VITAL Network Services Achieves Premier Certification in the UK from Cisco Systems

Business Wire, June 11, 2002

Business Editors/Technology Writers

CLEARWATER, Fla. & WOKINGHAM, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)-June 11, 2002--VITAL Network Services, Inc., a multi-vendor provider of worldwide network lifecycle services, today announced it has achieved Premier Certification in the UK from Cisco Systems, Inc. The Cisco partner certification programme provides VITAL with the resources to develop an expertise in selling, implementing and supporting Cisco network solutions. By achieving Premier Certification status, VITAL can ensure customers it has proven Cisco network knowledge and support capabilities.

"The purpose of our Certification Programme is to build channel partner expertise," said Nick Watson, Director of Operations, Unified Channels organisation, Cisco Systems UK & Ireland. "Premier Certification status provides strong recognition of VITAL's commitment to delivering proven network knowledge and solid customer support."

"We are extremely pleased to achieve Premier Certification in the U.K.," said John Grubb, vice president of VITAL Network Service's Europe, Middle East and Africa regions. "VITAL's achievement demonstrates our commitment to providing world-class networking support and is a strong statement of our technical competence and credibility as a network lifecycle support provider."

The Cisco Partner Certification Programme offers world-class technical and sales training. The programme also ensures the consistent delivery of industry-leading support by maintaining rigorous standards for network expertise and support capabilities.

Cisco certified partners enjoy several programme benefits such as, a listing on the Cisco Partner Locator, making it easy for potential customers to find them; access to password protected Cisco Web sites, which have training information, marketing and sales tools as we well as event and seminar information; and increased access to Cisco technical support teams and product information.

About VITAL Network Services

VITAL Network Services, a global multi-vendor, multi-technology support provider, delivers world-class network support services to large enterprise customers, network equipment manufacturers, integrators, value-added resellers, distributors, and carriers around the world. VITAL's comprehensive portfolio of data, voice, and video network services helps customers realize the full value of their network by addressing all facets of the network lifecycle including network design and planning, integration, training, maintenance, and proactive monitoring. With its own technical staff and over 200 authorized service partners located throughout the world, VITAL provides on-site service in more than 60 countries across six continents.

VITAL provides network support for over 2000 customers from its operations centers in Naugatuck, Connecticut and Wokingham, England. Executive offices are located in Clearwater, Florida with sales and field support organizations throughout the world. More information about VITAL and its services is available at http://www.vital-ns.com, or by calling 1-888-248-4825 (U.S. and Canada) or 1-203-729-2461 worldwide.

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