Dimension Data Extends Cloud Unified Communications Strategy To Include Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution

ORLANDO, Fla., March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Dimension Data, the $5.8 billion global ICT solutions and services provider, today announced that it is extending its portfolio of cloud-based Unified Communications (UC) services to include Cisco Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS). Dimension Data's strategy is designed to utilize its expertise in UC and cloud to empower enterprises to realize the full benefits of the cloud, regardless of their stage of cloud UC adoption. 

Dimension Data's UC services for cloud enable customers to enhance productivity and collaboration while reducing the ongoing complexity, costs and management of UC deployment and maintenance. Dimension Data's cloud services utilize its deep systems integration expertise and enterprise-class public cloud infrastructure-as-a-service and managed private cloud platform.

Dimension Data will deliver Cisco HCS-based services globally as a part of its portfolio of public, private and hybrid cloud services with multiple consumption models to support both dedicated and multi-tenant, usage-based environments. Dimension Data's UC services for cloud will complement its existing UC services for voice, pervasive video, contact center, instant messaging and presence.

Dimension Data's portfolio of cloud services and managed services will increase the ROI benefits associated with UC, such as increased productivity and collaboration both for clients who have already invested in UC and for companies at any stage of their UC and cloud evolution.

"UC provides numerous benefits to organizations, from equipping telecommuting employees with the tools to be productive, to the convenience of working with geographically dispersed offices," said Scott Cruikshank, director, converged communications, Dimension Data. "However, installation and maintenance of UC solutions can be a costly and complex undertaking for many businesses. By expanding our existing cloud services with Cisco, we now have the ability to provide UC via the cloud, so that our clients can reap the benefits of the solution without needing to invest in complex and costly implementation and maintenance. This frees up clients' IT resources so that they can focus them on other parts of the business that need attention."

"Cisco has had a longstanding relationship of over 20 years with Dimension Data, and they represent one of our largest global partners," said Eric Schoch, general manager of Cisco's hosted collaboration business unit. "With Dimension Data adding Cisco's HCS solution as part of its UC cloud offerings, our global client base will ultimately benefit from the utility cloud UC delivery model, while also offloading the complexities of ongoing UC management."

"Our clients are looking to leverage the cloud for more than just simple, temporary workloads," said Steve Nola, group executive of Dimension Data's IT-as-a-Service group. "Dimension Data is committed to providing enterprise-class cloud services with our integration expertise to help clients accelerate their migration of production applications, such as unified communications, to the cloud."

Dimension Data's Managed Cloud Platform^™ (MCP) has achieved the Global Cisco^® Cloud and Managed Services Advanced Certification, providing assurance that the architecture fully supports the deployment of cloud services across public and private cloud environments. Dimension Data's next-generation HCS-based offering will be available later in 2014.

Please visit Dimension Data at Enterprise Connect at its kiosk in the Cisco Pavilion, booth number 94. For more information go to: www.dimensiondata.com/cloud.

About Dimension Data
Founded in 1983, Dimension Data plc is an ICT services and solutions provider that uses its technology expertise, global service delivery capability, and entrepreneurial spirit to accelerate the business ambitions of its clients. Dimension Data is a member of the NTT Group. Visit us at www.dimensiondata.com/na and www.facebook.com/DimensionDataAmericas or follow us on Twitter: @DimensionDataAM.

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