Irvine, CA - May 8, 2001 -- Specialized Resources Inc. (SRI), has recently announced a partnership with Ascolta Training Company, a Cisco Learning Solutions Partner and Developer, to provide authorized Professional Certification and Specialization courses. Among the courses offered are classes in interconnecting Cisco network devices, IP telephony, intelligent contact management, and network management.

Ascolta is a respected leader in high-end information technology training leading to Cisco certifications and has been recognized by Cisco Systems as the Most Outstanding Learning Solutions Partner for the past two consecutive years. "We are partnering with the best in the call center management field, and this is a particularly strategic alliance giving us a presence in this arena," acknowledges Irene Kinoshita, CEO of Ascolta.

Specialized Resources, through its Specialized Training division, offers state-of-the-art technical training, facilities rental, and professional services focused on the convergence of voice and data. SRI began as an independent, value-added reseller of contact center hardware. Based in Richardson, Texas, in the heart of the telecommunications corridor, its world-class facilities -- from the latest equipment, WAN/LAN capabilities, and complete course-related user networking labs -- provide an ideal learning environment for high-level technical training.

"We're excited about our relationship with SRI because it provides our joint customers a combination of the very best and latest technology course content delivery with the outstanding learning environment provided by SRI," states Rick Bagby, Vice President of Sales at Ascolta. Students will benefit from complete course-related user networking labs and a raised-floor telco equipment environment.

As a Cisco Learning Partner, Ascolta offers instructor-led, e-learning, and custom learning solutions. Headquartered in Irvine, CA, Ascolta has locations in San Jose, CA, San Ramon, CA, Denver, CO, Phoenix, AZ, Los Angeles, CA, San Diego, CA, Minneapolis, MN, and Seattle, WA, and this partnership gives the company a presence in the prestigious Dallas area. For more information about Ascolta, call (949) 477-2000, or visit the Ascolta website at www.ascolta.com.