SAN JOSE, Calif. -- August 23, 1999 -- Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today announced that it has entered into a minority investment and strategic relationship agreement with Atlantech Technologies Ltd., a leading provider of service provider-class element management software. Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco is working with Atlantech to deliver element management software applications across the range of Cisco devices.
"Leadership in delivering New World networks includes leadership in New World operations solutions. A key component for service provider operations management is element management software that permits service providers to plan, provision, monitor and bill for services," said Kevin Kennedy, senior vice president of Cisco's Service Provider Line of Business. "Working with Atlantech will enable Cisco to offer our customers a common element management layer across the broad range of Cisco devices."
David Sibbald, CEO and founder of Atlantech noted, "By embracing Atlantech's products and expertise, Cisco is better able to address the sophisticated network management requirements of its service provider customer base. The essence of these requirements is scalability, sustainable performance, robustness and availability of management applications, all of which are embodied in the Cisco Element Management Framework, which is based on Atlantech's AccessVision product suite."
The Cisco Element Management Framework (EMF) was announced in June as the common element management layer of the Cisco Service Management (CSM) system, Cisco's service provider Operations Support Systems (OSS) offering. Cisco EMF presents a common set of interfaces to network and service management-layer applications, and reduces the complexity of operations support while providing straight forward integration into a service providers' existing OSS environment.
Cisco EMF is a highly scalable, fully integrated element management solution designed to support multiple network technologies across Cisco's service provider product lines including core routing and switching, cable modems, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) and wireless. This flexible, modular solution allows service providers to install the mix of element managers they need to support their dynamic businesses. It also enables the rapid development and deployment of new element managers as New World networks continue to evolve, permitting service providers to rapidly introduce and manage new platforms and services.
The first management products based on this relationship, including the Cisco 6400 Service Connection Manager and 90I Manager are already shipping. Other applications under development and available this year include element managers for other DSL product offerings, the Cisco 12000 Gigabit Switch Router, the Cisco 8540 switch, as well as cable and dial access products.
The Cisco EMF/AccessVision product line also allows systems integrators and customers to build their own element management applications within this common environment, and to manage alternate vendor equipment or legacy equipment from a single system using Atlantech's AccessVision Management Toolkit (AVMT). Integrated with Cisco Service Management System, Cisco EMF comes to market as a part of Internet OSS, Cisco's comprehensive initiative to bring to market comprehensive OSS and Business Systems Support (BSS) solutions with system integrator and development partners.
About Atlantech
Atlantech Technologies Ltd., www.atlan-tech.com, is a privately held, venture capital backed Software Company headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, with offices throughout the United States. Atlantech is focused on the development of network management frameworks, applications and toolkits to support large-scale rollout of broadband networks and services.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.
