Al Fanar chooses IP telephony and infrastructure solutions from Cisco Systems

Riyadh, 22 October 2005 – Cisco Systems has recently announced that Al Fanar Group, Saudi Arabia's largest company that delivers products and services in automation, IT, SCADA, tele-control and electronic power systems has chosen to implement Cisco Systems' IP Telephony and infrastructure solutions. With the implementation, Cisco Systems has made in roads into delivering robust IP Communications (IPC) solutions to enterprise, and small and medium business (SMB) sectors in the region.

Dr. Badr Al Badr, General Manager – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Cisco Systems, said: "Cisco Systems is committed to make available the benefits of IP telephony and voice communications for enterprise customers. The implementation of Cisco Systems IP solutions infrastructure will lead to a truly converged network for effective voice communications over a widespread network that will connect Al Fanar customers and offices throughout the Middle East. The project will also benefit from a highly qualified and committed partner like Al Fanar IT , as we will be able to deliver the full spectrum of services and technologies that are fully scalable, increasing frequent direct contact between end users and Al Fanar customers."

Commenting on Cisco Systems' IP Telephony (IPT) solutions, Mohamed Yousif, Human Resources Manager, Al Fanar Group, said, "Al Fanar Group's portfolio of vertical industry products and solutions require robust and proactive technology to enhance customer's experience in an enterprise environment. Cisco's IP solutions offer some key advantages in terms of increasing client-to-business communication over sector verticals and increasing end user productivity."

Al Fanar has chosen Cisco IP Telephony over an existing PBX infrastructure to enhance business experience by providing a seamless channel of communication between its offices and region wide customer spread. The full portfolio of IP Communications infrastructure is deployed in addition to 250 IP enabled phones throughout its offices in Saudi Arabia , United Arab Emirates , Egypt , Jordan and other GCC Countries including Kuwait.

Cisco IP Communication solutions deliver measurable return on investment (ROI) by lowering administrative costs, enhancing employee productivity and operational efficiency, and improving customer service/loyalty. The IP telephony solutions are fundamentally more reliable than traditional voice systems and allow its customers to reduce their voice network complexity and total cost of operations. The fundamental changes in the underlying infrastructure over which people communicate include an intelligent information network (IIN), which maximizes business process.

About Al Fanar Group

Founded in 1976, Al Fanar Group has been serving the needs of electrical sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its neighbouring countries for well over two decades. With years of rich experience, Al Fanar has gained a name as a reputed supplier, contractor and manufacturer for major clients in Saudi Arabia. Entry into the manufacturing sector gave Al Fanar an added advantage of serving its customers with a local flavour of world-class products in the low and medium voltage segment.