Cisco to Provide Expanded IP-Based Video, Audio and Web Conferencing Technology for U.S. Military Operations Worldwide

Northrop Grumman Teams with Cisco to Provide IP-Based Rich- Media Communications for Defense Information Systems Network Video Services II (DVS II) Win

HERNDON, VA, November 28, 2005 - Cisco Systems today announced that it will provide IP-based video and voice conferencing capabilities to the Department of Defense through the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) as part of the Northrop Grumman Corporation team, which was just awarded the DVS II contract. This DVS II award represents the largest single acquisition of IP video and voice conferencing services in the federal government.

Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems sector today announced (http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/) that DISA has selected the team to design, engineer, test and install new video conferencing and collaboration hubs for networks supporting defense operations worldwide. Videoconferencing that meets key security criteria is a crucial command-and-control tool for military commanders, providing the information and situational awareness they need to plan, execute and manage military operations, Northrop Grumman noted in its announcement.

Cisco’s overall offering as part of Northrop Grumman’s winning bid will allow Department of Defense users to move beyond today’s video-only conferencing service to a more robust, end-to-end IP solution. The Cisco solution provides Net Centric capabilities to DISA’s DVS II program, including the ability to enhance the existing DISA video conferencing capability with full web conferencing features.

This solution provides fully integrated rich-media communications including video, web and audio with rich collaboration and meeting control capabilities, as well as security, Layer 2 and Layer 3, call center and network management products. The foundation of DVS II architecture is based on the Cisco Internet Protocol Video Conferencing (IPVC) 3540 Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) for video conferencing and Cisco MeetingPlace for integrated video, voice and web conferencing.

Cisco teamed with Radvision to provide Northrop Grumman the most robust and scaleable video conferencing solution and architecture available.

“This choice validates that Cisco is listening to its customers to deliver the right solutions at the right time, as we continue to focus at the application layer for federal customers with unique needs,” said Bruce Klein, Cisco federal area vice president.

“The DVS II requirements are far beyond any currently fielded system, as DISA wants a net-centric solution to grow well into the future,” said Dr. Jack Anderson, DVS II technical lead and communications manager, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. “As a Tier 1 integrator, Northrop Grumman works with all the major vendors but we found that Cisco could best provide a fully integrated video and voice solution with web conferencing capabilities. The true winners in the DVS II competition are the DISA customers since they will soon be getting an incredibly capable, reliable system.”

“The inclusion of Cisco products and solutions in the DVS II award represents a significant validation of our overall intelligent information network strategy, and affirms our position as a major player in video and rich media conferencing and collaboration,” said Charles Giancarlo, Cisco chief development officer. “We are committed to developing solutions that address the dynamic nature of today’s IP world, which incorporates legacy systems as well as future applications. In DVS II we provided a solution that not only meets the customer’s immediate requirements but offers the building blocks for our next generation ’telepresence’ solution.”
Cisco’s Federal Leadership

Cisco’s government team has more 140 combined years of military and government experience giving Cisco a balanced perspective and a well-rounded team that is dedicated to accelerating the mission of the federal government.

Cisco is the leading provider of networking solutions for the government, with an unparalleled range of converged solutions and consulting services. Since the company’s inception 20 years ago, Cisco has provided governments with quality technology and support services, in addition to networking solutions that keep our nation safe, streamline the business of government and help civilian agencies provide services to their citizens.
About Cisco IP Communications

Cisco IP Communications is a comprehensive system of enterprise-class solutions including IP telephony, unified communications, rich media communications, including audio, web and videoconferencing, IP video broadcasting and customer contact solutions that take advantage of customers’ existing Cisco IP infrastructure to deliver new converged applications. More information about Cisco IP Communications is available at: www.cisco.com/go/ipc.

About Cisco Systems

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