Cisco Launches Rich Media Communications Specialist Certification.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cisco Systems(R) (NASDAQ:CSCO) today announced the addition of the Rich Media Communications Specialist certification to its Career Certifications program. The Rich Media Communications Specialist certification validates the skills and knowledge required to successfully plan, install and manage rich media communications in an IP network.

According to Wainhouse Research, the total market size for On Demand Rich Media is projected to grow to almost $1 billion by 2007. Organizations around the world are deploying rich media communications such as voice conferencing, streaming video and other digital interactive media to increase employee productivity and reduce costs. For businesses to yield the significant benefits of these applications, technical professionals responsible for integrating these productivity-enhancing applications into an IP network must conduct careful planning and possess specialized expertise.

Certified Cisco Rich Media Communications Specialists will have the training to develop the expertise required to design, install and manage rich media applications to address new market demands, including integrating video conferencing applications into a voice and data network while delivering the same quality, switching, speed and clarity as is expected of the traditional telephone network. The Rich Media Communications Specialist certification prepares professionals to integrate video conferencing in an IP network independently, or with other deployments such as Cisco CallManager for IP telephony, Cisco Unity voice messaging or Cisco IP Contact Centers.

"To achieve the many benefits of voice conferencing, streaming video, and other digital interactive media, organizations need network professionals with the right mix of skills," said Don Field, director of certifications at Cisco. "The Rich Media Communications Specialist certification validates a robust set of skills in implementing, operating, configuring and troubleshooting rich media communications in an IP network."

Earning a Rich Media Specialist certification requires holding an active CCNA(R) certification and passing two additional exams:

--642-481 CRMC -- Implementing Cisco IP Video Conference Rich Media Communications (ICRMC)

--642-432 CVOICE -- Cisco Voice Over IP (CVOICE)

To help candidates prepare for the exam, the Implementing Cisco IP Video Conference Rich Media Communications (ICRMC) course will be available as self-paced e-learning instruction. Most students can complete the ICRMC class in about eight hours. Recommended training for (CVOICE) is offered as both a five-day instructor-led class, and in a variety of e-learning options.

Training and Availability

Authorized Cisco training is available from a global network of Cisco Learning Partners and the Partner E-Learning Connection. For complete details about the training and exam requirements for the Rich Media Communications Specialist and other certifications, visit: www.cisco.com/go/certifications.

Training may be purchased using Cisco Learning Credits, an easy method of payment for Cisco authorized training, redeemable through participating Cisco Learning Partners worldwide. For information about Cisco Learning Credits, visit www.cisco.com/go/learningcredits.

About Cisco Career Certifications 

The widely respected Cisco Career Certifications bring valuable, measurable rewards to network professionals, their managers and the organizations that employ them. Cisco offers three levels of general certification: Associate, Professional and Expert in various tracks such as Routing and Switching, Network Security and Service Provider. A variety of Cisco Specialist focused certifications are also available to show knowledge in specific technologies, solutions or job roles. For Cisco Career Certifications information, visit http://www.cisco.com/en/US/learning.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.

Cisco, Cisco Systems, the Cisco Systems logo, CCIE, CCNA, and Cisco IOS are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.