Bank of America Experiences Operational Efficiencies with Cisco Unified Communications System Deployed by EDS

EDS Installs Cisco’s 10 Millionth IP Phone for Financial Services Leader; Technology Driving Business Transformation and Higher Levels of Customer Service

SAN JOSE, Calif., November 20, 2006 - Cisco® today announced the shipment of its 10 millionth Cisco Unified Internet Protocol (IP) Phone which has been delivered to Bank of America, one of the world’s largest financial institutions. Bank of America, working with its integration partner EDS, has deployed the phone as part of an ongoing project that is fueling business transformation and next-generation retail banking service innovations.

Bank of America began piloting Cisco Internet Protocol (IP) telephony technology two years ago through its systems integration and services partnership with EDS. The project was the beginning of a large-scale migration to consolidate many multiple networks onto a single voice, video and data IP infrastructure. Since then, the bank has rolled out thousands of Cisco Unified IP Phone 7960G handsets mostly in its retail banking centers and branch and remote enterprise offices as part of a network architecture that delivers ubiquitous voice services across the organization. By replacing its private branch exchanges (PBXs) with a single centralized IP communications network using Cisco Unified CallManager software and Cisco Unified IP Phones, Bank of America has improved operational efficiencies, reduced system management and maintenance costs, and enhanced customer service.

“Bank of America’s deployment of a single Unified Communications platform is part of a long-term strategy to lower costs and enhance customer service,” said Craig Hinkley, senior vice president, network services, at Bank of America. “With the design and integration expertise from EDS, and the advanced IP communications technology from Cisco, we are continuing our phased rollout of a common communications architecture that is delivering real business benefits. Our network operations have been streamlined and our customer service capabilities have been enhanced, but we expect even greater returns when we scale the network, add new innovative services and integrate voice into our business applications.”

Beyond the installation of Cisco’s desktop IP phones, Bank of America is using Cisco Unified Wireless IP Phone 7920 handsets in many of its retail banking centers to enable employee mobility within the branch and provide more personal customer interactions. As part of this ongoing upgrade, Bank of America is also deploying Cisco’s Unified CallManager software, and the Cisco Unity voice messaging system, an IP-based solution that combines traditional voicemail functionality with a Web browser, allowing users to access and manage voice messages from a phone or from a PC.

“EDS and Cisco continue to provide Bank of America with innovations for optimizing their customer interactions and transactions,” said Dennis Stokley, EDS vice president for global network design, capabilities, portfolio and operations. “Beginning with a converged IP network supported by our world-class services, we are helping Bank of America implement a communications infrastructure that allows them to innovate around customer service while enhancing their operational efficiencies and increasing productivity of their employees.”

“Large organizations worldwide are optimizing resources and driving business transformation through Cisco Unified Communications systems, and Bank of America is an outstanding example of this trend,” said Barry O’Sullivan, vice president and general manager for Cisco’s IP Communications business unit. “Teaming with our strategic alliance partner EDS, Cisco is helping Bank of America improve its business communications capabilities, and enabling the deployment of next-generation Unified Communications applications. The deployment of our 10 millionth IP phone within seven years of Cisco entering the market is a significant milestone illustrating the rapid adoption of Cisco IP voice technology globally.”
About EDS

EDS is a leading global technology services company delivering business solutions to its clients. EDS founded the information technology outsourcing industry more than 40 years ago. Today, EDS delivers a broad portfolio of information technology and business process outsourcing services to clients in the manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, communications, energy, transportation, and consumer and retail industries and to governments around the world. Learn more at www.eds.com.
About Cisco

Cisco, (NASDAQ: CSCO), is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. 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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