Raya Integration becomes the first Cisco Gold Partner in North Africa and Levant

The prestigious Gold Partner Certification is the highest achievement a partner can attain and is awarded in recognition of professional local support provided to the company's products by Raya based on Cisco's strict evaluation criteria.

The Gold Partner certification comes after intensive evaluation that showed Raya Integration as a leader in delivering the highest levels of customer satisfaction over the past two years, and proving its success in marketing Cisco technologies in difficult and economically challenging market conditions, including Egypt.

The evaluation process for Gold Certification is based on a number of criteria that include, Round-the-clock Customer Service, Connectivity Capabilities and Tools 1 hour call-back, Pre sales support, Escalation Process and Hiring and Training.

The audit also took into account Raya's areas of specialisation, staffing, and its pioneering approach in implementing new technologies and executing large strategic projects.

The latest certification caps a series of recognitions won by Raya, including CISCO Partner Award for Middle East in 2002, Cisco Partner Award for Egypt and North Africa in 2002 and Cisco Partner Award for Egypt, North Africa and Levant in 2003.

"By awarding the highest certification to Raya, Cisco is recognising the professional approach of Raya to market, sell and implement Cisco technology, including IP telephony, content networking and security," said Yasser El Kady, General Manager, North Africa and Levant, Cisco Systems.

"It is a recognition that is given to our partners after minutely evaluating every aspect of service, implementation and after sales support. The Gold Partner status makes Raya eligible to enter into Shared Support agreement with Cisco, while customers can expect best of breed services from Cisco Systems with professional local support from Raya's qualified team of experts."

"Raya Integration prides itself on always providing the highest levels of support to our customers in the region," said Medhat Khalil, Chairman and CEO, Raya Holding. "The standards that we have set for ourselves have been rewarded through the attainment of this award, and we are delighted that our processes tally with the global standards set by Cisco for its partners. This certification not only boosts our image as a premier system integrator in the region, but also consolidates our plans for regional expansion and market penetration."

The new Certification positions Raya as one of Cisco's preferred partners in the region, enhancing Raya's internal procedures for upgrading customer care thus raising the level of professionalism in Raya's pre- and post-sales activities.

The certification brings strong mutual benefits to Raya and Cisco as it demonstrates Cisco's seriousness to market and create local and regional centres of power. Gold Partner Certification further ensures that Raya replicates as close as possible the Cisco model in supporting the customer.

Customers can expect a host of benefits, as a result of the new Cisco certification, including the assurance that they are dealing with a certified partner capable of handling large and complex projects, enhanced support policy with round-the-clock service, quick response and fix time, professional call tracking system for optimal handling of customer problems, certified designs by high calibre pre-sales engineers, dedicated lab at customer site for highest business continuity and demo lab to explore latest technology.

Raya Integration is a subsidiary of Raya Holding, one of the largest IT and telecommunications companies in the Middle East. Raya Integration is a highly specialised company offering a host of services, including IP telephone, Routing and Switching and Network Management.