety, and operational requirements—especially for growing businesses, financial institutions, healthcare groups, schools, and multi-site organizations.
Common reasons customers explore alternatives include:
- High licensing and maintenance fees
- Costly hardware refresh cycles
- On-premises servers that require ongoing updates and security patching
- Complexity of managing Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM)
- Limited flexibility for hybrid and remote teams
- Slow scalability across multiple sites
- Gaps in safety features such as panic alerting, enhanced E911, and multi-location emergency routing
If you’re feeling the pressure of aging Cisco systems—or the increasing risk and cost that come with maintaining them—you’re not alone.
Extending Your Hardware Investment with Verge
Verge Network Solutions offers a smarter, more affordable way to modernize your communications while protecting the investments you’ve already made.
✔ Works with Cisco Devices You Already Have
Your Cisco phones don’t have to be retired early. Verge Business Cloud's flexible architecture allows you to avoid hardware waste, reduce capital expenditure, and support mixed phone environments (Cisco, Mitel, Poly, Yealink, and more). The system supports a wide range of Cisco models, including:
- Cisco 79XX Series
- Cisco 78XX Series
- Cisco 88XX Series
- Cisco 9841, 9851, 9861, and 9871 models
✔ Lower Total Cost of Ownership
No more unpredictable licensing fees or expensive maintenance contracts. With Verge Business Cloud:
- You pay a simple, predictable monthly service fee
- No CUCM servers to manage
- No costly upgrade cycles
- No hefty support contracts that break the bank
✔ Fast Deployment, Zero Downtime
Our team handles the entire onboarding process, including device provisioning, number porting, and network validation—so you can transition smoothly without disrupting day-to-day operations.
✔ Enterprise-Grade Features, Without the Enterprise-Grade Price
Modern communication features come standard, including:
- Mobile softphones & remote-work readiness
- Call queue & reporting tools
- Voicemail-to-email
- Unified communications and messaging tools
- Auto attendants & call routing
- Advanced security & call authentication
✔ Built Specifically for Multi-Location Businesses
Whether you’re managing 1 sites or 100, Verge provides:
- Consistent configuration across locations
- Centralized admin tools
- Flexible user management
- Reliable uptime engineered for regulated industries
Enhancing Safety — Turn Cisco Keys into Panic Buttons
In environments where staff safety, rapid escalation, and instant communication are critical—school campuses and universities, local government offices, banks, healthcare facilities, and manufacturing plants—Verge Business Cloud transforms your existing Cisco phones into powerful safety tools.
- Dedicated programmable keys can be configured as a one-touch panic button
- Alerts can immediately route to internal security, branch managers, SROs, or designated response teams
- Optional screen messages or indicator lights confirm that an alert was triggered
- Panic calls are logged and reportable to support investigations and compliance
- Centralized configuration ensures consistent behavior across every building, campus, or branch
Being able to initiate a silent or immediate alert from a desk phone helps organizations respond faster to threats or emergencies—supporting a safer environment for employees, students, and the public.
This capability also supports compliance with Alyssa’s Law, helping schools and public institutions meet safety requirements with the technology they already own.
Reliable Emergency Routing for Cisco with Enhanced E911
Emergency calling must work every time. When your Cisco phones are registered to Verge Business Cloud, they fully support Enhanced E911, giving your teams confidence that location data is accurate and calls route where they need to—no matter what.
- Each phone is tied to a validated, dispatchable location record
- Calls route automatically to the correct Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)
- Dispatchers receive precise details such as floor or suite number
- Changes to layout, staffing, and extensions are automatically reflected in your E911 configuration
Accurate, reliable 911 routing reduces response times and ensures the right help is sent to the right place—even in large or multi-building environments.
This supports compliance with Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’s Act, helping your organization demonstrate a commitment to safety and regulatory responsibility.
What This Means for Your Organization
No More Forced Upgrades
If your Cisco system is approaching end-of-contract or end-of-support, moving to Verge Business Cloud protects you from expensive refresh cycles and licensing renewals. You keep the hardware you already purchased while shifting to a modern, cloud-driven communications platform.
No More Siloed or Limited Cisco Environments
Your Cisco phones don’t lose functionality—they gain more. Verge Business Cloud enables features your legacy Cisco deployment may not fully support, including:
- One-touch panic button configurations
- Enhanced E911 with precise location routing
- Cloud-based calling, routing, and reporting
- Centralized provisioning across all locations
You can continue using your Cisco models alongside Mitel, Yealink, Poly, and other devices without disruption.
No More Vendor Lock-In
You decide which Cisco phones to keep, which devices to retire, which sites migrate first, and how fast your transition takes place. Verge Business Cloud adapts to your environment—not the other way around.
Whether you’re replacing an aging Cisco deployment or planning a phased modernization, we deliver:
- A modern, secure VoIP platform
- Lower overall communication costs
- Full support for your existing Cisco devices
- Advanced safety and compliance features like panic buttons & enhanced E911
- A scalable, cloud-based roadmap for future growth
Ready to Explore a Cisco Alternative?
Verge Network Solutions can help you build a migration plan that keeps your communications running smoothly, protects your hardware investment, and reduces costs—without a complicated rip-and-replace. We’ll help you map your current setup and plan your transition timeline.
Here's what others have to say
Three years ago and after a thorough analysis of several different providers of hardware and software we chose VNS to assist in the implementation of a Mitel phone system and video conferencing throughout our branch network. Since that time, Verge has been an instrumental vendor in the management of various projects including purchasing other financial institutions and formation of a formal Virtual Branch to name a few. They have been willing to professionally consult and guide our efforts following our initial decision several years ago and certainly provides testament to their continued focus on the customer (Union State Bank) following the sale.
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend the services of Verge network solutions. In our recent collaboration, Verge has demonstrated exceptional expertise, reliability, and professionalism in delivering top-notch telecommunications solutions tailored to our specific needs. Verge Telecommunications has proven to be a valuable partner to our organization. Their commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and customer-centric approach have left a lasting impression on our team.
It’s rare these days for a company to truly deliver on the promises that were made, but Verge Network Solutions has done just that. They also reviewed all of our existing phone bills to see what services we were paying for that we no longer needed. This was done prior to our even signing a contract, which is uncommon in this day. All I ever do is email the support group and they are quick to respond to whatever the issue/request is.They have become a critical business partner to our bank.
I can say, without reservation, if given the opportunity we would again select Verge for our telephone communication equipment needs.
I am a firm believer in the idiom “too good to be true”, because in my 32 years in the banking business it has proven itself over and over again. Except once. The one time that “too good” was indeed “true” was when Verge Network Solutions came to our board and presented the Telecommunications Audit Report and Recommendations for our 3 bank charter. Verge Network Solutions is the real deal.
There are many things we can recommend about Verge. In addition to their excellent customer service, quick responsiveness, and state-of-the-art technology, we really appreciate the fact they focus their attention on community banks. They understand our model and that, in addition to their quality staff, is what really sets them apart from the competition. You will not regret doing business with Verge Network Solutions.
At the beginning of the project, your preliminary review of our telephone bill and the cost savings associated with your recommended changes was amazing.
You’ve found it! Are you tired and frustrated of your old phone service? Looking for something new but struggling to trust another vendor? You can rest easy, knowing you’ve found a great company for your communication needs. If you are considering using Verge you may do so with full confidence that you are picking the right company. They offer great products and customer service. Rarely have I worked with a company that goes so far out of their way to ensure their customers are taken care of.
Verge Network Solutions has long been a trusted and essential partner of Security Bank and Trust Company. When I consider our relationship with Verge, two things immediately come to mind. The people and their reliability. Verge has taken all of the guesswork out of our communications systems. You can be confident knowing that you have a secure, reliable, cost-effective and well-supported system. We are grateful for the time and effort that Verge has committed to helping us improve customer service and communications. Partnering with Verge has allowed us to focus on being community bankers, while still offering the services and reliability of larger institutions.
As a manufacturing business, reliable communication systems are the backbone of our operations, and Verge Network Solutions has consistently exceeded our expectations in both service and support. Throughout our collaboration, the team at Verge Network Solutions has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to customer service. Their responsiveness, technical expertise, and ability to anticipate and address our needs have been instrumental in maintaining our operations without interruption. The support provided by their team has been exemplary, ensuring any issues are resolved promptly and effectively, minimizing any potential impact on our business. Verge Network Solutions has been an invaluable partner to our business. Their dedication to delivering high-quality telecommunication solutions and outstanding customer service has played a significant role in our operational success.
Verge's approach to customer service sets them apart from others in the industry. They have a unique ability to analyze and optimize our systems, identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements. Their attention to detail and proactive communication have saved us considerable time and resources, allowing us to focus on our core business. In addition to their technical expertise, Verge's hosted phone system has proven to be reliable and user-friendly. The call quality is excellent, and the system offers a wide range of features that have enhanced our operations.
We've partnered with Verge Network Solutions since our hospital opened in 1999. The original phone system they installed lasted well beyond expectations. When it was time to upgrade, we evaluated several options, and Verge's proposal stood out for its value and tailored approach.
Your staff did an excellent job preparing and installing the telephone conversion. The personal visits and telephone attention you gave us were well received.
Our bank was with Verge for 10 years. Things seemed to be going fine, but our contract was up, and we thought we would take a look around. We decided to save a few dollars and move our phone service. We communicated this to Verge. They were disappointed that we were moving, but not one negative word was said to us. They wished us well and told us to let them know if we ever needed anything. A few months later, I ate crow and called Art. He assembled his team and immediately met a rushed deadline for us to end our trial period with the other vendor.
Your advisors and technicians were great to work with during the installation phase and the ongoing technical support has been outstanding. We appreciate the prompt responses from your team and look forward to a long relationship in the future.
We would like to take this opportunity to commend you and your staff for the great job they did in implementing our new phone system. The entire process was done in a professional and friendly manner, and the transition to the new system was as smooth and easy as one could of hoped. The service we continue to get from you is exceptional.
All of our needs have been met without any exceptions.
Verge Network Solutions has consistently demonstrated an elevated level of professionalism and commitment to excellence. One of the aspects that truly sets Verge apart is their customer-centric approach. They have gone above and beyond to understand our specific needs and have tailored their services accordingly. Their support has not only met but exceeded our expectations, ensuring that any issues were resolved promptly and effectively.
One of the things that sets Verge apart from other companies in the industry is their approach to analyzing phone bills not only to assist with the project but also to find ways to save money through identifying opportunities to switch providers and identifying inaccurate billing. I would highly recommend Verge Network Solutions to anyone for a high-quality, reliable and cost-effective hosted phone system.
Glen told me that Verge would be the best company that I have ever dealt with and I was skeptical. I’ve been sold on many things by sales people that end up not being true. However, this time it was true, you all are the best at what your do.
As our bank grew, it became obvious we were going to need better communications with customers and our branches. Verge Network Solutions provided that piece of the puzzle. From the first meeting through installation, training, and follow up, the service from Verge has been excellent.
Having worked with several phone companies in the past for our multi-office dental practice, Verge has consistently met and exceeded our expectations. From our first exploratory visit, we immediately felt as though they cared to meet both our office needs, as well as the needs of our thousands of patients across the Houston area. We look forward to continuing our partnership over the years.
Their response time is outstanding, and they have been able to solve our problems in a very timely manner. In addition they did an excellent job of onsite training at every location. This, more than anything, made the changeover almost painless.
First National Bank of Oklahoma is pleased to recommend the services of Verge Network Solutions to you. We converted approximately 9 months ago and have been satisfied with the installation and support. I rarely give references, but this one was easy to support.
As you will recall, we weren’t even looking for a new telephone system when I visited your booth at the Oklahoma Banker’s Association Convention. After visiting with you and realizing the benefits that we would receive from your system versus our existing system, we felt that we had no choice but to install the Iwatsu product.
The thing I appreciate the most in working with Verge Network Solutions is the time they invested in working with our bank before we ever became a customer. For several years their team interacted with us, took the time to learn about our company, eventually assisted us in acquiring some network infrastructure, all the while reminding us of the products they had to offer... The proposal was very detailed, customized for our company and was affordable. The transition and installation was well planned and we experienced very little disruption in the conversion.
We recently purchased or maybe I should say partnered with Verge Network Solutions for a new telephone system, I say partnered because I do feel that is it a partnership with the understanding of our needs as a community bank that they bring to the table.
The Verge team personally visited each one of our fourteen locations in order to put together a customized communication plan for our bank, and provided a very detailed proposal as to how this new system would pay for itself within a few years. We also looked at proposals from other providers, but none of them even came close to matching the Verge team’s seamless and professional solution.
Working with Verge Solutions has been a dream experience. We had problems with our previous internet and phone service for over a year before we switched to Verge. The transition was seamless. They took care of everything and walked us through what to expect. Anytime we call they are quick to respond and always friendly!
Verge and its passion for its customers like us, has proven to be a key element of our own successful growth, and we expect this long-standing partnership will continue for many years to come.
By taking the time to compile a needs assessment analysis, the Verge team was able to propose a system designed to satisfy our needs and even recommend a few cost savings opportunities.
First Texas National Bank recently completed our phone system migrations from POTS line to VolP with Verge Network Solutions. lt is so nice having all locations connected and transferring calls is easy. The app is easy to use and makes after hours calling a smooth transition as well as a Business Continuity when the power has gone out.
Verge Telecommunications has proven to be a valuable partner to our organization. Their commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and customer-centric approach have left a lasting impression on our team. Although we were a little surprised by the cost initially, we are now very pleased we made the change to Verge. I have never experienced support at this level from any other Telecommunication Solutions company.
Your staff was able to make things work the way we wanted it to without compromise.
We prolonged switching from a landline to a voice over IP phone system since it worked. We contacted Verge once we decided to purchase a new phone system. Mike and the staff were attentive to our needs and answered any questions that we had. Verge did most of the programming off-site making the actual switch a breeze. They trained our employees, and we were off and running. Verge's service after the sale has also been impeccable. They have quickly and diligently answered any questions and troubleshoot any problems.
The system has made our bank much more efficient. Being able to transfer calls between our branches has made life much simpler and easier for our customers.
Versatile Solutions for Any Industry
From on-premises deployments to cloud-based innovations, our portfolio spans comprehensive network infrastructure design, including SD-WAN, to ensure reliability and efficiency. Discover how our flexible approach can revolutionize your communication strategy, regardless of your industry.
Built for Your World
Every industry has unique needs—and Verge understands the details. We’ve spent over two decades building solutions that align with the operational, regulatory, and customer demands of your sector.
