FINAMA Asset Management Implements France's First Storage Area Network with Cisco Systems Technology

Built on an iSCSI SAN network, the solution enhances the consolidation of Finama Asset Management's shared storage resources and enhances the company's business continuity service offering

PARIS, France July 12, 2002 - Cisco Systems today announced that Finama Asset Management, a subsidiary of Groupama, has implemented an iSCSI storage area network (SAN) using Cisco SN 5420 Storage Routers. The solution - deployed by Orbytes Ingenierie - has enabled Finama AM to consolidate its storage with a SAN while using its existing architecture to increase the availability of its servers.

Using the iSCSI protocol as the interface between the servers on the data network and the storage devices on the SAN, allows FINAMA AM to considerably reduce back-up time and improve its business continuity. The project focuses on the need to increase data access capacity for FINAMA AM analysts and IT administrators, as well as simplifying implementation and maintenance of the SAN.

"Because of the financial nature of our data, we were required to adopt a reliable protocol that would not precipitate software or hardware errors. The iSCSI protocol has kept its promise and flawlessly integrates into our existing architecture," explained Alain Boggero, IT manager at FINAMA Asset Management. "In terms of data centralization, the Cisco SN 5420 Storage Routers have met our expectations 100 percent; this is 20 percent better than we originally anticipated at the performance level and they didn't cause service delivery disruption during installation."

"FINAMA Asset Management has elected with Cisco Systems to develop a network oriented strategy to implement its distributed storage resources project," stated Bernard Zeutzius, EMEA product manager, Storage Networking at Cisco Systems. "We are proud to have worked with one of France's leading financial management companies on this important project."

About FINAMA

Finama Asset Management is a subsidiary of Groupama-GAM. With 49.5 billion euros under management for institutional investors, this young "builder" is ranked eighth largest company in France and 55th company in Europe in its branch. Given the stability and skill of its management talent, this ranking is particularly significant given the market's risky nature.

Finama Asset Management is best recognized for the strength in long-term management. Its product line covers the main asset categories with a particular focus in the Euro zone; it partners with other companies for international management. Because a company cannot be all things to all customers, Finama Asset Management has committed to an aggressive strategy in order to attract high-level partners that compliment its specific expertise. The company has recently signed two significant agreements with Storebrand Invt and IVY AM for continued development and alternative management. These alliances have enabled Finama Asset Management to respond to the needs of its internal and external clients with high-quality services. For more information, please visit www.finama-am.fr.

About Orbytes Inginierie

Founded in 1982, ORBYTES Inginierie is a Paris-based systems integrator with expertise in networking and telecommunications, development engineering. For more information, please visit www.Orbytes.fr. It is a subsidiary of High Tech, a 300-person information technology group.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at http://www.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Europe is supplied by Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc.

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