Verizon Business Recognized by Cisco as Data Center Unified Computing 'Authorized Technology Provider'

First Communications Solutions Provider to Receive Cisco Designation

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. July 14 -- Verizon Business is the first U.S.-based communications solutions provider to attain the Data Center Unified Computing Authorized Technology Provider (ATP) status from Cisco. This designation recognizes Verizon Business for its strength in providing the expertise and skills required to successfully deploy Cisco's premises-based unified data center solution.

The Cisco Unified Computing System unites network, computational, storage access and virtualization resources in a single energy-efficient system that can help businesses reduce the cost and complexity of the IT environment while helping to extend capital assets. A new computing model, this system uses integrated management and combines a "wire-once" unified fabric with an industry-standard computing platform to help improve virtualization, reduce the data center's total overall cost, and provide dynamic resource provisioning for businesses that are becoming increasingly collaborative, mobile and distributed.

"The Cisco Unified Computing System will complement Verizon's data center strategy by enhancing our ability to deliver holistic and innovative data center solutions to enterprise customers, whether premises- or network-based," said Mike Marcellin, vice president of Verizon global managed solutions. "We are empowering customers to take advantage of this next-generation data center platform, which is economical and efficient, while providing a whole new level of functionality."

By coupling Verizon expertise and Cisco technology, large enterprises can benefit from improved scalability. In addition, Cisco Unified Computing System can help companies be more agile by embedding unified computing capabilities into their key business processes.

"Taking advantage of an architectural shift in the data center, Cisco's new Unified Service Delivery approach can help customers transform the data center into a dynamic IT environment with the power to increase productivity, improve efficiency and drive virtualization to an entirely new level," said John Growdon, director, Worldwide Channels Go-to-Market Group at Cisco. "As a Cisco Data Center Unified Computing System Authorized Technology Provider, Verizon Business is now a member of an elite ecosystem of industry leaders working with Cisco to stimulate technology innovation, augment service delivery and accelerate the market adoption of unified computing."

To gain the Cisco ATP designation, Verizon Business was evaluated for its expertise in data center networking infrastructure and data center storage networking, and its knowledge and ability to deploy products from HP, VMware, EMC and other leading technology-provider solutions. Cisco's ATP program is part of a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for emerging and advanced technologies. This program helps Cisco to define the knowledge, skills and services that channel partners need to sell, deploy and support these technologies.

Verizon Business and Cisco have been delivering market-leading solutions to enterprise customers for more than a decade, helping to transform how the extended enterprise more securely connects, communicates and collaborates. Cisco recently honored Verizon Business with five awards for Channel Partner of the Year. In addition, the company holds ATP certifications across multiple product areas, including Cisco TelePresence(TM), Internet Protocol Interoperability and Collaboration Systems, and Unified Contact Center Enterprise. More than 1,100 Verizon employees hold Cisco certificates for expert knowledge of its technology.

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) , is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com/. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com/.

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) , is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with the world's most connected IP network to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions. We securely connect today's extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees - enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment. Many of the world's largest businesses and governments - including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions - rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.

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