Manchester-based reseller ANS Group claims to have scored a first in Cisco’s channel community after bagging its third Specialisation with the networking giant.

ANS has secured the Cisco Advanced Wireless LAN Specialisation, adding to the Specialisations it already held in Advanced Security and Advanced Unified Communications.

The Cisco Premier partner is now the only Cisco Premier or Silver partner to hold these three Advanced Specialisations outside of London.

Scott Fletcher, chairman of ANS, said in a statement: “We’re delighted to have achieved yet another Cisco Specialisation. The addition further demonstrates the Group’s commitment to its relationship with Cisco.”

ANS clinched Cisco Premier status through its acquisition of BIOS in August 2006 (CRN, 3 August 2006).

Fletcher recently revealed the VAR is on track to bag Cisco Silver status within the next three to six months and is on the prowl for further acquisitions (CRN, 3 August).

For the year ended 31 March 2007, ANS increased pre-tax profit by 15 per cent to £634,000. It also shattered the £6m revenue barrier for the first time by growing turnover 23 per cent.

The VAR, which counts Microsoft and IBM among its strategic partners, is in the process of floating its Smart Identity subsidiary and recently took a four per cent stake in rival VAR Red Squared.

Further reading

ANS boosted by rising sales

ANS scores double victory