SINGAPORE -- 15 March 2000 -- IBM and Cisco Systems announced today plans to jointly serve their customers in ASEAN in the deployment of Internet business solutions including joint marketing and promotion activities, training and competency centers.
The announcement builds on the global alliance formed between IBM and Cisco last year, which composed of a US$2-billion technology agreement, a strategic relationship with IBM Global Services and the acquisition by Cisco of portions of IBM's networking intellectual property. The partnership will deliver a powerful combination of networking solutions, technologies and services to businesses and service providers worldwide.
Said Song Hee Chiew, Regional Executive for Integrated Technology Services, IBM Global Services ASEAN/South Asia: "The alliance with Cisco is very customer-driven. The Internet is driving the network industry's growth at a phenomenal rate. Networks will become more mission critical and there will be greater need for higher reliability, availability and security. The combination of IBM Global Services' leadership in network integration and Cisco's leading networking solutions is a very compelling proposition for customers."
"Customers who purchase both Cisco's Internet business solutions together with IBM servers, software, services and technology will gain a sustained competitive advantage in the New World Internet Economy," said Louis J. McElwain, Managing Director, ASEAN, Cisco Systems. "Our combined customers can expect a reduced total cost of ownership from an e-business solution, SNA-to-IP co-existence assistance, and data, voice and video integration. These services will be delivered with IBM Global Services' unparalleled technical expertise and e-business know-how via rapid deployment of e-business and networking solutions."
IBM Global Services is doubling its staff strength in ASEAN over the next 12 months, training its engineers in Cisco technologies and out-fitting its competency centers here with Cisco equipment. The goal is to achieve Cisco Gold partner status in the region. Similarly, Cisco has ramped up the training of its internal staff in SNA-to-IP technologies.
"The combination is a potent one. We have been extremely happy with the performance of the combination of IBM and Cisco products and specially with the dedication of the IBM engineers who worked round the clock to meet severe dead lines," said Sunil Jasuja, President, E Connect India, Ltd.
IBM and Cisco will also begin to increase the number of joint sales programs especially in the area of e-business. One of the first in ASEAN combines IBM's Netfinity line of servers with Cisco's Catalyst 2924 and 3500 series switches and Cisco 1750 series routers. Pre-tested for compatibility and reliability, these bundles are designed to be affordable and easy to install and configure and are targeted at small and medium businesses (SMBs).
The solution also provides customers with a reliable networked foundation for conducting e-business, exchanging information and sharing resources, allowing them to securely access information and resources through the Internet.
About IBM
IBM Global Services is the world's largest information technology services provider, with 1999 revenues of approximately US$32.2 billion. Services is the fastest growing part of IBM, with more than 138,000 professionals operating in 160 countries. IBM Global Services integrates all of IBM's capabilities - services, hardware, software and research - to help companies of all sizes realize the full value of information technology. For more information, please visit http://www.ibm.com/services, or http://www.ibm.com.
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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