News Release

Cisco Channel Partner Ronco Communications Deploys More than 4,000 Cisco IP Phones for the State University of New York at Cortland

Cisco End-to-End Network to Deliver Flexibility, Business Efficiency and Improved Communication
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Mar 28, 2005

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 28, 2005 - Cisco Systems, Inc. today announced that a complete Cisco network has been successfully deployed in conjunction with Ronco Communications, a Cisco Silver Certified channel partner, for the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland. The SUNY Cortland network overhaul included the deployment of more than 4,000 Cisco Unity unified messaging voice-mail boxes and more than 4,000 Cisco Internet Protocol (IP) telephones.

Faced with an outdated private branch exchange (PBX) phone system that had reached its maximum capacity, serving 7,800 students and more than 1,000 faculty and staff, SUNY Cortland could no longer add phones or update features with their existing phone system. In addition, the manufacturer had discontinued the operating system.

"I could not see putting good money toward old technology, and I also knew that we did not want a hybrid solution," said Dan Sidebottom, director of administrative computing for SUNY Cortland. "My past experience with hybrid solutions is that when there are problems, there is a lot of finger-pointing. We wanted one end-to-end solution with one vendor and one provider. The Ronco and Cisco team addressed our needs."

Ronco Communications recommended that SUNY Cortland replace its existing PBX with a complete Cisco IP Communications (IPC) system, including replacement of their current data infrastructure with a redesigned Cisco Catalyst® switching infrastructure. A Cisco IP Contact Center (IPCC) Express call center solution will accommodate admissions, financial aid and student services help desk. It will also greatly expand services available to students and their parents. In addition, Ronco suggested the deployment of wireless Cisco 7920G IP phones for the technical staff to solve the problem of reaching each other as they handled IT projects at different sites around the campus.

"While our company roots are in core telephony, we saw the communications market change and recognized the business advantages IP Communications delivers over traditional dial-tone communications," said Peter Havens, vice president of business development for Ronco Communications. "Partnering with Cisco has been critical to our success in the IP Communications market. Cisco provides a lot of support to their channel partners through exposure to the latest technologies and sales tools that have been instrumental in helping us build IP Communications expertise."

Overall, designing and installing the new network was a six-month project that culminated in a complete overnight operational cutover to the new network. With the infrastructure in their science lab, Ronco tested the network and addressed and solved issues so that the network could be smoothly switched over in one weekend. The university also plans to expand its wireless use and is already starting to invest in video solutions.

"Additionally, the flexibility of our new network has allowed us to bring functions such as expensive and time-consuming moves, adds, and changes in-house, as well as better utilize our staff's expertise" says Sidebottom. "We estimate cost savings is already approximately $75,000 per year, but more important than the monetary savings has been the improved efficiencies and support. Now we're working on tasks to drive our own goals, instead of driving the goals of another organization."

About Cisco IP Communications

Cisco IP Communications is a comprehensive system of enterprise-class solutions including IP telephony, unified communications, rich media IP audio and videoconferencing, IP video broadcasting and customer contact solutions that take advantage of customers' existing Cisco IP infrastructure to deliver new, converged applications. IP telephony is a subcategory of IP Communications and describes core, IP-based voice solutions including: IP phones, IP PBX, voice applications and infrastructure. More information about Cisco IP Communications is available at: www.cisco.com/go/IPCnew

About Ronco Communications

Ronco Communications is a systems integrator specializing in IP Communications solutions. News and information are available at www.ronco.net