Cisco Systems Honored with "Overall Excellence" by the Corporate University Xchange 2005 Excellence and Innovation Awards

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 13, 2006 - Cisco Systems® today announced it received the Overall Excellence Award for Innovation in Corporate Learning from the Corporate University Xchange (CUX) and Fortune Magazine, in the Seventh Annual Corporate University Xchange Excellence and Innovation Awards. Cisco also received the Excellence Award in the Learning Technology category for its work with the Cisco Media Network and Best Practice Awards for Leadership, Learning Games and Measurement. The awards were announced at the CUX Awards Gala on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 in Orlando, FL.
As a global company and one of the top 20 brands in the world, Cisco employees and partners must have access to the latest information and skills to ensure consistency, accuracy and success. Cisco has adopted a multi-faceted approach toward using learning technologies for the delivery of content to employees, partners, resellers, and customers. Learning at Cisco consists of a wide variety of delivery options including online lectures, archived courses, video presentations, online simulations, remote labs, e-games, practice exams, and learning communities. As a result of its e-learning initiatives for employee training, Cisco realizes US$142 million per year in recurring benefits.

“Learning is a key enabler of our organization’s strategy and helps to fuel our growth,” said Don Field, director of certifications at Cisco Systems. “In addition to helping us attract, develop and retain top talent, Cisco’s partners also benefit from our comprehensive e-learning program through improved productivity, higher customer satisfaction and increased revenues.”

The Cisco e-learning benefits are numerous, including cost savings, decreased individual time to competence, work force flexibility and creating a next generation of leaders by imbedding leadership practices. In addition to increased revenues, productivity and customer satisfaction, Cisco’s e-learning programs have also contributed to significant partner savings.

“Our Excellence and Innovation Awards honor companies that set the standard for corporate learning,” said Sue Todd, CUX President. “The company’s passion and dedication to an e-learning culture provides a glowing example of how an integrated learning strategy directly impacts employee and company success.”

To learn more about the Cisco learning strategy, register for the CUX Overall Excellence webinar, taking place Friday, April 7, 2006. Additional information is available at: http://www.corpu.com/news/webinar_sched.asp

About Corporate University Xchange

Corporate University Xchange (CUX) is the leading provider of corporate university research, benchmarking, and advisory services for helping organizations transform corporate learning. The aim of CUX research and services is to maximize corporate investments in training and development to deliver improved business results. For more information, please visit CUX on the web at www.corpu.com.

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.

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