CISCO SYSTEMS EQUIPS LEADING MALAYSIAN RETAIL CHAIN WITH NEW WORLD COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK GIANT TMC BERHAD'S NEW VOICE OVER IP NETWORK SAVES COMPANY 30 TO 40 PERCENT ON TELEPHONE CALL COSTS PER MONTH KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia/PRNI HK-AsiaNet/--July 20, 1999 - In a move that highlights the advancements towards the New World of Communications in Malaysia, home-grown Giant TMC Bhd., the country's leading hypermarket retail chain, has installed a Voice over IP network from Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, that is saving the company over 30 per cent on the cost of telephone calls. The Giant group started as a small grocery shop in Kuala Lumpur in 1944, expanding into a minimart in 1974 under the name Teng Minimarket Center - more popularly known as TMC. Today, Giant TMC Bhd. operates eight successful retail outlets in Peninsular Malaysia. The Voice over IP (VoIP) network that Cisco Systems provides currently connects its Subang Jaya headquarters with its Johor Bahru operations. Giant expects a return on investment (ROI) of four months. "We are really excited about the results we have seen so far with the new network. The Voice over IP network from Cisco Systems is a good example of how innovative technology integrated to meet our business requirements can translate directly into costs savings and productivity increases. We are saving about RM10,000 a month on our telecommunications costs so far and this will be channeled back into further growing the business," said Mr Ken Chai Chee Hing, EDP Manager, Giant TMC Bhd. Giant's network, built by Cisco Systems and Unique Central Integrator Sdn. Bhd., a Cisco Premier Reseller, consists of Cisco 3640 and 2610 routers equipped with voice modules that provide connectivity to their existing PBX systems and eventually to all the fax machines as well. Other branches that have not been migrated to VoIP technology are using the Cisco 1601 router. The voice framework with Cisco IOS(r) software provides complete and seamless integration of data, voice and video. It enables customers' the ability to roll out large networks and services based on VoIP. For example, the common Cisco voice framework based on the Cisco Open Packet Telephony architecture allows scalability and interoperability of voice over packet services from low-density, multiservice VoIP routers to carrier-class VoIP gateways. Additionally, Cisco's multiservice access routers, in combination with Cisco's H.323 Gatekeeper, allow customers to build very large VoIP networks. "Giant is on the leading edge of technology adopters in Malaysia and one of the country's true home-grown successes. From a small grocery shop, the company has expanded into one of the first hypermarts in Malaysia. And they have used technology as one of their competitive edges. The amazing cost savings they are seeing with the new network is proof that companies can cost effectively implement innovative technologies such as Voice over IP. Apart from the cost savings, Giant will also experience a richer set of services they will be able to deliver to their employees such as IP/TV and video-on-demand," said Mr Ong Teng Beng, Country Manager of Malaysia, Cisco Systems. (Note to Editors: US$1=RM3.80) Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. More information on Cisco is available at www.cisco.com. Cisco, Cisco IOS, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. Contact Info :Mr. William OeiTel: 65-833-5555Fax: 65-833-5666E-mail : [email protected]