SYDNEY -- 24 May 2000 -- Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking technologies for the Internet, today launched its "Business E-fficiency Solutions" program, developed to alleviate concerns Australian small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have about implementing Internet technologies.
The program will include a series of regional Cisco E-day Business E-fficiency Forums which will visit 15 cities and regions across Australia during July & August 2000. The E-day Forums will provide SMBs with tips and tools on how they can participate in the Internet economy.
E-Day has been designed in conjunction with Commonwealth Bank Australia, IBM and AAPT, to help bring the E-fficiency message to small and medium businesses across Australia. The program is based on a similar venture which is currently running in the United Kingdom.
Cisco Systems Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand, Terry Walsh, said Cisco Business E-fficiency Solutions would bring the advantages of the Internet to Australia's army of SMBs.
"It is accepted in Australia that SMBs are the backbone of our economy, but many SMBs are not using the Internet to its full commercial potential. Cisco believes SMBs can improve productivity and extend market reach by adopting Internet technology, and we are providing services to help them do that," Mr Walsh said.
Stephanie Carullo, Director, Commercial Business, IBM Australia and New Zealand said, "IBM is delighted to partner with Cisco and The Commonwealth Bank and AAPT to help SMBs realise the benefits of broadening their market reach via the internet. As an industry leader of e-business, IBM will bring to the program the technological infrastructure for organisations to become an e-business and reap the benefits of the networked world."
Commonwealth Bank General Manager, eComm, Stephen Coulter said: "The Bank sees great value for our business clients in the E-fficiency program. We are confident that the Bank's participation in the E-Day Forums will help our business clients to understand and maximise the time and cost efficiencies afforded by the internet and E-commerce. Used appropriately, the internet and related technologies can help them run their business better and, with the Bank's online facilities, simplify their banking and financial activities".
Mr David Glavonjic, Managing Director of AAPT subsidiary, connect.com.au said AAPT and connect.com.au was looking forward to working with Cisco, IBM and the Commonwealth Bank to deliver SMB's in Australia the necessary tools and skills to embrace the Internet and derive value for their businesses by integrating Internet technologies and applications into their operations.
"We believe that it is vital for SMB's to have a service provider who will work closely with them to implement and activate their Internet and e-commerce strategies and meet their evolving needs and this is the service AAPT, through our Internet and e-commerce business, connect,com.au, will provide to SMB's as part of this program," continued Mr Glavonjic.
Mr Walsh said the E-fficiency program provided a toll-free telephone consultancy service, giving customers an analysis of their business and initial ideas for increasing productivity, reducing costs, improving communication and expanding sales opportunities through Internet technology.
The Internet technologies which form the core of Cisco's E-fficiency program include ISDN routers and network switches, which can carry telephone calls as well as computer data. Businesses will also receive a free copy of the Cisco Business E-fficiency Solutions Pack. The information pack contains three Cisco Easy Guides, which outline the benefits of Internet technology covering selling internationally, security and E-fficiency.
Cisco is also addressing the needs of Australia's Internet Service Providers, with the launch of Cisco Regional Internet Days.
"Many regional ISPs are relatively isolated in their access to new services and solutions their city cousins are offering customers. Cisco is embarking on a five week roadshow to address these concerns," Mr Walsh said.
Cisco Regional Internet Days is an Australia wide roadshow visiting 12 cities over a five week period. Regional Internet Days is specifically targetted to address the networking needs of Internet Service Providers, particularly those outside the large East Coast cities.
About Commonwealth Bank
The Commonwealth Bank is Australia's leading provider of traditional and online financial services. NetBank, Commonwealth Bank's Internet transaction banking service, was launched in February 1997. NetBank allows customers to view and print statement and credit card account balance and transaction details, link and transfer money between accounts, pay bills via BPAY and order checque books and statements. For more information, visit Commonwealth Bank's web site at www.commbank.com.au/.
About IBM
IBM strives to lead in the creation, development and manufacture of the industry's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics. IBM translates these advanced technologies into value for our customers through our professional solutions and services businesses worldwide. With nearly 300,000 employees in some 160 countries, IBM has provided reliable customer solutions for more than 88 years.
About AAPT and connect.com.au
AAPT is one of Australia's three largest telecommunications carriers, providing local, national and international voice, mobile, data, Internet and e-commerce services to over 800,000 business, corporate, government and residential customers throughout Australia. These offerings are supported by the company's extensive telecommunications network. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, connect.com.au (connect), the company provides an extensive range of Business Internet services, including: Business to Business E-Commerce (E-Procurement, Extranet, Back/Front office integration Electronic catalogues and web forms, Electronic financial services, Software solutions); Commercial and Corporate (Access and hosting, permanent and Dial-Up connections); Wholesale and Virtual Service.
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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Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
