( BW)(ASCEND)(ASND) Ascend Globalizes Its Broad Service Offerings
Business Editors & High Tech Writers
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 29, 1998--
Company Expands Education Centers, Technical Expert
Program and Onsite Support in 40 Countries Worldwide,
Initiating Global Integration Services
Ascend Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASND), a leader in wide area networking (WAN) solutions
for providers and users of the New Public Network, today announced the opening of two primary
education centers, thus expanding global availability of Ascend's education programs. This coincides with
the opening of the first Global Integrated Services (GIS) certification lab in its Alameda, Calif.
headquarters, allowing Ascend Certified Technical Expert program (ACTE) candidates to complete the
final phase of certification.
Ascend's highly regarded ACTE program certifies professionals who demonstrate a solid knowledge of
Ascend products and underlying networking technologies. ACTE is designed for technical networking
professionals who install, configure and support Ascend products. To finalize the Ascend certification
process, ACTE now allows each participant to complete the program through a hands-on lab exam.
Providing validation of Ascend networking knowledge, this program develops industry-recognized
expertise in Ascend's market leading remote access technologies.
In addition to its primary training centers in Westford, Mass., and Alameda, Calif., and six secondary
centers in the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, Ascend has opened two new centers in Sofia-Antipolis,
France, and Melbourne, Australia. These education centers, which provide Ascend Global Education
courses, are staffed and equipped to deliver cost-effective curriculum targeting specific Ascend product
families. This targeted curriculum is developed by a team of experts and experienced training specialists
whose product and industry knowledge provide a variety of training formats for a comprehensive learning
experience. Ascend Global Education courses enable participants to design, configure, and manage their
networks more efficiently, and provide qualification and recognition of Ascend networking skills.
The company also announced the availability of on-site maintenance support throughout Europe, the
Middle East, and Africa and the availability of similar support in Asia-Pacific and Latin America early in
the fourth quarter. By year's end, GIS will provide on-site support in 40 countries around the world.
"Ascend is committed to delivering worldwide services and support that help customers utilize their
network investments to the fullest," said Scott Thompson, executive vice president of Global Integration
Services. "In the next few months we will introduce a full suite of innovative solutions that will help our
service provider customers reduce their time to market and help our enterprise customers manage their
network total cost of ownership. Worldwide availability of Ascend's valuable educational services is the
first step in a series of initiatives that address our customers' needs."
Global Integration Services
Ascend Global Integration Services is a newly created business unit, consisting of customer technical
support and education, logistics, and professional services. GIS helps customers deploy and manage
complex service networks, and enables them to create and deliver new services that increase their revenue
opportunities. Throughout the next year Ascend will roll out new initiatives and programs, including
value-added offerings such as planning, design, implementation, and operational support and management
ensuring ongoing lifecycle support for its customers on a global basis.
Availability
Courses are available today for scheduling in Ascend's new Sofia-Antipolis, France, and Melbourne,
Australia, primary training centers. Ascend's GIS certification lab is fully operational and candidates may
now schedule examinations for mid-August. More information about its education and certification
programs can be found at ascend.com. On-site maintenance service is now
available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and is subject to the company's service initiation terms.
About Ascend Communications
Ascend Communications, Inc. develops, manufactures, sells and services wide area networking
solutions for telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers and corporate customers worldwide.
Press and industry analysts, please contact: Meredith Valt, Alexander Communications, 415/923-1660
(ext. 131), mvalt@alexandercom.com. Investors and financial analysts, please contact: Kristina Graziano,
510/747-2345, kristina.graziano@ascend.com; or all other inquiries please call toll-free: 800/ASCEND4.
For more information about Ascend and its products, please visit the Ascend web site at
www.ascend.com, or send e-mail to info@ascend.com. Ascend is headquartered at One Ascend Plaza,
1701 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, Calif. 94502; phone is 800/ASCEND4 and fax is 510/814-2300.
The foregoing statements may contain forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations
and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from these expectations as a
result of factors including, but not limited to, the Company's success in developing, introducing or shipping
new products, competition, the mix of distribution channels employed, the Company's dependence on
single or limited source suppliers for certain components used in its products, risks inherent in
international sales, seasonality and general economic conditions. These and other factors are discussed in
Ascend's 10-K, 10-Q and other filings made periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
--30--AMP/se*
CONTACT: Alexander Communications
Meredith Valt, 415/923-1660
mvalt@alexandercom.com
or
Ascend Communications
Jennifer Reidy, 510/747-2761
jennifer.reidy@ascend.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA MASSACHUSETTS
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED
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