SYDNEY -- 22 May 2000 -- Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, announced today it will supply Australian Catholic University (ACU) with the first end-to-end Voice over IP (VoIP) telephony solution in the Asia Pacific. The Internet-based communications network will allow ACU to cost-effectively deliver voice, data and multimedia applications to students at six campuses stretching from Brisbane to Ballarat.
Cisco will design an IP (Internet Protocol) telephony solution for ACU using Cisco's New World Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data (AVVID). Cisco AVVID is an end-to-end architecture designed to deploy new intelligent Internet-based applications and scale voice via IP in the enterprise. It is an open, standards-based, distributed architecture which will enable ACU to converge, expand and improve its communications infrastructure, while achieving a lower total cost of ownership for the overall network.
Cisco will design and implement a network solution for ACU's Local Area Networks (LAN) and its Wide Area Networks (WAN) and provide value added services such as access, security and IP Telephony across three Australian States and a Territory.
According to Cisco's Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, Terry Walsh, this Internet-based network will enable ACU to apply new technologies to assist the learning process and to reduce operating costs significantly.
"Using this New World architecture, ACU's "long distance" calls will operate over the AARnet (Australian Academic Research Network) backbone. This interconnects most of Australia's academic institutions, including ACU's six campuses on the East Coast of Australia. ACU's new voice network will allow long distance intercampus calls to be made at untimed rates. The new network will feature enhance ACU's delivery capabilities, allowing it to deliver 'New World' IP services such as video-on-demand and streaming video to over 10,000 students," Mr Walsh said.
"ACU is generating keen interest in the region as the first tertiary institution in Australasia to embrace a comprehensive IP infrastructure at this level. Cisco applauds ACU for its vision in adopting this technology that will enrich student development while delivering significant cost savings," he said.
"We are pleased to partner with Cisco as the leading provider of IP telephony solutions," said Professor Peter Sheehan AO, ACU Vice-Chancellor. "Cisco's commitment to e-learning and support of educational institutions around the globe makes this a strategic partnership."
Mr Gordon Howell, ACU Acting Director of Information and Communications Services, reports the university spends approximately $1.8 million on existing telecommunication products and services annually. ACU expects to reduce this annual expenditure by more than 50 percent by migrating to an IP telephony system.
"Cost savings generated by the new system will be reinvested in teaching and training programs that prepare our students to succeed in the Internet economy," Mr Howell said.
About Australian Catholic University
ACU is a public university and welcomes students of all religions or backgrounds. The University has more than 10,000 students and nearly 1,000 staff on six campuses: Aquinas Campus in Ballarat, St Patrick's Campus in Melbourne, Signadou Campus in Canberra, MacKillop Campus and Mount Saint Mary Campus in Sydney, and McAuley Campus in Brisbane. The Vice-Chancellery is located in North Sydney. ACU also conducts programs in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and South Australia. Courses are offered in a variety of modes including distance education, on-line education, weekend and summer schools and on-campus teaching. Courses are designed, after careful consultation with industry and employer groups, to assist in career choices and to enhance the employability prospects of graduates. There are three Faculties: Arts and Sciences, Education and Health Sciences offering 43 undergraduate and 141 postgraduate degree programs across 13 disciplines.
About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at www.cisco.com.
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