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Press Releases
Company Also Unveils Enhanced Programs, Collaborative Web-Based Platform for SMB-Focused Resellers SINGAPORE -- (MARKET WIRE), 12 February 2008 -- Continuing its commitment to the small and medium-sized business (SMB) marketplace, Cisco(R) (NASDAQ: CSCO) has made available a suite of new solution bundles for the Cisco Smart Business Communications System specifically designed for the Asia Pacific market. Recognizing the importance of resellers in reaching out to SMBs, Cisco also announced the addition of two partner profitability incentives: Opportunity Incentive Program (OIP) and Partner Development Fund (PDF). In addition, Cisco announced that its SMB channel initiative, Select Certification, has grown to more than 500 channel partners across the region. The final piece in today's announcements is a new interactive environment called Cisco Partner Space. The collaborative platform uses Web 2.0 technology to facilitate dynamic interaction between customers and partners. This is an ideal environment for companies of all sizes, particularly SMBs, to develop tighter relationships with their partners. "The SMB market is Cisco's fastest-growing segment around the world, and we are seeing that here in Asia Pacific as well. SMBs are also the backbone for any economy, so energizing them with technology will lead to an indirect benefit to national wealth," said Stuart Hendry, Cisco's director for commercial operations in Asia Pacific. "One of the key technologies that Cisco feels will benefit SMBs is unified communications, which is why we are introducing a new suite of bundles for the Cisco Smart Business Communications System." The simple, complete and highly secure Smart Business Communications System was designed ground up to help SMBs enable access to information anytime and anywhere. The system thus provides an efficient method of communicating with customers and employees to help improve service and increase business agility. It employs hardware products, integrated unified communications applications and system-management tools designed to complement each other and provide communication building blocks for small businesses. At the heart of the system is the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series, powered by Cisco Unified Communications Manager Express and Cisco Unity Express. This platform supports the portfolio of Cisco Unified IP Phones, including the softphone Cisco Unified IP Communicator, Internet connectivity with firewall protection, virtual private networks (VPNs), and wireless LAN access for reliable, highly secure communications. Cisco has introduced five special bundles with special pricing for the Smart Business Communications System for SMBs in Asia Pacific. See below for more details on the bundles. Partner Enablement To better serve the unique attributes of the SMB market, Cisco is building and enabling a new class of SMB channel partners with training, tools and programs. Cisco is therefore introducing two partner profitability programs to help its regional SMB Specialized Partners. The SMB Opportunity Incentive Program (OIP) rewards partners who secure incremental business. The Partner Development Fund (PDF), available in Asia Pacific from Feb. 15, provides Cisco channel partners with access to market development funds to build their SMB practices. These programs supplement the Cisco Select Certification, a recent addition to the industry-leading Cisco Channel Partner Program. Channel partners qualify for the Select Certification by meeting training and exam requirements, which are designed to equip them with the sales and technical skills needed to deliver integrated network solutions to the SMB market. Cisco has 500 new Select Partners in Asia Pacific and is aiming to double this number in six months. "Cisco's channel partner model is recognized as among the best in the industry, but it was always more difficult for a smaller reseller to gain entry. These smaller resellers, however, are the preferred IT trusted advisors for most SMBs when acquiring technology solutions. With the introduction of Select Certification, we can now provide these resellers with the tools and training to bring solutions such as the Cisco Smart Business Communications System to SMB customers," said Mike Allen, Cisco's director for channel operations, Asia Pacific. In addition to these programs, Cisco has also unveiled Cisco Partner Space, a virtual collaborative environment that enables connections and facilitates collaboration between customers and partners, among partners, and between Cisco and partners. The innovative concept starts with a booth, or Partner Space, that a partner builds to promote its company and collaborate with visitors. This booth is accessible from Partner Locator on Cisco's Website. Cisco Partner Space offers a new platform for virtual events that can be hosted by Cisco and partners who have booths. It's a place where users create dynamic online environments or communities of interest. Visitors can engage in business discussions within each Partner Space booth, network with other visitors, participate in forums, and attend live and on-demand web events, all conveniently from their desktops. For more information, visit http://www.ciscopartnerspace.com. Cisco Smart Business Communications System Bundles 8-User Bundle -- Unified Communications 520 System (8 user) -- Up to 8 phones (any model) -- 2 Nokia licenses 16-User Bundle -- Unified Communications 520 System (16 user) -- Catalyst(R) Express 520 Series 8U Switch (x1) -- Up to 16 phones (any model) -- 2 Nokia licenses 24-User Bundle -- Unified Communications 520 System (24 user) -- Catalyst Express 520 Series 24U Switch (x1) -- Up to 24 phones (any model) -- 2 Nokia licenses 32-User Bundle -- Unified Communications 520 System (32 user) -- Catalyst Express 520 Series 24U Switch (x1) -- Up to 32 phones (any model) -- 2 Nokia licenses 48-User Bundle -- Unified Communications 520 System (48 user) -- Catalyst Express 520 Series 24U Switch (x2) -- Up to 48 phones (any model) -- 2 Nokia licenses About Cisco: Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco products are supplied in Singapore by Cisco Systems International, BV. Cisco, the Cisco logo, Cisco Systems and Catalyst are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. This document is Cisco Public Information. For direct RSS Feeds of all Cisco news, please visit "News@Cisco" at the following link: http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/rss.html Media Contacts: Media Relations: William Oei Cisco +65-63175555 Analyst Relations: Huey Miin Leong Cisco +65-63175650 Submitted by Asia Release on Tuesday, 12 February 2008 at 4:00 PM Category: Consumer Technology |
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