UPSI Selects Cisco for Campuswide Network Infrastructure Expansion

High-Speed, Scalable Network for Main Campus in Tanjong Malim Built With Cisco Technologies
Yang Berbahagia Prof. Dato’ Dr. Aminah Binti Ayob, Naib Chanselor of UPSI and Syed Alman Zain Syed Alwi, Managing Director, iTANIA exchanging the leasing documents together with representatives from Cisco, Cisco Capitsal UPSI and iTANIA.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 23, 2008 – The Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) has completed the upgrade of its network infrastructure at the university’s campus in Tanjong Malim using equipment from Cisco. The project, worth RM3 million (US$1 million), is being leased through an innovative financing programme from Cisco CapitalSM, a Cisco subsidiary.

“UPSI understands the importance of connected education. Thus, we constantly challenge ourselves to deploy the best technology solutions to drive innovation and strengthen our competitive position in the higher education marketplace. We chose Cisco because the company is able to deliver an end-to-end solution, comprising technology, expertise and a value-driven financing model that meet our needs,” said Dato’ Dr. Aminah Binti Ayob, UPSI Vice Chancellor.

With an increasing number of students, heavier applications traffic and various campus expansion projects, UPSI realised the need to upgrade its core network and take advantage of new technologies to create a more collaborative and productive work and study environment. Cisco worked closely with systems integrator iTANIA, a local Cisco Registered Partner, to establish a high-speed and scalable Gigabit Ethernet network that serves as the backbone to connect the entire campus.

The new network connects 20 buildings for all faculties, enabling access for more than 15,000 students and 2,000 staff members of the campus. The 2 Gigabit Ethernet network, which is scalable to 8 Gigabit Ethernet, is powered by the latest network switching technology from Cisco.
“UPSI is regarded as a catalyst of development in education, being one of the oldest universities in Malaysia. This is a unique opportunity to showcase Cisco’s ability to transform the higher education sector using the network as a platform. UPSI’s initiative to develop a technology-enabled campus to complement its e-learning faculty is indeed a positive contribution towards the nation’s goal of producing a highly knowledgeable and world-class workforce,” said Kumaran Singaram, Managing Director, Cisco Malaysia.

Increasing business value through Cisco Capital

UPSI, through iTANIA, also signed a leasing agreement with Cisco Capital, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco, which provides innovative and flexible financial programmes to Cisco customers and channel partners. By choosing to lease the technology rather than purchase it outright, UPSI preserved capital for additional strategic educational initiatives while minimising its monthly operational costs.

“Cisco Capital came to UPSI with a strategic investment plan that helps ensure that we obtain value for money from the network-optimisation exercise. We analysed our options and decided that the Cisco Capital proposal represented the best value for us,” Aminah said.

“We designed a model on operating expense in line with UPSI’s objectives, namely, to quickly upgrade its network campuswide, keep that network current over time, and eliminate the need for large upfront capital outlays,” said Fazli Shah Yusof, Business Manager for Cisco Capital Malaysia. “Cisco Capital is a key player in financing technology for higher education institutions worldwide, and we are thrilled to be working with iTANIA to help one of Malaysia’s leading universities remain at the forefront of connectivity and e-learning.”

The university’s network is also now Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)-enabled to provide a platform to support high-speed access, future technologies and various competitive applications.

About Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), situated in Tanjong Malim, Perak was established in 1997. UPSI's vision is to become a unique higher learning institute with high quality teaching methods to produce an intellectual breed of graduates.

The university has over 337 students in year one, out of which 2,463 of them are based at the Tanjong Malim campus. UPSI's website is at www.upsi.edu.my.