LONDON, England, May 25, 2005 - Demonstrating momentum with its SMB Select channel partner designation, Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today announced the addition of the SMB Select growth incentive. The goal of this incentive is to help SMB Select partners to better deliver SMB Class Solutions. The SMB Select growth incentive provides channel partners with a combination of financial rebates and Cisco® Learning Credits, which help enable partners to increase margins and further enhance their technical skills and knowledge of Cisco by training with Cisco Learning Partners.

"In the nine months since Cisco launched the SMB Select designation, the SMB market has seen phenomenal activity. Cisco has launched more than 30 new products into the small, medium and mid-sized business and with more than 85 percent of Cisco's business being done via the channel, this represents substantial opportunity for our partners," said Edzard Overbeek, vice president, Commercial, Channels and Distribution, EMEA, Cisco Systems International BV.

The SMB Select growth incentive is open to all existing SMB Select partners in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). To qualify, partners must reach minimum revenue targets per year with Cisco, and followed by ten percent or more quarter over quarter growth in order to receive a rebate and Cisco Learning Credits. The SMB Select growth incentive can be used in conjunction with the Opportunity Incentive Program (OIP), as well as other current Cisco programs and promotions.

SMB Select Partner Program Momentum in EMEA

The SMB Select Partner Program in EMEA was launched in a phased approach beginning in August 2004. Currently, there are more than 1,000 Cisco channel partners signed-up to the program, representing over 20 different countries across EMEA. The program is available in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and UK, including the regions of North Africa, Levant and Africa, with more countries being added throughout the calendar year 2005.

SMB Select Partner Requirements

In order to qualify for the SMB Select Partner Designation, prospective partners must meet all program criteria in EMEA, which includes specific training, sales volume and sales mix requirements. For further information on how to become SMB Select, please visit:http://www.cisco.com/global/EMEA/landing/smb_engage/select/partners/index.shtml

Cisco Learning Credits

Cisco Learning Credits are currently available to channel partners and customers in the United States, and many countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); Latin America; and Asia Pacific sales regions. Cisco Learning Credits are valid for one year from purchase date and may be applied toward instructor-led training courses, e-learning, labs, simulations and customized education programs. Training is delivered worldwide by Cisco Learning Solutions Partners, companies that are authorized to deliver Cisco training courses.