According to the recent IDC study, the global consulting markets are undergoing a phase of uncertainty and business model redefinition. That means that the changes in buyer behavior drive shifts in the competitive landscape and vendor positioning.

Despite the evolving market dynamics, worldwide consulting spending is expected to increase from nearly $47.9 billion in 2004 to $57.5 billion in 2009, at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%.

Cisco Systems® today announced a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held KiSS Technology A/S of Hørsholm, Denmark. This represents Cisco's second acquisition for its Linksys® division, the recognized leading provider of VoIP, wireless and networking hardware for home, Small Office/Home Office and small business environments. 

Microsoft Corp. today announced that it will acquire FrontBridge Technologies Inc., a leading provider of managed services that address corporate e-mail security, compliance and availability requirements. With this acquisition, Microsoft will deliver a service for enforcing compliance through archiving, minimizing spam and viruses, and ensuring e-mail availability in the case of a disaster.

Peak 10 (www.Peak10.com) announced it will host an educational Webinar on managed security with ProtectPoint Security, Inc. online July 28 at 11:30 a.m. 

Affinity Internet announced the launch of ReadyWeb Commerce, an easy and affordable solution for small businesses that want to establish an e-commerce-enabled web presence.

ReadyWeb Commerce allows small business owners and managers to deploy and maintain a professional e-commerce web site that fits their business without having to do any web development work – Affinity's team of experts does the work for them. 

Danka Business Systems PLC (www.danka.com) and MCI, Inc. (www.mci.com) announced a five-year agreement in which Danka Business Systems will outsource the balance of its U.S. information technology (IT) operations to MCI.

Mirror Image® Internet (www.mirror-image.com) announced that it has been re-certified by Microsoft as a Windows Media 9 Series Certified Hosting Provider.

Force10 Networks announced that Hostech Global, Korea's largest server hosting provider, has deployed the TeraScale E-Series to expand capacity and scalability at the core of its network. 

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