CSE Lesson Review

Why Cisco?

Introduction

Key Points This lesson provides information about why customers choose Cisco. Cisco end-toend enterprise network solutions form the most comprehensive line of networking products that are available in the industry. From the branch office to the WAN and campus backbone, Cisco products are the leading choice of the enterprise and service providers. Notes

2-2

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Objectives

Key Points Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to perform the following tasks: Identify the key characteristics of Cisco that help meet customer needs Identify the definition, components, function, and business benefits of Cisco IOS software Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-3

Section: Cisco Background Information

This section includes these topics: What Does Cisco Do? Origins of Cisco Cisco Timeline Benefits That Cisco Provides to Partners and Resellers Cisco Financial Strength Customer Focus The Cisco Vision A Cisco Priority: Customer and Partner Satisfaction Cisco Improvement Activities Improvement Activities: Software Troubleshooting Improvement Activities: New Product Communication Improvement Activities: Problem Resolution Market Leadership Notes

2-4

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

What Does Cisco Do?

Key Points Cisco Systems is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco Internet Protocol (IP)-based networking solutions are the foundation of the Internet and most corporate, education, and government networks around the world. Cisco provides the broadest line of solutions for transporting data, voice, and video within buildings, across campuses, and around the world. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-5

Origins of Cisco

Key Points A group of computer scientists from Stanford University founded Cisco in 1984. Since the inception of the company, Cisco engineers have been prominent in advancing the development of Internet Protocol, or IP, the basic protocol that is used to communicate over the Internet and in private networks. The tradition of innovation continues today with Cisco creating leading products and key technologies that will make the Internet more useful and dynamic in the years ahead. Notes

2-6

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco Timeline

Key Points Since its inception in 1984, Cisco has rapidly grown to become a world leader in Internet networking. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-7

Benefits That Cisco Provides to Partners and Resellers

Key Points Working with Cisco helps partners and resellers build secure, reliable, predictable, scalable end-to-end solutions. End-to-end solutions help ensure that applications work together and provide a better experience for the end users: customers, clients, vendors, partners, and employees. A good end-user experience promotes productivity and business growth for the customer. Notes

2-8

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco Financial Strength

Key Points Cisco has a firm financial foundation to deliver leading products and provide excellent customer satisfaction. This foundation is built on outstanding revenue and earnings performance over time. Because Cisco has financial strength and a willingness to invest in research and development, customers can be assured that Cisco has "staying power" that other vendors may not have. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-9

Customer Focus

Key Points One of the reasons that Cisco enjoys such financial strength is because of its focus on customers. Cisco leaders feel that if the company can help partners and customers be successful, then Cisco will be successful as well. Notes

2-10

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

The Cisco Vision

Key Points The Cisco vision is to change the way people work, live, play, and learn. With more than 34,000 employees worldwide, Cisco remains committed to creating networks that are smarter, thanks to built-in intelligent network services; faster, in their ability to perform at ever-increasing speeds; and more durable, with a generational approach to an evolutionary infrastructure. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-11

A Cisco Priority: Customer and Partner Satisfaction

Key Points Customer and partner satisfaction is a top priority at Cisco. Cisco receives valuable information from customers and partners through an annual survey. The survey noted Cisco strengths such as product reliability, interoperability, ease of integration, and support for network availability objectives. Notes

2-12

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco Improvement Activities

Key Points Receiving and acting on feedback regarding customer and partner satisfaction provides a foundation for building long-term relationships with partners and customers. For example, feedback from one survey identified opportunities for improvement regarding timeliness of software troubleshooting, communication about new technologies and products, and timeliness of problem resolution and escalation. As a result, Cisco started several improvement activities to address those issues. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-13

Improvement Activities: Software Troubleshooting

Key Points To troubleshoot software problems in a timely manner, Cisco engineers implemented mean-time-to-repair metrics, targets, and improvement plans. As a result, the mean (or average) time to repair improved by 40 percent. Notes

2-14

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Improvement Activities: New Product Communication

Key Points To improve communication about new products, solutions, and services, Cisco has redesigned online support vehicles such as Cisco.com and the Partner E-Learning Connection and recently introduced the Customer E-Learning Connection. Through these portals, customers, partners, and Cisco employees have access to interactive courses, video on demand, remote practice labs with three-dimensional (3-D) modeling of Cisco equipment, sales tools, learning maps, and more. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-15

Improvement Activities: Problem Resolution

Key Points To increase customer satisfaction regarding timeliness of problem resolution, Cisco has implemented training and process improvements in these areas: Improved communications Effective and timely escalation Implementation of case-management best practices Notes

2-16

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Market Leadership

Key Points According to Gartner Inc., the ability of Cisco to execute its strategy makes it a leader in many markets. Because of its success in the marketplace, Cisco invests in research and development that leads to innovation. Cisco intellectual property is tightly linked with its ability to innovate. The goal at Cisco is to be first or second in every market in which it participates. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-17

Section: Cisco Products and Solutions

This section includes these topics: Cisco Products and Solutions Cisco Technologies Benefits of Cisco Solutions Cisco-Powered Networks Cisco IOS Definition Cisco IOS Capabilities Benefits of Cisco IOS Cisco Complete Solution Offerings Multivendor Networks Service and Support Cisco Service and Support Portfolios Summary Notes

2-18

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco Products and Solutions

Key Points This section provides information about Cisco leadership in technology, broad product portfolios, end-to-end networking solutions, and feature-rich IOS software. Additionally, this section explains why these features make Cisco the preferred provider of networking solutions. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-19

Cisco Technologies

Key Points Cisco leads in key areas of next-generation network technology, including routing and switching; the integration of voice and video in the network, optical, wireless, Ethernet, and broadband-access technology; content networking and storage networking; and security and network management. Notes

2-20

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Benefits of Cisco Solutions

Key Points A broad product line enables Cisco to provide leadership in a wide variety of categories, offer comprehensive network services, and provide network-wide product compatibility. The Cisco engineering team has constantly innovated to solve customer problems and develop solutions for the entire network. Because of the importance of end-to-end networks, Cisco offers the broadest product line in the industry. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-21

Cisco-Powered Networks

Key Points Today, networks around the world are joined in a network of networks. Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS) software delivers network intelligence to Cisco routers and switches. This network intelligence, combined with Cisco hardware, supports the networking needs of the world, including service providers, enterprises, small businesses, and home users. Notes

2-22

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco IOS Definition

Key Points Cisco IOS software provides a wide range of functionality, from basic connectivity, security, and network management to technically advanced services that enable businesses to deploy applications such as real-time trading, interactive support, ondemand media, and unified messaging. The Internet Protocol (IP) fabric is the fundamental element in Cisco IOS software that delivers the availability, scalability, and connectivity that enterprises and service providers alike require for business applications today. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-23

Cisco IOS Capabilities

Key Points Cisco IOS software has evolved from software that enabled interoperability to software that also provides a range of value-added capabilities that include IP routing, firewall and Virtual Private Network (VPN) security, call management, and quality of service (QoS). Notes

2-24

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Benefits of Cisco IOS

Key Points Cisco IOS software provides network intelligence for the business-critical applications that are necessary to succeed in the current economy. From over 15 years of development experience and deployments, Cisco IOS software offers feature breadth and strength. It delivers an unparalleled portfolio of leading IP and multiprotocol features, technologies, and services. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-25

Cisco Complete Solution Offerings

Key Points Because most Cisco products run the same Cisco IOS network operating software, the all-Cisco network allows the latest networking features to be enabled throughout the network. Benefits include easier management, more reliability, better performance, and more advanced features. These advanced network features can bring enormous value and make the network infrastructure a true competitive advantage for the customer organization. Notes

2-26

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Multivendor Networks

Key Points Products that rely on proprietary software do not interoperate with products from other vendors. Cisco standards-based products can operate with a wide range of other vendor products, proving why it is beneficial to introduce Cisco products into multivendor networks. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-27

Service and Support

Key Points Cisco has more to offer than just hardware and software products. Service and support are essential parts of the business plan for Cisco and Cisco partners. Cisco Service and Support programs cover all aspects of the life cycle: planning, design, implementation, operation, and optimization. Notes

2-28

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco Service and Support Portfolios

Key Points Service and support is an essential part of the business plan for Cisco and Cisco partners. These portfolios include Technical Support Services (TSS), Advanced Services, and Advisory Services. For more information on service and support, see the "Service and Support" lesson. Notes

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.

Why Cisco?

2-29

Summary

Key Points In this lesson, you learned how to position Cisco as the supplier of choice for networking products and solutions. You also learned about the components, function, and business benefits of Cisco IOS software and why the Cisco organization and its technologies are superior to the competition. This lesson covered the following main topics: The key characteristics of Cisco that help meet customer needs The definition, components, function, and business benefits of Cisco IOS software Notes

2-30

CSE Lesson Review

Copyright 2005, Cisco Systems, Inc.