SAN JOSE, Calif., October 20, 2000 - Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today announced the opening of the Cisco Internet Development Center (CIDC), in conjunction with the grand opening of the SBA - Cisco Systems - San Jose Entrepreneur Center. The Entrepreneur Center, located in the heart of downtown San Jose, provides small and growing businesses with a single location to obtain the information, training and tools they need to make their businesses successful in today's Internet economy. The new resource center is a collaborative effort between the public sector, private industry and nonprofit organizations. The center provides small business owners with business management advice, technology education and financial assistance, as well as mentoring and counseling from successful business executives in the community. The CIDC, a 2,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, offers information and training, planning support, a technology showcase, and interactive tools to help small businesses achieve the full potential of the Internet.

"Small businesses are looking to the Internet to increase their competitive edge," said Charles Giancarlo, senior vice president and general manager, Small/Medium Line of Business, Cisco Systems. "The Cisco Internet Development Center is an easy way for small business owners to take advantage of free tools, resources and information and fully benefit from the power of the Internet. This is an example of how we can share the knowledge we have gained form working with all of our small business customers, as well as what we have learned from our own company's use of the Internet. It's also one way that we can give back to the community, which is always very important to us."

Cisco hosts five areas within the CIDC to help small businesses gain the insight, knowledge and skills they need to compete in the Internet economy:

1. The Online Training Center allows visitors to browse small business-focused content. Cisco partnered with Inc.com, a leader in small business information and services, to create a customized Web site for small businesses. Online courses and seminars are also available, including "The Internet Essentials for Growing Businesses" series, "The Internet Economy-Vision and Strategy", "Internet Basics," "Basics of E-Commerce," and "Marketing on the Web."
2. Small businesses can gain a greater understanding of how the Internet works by viewing the Technology Showcase. This wall demonstrates how Cisco networking products operate within the Internet's central infrastructure.
3. Visitors can learn from the experiences of other small business entrepreneurs by visiting the "Small Businesses--Big Accomplishments" section of the CIDC. Hear other business owners talk about how they have utilized the Internet to increase operational efficiency, productivity and profitability.
4. The "Commerce in the 21st Century" wall illustrates the components behind e-commerce and defines ways in which small business owners can integrate e-commerce into their business plans. This includes e-marketplaces, dot-coms, business-to-consumer e-commerce and business-to-business e-commerce.
5. The Cisco and SBA Kiosk outlines how Cisco and the SBA have worked together to provide small and growing businesses with everything they need to thrive in today's Internet economy.