Cisco Turns To Yahoo To Host New Small Business Center

The center gives solution providers serving smaller companies vertically specific information on Cisco networking solutions.

The center highlights partner solutions, including those of voice/data integrator Expanets and IBM, and includes content on and solutions for such verticals as financial services, health care, the public sector, professional services, education, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, transportation and wholesale.

The center also includes an online tool that helps small businesses develop an e-business solution road map and rollout plan for networking solutions in addition to case studies and white papers.

Last December, Yahoo introduced a Web hosting service called Yahoo Small Business with plans to roll out a channel program during the first half of 2003. The online services company also is working on a reseller compensation plan, said Rich Riley, vice president and general manager of Yahoo Small Business, Sunnyvale, Calif.

Yahoo's offering centers on three Web hosting solutions. Business Starter gets small businesses online for a $15 setup fee and a recurring monthly fee of $11.95. Partners also can sell other Yahoo services, such as instant messaging. Business Standard and Business Professional services offer more business e-mail accounts, storage and priority support. Those offerings include a $25 setup fee plus a recurring monthly fee of $19.95 for Business Standard and $39.95 for Business Professional.