-New Specialization Helps Customers Identify Cisco Channel Partners that are Capable of Delivering Intelligent Storage Networking Services and Solutions-

Dubai, UAE July 5, 2004 - To meet increasing customer demand for intelligent storage area networking (SAN) solutions that will help further decrease total cost of ownership and simplify the management of storage resources, Cisco Systems today announced a specialization that focuses on the storage networking market.  The new Storage Networking Specialization is the latest addition to the now more than 14 specializations that are available to channel partners through the Cisco Channel Partner Program. This new specialization provides a structured training roadmap and verification process to help ensure that solution providers have the expertise to plan, design, implement and support intelligent SAN solutions that are based on Cisco technology.

The specialization builds on the Cisco pioneering efforts in the SAN switching market, established by the numerous award-winning, industry-first innovations available in the Cisco MDS 9000 family of Multilayer Intelligent directors and fabric switches.  The specialization also complements the unique Cisco OSM (Original Storage Manufacturer) Active Go-To-Market Strategy, by enabling solution providers to strengthen their relationship with Cisco and its OSM partners, the primary distributors for the Cisco MDS 9000.  The new specialization is poised to benefit both Cisco as well as OSM channel partners.  In fact, to help drive this mutual success, Cisco is requiring channel partners who are interested in this specialization to have a resale agreement with one of its OSM partners.

"The SAN market is going through a major transition driven by customer demand for SAN fabric consolidation, improved business continuance and disaster recovery," said Andrew Elder, Director of Operations, Channels and Marketing for Russia, Middle East and Africa.  "This market transformation requires qualified channel partners to serve an expanding role, representing a tremendous opportunity for the channel. Our Storage Networking Specialization will help our channel partners develop the knowledge and skills to further accelerate customer adoption of Cisco intelligent SAN solutions."

Channel Gains Momentum in SAN Market

According to IDC, within the next three years, major storage systems vendors (such as Cisco OSM partners) will need to develop additional indirect-sales routes through qualified resellers to help meet the growing demand for SAN solutions among end-user companies of all sizes.  The goal of the Storage Networking Specialization is to provide channel partners with the required expertise in intelligent storage networking services and solutions to capitalize on this industry trend.           

Storage Networking Specialization

To achieve the Storage Networking Specialization, participating channel partners must be a Cisco Registered Partner, a prerequisite for all partners participating in Cisco channel partner programs. Solution providers can become a Cisco Registered Partner at http://tools.cisco.com/WWChannels/IPA/welcome.do

In addition, channel partners must fill the following job roles with individuals who have met specific professional certification program requirements:  an account manager responsible for sales methodology and customer engagement, a system engineer responsible for storage networking solution plan and design, and a field engineer responsible for storage networking implementation, operation and optimization. 

Channel partners who achieve the Storage Networking Specialization also earn 30 points toward certification under the Cisco Channel Partner Program.  More detailed information regarding the new specialization is available at:  www.Cisco.com/go/specializations.

-Ends- 

About Cisco Systems
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For further info, please contact:
Lama Kabbani                                            
Cisco Systems    
Tel: +971 4 390 7777                                                                             
Fax: +971 4 390 7771                                    
lkabbani@cisco.com                                                

Sherif Shafie
Manning Selvage & Lee
Tel: +971 4 3676162
Fax: +971 4 3672615
sherif.shafie@dubai.mslpr.com

© Press Release 2004