West IP Communications Achieves Cisco Master UC Specialization in the U.S.

Designation Recognizes Channel Partners with Highest Level of Unified Communications Expertise, Lifecycle Services and Success in Sales

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--West IP Communications, a subsidiary of West Corporation and a leading provider of cloud-based communication applications and services, today announced achievement of the Cisco® Master Unified Communications (UC) Specialization in the U.S. This specialization recognizes West IP Communications as having fulfilled the training requirements and program prerequisites to sell, deploy and support highly sophisticated applications-based Cisco Unified Communications solutions.

“To help turn the promise of unified communications into a strategic advantage, customers are demanding an enhanced set of skills and capabilities from channel partners”

“This latest Cisco certification reinforces our ability to deliver the most advanced UC applications available today,” said Bob Wise, Executive Vice President of West IP Communications. “UC is about integrating business communications tools to deliver improved productivity, business/IT alignment and strategic focus. We believe our recent placement in the Leadership Quadrant of Gartner’s UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service) Magic Quadrant, coupled with this latest honor, makes West IP Communications an excellent partner for successful UC implementations.”

West IP Communications has designed its services from the ground up to work with complex networking technologies. West IP Communications’ strategy is founded on applying best-in-breed technologies for its clients, offering operations and service excellence, and delivering world-class client support around the globe.

"To help turn the promise of unified communications into a strategic advantage, customers are demanding an enhanced set of skills and capabilities from channel partners,” said Richard McLeod, Director of Unified Communications for Worldwide Channels at Cisco. “West IP Communications’ investment in the Master Unified Communications Specialization ranks them among the industry’s elite.”

To achieve the Master Unified Communications Specialization, resale channel partners must first attain the Advanced Unified Communications Specialization. Partners must then meet stringent requirements that demonstrate their master-level sales, technical, and services capabilities. Furthermore, master specialized partners must possess a number of Cisco and industry-standard technical certification requirements; provide customer references that document Cisco-prescribed design and deployment capabilities; and show evidence that they have the infrastructure to support a full menu of Lifecycle Services offerings and capabilities.

More information regarding the Master Unified Communications Specialization can be found at: http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/program/specializations/ucom/master/index.html

The Cisco Resale Channel Program provides partners with the training required to build sales, technical and Cisco Lifecycle Services skills, and then validates their skills through a third-party audit. Cisco resale partner certifications— Select, Premier, Silver and Gold —represent an increasing breadth of skills across key technologies and a partner’s ability to deliver integrated networking solutions. Cisco resale partner specializations — SMB, Express, Advanced and Master — reflect an increasing depth of sales, technical and service expertise in particular technologies. Cisco master specializations provide West IP Communications access to comprehensive sales, technical, and lifecycle services training and support available from Cisco.

West IP Communications holds Cisco Gold Partner, Cisco Cloud Provider and Cisco Managed Services Channel Program (MSCP) Master certifications. Cisco’s HCS is licensed to about 20 partners around the globe, including West IP Communications.

About West IP Communications

West IP Communications is a leading provider of cloud-based communication applications and services – including MPLS-based application network management, hosted voice, unified threat management, advanced contact center solutions, unified messaging, collaboration tools and professional services – all delivered as a unified suite of cloud-based applications. West IP Communications’ scalable, on-demand applications and services can be integrated with a client´s existing network and telecommunications infrastructure, operational processes, and employee activities, enabling a client to migrate to unified IP communications as its business requirements dictate. For more information, visit www.westipc.com or call 1-800-773-3037.

About West Corporation

West Corporation is a leading provider of technology-driven communications services. West offers its clients a broad range of communications and network infrastructure solutions that help them manage or support critical communications. West’s customer contact solutions and conferencing services are designed to improve its clients’ cost structure and provide reliable, high-quality services. West also provides mission-critical services, such as public safety and emergency communications.

Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, West serves Fortune 1000 companies and other clients in a variety of industries, including telecommunications, retail, financial services, public safety, technology and healthcare. West has sales and operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America. For more information on West Corporation, please call 1-800-841-9000 or visit www.west.com.

About the Magic Quadrant

Gartner, Inc., Magic Quadrant for Unified Communications as a Service, North America, Daniel O’Connell, Bern Elliot, November 19, 2012. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.