Verizon Becomes Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Authorized Technology Partner

Verizon Communications Inc. has achieved Data Center Unified Computing Authorized Technology Provider status from Cisco. This designation recognizes Verizon Business as having fulfilled the training and program prerequisites to sell, deploy and support the Cisco Unified Computing System in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands.

The Cisco Unified Computing System unites network, computational, storage access and virtualization resources in a single energy-efficient system that can help businesses reduce the cost and complexity of the IT environment while helping to extend capital assets. A new computing model, this system uses integrated management and combines a ‘wire-once’ unified fabric with an industry-standard computing platform to help improve virtualization, reduce the data center’s total overall cost, and provide dynamic resource provisioning for businesses that are becoming increasingly collaborative, mobile and distributed.  

"The Cisco Unified Computing System complements Verizon Business’ ability to deliver holistic and innovative data center solutions to enterprise customers, whether premises – or network-based," said Martin Burvill, head of international sales, global solutions and global strategic services for Verizon Business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "We are encouraging customers to take advantage of this next-generation data center platform, which is economical and efficient, while providing a whole new level of functionality."    

John Growdon, director of worldwide channels for Cisco, said: "Taking advantage of this architectural shift, Cisco’s new computing model can help customers transform the data center into a dynamic IT environment with the power to increase productivity, improve efficiency and drive virtualization to an entirely new level. As a Cisco Data Center Unified Computing System Advanced Technology Partner, Verizon Business is now a member of an elite ecosystem of industry leaders working with Cisco to stimulate technology innovation, augment service delivery and accelerate the market adoption of unified computing."

To qualify as a Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Authorized Technology Provider, Verizon Business had to meet a number of requirements. These included achieving the Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Specialization and the Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Specialization as well as demonstrating mature competencies in server, storage and virtualization technologies.

Cisco’s ATP program is part of a go-to-market strategy for emerging and advanced technologies. This program helps Cisco to define the knowledge, skills and services that channel partners need to sell, deploy and support these technologies.