- Related Release: Cisco Thinks Small
- Related Release: Cisco Helps Resellers Target Small Business
- Great Plains Website
CHICAGO, IL. -- April 19, 1999 -- Cisco Systems, Inc. today announced that Great Plains, a leading provider of business management solutions, is joining the Cisco Resource Network for Growing Businesses. Cisco and Great Plains will work together to deliver Internet business solutions specifically designed for the small and medium business market.
The joint marketing alliance combines Great Plains' software solutions that automate essential business and financial management functions with Cisco's industry-leading networking solutions. The resulting Internet business solutions enable small and medium businesses to compete and grow with business management solutions and scalable networking products that leverage the Internet to extend the availability of mission-critical information across the organization and to key customers and suppliers. Businesses can start with a solution that fits their needs and budget, then scale their solution over time.
"This marketing alliance demonstrates Cisco's increasing commitment to the small and medium business market," said Richard Steranka, Cisco director of small/medium business marketing. "As industry leaders, Cisco and Great Plains have taken a principal role in providing small and medium businesses with cost-effective, scalable solutions."
More and more small and medium companies are preparing to take advantage of the most sophisticated business applications available to participate and compete in the Internet economy. This marketing alliance, and other similar marketing alliances announced today by Cisco, including SalesLogix, Netmosphere, Employease, and eCompany Network, enable small and medium organizations to confidently deploy secure, high-performance solutions traditionally available only to much larger firms. With real-time access to current and accurate data, employees can make better, more informed decisions, respond faster to customer inquiries, and work more efficiently with suppliers.
The availability of Internet business solutions for small and medium companies opens up important new revenue streams for Cisco value-added resellers. "This marketing alliance allows us to provide our customers with a platform for Internet business solutions that is backed by two leading companies with world-class products and services," said Marc Blumenthal, president and CEO of Progressive Business Solutions. "As a Cisco and Great Plains partner, I am reassured of exceptional support by this joint effort."
Great Plains' business management solutions include financials, distribution, project accounting, electronic commerce, manufacturing, human resources and payroll, service management, and enterprise reporting. Cisco and Great Plains are also developing tools that ease the implementation and support process and allow growing companies to focus on their relationships with customers, suppliers, and employees.
About Great Plains
Great Plains (NASDAQ:GPSI) is a leading provider of enterprise-wide business management solutions for the midmarket, including financials, distribution, project accounting, electronic business, human resources, manufacturing, service management and enterprise reporting. Great Plains' solutions are sold and implemented by a unique worldwide network of independent Partner organizations that share the company's commitment to lasting customer relationships. Named for the third time to the "Top 100 Companies to Work for in America" list, Great Plains has nearly 1,000 team members worldwide.
