ALM datasheet

ALM datasheet

ALM datasheet

Datasheet ALM (Active Login Manager)

ALM provides core business features like security and privacy to the communication needs of any employee in every type of business.

ALM is a very useful add-on to Cisco’s Extension Mobility. Providing a PC integrated automatic logon engine to protect companies against unidentified high phone bills and secures internal phone usage. When using EM in combination with ALM users will experience a presence like feature.

Using special techniques and software the ALM is able to find a Cisco IP Phone within the network using the PhoneDetectionEngine (PDE). This PDE uses (Cisco) standard protocols like CDP and open standards like LLDP to detect any connected Cisco IP Phone.

The ALM software replaces the need for a user to manually enter their Username and PIN with a tiny Windows application on the user’s PC or laptop computer. ALM stores the Username and PIN fully encrypted within the Operating Systems registry. Therefore protecting a user’s phone and credentials.

Providing the user with the ability to either log on manually to their Cisco IP Phone or use the ALM software to automate the process.

Ideal for office or desk sharing, suitable for use in call- and contact centres. A easy and affordable way of protecting your phone system, making the use of Extension Mobility easier for all your users, prevent unauthorized usage of the phone system and stop toll-fraud.

Seamless integration with all current Cisco CallManager platforms is supported without the need to purchase any additional hardware or software components. The only requirement is a Microsoft Windows based laptop or personal computer and a Cisco IP Phone supporting Extension Mobility.

When integrating Cisco CallManager with Active Directory users may be confronted with extensive long usernames for Extension mobility. ALM is the solution. ALM is a mediator between a user and their credentials and the Cisco CallManager system.

Key improvements in software release 5

  • Extended Login and Phone Detection Methods
  • AXL Connection to CUCM
  • Added personal History
  • Added support for Inventory Manager
  • Improved stability
  • Updated User Settings interface
  • Updated Admin Settings interface

Extended Login and Phone Detection Methods

ALM is now able to present a pop-up to a user in case of no IPPhone found. The user enters the DN of the IPPhone and this will be user to login the user to the Cisco IPPhone.

AXL Connection to CUCM

ALM maintain a connection to the AXL/SOAP API of CUCM to allow various features to work smoother and faster.

Personal History

A simple overview can be presented within ALM which allows a user to view the logon & logoff history of the IPPhone.

Inventory Manager support

ALM Inventory Manager is a separate application which allows scanning of (Cisco) network devices and dynamically build a mapping file. This mapping file can be used by ALMin cased where there is no physical phone detection possible (i.e. Thin-clients or separate voice-data networks).

Improved stability

ALM is more stable than before, the internal detection process has gone through an upgrade and therefore ALM is able to operate more stable.

User Settings Interface

The user settings screen allows a user to change the personal settings. These settings are saved for every user separately. When multiple users use one PC ALM allows every user to save its personal settings.

Admin Settings Interface

A local, domain Administrator or Power user has the rights to change advanced settings. Refer to the “ALM installation and configuration manual” for detailed information of all the options and settings of the ALM. This document can be obtained from the RSconnect website.

Detection, logon and logoff

After installation the phone detection starts. The progress of the detection is visible via a system tray icon. After successful logon the ALM shows a balloon message informing the user the logon process has been completed and the IP Phone is logged on.

ALM; searching for a suitable Cisco IP Phone

ALM; suitable Cisco IP Phone found, logged on with previous provided credentials

ALM; manually logoff

ALM; taskbar options

Features
The following end-user features are supported by ALM:

  • Log on phone when a user’s logs on to Windows
  • Logoff phone when desktop is locked
  • Logoff phone when user logs off
  • Logoff phone when the screensaver starts
  • Logoff phone when desktop is shut down
  • Logoff phone when desktop is restarted
  • Logoff phone when desktop is placed in hibernation
  • Logoff phone when desktop is placed in stand-by mode
  • Logoff phone when laptop is removed from the docking station (only in combination with the un-dock feature within Windows)
  • Logoff when sessions disconnects.
  • Automatically switch to secondary or back-up CallManager/Communications Manager in case of primary server failure
  • Login with the DN of the phone

ALM also supports the following general features depending on the license purchased:

  • Support for CDP and LLDP for phone detection
  • Minimize detection time to 0 when using Inventory Manger
  • Logon and logoff Microsoft™ Skype for Business client
  • Refresh Cisco Instant Messaging and Presence (IM&P) client status
  • Detect network cable plugged/unplugged
  • Multiple user device profiles associated with a single user account
  • Logoff phone when network cable is disconnected using available Wi-Fi interface
  • Disable access to “User Settings” and/or “Admin Settings”
  • Customized link to Self-Care Portal page
  • Customer specific logo in ALM main screen
  • Secure/encrypted network traffic between ALM client and CallManager/Communications Manager
  • Redundant CallManager/Communications Manager configuration

The features below are available on request (send an e-mail to support@rsconnect.net for additional information).

  • Start external applications after successful logon
  • Start external applications after successful logoff

System requirements

Client Hardware Requirements

For best results we recommend at least 128 MB RAM, a 300 MHz Pentium or faster processor, 5-10 MB of free hard drive space, and a high-color (thousands or millions of colors) resolution of 800×600 or greater and  a 10/100/1000Mbit network interface card.

Also the client PC needs to be directly connected to the PC Port of any Cisco IP Phone model with support for ExtensionMobility when automatic detection is required.

If automatic detection is not required any Cisco IP Phone model with support for ExtensionMobility is supported.

ALM5 has been tested with the following Cisco IP Phones running SIP or SCCP firmware:

  • Cisco IP Phones 39xx
  • Cisco IP Phones 68xx
  • Cisco IP Phones 69xx
  • Cisco IP Phones 78xx
  • Cisco IP Phones 79xx
  • Cisco IP Phones 88xx
  • Cisco IP Phones 89xx
  • Cisco IP Phones 99xx
  • Cisco DX series
  • Cisco IP Communicator

Client Software Requirements

ALM5 has been tested on the following platforms:

  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 11 (beta)

ALM5 supports 64bit Operating Systems.

Supported Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CallManager) versions

  • Cisco CallManager 3.1 and higher
  • Cisco CallManager 4.x
  • Cisco Unified Communications Manager 5.x
  • Cisco Unified Communications Manager 6.x
  • Cisco Unified Communications Manager 7.x
  • Cisco Unified Communications Manager 8.x
  • Cisco Unified Communications Manager 9.x
  • Cisco Unified Communications Manager 10.x
  • Cisco Unified Communications Manager 11.x
  • Cisco Unified Communications Manager 12.x
  • Cisco Unified Communications Manager 14.x
  • Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express 7.x
  • Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express 8.x
  • Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express 9.x