Markham, Ontario - March 23, 2000 - Cisco Systems Canada today announced IBM Global Services, Canada has met the rigorous qualifications for Gold Certification marking IBM one of the select few of Cisco's many partners to achieve this impressive level of excellence in Canada. In addition, IBM Global Services was recognized as the Canadian partner who achieved the best year-over-year revenues growth in fiscal year 1999, growing its Cisco business by 415 per cent.

"IBM demonstrated the highest level of sales and support capabilities for customers on a national and international basis," said Brent Rebus, manager, Channel Operations, Cisco Systems Canada Co. "It's strong testimony to the extensive network integration skills and resources within the organization that IBM Global Services met our requirements so quickly."

"Together with our U.S. colleagues, we are now strongly positioned to provide Gold-level support to Cisco customers across North America," said Garth Issett, vice president, Integrated Technology Services, IBM Global Services, Canada. "This will further enhance IBM's leadership in the network integration marketplace and demonstrate our company's exceptional commitment to selling and supporting Cisco networking solutions."

Cisco is widely recognized as the worldwide leader in networking technology for the Internet. International Data Corporation (IDC) has ranked IBM as the market leader in network services in both Canada and the United States. IBM Canada ranks as the largest provider of IT services in Canada and tops among those who offer network consulting, implementation, integration and management through a single organization.

About Cisco Systems Canada Co .

Cisco Systems - with $12 billion (US) in revenues and over 19,000 employees - is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Established in 1990, Cisco Systems Canada employs over 500 Canadians and is headquartered in Toronto, with field sales and service offices across the country. In addition, Cisco also has a state-of-the-art development centre in Kanata, ON - focusing on the development of optical internetworking solutions to build the next generation of the Internet backbone.

The Internet is changing the way people work, live, learn and play - and Cisco Systems Canada is a primary agent of this change and a compelling example of the power of this revolution. By widely deploying business solutions based on the Internet, Cisco Systems saves over $500 million (US) per year in operating costs, has grown revenues by 100% in two years and has increased customer satisfaction at the same time. Cisco produces networking solutions for enterprise organizations, service providers and small/emerging businesses. Additional information on the company and its products can be found at http://www.cisco.com/ca.

About IBM Global Services

IBM Global Services is the largest information technology services provider in Canada, with over 10,000 employees. IBM Global Services worldwide, is the world's largest information technology services provider, with 1999 revenues of approximately $32 billion and more than 140,000 professionals serving customers in 160 countries. As the worldwide leader in network integration, IBM Global Services integrates IBM's broad range of capabilities - services, hardware, software and research - to help companies of all sizes realize the full value of information technology. For more information visit www.ibm.com/services.

For additional information:

• Linda Thorburn
  IBM Global Services
  (905) 316-3910
  E-mail: thorburn@ca.ibm.com

• Gillian Hewitt
  Strategic/Ampersand Inc.
  (416) 961-5595 ext. 428
  Pager: 1-800-68-CISCO (24726)
  E-mail: ghewitt@cisco.com

See "At Your Service; A Look at Canada's Leading Network Service Companies," 1999, IDC: and "Network Consulting and Integration Services: The Top 10 market share leaders," 1998, IDC.

Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. or its affiliates in the US, Canada and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any of its resellers.