PARIS, France July 12, 2002 - Cisco Systems today announced that Finama Asset Management, a subsidiary of Groupama, has implemented an iSCSI storage area network (SAN) using Cisco SN 5420 Storage Routers. The solution - deployed by Orbytes Ingenierie - has enabled Finama AM to consolidate its storage with a SAN while using its existing architecture to increase the availability of its servers.

Using the iSCSI protocol as the interface between the servers on the data network and the storage devices on the SAN, allows FINAMA AM to considerably reduce back-up time and improve its business continuity. The project focuses on the need to increase data access capacity for FINAMA AM analysts and IT administrators, as well as simplifying implementation and maintenance of the SAN.

"Because of the financial nature of our data, we were required to adopt a reliable protocol that would not precipitate software or hardware errors. The iSCSI protocol has kept its promise and flawlessly integrates into our existing architecture," explained Alain Boggero, IT manager at FINAMA Asset Management. "In terms of data centralization, the Cisco SN 5420 Storage Routers have met our expectations 100 percent; this is 20 percent better than we originally anticipated at the performance level and they didn't cause service delivery disruption during installation."

"FINAMA Asset Management has elected with Cisco Systems to develop a network oriented strategy to implement its distributed storage resources project," stated Bernard Zeutzius, EMEA product manager, Storage Networking at Cisco Systems. "We are proud to have worked with one of France's leading financial management companies on this important project."