Cisco Showcases IP Interoperability and Collaboration System (Cisco IPICS) Technology the Next Emerging Technology for the First Time in Europe

Schiphol Telematics today showcased, for the first time in Europe,Cisco's (NASDAQ:CSCO) new IP Interoperability and Collaboration System(Cisco IPICS) technology -- a communication system designed to easilyintegrate multiple push-to-talk radio systems together with othercommunication resources like voice, video and data devices.

These next generation capabilities are designed to alloworganizations to collaborate more easily on daily operations, safety,security, and emergency management scenarios across differentnetworks, both wired and wireless.

Schiphol Telematics is a licensed telecom operator to SchipholAirport Authority and is one of the first organizations in Europe toundertake an Early Field Trial of Cisco IPICS.

"As the service provider to companies based at Amsterdam AirportSchiphol, it is important to provide more than connectivity alone.With solutions like Cisco IPICS technology we can provide anintelligent network for integrated communications and collaboration,"said Ras Lalmy, CEO Schiphol Telematics. "Our goal with the CiscoIPICS technology Early Field Trial is to show our customers how CiscoIPICS can improve their operations and develop services based on theirrequirements."

Cisco Systems has demonstrated the advanced capabilities in CiscoInternet Protocol (based) Interoperability and Collaboration Systems(IPICS) technology and has announced that this will be a new emergingtechnology area of focus for the company.

Essentially, Cisco has developed a new systems-based approach thatcan improve operational efficiency, streamline organizationaldecision-making and emergency safety and security management.Potential organizations that could benefit from these capabilitiesinclude large enterprises as well as transportation, retail, finance,public safety, and defense groups.

"Organizations like fire, police departments, army and airportscurrently communicate using common procedures and rules over separateenvironments. They are striving to move to true behaviourialinteroperability with a common approach and understanding," statedJohan Orsingher, Senior Consultant, Frost & Sullivan. Solutions exist,but require drastic changes in legacy products and operationalprocedures. A solution which would allow a step by step implementationusing existing systems and procedures would reduce human resistance tochange and risk."

"Effective communications and collaboration are critical both forenterprise operations and emergency management. Enterprises willbenefit from virtualising different resources and making intelligentdecisions based on parameters such as time, user roles andresponsibilities," said Yvon Le Roux, Vice President, Public Sector,Cisco Systems Europe and Emerging Markets. "Take an airport or ahospital or a bank -- the need for all of these to be able to managethe flow of all types of information, collaborate across multiplenetworks and organizations, and improve overall operationaleffectiveness and efficiency is paramount."

Making the Connections that Count

Many organizations and agencies rely heavily on push-to-talkcommunication systems from their Land Mobile Radio (LMR) networks fortheir daily operations. Often, these radio networks remain isolatedand do not work together with other wireless, voice, and datanetworks.

With Cisco IPICS technology, both proprietary and standards-basedpush-to-talk radios should be able to interoperate not only with eachother but also with analog phones and other IP-based wired andwireless devices including cellular phones, Wi-Fi laptops, PDAs and IPphones.

Controlling Costs while Increasing Reach

Many organizations have invested money, time and resources intopush-to-talk radios. Cisco IPICS technology extends the potentialreach of these radios to new communication systems without requiring areplacement of any of the existing radios or communications equipmentor changing the way they use their existing radios. Building upon itshistory of connecting disparate networks, this integration ofdisparate radio networks with Cisco IPICS technology is the latestdemonstration of the evolution of IP.

The key components of Cisco IP Interoperability and CollaborationSystems technology include:

-- Cisco IPICS Server Hardware

-- Cisco IPICS Server Software

-- Cisco IPICS Push-to-Talk Management Center (PMC) Application and Cisco IPICS Voice over IP XML Services

Evolving the Intelligent Information Network

In 2003, Cisco began articulating a 3 to 5-year vision fordeveloping an Intelligent Information Network. Phase I is comprised ofthe integration of video, voice, and data across a system of networks,while Phase II adds the virtualization of networking, storage, server,and security services. The Cisco IPICS technology clearly showsprogress in the third phase with intelligent application-basednetworking systems taking on new roles and driving new forms and modesof communication.

Availability

The key components of Cisco IPICS technology are available on alimited basis now in the United States and Europe and are expected tobe available globally over the next 6-12 months with complete supportfrom Cisco Advanced Services. For more information on the specificsabout Cisco IP Interoperability and Collaboration System technology,visit www.cisco.com/go/IPICS.

About Schiphol Telematics

Schiphol Telematics, ST for short, is the independent telecomoperator that operates on the cross-road of airport and informationand communications technology. ST is a joint venture of Schiphol Groupand Royal KPN.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has beenpartnering with clients to support the development of innovativestrategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertiseintegrates growth consulting, growth partnership services andcorporate management training to identify and develop opportunities.Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global1000 companies, emerging companies and the investment community byproviding comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a uniqueglobal perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets,technologies, econometrics and demographics. For more information,visit http://www.frost.com.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO), the worldwide leader innetworking for the Internet, this year celebrates 20 years ofcommitment to technology innovation, industry leadership and corporatesocial responsibility. Information on Cisco can be found athttp://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go tohttp://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in Europe is supplied byCisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of CiscoSystems, Inc.

Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registeredtrademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. or its affiliates in the U.S. andcertain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in thisdocument are the property of their respective owners.