KPMG Announces Joint Initiative With Microsoft and Cisco to Expand KPMG'S Enterprise Information Integration Services Practice

Business Wire, August 7, 1997

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 1997--

EIS to Focus on Microsoft Windows NT Server

and Cisco Networking Solutions

KPMG Peat Marwick LLP announced today that it has entered a joint initiative with Microsoft Corp. and Cisco Systems, Inc. to expand its network integration practice, KPMG Enterprise Integration Services LLC (EIS). The collaborative effort will initially focus on business solutions using Microsoft and Cisco products focused on electronic commerce, online call centers and sales automation solutions.

The announcement was made today by KPMG Deputy Chairman and COO Roger Siboni, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Bill Gates, and Cisco President and CEO John Chambers at KPMG's Annual Partners' Meeting, held here.

The expanded EIS practice will provide network integration and migration services to help organizations deploy business solutions based on Cisco's networking products and the Microsoft Windows NT Server network operating system, the foundation of Microsoft's enterprise platform. The practice will also help customers integrate and migrate to Microsoft's Active Directory, the next generation of Windows NT Server directory services for managing resources throughout the organization. A principal focus of the three-way alliance will be to support KPMG's new Microsoft-centric consulting practice also announced today, EIS will specialize in providing the networking and computing hardware and integration services through which Customer Value Management and electronic commerce solutions will be deployed.

"We are pleased that Microsoft and Cisco Systems have agreed to commit significant resources and people to meet the demand for Windows NT Server-based network services," said Siboni. "With the rapid adoption of Microsoft's enterprise solutions among large organizations, there is a tremendous need for services to integrate Windows NT Server into enterprise networks. KPMG intends to be the leader in Windows NT Server network integration, and our relationships with Microsoft and Cisco, the leader in networking infrastructure, will help us to achieve that goal."

Market research firm Dataquest estimates that the worldwide information technology services opportunity around Windows NT Server will reach $12 billion by the year 2000. Development and integration services will account for approximately $8 billion.

"Due to its strong enterprise capabilities, Windows NT Server is fast becoming the standard network platform for mission-critical business applications," said Deborah Willingham, vice president of Microsoft's enterprise customer unit. "The escalating demand for Microsoft enterprise solutions has created a growing need among large organizations for expert infrastructure and network integration services. By joining forces with Cisco and KPMG -- established leaders in internetworking and integration respectively -- Microsoft will deliver this expertise."

The expanded EIS practice has standardized on Cisco products and Cisco IOS software technologies in network modeling, simulation, optimization and design solutions for its customers. Cisco is already training 100 KPMG personnel in network design, installation and testing. KPMG also will leverage the results of ongoing collaboration between Microsoft and Cisco in critical network technologies such as security, multimedia and directory services.

"KPMG, Microsoft and Cisco all share a common vision of the impact that networked applications can have on meeting critical business needs," said Chambers. "This collaboration with the EIS practice will help many customers reap the benefits of networked commerce."

KPMG's EIS practice currently provides network design, product procurement and integration, installation and post implementation support, project management, training of client personnel, and help desk expertise. The expanded joint initiative will retain the EIS name.

KPMG Peat Marwick LLP is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International, the worldwide professional services firm. KPMG International has more than 6,000 partners and 76,000 professionals serving clients through 1,100 offices in 837 cities in 153 countries. In the U.S. KPMG partners and professionals deliver a wide range of value-added consulting, assurance, tax, and process management services in five markets: financial services; manufacturing, retailing and distribution; health care; information, communications and entertainment; and public services. Additional information about the firm is available on KPMG's World Wide Web site (http://www.kpmg.com).

Editor's note: There is a media teleconference today, Thursday, August 7, from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST to discuss this joint initiative. Participants include Stephen G. Butler, Chairman, KPMG; Bill Gates, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft; John Chambers, CEO, Cisco Systems; Roger Siboni, Chief Operating Officer, KPMG; and Deborah Willingham, Vice President, Microsoft. Call (888) 455-8522, password KPMG. The 48-hour replay number is (800) 759-8643, no password necessary.