Cisco continues to help channel partners accelerate the adoption of converged networks.

Building on its global channels strategy to provide channel partners with the resources, tools and programs to help increase profitability, Cisco Systems, Inc., has announced the availability of its Converged Network Investment Calculator (CNIC) to all IP-Telephony specialized channel partners.

"End-users have told us again and again that identifying the bottom-line benefit when evaluating new technologies is a priority given today's economic climate," said Ken Presti, industry analyst for IDC. "Effective return on investment tools can serve as a key element to the sales process because they offer a means for customers to measure the long-term value of new technologies like IP Communications. Cisco's return on investment tool is an elegant response that can play a very meaningful role in persuading customers to invest in new technology." "A compelling ROI analysis is critical in making a decision to implement a converged network," said Tom Stephens, manager, networks and hardware support at Cray. "Accuracy is essential to the validity of an ROI tool. The ROI analysis we received from the Cisco Converged Network Investment Calculator is proving to be extremely accurate."

"Sentinel's success has been closely linked to our ability to successfully justify to our customers the financial benefits of a converged AVVID (Cisco's Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data) solution," said Robert Keblusek, vice president business development at Sentinel Technologies, Inc., a Cisco IP-Telephony Specialized Channel Partner in Downers Grove, Illinois. "The Cisco ROI calculator has provided us an additional tool to assist in quickly justifying our proposals. Using financial, technical and strategic justification Sentinel has been able to successfully sell Cisco solutions in a very tough economy."