SAN JOSE and PALO ALTO, Calif., -- July 27, 1999 -- Cisco Systems, Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Company today announced that HP has achieved Cisco Global Support Partner (GSP) certification, Cisco's premier endorsement within its channel community. The GSP certification is the latest result of HP and Cisco's long-term strategic alliance, formed to deliver joint, end-to-end solutions necessary for enterprise and service provider customers to succeed in an Internet- and e-services-based economy.
HP is the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to achieve Cisco GSP certification, allowing HP to provide global customers a comprehensive portfolio of hardware, software and network life-cycle services for server-to-desktop coverage of their critical UNIX(R) system and Windows NT. infrastructures. Cisco GSP status recognizes HP's comprehensive global support infrastructure and industry-leading network service and support portfolio, as well as HP's expertise in planning, designing, building and maintaining mission-critical network infrastructures. The breadth of the alliance between HP and Cisco reflects a unique value proposition to customers that purchase HP and Cisco solutions to meet their IT infrastructure needs. Together, the companies are able to provide HP Mission Critical Server Suite solutions with committed levels of availability, participation in HP's 5nines:5minutes program, and integration with other HP platforms.
MCI WorldCom partnered with HP for global support and services such as network integration, testing, installation, ongoing network monitoring and lifecycle management. More than 80 percent of MCI WorldCom's customers have sites outside the United States. MCI WorldCom relies on HP's global service and support presence to respond to customers worldwide and to offer value-added services that enhance its ability to win business and open new revenue opportunities.
"The Cisco and HP alliance offers a compelling value proposition to enterprises and service providers that are determined to succeed in an e-services world," said Gary Daichendt, executive vice president of Cisco's Worldwide Operations. "HP's industry-leading service and support capabilities for multivendor, mission-critical IP network environments, combined with Cisco's strength in delivering end-to-end networked computing solutions, enable our customers to reduce time to market and be a driving force in the Internet economy."
The following criteria contributed to HP's Cisco GSP certification:
- HP has worldwide response centers in 34 countries equipped with Cisco lab access and products, and HP supports Cisco products in more than 80 countries.
- HP has more than 1,400 trained support experts deployed worldwide to provide 24-hour support and maintenance for Cisco end users. Cisco requires a minimum of 60 support experts.
- HP has strategically positioned parts inventory worldwide to enable rapid expedition of parts replacement.
- HP offers a six-hour, call-to-restoration commitment on a variety of Cisco network devices.
"Cisco GSP certification provides additional depth to the long-standing strategic alliance between Cisco and HP," said Tom Ashburn, senior vice president and general manager of HP's Customer Service and Support Group. "Our two companies are working together to provide customers with bulletproof networks that will enable them to rapidly deploy e-service solutions. Cisco GSP certification reflects HP's commitment to provide complete networked computing solutions that address our customers' mission-critical requirements."
Cisco established the Global Support Partner program to ensure superior delivery of support services to its multinational enterprise and service provider customers, and to augment the Gold Certification program by recognizing channel partners for their superior global support capabilities. Global Support Partners are organizations that have achieved expertise in virtually every aspect of supporting Cisco's product line, using their global support presence as a strategic differentiator.
More information about HP's network services and support is available at http://www.hp.com/go/networks.
About HP
Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services for business and home -- is focused on capitalizing on the opportunities of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic services.HP had computer-related revenue of $39.5 billion in its 1998 fiscal year. HP plans to launch a new company consisting of its industry-leading test-and-measurement, semiconductor products, chemical-analysis and medical businesses. These businesses represented $7.6 billion of HP's total revenue in fiscal 1998. With leading positions in multiple market segments, this technology-based company will focus on opportunities such as communications and life sciences.
HP has 123,000 employees worldwide and had total revenue of $47.1 billion in its 1998 fiscal year. Information about HP, its products and the company's Year 2000 program can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is theworldwide leader in networking for the Internet.Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
