EDINBURGH, UK, September 12, 2000 - Cisco Systems today announced that Business a.m., Scotland's new business and financial daily which is set to launch on 20 September, has underscored its commitment to securing maximum value from its technology investments by using the Internet for its telephony systems. The investment by the company in future-proof Cisco Systems Internet Protocol (IP) telephony heralds a major turning point for UK media communications.

Cisco has supplied and installed the infrastructure and customer contact software at the heart of Business a.m., linking its Edinburgh, Glasgow and London offices with a voice, video and data network. The open standard of IP means that Business a.m. is not restricted to using applications from one provider.

The telephony systems also allows features such as access to breaking news while in conversation; on-line access to directories of tailored information; and the flexibility for individual users to retain personal telephone settings while moving between offices.

The infrastructure installed at Business a.m.'s Edinburgh office, include components of Cisco AVVID (Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data), Catalyst 4006, Call Manager 3.0 and uOne Voice Mail Server, as well as 120 Cisco 7960 IP phones.

Maggie Morrison, operations director of Cisco Systems, Scotland and Ireland, said: "As the first newspaper in the UK to use Cisco's internet protocol (IP) telephony system, Business a.m. is stealing a march on its competitors. The company has saved around 60 per cent of the cost of a traditional telephone system, and will continue to benefit from lower running costs which are vital in this competitive, cost sensitive industry.

"IP telephony delivers real business benefits, along with cost savings and a degree of future proofing that cannot be guaranteed by conventional telephone systems. The open standards and architecture of this network means that as the company grows it will simply 'plug in' new office locations and immediately have full functionality."

Dr Anthony Jackson, operations and IT director of Business a.m. said: "We are extremely keen to take advantage of the business benefits that converged networks provide. With only one combined telephone and data network connecting our offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London Business a.m. will benefit from enhanced communication throughout the organisation and greatly reduced maintenance costs."

Editor's Notes:

Cisco AVVID is the foundation for tomorrow's converged networks and provides IP-based business solutions that improve communications management and enhance productivity, which allow Business a.m. to lead the way for other enterprises similarly to modernise their communications.

About Business a.m.

Business a.m. will publish five days a week, Monday to Friday, offering unrivalled coverage of business, finance, and politics from a Scottish perspective. Staffed by 70 top quality journalists, the paper will be based in the heart of Edinburgh's new and fast growing financial district, but will also have offices in Glasgow, Aberdeen, London and other key locations around the world, including Brussels, the US and the Far East.

Business a.m. will also offer an extensive online service with a website launch timed to coincide with that of the newspaper.

Business a.m. is being produced by Bonnier Media Limited, a subsidiary Of The Bonnier Group - one of Europe's largest media groups - with newspaper, magazine and television interests. The family owned, #1 billion a year turnover, business currently publishes nine other financial titles similar to Business a.m. in various countries across Europe.

About Cisco Systems

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