Avaya Introduces New Services Delivery Specialization Program
for Channel Partners

Bloomington, MN – 3/4/2009

SDS designations help customers identify Avaya BusinessPartners and AlliancePartners certified with the
service skills and qualifications needed for their projects. In recognition of our experience and expertise,
Avaya has awarded Cross the designations of Implementation Specialist and Support Specialist.

Cross can now augment and showcase our ability to deliver the full range of lifecycle services for Unified Communications and Contact Center with the new Avaya Services Delivery Specialization (SDS) program. The program enables Cross to provide services in conjunction with Avaya and demonstrate our advanced capabilities
in implementation, maintenance support and application integration. Through SDS, customers can identify Cross
as the BusinessPartner with the appropriate skills and qualifications for the level of service delivery required.
The Services Delivery Specialization program has four areas of designation:

 

•	Implementation Specialist – for authorized Avaya BusinessPartners and AlliancePartners achieving advanced capabilities in implementation.
•	Implementation Professional – for "services only" Avaya channel partners that do not sell Avaya products and have achieved advanced capabilities in implementation services.
•	Support Specialist – for Platinum, Gold and Silver-certified Avaya BusinessPartners and AlliancePartners with significant, cross-portfolio sales of Avaya products and solutions and who demonstrate a sophisticated level of capability in post-sales maintenance and support services.
•	Integration Expert – for Platinum, Gold and Silver-certified Avaya BusinessPartners and AlliancePartners with deep expertise in Avaya unified communications and/or contact center portfolios who demonstrate the ability to integrate Avaya applications in a multi-vendor environment. These partners must also meet all requirements of the Implementation and Support Specialist designations.

 

"The Avaya SDS program is good for our BusinessPartners and good for customers," said Carol Giles Neslund,
Vice President, North America Channel Sales, Avaya. "SDS enables our channel partners to expand their portfolio
of services with streamlined access to a broad range of Avaya tools, systems and people. Customers can quickly identify the channel partners that are the best fit for their project and be assured of their services expertise. This
is a great collaborative effort between Avaya Global Services and our Avaya BusinessPartners."

Avaya Service Delivery Specialization is the next level in the joint efforts of Avaya Global Services and its channel partners in extending co-delivery of services. The program enhances an entry level services program already available to channel partners for implementation, maintenance and support services. Cross has access to Avaya Global Services methodologies and tools to help us deliver a quality service experience to our customers. In addition, they receive a broad range of financial, sales, marketing and support benefits.

Avaya channel partners that become qualified by the program are awarded the appropriate SDS designation logo to help customers identify their differentiated service capabilities. Cross as a Premier Platinum Avaya BusinessPartner has already been designated a SDS channel partner. Cross has received both the SDS Implementation Specialist and the SDS Support Specialist designations.

About Cross

Cross is an Avaya premier, National Platinum BusinessPartner and BusinessPartner of the Year award winner and Cisco Silver Certified Partner. By providing a complete portfolio of Voice, Data, IP Telephony, Wireless, CrossNet Maintenance and Support, Professional Services and Cross University, Cross has defined itself as a complete end-to-end integrator of converged technologies nationwide. Having one of the largest and most experienced technical teams within the industry, Cross delivers business transforming communications solutions that will create a distinct competitive advantage for our customers.

About Avaya

Avaya is a global leader in enterprise communications systems. The company provides unified communications, contact centers, and related services directly and through its channel partners to leading businesses and organizations around the world. Enterprises of all sizes depend on Avaya for state-of-the-art communications
that improve efficiency, collaboration, customer service and competitiveness. For more information please visit www.avaya.com.