SAN JOSE, Calif., October 14, 2002 - Highlighting its commitment to help drive channel partner profitability, Cisco Systems, Inc. today launched a new initiative that is focused on providing customers with a convenient method for purchasing select Cisco products online. The foundation of this new channels initiative is a web-based ordering option that quickly and easily links small business and SOHO customers with Cisco authorized online direct marketing resellers. This new online option combines the popularity of Cisco.com with the convenience of ordering from direct marketing resellers to address the purchasing needs of today's small business and SOHO customers.

"Thousands of customers come daily to our website looking for a convenient way to purchase point products that may not require the services of a systems integrator," said Surinder Brar, senior director of Worldwide Channels Marketing at Cisco Systems. "They know what they want, have the ability to install it themselves, and just want to place the order. We have created this online initiative to link these customers with our authorized channel partners who can accept these orders online. Thus making it more convenient for small business and SOHO customers to engage with partners who are capable of meeting their needs."

"Small business customers have a unique set of purchasing needs that are not easily addressed using standard channel players," said Martha Young, founder of NovaAmber, a market research firm in Golden Colorado. "In order to succeed in today's dynamic markets, vendors need a well thought out channel strategy on how to address specific target markets as well as geographies. By developing an online strategy that connects SOHO- and SMB-centric partners with buy ready prospects, Cisco is moving in the right direction for all its stake holders."

Increase Small Business Customer Satisfaction and Productivity

In the past, if a small business or SOHO customer wanted to purchase a product online they first had to find the Cisco product that addressed their business needs and than had to go out to each direct market retailer web site to check for availability. This was a time consuming task that with the help of its top four, US online direct marketing resellers, CDW, Insight, PC Connection, and Micro Warehouse, Cisco is now addressing. The new Cisco ordering option provides the customer with one convenient location to gather product information, check product availability and make an online purchase, increasing customer satisfaction and productivity.

Product and Partner Selection

Customers have 45 different Cisco products to choose from, including the Aironet 350 and 1200 product families, Catalyst 2950 and 3950 product families, the Cisco 1700 product family, the 805 and 806 SOHO routers, the 501, 506E and 515E PIX firewalls as well as the CiscoWorks for Windows 6.1. After selecting the product, the customer will be asked if they prefer to purchase from a systems integrator or an online reseller. If the customer selects systems integrator they are then dropped into Cisco's award-winning partner locator, where they can choose a partner based on geography and specialization. If they choose online reseller, they are given a choice of CDW, Insight, PC Connection, and Micro Warehouse. To learn more or to order selected Cisco products online simply go to the ordering page of Cisco.com or www.Cisco.com/go/online.