Cisco Introduces Affordable Finance Solution for Small and Medium Businesses in South Africa

New Finance Product in Strategic Collaboration with Leading Financial Institution Aimed at Assisting Small and Medium Businesses' Growth

JOHANNESBURG, 10th June 2008 - Cisco® today announced the launch of an affordable finance product, called Easy Rent, aimed at the Small and Medium Business (SMB) market in South Africa. The product is designed to enable SMBs to access finance easily in order to purchase Cisco technology.

"Though our strategic partnership with Absa, one of the leading financial institutions in South Africa, Easy Rent will allow us to expand our product offering to commercial customers in South Africa whilst also helping them to mange their cash-flow," says Val Moodley, regional sales manager of Commercial at Cisco South Africa.

Cisco believes the Easy Rent option will help to remove the main barrier for SMBs looking to invest in information, communications technology (ICT) - the need to come up with a lump sum at the time of purchase. "We are able to provide SMBs with an interest rate of prime less 4% and our rentals can be tailored to the customer's individual needs and this offer is valid until the end of July 2008." Moodley adds that the standard Easy Rent offer and its benefits are available to the SA customer base at very competitive rates on an ongoing basis. "This approach differentiates Cisco's offering from competition, providing a compelling price proposition."

Easy Rent represents a growing approach in the market for businesses to upgrade to the latest Cisco technology without large capital expenditure or cash flow issues "Cisco has, over the years, taken the time to understand the financial needs of SMB customers. Most of our customers' rate their competition as their top business challenge, as such expressed the desire to exploit technology to stay ahead of their competitors," Moodley concluded.

About Absa
Absa Group Limited is one of South Africa's largest financial services organisations, serving personal, commercial and corporate customers in South Africa. The Group interacts with its customers through a combination of physical and electronic channels, offering a comprehensive range of banking services, (from basic products and services for the low-income personal market to customised solutions for the commercial and corporate markets), bancassurance and wealth management products and services. For more information go to http://www.absa.co.za

About Cisco Systems
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. Cisco equipment in emerging markets is supplied by Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco, the Cisco logo and Cisco Systems are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. This document is Cisco Public Information.