February 11, 2009 - Cisco Systems Godo Kaisha (President and CEO: Edzard Overbeek; Address: Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Cisco) today announced that it will pioneer a solution-centric distribution model a distribution model for technology solutions in the Japanese market. The Cisco Solution Distributor model will accelerate the adoption of advanced networking technology in Japan by delivering value-added networking services to systems integrators. These services will be delivered to customers in vertical industry segments throughout the supply chain.

The innovative Japanese model marks an evolution of Cisco's global distribution strategy and may be expanded to other markets around the world. Cisco segments its distribution partners into three categories: global broad-base distributors, regional broad-base distributors and specialty distributors. Distributors in the new Solution Distributor model will join the ranks of Cisco specialty distributors. These include partners that specialize in specific technologies, vertical industry market segments and geographies.

The Japanese Solution Distributor pilot will provide a new sales route for system integrators who are contracted to deploy information and communication technology (ICT) platforms and other large-scale systems. Building on their traditional strengths in wholesaling products and providing logistics, these solution distributors will provide system integrators with value-added services covering network conception, design, deployment, maintenance and operation.

Cisco works closely with its channel partners. Cisco Certified partners have undertaken training to be technical advisors for their customers' business, selecting and providing wide-ranging integrated networking solutions and extremely refined solutions as required.