Cisco Hosts Gulf Partner Summit

Senior Cisco executives attend business gathering of 100 partners to discuss next-generation technologies, the vision forward and strengthening relationships

Dubai, UAE, February 9th, 2005 – Cisco Systems recently celebrated its close relationships with GCC partners during a gathering of more than 100 attendees and senior Europe-based executives that discussed Cisco's vision and promoted its next-generation technologies and channels.

The 2005 Cisco Gulf Partner Summit in Dubai included major presentations on key topics and smaller breakout sessions that addressed a variety partner needs with specialized workshops on cutting-edge technologies and trends. An awards ceremony honouring top partners capped the one-day event.

"Cisco recognizes the importance of strong relationships with its partners to ensure business success. A key part of this is meeting to present and discuss Cisco's roadmap for the future and its market-leading technologies. The better our partners understand where we are going and the technology we plan to use, the more effectively and enthusiastically they can promote these products and solutions to customers," said Mark De Simone, Vice President Middle East and Africa at Cisco Systems.

Workshops were held on Cisco's vision for the Intelligent Information Network, the Self-Defending Network, Connected Hospitality and Connected Real Estate and next-generation Storage Area Networks. There also were industry discussions on service provider business and strategy, opportunities for the public sector and the commercial business outlook

The meeting, which was attended not only by De Simone, but Luca Marinelli, Managing Director Channels, Europe, Middle East and Africa, was deemed a great success by partners, who had a chance to address a variety of questions to the many executives present and get immediate feedback. "The channel is at the heart of our client relationship and our work as a whole. It is a rich, mutual relationship that includes our sharing information with them and their speaking to us about on-the-ground market developments and insights," said Marinelli.

The summit concluded in grand style with Cisco honouring eight partners in categories ranging from IP communications to Best Service Provider. Winners included Gulf Business Machines for IP Communications Partner, Zak Solutions for Security Partner, Mannai for Service Provider, HP for Solutions Partner, Emircom for Services Partner, IITC for Premier Partner and Universe Computers for Outstanding Customer Service, as well as the top award, Cisco Gold Partner.