Global Knowledge and Firefly Pioneer Data Center Virtualization
Solutions that Drive Market Success for Cisco Channel Partners and
Customers
Cary, N.C. – January 26, 2009—Two highly respected technology
companies, Global Knowledge and Firefly, are providing data center
education and consulting solutions to Cisco channel partners and
customers through a worldwide alliance announced today. The
companies’ consulting and training services will blanket the entire
new technology lifecycle, from early adoption to late market
maturity.
Global Knowledge is a leader in IT training, with a robust
portfolio of courses and a strong, worldwide marketing and sales
foothold. Firefly offers targeted consultative education and
professional services that help its customers continually evolve
their IT architectural strategies to take advantage of new
technologies rapidly, while ensuring that technology decisions
remain aligned with their business objectives.
“We’ve launched a ‘one world’ alliance with Firefly,” said
Global Knowledge President and CEO Joseph Cece. “It’s a connection
that recognizes the talent, infrastructure, and commitment required
to enable the use of cross-functional and interoperable
technologies that empower the success of our customers.”
Manufacturers, value-added resellers (VARs), customers, and
educators need to work together throughout the technology
lifecycle, especially in the innovator and early adopter stages.
"The best ideas flourish in an environment where collaboration is
the driving force,” said Firefly CEO Pat Bodin. “What we’re trying
to achieve with this partnership is to help manufacturers, VARs,
and customers achieve a solid grasp of their mutual goals and keep
up with the fluidity and pace of our industry throughout the
technology lifecycle," he added.
Global Knowledge, a worldwide Cisco Learning Solutions Partner
award winner, will employ its marketing, sales, instruction, and
training course delivery tools and techniques to drive the market
infusion of the latest in converged data center virtualization
training solutions.
Firefly targets its services to manufacturers and channel
partners that are engaged in developing and delivering new products
to market. As an education and consulting services organization,
the company mentors early adopter customers and their channel
partners.
"Through this collaboration, we will accelerate the adoption of
technology by helping our customers bridge the gap between their
business requirements and technical solutions,” said Bodin. “Once
that happens, customers can rely on the proven ability of Global
Knowledge to deliver volume training worldwide to drive mainstream
adoption,” he said.
“This alliance offers positive, bottom-line results for our
customers that can be directly attributed to combining Firefly’s
mentoring and consultative relationships with our worldwide IT
training delivery mechanisms,” added Cece.
Currently, Global Knowledge and Firefly are collaborating on the
design and development of integrated virtualization solutions
training from leading technology companies including Cisco and
VMware.
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About Global Knowledge
Global Knowledge is the worldwide leader in IT and business
training. We deliver via training centers, private facilities, and
the Internet, enabling our customers to choose when, where, and how
they want to receive training programs and learning services. Our
more than 700 courses span foundational and specialized training
and certifications. Founded in 1995, Global Knowledge employs more
than 1,200 people worldwide and is headquartered in Cary, N.C. The
company is owned by New York-based investment firm Welsh, Carson,
Anderson, and Stowe. For more information, visit www.globalknowledge.com.
About Firefly
Firefly Communications, LLC is the leading global provider of
advanced technology training and consulting solutions. Offering
expert-led classroom instruction, state-of-the art remote lab
access, and educational consulting services, Firefly has developed
and delivered innovative learning solutions for numerous Fortune
500 and FTSE 250 companies. For more information, visit http://www.fireflycom.net.
Contacts
Linda Palmer
Marketing Communications Director, Global Knowledge
+1 (919) 460-3269
Linda.palmer@globalknowledge.com
Rene van der Zeeuw
EMEA Product Marketing Manager
+31 (0)30 60 89 460
Rene.van.der.Zeeuw@globalknowledge.net
Andrew Usherwood
Vice President, Global Sales, Firefly
+ 44 7515 019533
au@fireflycom.net