SYDNEY -- 1 March 2000 -- NEC, the world's voice networking leader, and Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today announced a landmark alliance which will see the two companies provide Australian enterprises with unique, business-critical communications solutions.
As a certified Cisco Gold Partner, NEC will become Cisco's first Advanced Technology Provider, delivering integrated solutions to Australian organisations based on Cisco AVVID, Cisco's Architecture for the convergence of Voice, Video and Integrated Data.
Cisco AVVID is an advanced, Internet protocol (IP)-based networking solution which is interoperable with NEC's PABX systems and enables intelligent network applications and the convergence of multiple types of traffic over a common system. The Cisco/NEC alliance means that enterprises can have a multiservice solution now, based on products from the respective voice and data market leaders while protecting their existing investments in, and without dispensing with the proven reliability of NEC's PABX communications infrastructure.
Brendan McManus of NEC Australia said, "We are extremely excited by this alliance, which offers immediate benefits to enterprises of all kinds. The alliance is not a short term, single product deal. It combines the strengths of the world's leading voice and data technology providers and will lead Australian enterprises into an era of new, more efficient, cost saving communications. It is our vision that NEC and Cisco, in cooperation, will be the leading provider of integrated network solutions to enterprises".
Kip Cole, Director of Marketing and Strategic Relationships, Cisco Systems Australia & New Zealand commented: "Our alliance with NEC will enable us to bring the modern applications and cost savings associated with Cisco AVVID and multiservice networking more quickly to the Australian market. Further, the alliance allows organisations to protect their investments in existing PABX infrastructure and enables gradual migration towards a fully IP-based multiservice solution."
Convergent solutions by NEC and Cisco will provide businesses with a total feature-transparent, scalable, cost-effective solution. It is able to do this through the combination of NEC's Fusion Call Control Signaling (FCCS) - technology that allows individual nodes in the network to function as if part of one integrated PABX - and Cisco's Internetwork Operating System (IOS) - which connects disparate hardware to build efficient and sophisticated infrastructure.
NEC's David Haynes added, "Before too long we will be seeing customers use this solution to facilitate telecommuting with 'web call waiting' to make the most of a single line, make telemanagement a viable application, and 'click and call' a reality, enabling web site users to make immediate voice calls at the click of an icon."
"This technology is revolutionary," Mr Cole concluded. "Together with NEC, we can provide Australian businesses today with a value-driven, IP-based communications solution which takes advantage of their existing communications infrastructure, and offers seamless integration of voice and data over a common backbone."
About NEC
NEC Australia Pty Ltd designs, develops, manufactures, sells & services a complete range of computer, communication and home electronics products. These products and services are sold to national carriers, government bodies, businesses and the general public. As well, NEC Australia takes part in joint venture projects with scientific research organisations, government and universities.
A wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation Japan, NEC Australia employs over 1400 staff and has a network of sales offices across Australia and in Papua New Guinea.
One of the keys to NEC's growth has been its commitment to providing quality products and services. In 1994, NEC Australia won the prestigious Australian Quality Award for Large Organisations. NEC Australia also received Australian Customer Service Award for Large Organisations and National High Commendations of the Australian Customer Service Award for Large Organisations. In November 1992 NEC Australia was accredited to ISO9001 Quality Management System, and ISO14001 Environment Management System (Mulgrave plant) in June 1996. The company has also been awarded Telstra Approved Status, Austel Approved Status, Government Approved Firm, and is an approved defence contractor. NEC Australia is a graduate member of the Partnerships for Development Program.
About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at http://www.cisco.com.
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