Amtek Adds Cisco Remote Monitoring to Its Broad Computer-Service Offering; New Service Warns of Potential Problems with Cisco Networking Equipment

Business Wire, June 14, 2005

COVINA, Calif. -- Amtek Computer Services today introduced its Cisco Remote Monitoring service to provide customers with advance warning 24/7 of potential problems with Cisco networking devices. The service helps network managers eliminate concern about malfunction of Cisco networking equipment, including routers, switches, firewall systems and security appliances.

Amtek has been providing on-site computer repair and maintenance to enterprises nationwide for more than 25 years. Its customers report savings of up to $100,000 per year after freeing themselves from manufacturers' service contracts.

Unlike Cisco's SmartNet program, which provides support after a problem has occurred, Amtek's Cisco Remote Monitoring service alerts the network manager to problems before they happen. The service is managed at Amtek's Southern California headquarters, where Amtek has six CCIE-certified engineers dedicated to monitoring Cisco equipment around the clock. These engineers use a dedicated CiscoWorks 2000 server at the customer site. The server is connected to Amtek's headquarters via a Virtual Private Network using a dedicated NetScreen Firewall for encrypted communication.

Amtek's Cisco Remote Monitoring service inspects switch performance, maintains switch configurations, pushes out switch updates and assists customers with configuration issues.

"Our new Cisco Remote Monitoring is the first of its kind to be offered by a third-party service provider. It is ideal for any size company that will accept nothing less than uninterrupted operation of its LANs and WANs. This is the latest example of our commitment to service and our ability to provide programs that go above and beyond what the manufacturers are willing to offer," said Amtek Founder and CEO Alan Gibson.

"Because we are not involved in manufacturing or selling products, our R&D group is focused on developing new service programs for our customers - whether it is monitoring Cisco equipment or managing a multi-vendor network of mainframe, midrange and desktop systems."

As with all of Amtek's service contracts, the new Cisco Remote Monitoring is priced far less than comparable programs available from manufacturers. These contracts can be structured for payment monthly, quarterly or annually.

About Amtek Computer Services

Founded in 1980, Amtek is one of the nation's largest and most experienced third-party computer service companies - providing on-site maintenance and repair of mainframes, midrange systems, network PCs and peripherals nationwide. Amtek has provided thousands of clients with an alternative to the high-priced service contracts offered by manufacturers. Clients switching to Amtek are able to reduce their computer-service expenditures by as much as 50 percent.

From its headquarters in Los Angeles County, Amtek integrates a national communications center, parts distribution, on-site service technicians and depot repair. Amtek's large repair depots at its headquarters and Baltimore service center boast the latest test equipment and diagnostics. Amtek certified technical professionals service a wide range of multi-vendor computing platforms, including HP, Sun, IBM, StorageTek, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, Novell, NT and Unix. For sales information on Amtek, please visit www.amtek.net or call 1-800-652-6835.