SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 24, 2000 - Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), today unveiled a new network design tool that simplifies the traditionally complex and labor-intensive network design by providing channel partners with a proven and structured design methodology. The Cisco Network Designer tool enables channel partners to more quickly design, configure, verify and produce a network bill of materials for its customers.

"Cisco has invested heavily in the development of system engineering tools that will increase productivity and provide our channel partners with a key competitive advantage," said Scott Ferguson, director of Channel Programs at Cisco Systems. "Our Cisco Network Designer tool leverages this investment and enables our channel partners to experience significant productivity gains."

Network designers spend the majority of the design process searching through guides and manuals for product or technology information. The Cisco Network Designer will accelerate the network design process by consolidating design information into a single, easily accessible repository. Providing network designers with a common source for design information reduces design time, simplifies the development of multiple site designs and improves documentation.

Currently, Cisco system engineers use Cisco Network designer, to more accurately address the network needs of its customers. "Cisco Network Designer has significantly increased the productivity of our system engineers and has given our sales force a tremendous competitive advantage," said Manuel Rivelo, vice president of Technical Operations at Cisco Systems. "Cisco Network Designer enables trained system engineers to create network diagrams, check pricing, configure devices and generate reports in a fraction of the time it took to complete these tasks using previous design tools and methods."

In addition to significantly accelerating the network design, Cisco Network Designer also improves network design reliability by helping system engineers select the best Cisco IOS. software version for the recommended network devices. It also assists with IP and capacity planning to reduce the chance of network design error. With Cisco Network Designer after the design has been diagramed, configured and verified designs can be saved electronically and cataloged. This enables senior engineers to archive proven design solutions that can be easily accessed by newer engineers or customers, ensuring design reliability.

Cisco Network Designer improves the customer network documentation process, with its auto discover and reporting capabilities. System engineers can now quickly evaluate and document a customer's existing network. This innovative feature allows a system engineer to identify competitive products or older Cisco devices and enables the network designer to purpose alternative or upgraded Cisco solutions that would better address customer needs.

Availability

Initial implementation of the Cisco Network Designer will begin in March with wide deployment starting next quarter.