SAN JOSE, Calif., November 11, 2002 - As part of its continuing effort to build channel expertise in all technology areas, Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today unveiled a new technology specialization. The new Routing and Switching Technology Specialization provides a structured training roadmap and verification process to ensure channel partners have the expertise to plan, design, install and support Cisco's core routing and switching solutions. The recognition is based on demonstrated knowledge of building, configuring, and troubleshooting campus networks and remote access networks using Cisco Catalyst multilayer switching technologies over high-speed Ethernet and Cisco routers connected in LAN's and WANs.

"Since incorporating specialization into the Cisco Channel Partner Program about a year-and-half ago our goal has been to build channel expertise around our entire product portfolio," said Surinder Brar, senior director of marketing of Worldwide Channels, Cisco Systems, Inc. "Our initial focus was to help build channel expertise around our new growth technologies, such as IP Telephony, Wireless LAN and VPN/Security. This new specialization recognizes channel partners for having expertise on our routing and switching products, strengthening their core business and bringing us one step closer to covering all of our products through specializations."

Ensuring Customer Satisfaction

The Cisco Channel Specialization Program allows partners to gain expertise in specific technology areas and to differentiate themselves based on verified expertise. The specialization training roadmap provides a complete list of Cisco recommended training courses that are designed to provide channel partners with the knowledge to successfully pass the corresponding specialization exams. This extensive list of training courses is offered in a wide variety of formats including on-line, instructor led and CD-based; providing partners with both traditional and self-paced learning options. Cisco utilizes the training roadmap and exam-based verification process to help ensure channel partners gain the technology specific expertise to deliver the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Routing and Switching Specialization

The new Routing and Switching Specialization is the latest addition to the Cisco technology specializations, which encompass key technologies such as Cable, Content Networking, DSL, IP Telephony, VPN/Security, Network Management and Wireless LAN. It requires the channel partner to place skilled individuals into the specific job roles of account manager, system engineer and field engineer. The routing and switching specialization account manager is responsible for the knowledge of market conditions and sales methodology of the Cisco routing and switching solution. The systems engineer, responsible for the network planning and design, and the field engineer, responsible for the implementation and support, are required to successfully pass the Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks and Cisco Routing and Switching Specialization exams, ensuring that the partners' engineering staff has the knowledge and skills to plan, design, implement and support Cisco routing and switching solutions.

The Routing and Switching Specialization is worth 20 points toward a Cisco certification under the Channel Partner Program. For those partners interested in learning more about the Cisco Channel Partner Program go to www.cisco.com/go/partnerprograms, and for specific training roadmaps, exams and applications for the Routing and Switching Specialization go to www.cisco.com/go/specializations.