AN expanding IT company has teamed up with one of the world's leading technology companies.

County Durham's Concept IT has become an accredited partner of Cisco - the global security and networking company.

The accreditation comes at a time of rapid growth for Concept IT, which recently opened an office on Newcastle's Quayside and increased its workforce by almost 50 per cent.

Managing director Kevin Embleton said: "Cisco is recognised as a global leader because of the way it looks after its clients and the pedigree of its products and expertise.

"To be personally invited to become a Cisco partner is a fantastic endorsement of they way we work. It's also come at a time of exciting growth for Concept IT, with the opening of the new office and our staff expansion.

"Our strategy is to actively target the business community across the North-East and having a presence on the Quayside allows us to do just that."

Concept IT was formed in 2005 to provide IT services that develop clients' business rather than only to solve technology problems.

The company works with clients including Hartlepool and District Hospice, JW Wood Estate Agents, Newton Moor Construction and The Emmanuel Schools Foundation.

Concept IT has revamped its office, on Derwentside Business Park, in Consett, as well as opening its office, at Rotterdam House, Newcastle Quayside.

Its workforce has increased from nine to 13 with the recruitment of a new sales and technical team.

The Cisco accreditation means that Concept IT becomes an approved supplier of Cisco networking products and services, including Call Manager Express, a VoIP system that allows users to transmit voice calls, video images and other documents over an internet line.

Mr Embleton said: "We have a very happy customer base but it has been difficult to move forward until now.

"The expansion means we can concentrate on growing our client portfolio while providing more choice and a better service for our existing customers.

"Because we are now with Cisco, we can provide some of the best possible technology to ensure our customers and their networks are safe, secure and efficient."