Cisco Forms Solution Technology Integrator Program to Penetrate New Vertical Markets

CISCO PARTNER SUMMIT 2004, HONOLULU, HI, February 12, 2004 - As part of its continuing effort to accelerate the adoption of Cisco® technologies in different markets, Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced its Solution Technology Integrator program. This program enables Cisco Systems'® newly-created solution technology integrator partners to produce integrated industry-specific solutions featuring Cisco technology.

"Today's announcement represents an evolution of our advanced technology go-to-market strategy, adding a new type of partner to our channel community," said Edison Peres, vice president of Advanced Technologies, Worldwide Channels at Cisco Systems. "Forming these relationships broadens the reach of our channel partner community, enabling us to strengthen our value proposition and address new market opportunities, representing incremental business for Cisco, and our Solution Technology Integrator partners."

"As a Cisco Solution Technology Integrator, we now have the ability to combine our handheld devices with Cisco Aironet® wireless LAN technology to create a complete integrated solution for our customers," said Dick Mahany, Vice President, Intermec. "Forming a relationship and integrating with an industry leader like Cisco, will give Intermec and our channel partners a significant competitive advantage in a number of data collection markets, including retail, homeland security and hospitality."

Solution Technology Integrator Program

Solution Technology Integrator partners are technology manufacturers that sell, service and support specific vertical market solutions directly or indirectly to customers as part of a complete solution. Unlike current standard Cisco channel partners, Solution Technology Integrators integrate a specific Cisco technology with their own. For example, Cisco channel partner, Intermec will only gain access to Cisco's Aironet wireless LAN technology and is required to integrate it with its own technology in a combined offering. Solution Technology Integrator partners are selected by Cisco and must sign and qualify for a specific contract. Solution Technology Integrator partners can sell the integrated Cisco solution either directly or through their own channel partner community.

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