Designation Recognizes Channel Partners With Highest Level of Unified Communication Expertise, Lifecycle Services, Success in Sales

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon has achieved the Master Unified Communications Specialization from Cisco, recognizing that the company has fulfilled the training requirements and program prerequisites to sell, deploy and support highly sophisticated applications-based Cisco Unified Communications solutions.  

"As the only U.S.-based global service provider to achieve both Master UC and Master Security specializations, we can deliver some of the most secure, integrated solutions available today," said Anthony Recine, vice president of network and communications solutions marketing for Verizon Business.  "The powerful combination of Verizon's network-based VoIP services and Cisco's UC platform – together with our professional consulting expertise – is enabling better business processes and productivity for our customers while assembling the building blocks to provide cloud-based unified communications as a service."

In addition to the Master Unified Communications Specialization, Verizon on Thursday (March 11) also announced it has achieved Cisco's Master Security Specialization and Advanced Data Center Networking Infrastructure Specialization in Europe.  The two companies will demonstrate new and existing unified communications and collaboration capabilities at the VoiceCon trade show, March 22 – 24 in Orlando, Fla.  

To achieve the Master Unified Communications Specialization, resale channel partners must first attain the Advanced Unified Communications Specialization. Partners must then meet stringent requirements that demonstrate their master-level sales, technical and services capabilities.  Furthermore, master specialized partners must satisfy a number of Cisco and industry-standard technical certification requirements; provide customer references that document Cisco-prescribed design and deployment capabilities; and show evidence that they have the infrastructure to support a full menu of Lifecycle Services offerings and capabilities.  

More information regarding the Master Unified Communications Specialization can be found at: http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/program/specializations/ucom/master/index.html.

The Cisco Resale Channel Program provides partners with the training required to build sales, technical and Cisco Lifecycle Services skills, and then validates their skills through a third-party audit.  Cisco resale partner certifications -- Select, Premier, Silver and Gold --   represent an increasing breadth of skills across key technologies and a partner's ability to deliver integrated networking solutions.  Cisco resale partner specializations -- SMB, Express, Advanced and Master -- reflect an increasing depth of sales, technical and service expertise in particular technologies.  Cisco master specializations provide Verizon Business access to comprehensive sales, technical, and lifecycle services training and support available from Cisco.

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with one of the world's most connected IP networks to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions.  We securely connect today's extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees – enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment.  Many of the world's largest businesses and governments – including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions – rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.

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SOURCE Verizon Business

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