Cisco Systems has re-certified Dimension Data South Africa as a Cisco Gold partner. This is the 10th year in succession that Dimension Data has received this certification, which is one of the most respected and rigorous certification programmes in the networking industry.
The criteria for the certification include personnel, support, specialisation and customer satisfaction. Cisco Gold Certified Partners are recognised and rewarded for having a team of trained individuals who are capable of achieving and demonstrating the highest level of expertise in designing, implementing and supporting Cisco network solutions.
"The purpose of our certification programme is to build channel partner expertise," says Paul Mountford, VP Channels WW, Cisco Systems. "By attaining Gold Certification status, Dimension Data can assure its customers that it has achieved the highest Cisco standard for network expertise and support capabilities."
To qualify as a Cisco Gold Certification partner, Dimension Data is required to have and maintain at least four Cisco Internetwork Experts (CCIEs), a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), two Cisco Certified Design Professionals (CCDPs), and one Cisco Sales Expert.
These requirements play into the strength of Dimension Data, which among other Cisco specialists currently employs 16 Cisco Certified Internetwork Experts (CCIEs), one of the highest number of any company in SA.
Additionally, Dimension Data must also have a 24x7 call tracking system and escalation process, 24x7 Onsite response and four hours response with parts, a demo process and lab, a direct support contract, and 51% of calls must be escalated by CCIEs.
"Dimension Data has continued to invest considerably in staff, service and procedures in order to maintain our Gold Partner status," says Bruce Watson, executive director, Dimension Data.
"Cisco`s position in the marketplace enables us to have preferred access to the latest technologies, advanced training opportunities and co-marketing efforts, providing clients with the benefits of quick-to-market, innovative solutions," he concluded.
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Dimension Data Holdings plc (LSE: DDT) is a leading global technology company. The group provides solutions and services that optimise and manage the performance of IT infrastructures to enable business to build competitive advantage. To achieve this, the group delivers solutions using its proprietary `Application Network` architectural framework and its expertise in networking, application integration and managed services.
Dimension Data, founded in 1983, had revenues of $2.1 billion in 2002 and operates in 30+ countries with over 8 000 employees.
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