Cisco Systems further strengthens SMB presence with the launch of SMB Select Program in GCC countries

The program is a new Cisco partner accreditation, designed to provide support and financial reward to resellers who are expanding their Cisco networking solutions business in the SMB sector.

This initiative underlines Cisco's commitment to provide solutions to its SMB customers. Cisco conducted a one-day training program on May 1, 2005 in Dubai, for the SMB Select resellers to provide them the required sales knowledge to qualify for the SMB Select program, equipping them to offer customers valuable advice on Cisco SMB solutions.

"Small and medium businesses across the GCC countries are showing an inclination towards increasing their IT expenditure. They are realising the benefits of investing in networking solutions to increase the profitability and productivity of their businesses. Cisco recognises a huge potential in the SMB market space and is committed to provide the best solutions to customers in this segment. The SMB Select program will help in building Cisco's brand awareness and creating a favourable mind share among SMB customers," said Ghazi Atallah, General Manager, Cisco Systems Middle East.

Approved SMB Select partners of Cisco will receive a range of benefits such as, assignment of a dedicated point of contact with Cisco who will have access to pre and post sales support for SMB projects, special pricing on demonstration and not-for-resale lab equipment, financial rewards for growing Cisco sales in the SMB market, special promotional offers to drive incremental business on selected products and solutions and exclusive access to the SMB Select portal which will host useful information on various aspects of growing business in the SMB sector.

The SMB Select program - Cisco Sales Essentials for Cisco Sales Associates (CSA), comprising channel partners and resellers will present key concepts in SMB Cisco Technologies, including Campus LAN, Wireless LAN, Network Management, Security and VPN, Service and Support. It will help Account Mangers develop an understanding of how products and services within each technology are used to create and will help their SMB customers increase productivity, improve customer satisfaction and strengthen competitive advantage.

"This program is a fantastic opportunity for the Select partners to embrace the new SMB products and solutions, and provide the foundation for customers to grow their businesses. It is a rewarding partnership", said Wayne Leonard Hull, Regional Sales Manager - Commercial, Cisco Systems Middle East.

"SMB Select Partner presents a novel way of working with Cisco, facilitating mutual success and growth. We are certain that the training program will prove to be extremely beneficial to our partners who are equally dedicated in serving the high potential SMB segment. Cisco's value-for-money SMB solutions, fully complement the needs of its customers and ensures maximum return on investment," Hull concluded.

Cisco was recently awarded the "Best SMB Solution" prize for its 'Integrated Services Routers' at GITEX Saudi 2005, the kingdom's largest gathering of IT services and solution providers. The Integrated Services Routers are the industry's first routers to deliver secure, wire-speed data, voice, video and other advanced services to SMBs and enterprise branch offices as well as to service providers for their managed network services offerings.