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ePlus Achieves Cisco Master Unified Communications and Cisco Master Security Specializations
HERNDON, Va.-(Business Wire)-January 31, 2008 - ePlus inc. (OTC:PLUS) today announced that ePlus Technology inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, has achieved both the Master Unified Communications Specialization and the Master Security Specialization from Cisco(R). These designations recognize ePlus as having fulfilled the training requirements and program prerequisites to sell, deploy, and support highly sophisticated Cisco unified communications and security solutions.
"Achieving Cisco Master Specializations in both Unified Communications and Security simultaneously is a significant accomplishment for ePlus, and a testament to our proven success and commitment to delivering advanced solutions," said Philip G. Norton, chairman, president and CEO of ePlus. "As one of a small number of Cisco partners holding both master specializations, our clients can continue to benefit from our process-oriented approach to providing the best technologies in both categories."
"We are pleased with the recognition from Cisco," stated Stephen Stahl, national vice president of professional services at ePlus. "We strive to provide the best advanced technology solutions to our clients, and our investments in engineers, processes, and systems have produced a service delivery model that meets or exceeds Cisco's high standards."
"As the network becomes the platform for driving communications and innovation, our customers are demanding an enhanced set of skills and capabilities from channel partners," said Edison Peres, vice president and chief go-to-market officer for worldwide channels at Cisco. "ePlus' investment in Master Unified Communications and Master Security Specializations ranks them among the industry's elite."
To achieve these two Master Specializations, ePlus was required to show full capability to present the breadth of Cisco applications for unified communications and security on an independently-owned demonstration infrastructure. ePlus has a uniquely flexible, centralized lab environment with localized Cisco end-point equipment that enables customers to rely on ePlus for independent validation of network design concepts for unified communications and security as well as proven interoperability with third-party applications that enhance the functionality of Cisco's solutions.
ePlus is committed to providing customers the benefit of its experience with Cisco advanced technologies to enable secure, efficient, and effective infrastructure for business. Some key ePlus personnel also recently passed the rigorous examination for "CCDE"—the new Cisco career certification for design experts that measures the engineer's ability to assess network business requirements and translate those requirements into effective network designs.
Once a network is designed and implemented, operating that infrastructure with proficiency requires real-time monitoring and management—a key differentiating factor of the Master Specializations. Built on a foundation strongly rooted in ITIL Service Management and ISO Quality and Security standards, the management services provided by ePlus for Cisco unified communications and security meet and exceed the most demanding service quality standards for network polling and problem, incident, remediation, and change management. Through an online portal, customers have real-time access to monitoring statistics, tickets, and performance trending information.
To achieve the Master Unified Communications and Security Specializations, resale channel partners must first attain the Advanced Unified Communications and Security Specializations. Partners must then meet a series of stringent requirements in three categories: technology capabilities, sales expertise, and Cisco Lifecycle Services. Partners must possess a number of Cisco and industry-standard technical certification requirements, provide customer references that document Cisco-prescribed design and deployment capabilities, and show evidence that they have the infrastructure to support a full menu of Lifecycle Services offerings and capabilities.
More information regarding the Master Unified Communications Specialization can be found at: http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/program/specializations/ucom/master/ index.html.
More information about the Master Security Specialization can be found at: http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/program/specializations/security/ master/index.html.
The Cisco Resale Channel Program provides partners with the training required to build sales, technical and Cisco Lifecycle Services skills, and then validates their skills through a third-party audit. Cisco resale partner certifications—Select, Premier, Silver and Gold—represent an increasing breadth of skills across key technologies and a partner's ability to deliver integrated networking solutions. Cisco resale partner specializations—SMB, Express, Advanced and Master—reflect an increasing depth of sales, technical and service expertise in particular technologies. Cisco master specializations provide ePlus access to comprehensive sales, technical, and lifecycle services training and support available from Cisco.
ePlus has a close working relationship with Cisco, allowing the company to provide totally integrated Cisco solutions. In addition to Cisco Master Specializations in both Security and Unified Communications, ePlus has Cisco specializations in Advanced Wireless LAN, Advanced Routing and Switching, and Advanced Data Center Storage Networking. A Cisco Gold Certified Partner, ePlus also holds Cisco Advanced Technology Provider (ATP) status in both Network Hosted Storage and Rich Media Communications.
About ePlus inc.
ePlus is a leading provider of technology solutions. ePlus enables organizations to optimize their IT infrastructure and supply chain processes by delivering world-class IT products from top manufacturers, professional services, flexible lease financing, proprietary software, and patented business methods. Founded in 1990, ePlus has more than 625 associates in 30+ locations serving more than 2,500 customers. The Company is headquartered in Herndon, VA. For more information, visit http://www.eplus.com, call 888-482-1122, or email info@eplus.com.
ePlus(R) and ePlus products referenced herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of ePlus inc. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of other companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". Actual and anticipated future results may vary due to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the existence of demand for, and acceptance of, our services; our ability to adapt our services to meet changes in market developments; the impact of competition in our markets; the possibility of defects in our products or catalog content data; our ability to hire and retain sufficient personnel; our ability to protect our intellectual property; the creditworthiness of our customers; our ability to raise capital and obtain non-recourse financing for our transactions; our ability to realize our investment in leased equipment; our ability to reserve adequately for credit losses; fluctuations in our operating results; our reliance on our management team; and other risks or uncertainties detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information set forth in this release is as of January 31, 2008. ePlus undertakes no duty to update this information.
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