LAS VEGAS, NV -- (MARKET WIRE) -- April 4, 2007 --CISCO PARTNER SUMMIT 2007 -- Cisco®
(NASDAQ: CSCO) today introduced Cisco Smart Care Service, designed to help
small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and midmarket customers simplify
network maintenance through regular, proactive network assessments, remote
software repairs and technical support. Based upon a collaborative approach
to delivering services, Cisco Smart Care Service combines the complementary
strengths of Cisco and its channel partners to proactively verify that a
customer's network is secure, reliable and functioning optimally at all
times. This global collaborative service is delivered exclusively through
Cisco certified channel partners via a single maintenance customer service
contract.
"As the network becomes the platform for business success in companies of
all sizes, the service and support needs of SMB and midmarket customers are
becoming more sophisticated. As a result, the demands placed on technology
partners have increased and have been a key driver for us in developing a
collaborative approach for delivering services," said Karl Meulema, vice
president, marketing and channels for Cisco services. "Cisco Smart Care
Service enables channel partners to utilize Cisco networking expertise,
methodologies, technical tools and service infrastructure to create their
own unique set of personalized services specific to a customer's growing
needs."
Cisco Smart Care Service includes a software client or a hardware-based
network appliance that is deployed at the customer site, after the service
is purchased, to collect predetermined data. This data is securely provided
back to the channel partner through a Cisco-hosted server, on a scheduled
basis, to report on the health and security of the network. Channel
partners can then receive proactive notifications about any identified
risks or issues and in many cases can also obtain a suggested fix specific
to the issue, as well as the ability to remotely apply that fix to a device
in the customer network. The customer is given access to a snapshot of the
overall health, availability and security of all of the devices in its
network through an easy-to-use Service Dashboard. The client or appliance
also serves as a platform for providing a broad range of proactive
assessment and repair services and can cover from five up to a maximum of
105 Cisco devices.
"We really value having the combined expertise of both Cisco and IOSecure,
but through one single service contract to manage and maintain," said Jason
Christopherson, vice president, finance and corporate services at Pacific
National Exhibition. "The ongoing monitoring and periodic assessments
gives us and IOSecure visibility into our network performance, allowing
problems to be addressed before they affect our business. It is nice to
have more peace of mind when it comes to network security and reliability
as it is critical in keeping our business up and running."
"We expect Cisco Smart Care Service to really differentiate our business
by giving us the tools to complement traditional network support with
proactive maintenance and technology planning services," said Tom Jacoby,
president, IOSecure. "We are already seeing a difference in customer
loyalty and interest because we have ongoing opportunities to offer
additional value to our customers through now affordable services like
remote monitoring, diagnostics and remediation. With Cisco Smart Care
Service, we will be able to offer our customers just the right type of
service to meet the needs and level of complexity of their business."
The Cisco Smart Care Service is the newest member in a family of Cisco
services for SMB to midmarket customers, delivered as part of the Cisco
Smart Business Roadmap. The Cisco Smart Business Roadmap is a structured,
prioritized evolutionary path for growing companies that combines
customized technology solutions, world-class service and flexible financing
options to keep pace with change and make more informed technology
decisions.
Availability and Pricing
The Cisco Smart Care Service is scheduled to be available to a limited
number of Cisco Select Certified or Premier Certified Partners in July
2007, with general availability in the fall. Pricing to the channel partner
is determined by two factors: the number of devices on the customer network
and the types of applications and devices that reside on the network. For
additional eligibility requirements and solution details, please visit:
www.cisco.com/go/smartcare.
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.
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partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any
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