MUNICH -- Cisco Systems today announced that Gong Verlag, the publisher of magazines such as Ein Herz fur Tiere, Die Aktuelle, Gong and TV Direkt, has installed a Cisco end-to-end IP network in its new Munich headquarters. The infrastructure will allow the publishing and printing house to benefit from services such as voice over IP, unified messaging, wireless phones and local area networking -- with a vastly improved return on investment compared to the traditional LAN and private branch exchange (PBX) systems previously in place.

The move to a gigabit switched IP infrastructure, prompted by the merger of five locations into a single building, will allow Gong to improve its journalists' workflow, deploy databank applications, such as a global directory and streaming media services, and use computer-telephone integration to enhance customer care. The potential return on investment provided by Cisco's IP networking solution prompted the publisher to cancel existing contracts for legacy PBX platforms.

Hermann Poppen, Managing Director, Gong Verlag, said: "Our move to a new corporate headquarters provided an excellent opportunity to upgrade our IT infrastructure, and Cisco was able to demonstrate it had what we needed -- a scalable and reliable voice and LAN platform, incorporating wireless flexibility, all based on an open standard. And Cisco was the only supplier to demonstrate an exemplary investment protection benefit."

The realization of this ambitious project was enabled through the strong relationship between Gong and its solution supplier, NET Consulting. Gong's corporate network boasts a range of Cisco technologies, including Catalyst 6509, 3524 PWR and 3550 48 switches, Cisco 7960 and 7940 IP phones, Cisco 7914 IP Phone Expansion Modules, a Cisco Unity voice and unified messaging system and Aironet 1200 Series wireless access points.

Michael Ansley, Director, Advanced Technologies, Cisco Systems EMEA, said: "Gong is one of a growing number of businesses that are realizing the potential of wireless IP-based local area networks. This network will allow Gong to cut capital and operational expenditures while delivering new, integrated services. We are pleased that Cisco has been selected to deliver a technologically sound platform that will not just improve existing information systems, but will also continue to deliver cost benefits well into the future."

Cisco Systems Inc.