Cisco Memo to MSPs: You Can Trust Cisco OnPlus Service
When Cisco Systems launched the Cisco OnPlus Service for MSPs and VARs a few weeks ago, some MSPmentor readers wondered if Cisco would use the network monitoring service to gather end-customer data — and potentially bypass MSPs. In response, Cisco has vowed not to poach MSPs’ end-customer information. Here’s the statement.
In a comment posted on MSPmentor, Cisco Business Development Manager Lisa Jenkins explained how the Cisco OnPlus Service — which runs in the cloud — monitors end-customer networks without putting the MSP-customer relationship at risk. Jenkins wrote:
“Cisco OnPlus Service has access to the aggregate info, not the individual customer info. Our Terms and conditions spell out the details. We also have a white paper posted about our security implementation if there are any questions regarding data security.”
Cisco has also launched a support community for OnPlus.
If Cisco OnPlus works as advertised, it’s a refreshing approach for VARs and MSPs. Over the past year or two, many channel partners have expressed concerns about sharing or storing customer data in third-party clouds. Microsoft’s Office 365 cloud, in particular, has attracted plenty of partner debate since Microsoft directly manages end-customer billing and pricing.
Cisco is striving to position OnPlus somewhere between traditional RMM (remote monitoring and management) software and PSA (professional services automation) software. Cisco has publicly stated that it will integrate with established managed services software rather than compete with such tools.
The networking giant offered HTG Peer Group members early access to the Cisco OnPlus Service, and officially launched the service a few weeks ago.
Cisco OnPlus is an absolutely partner led initiative. I’ve been involved since early market trials and the whole story around OnPlus is to enable partners to sell our own services and allow us to more easily manage Cisco equipment and, if the opportunity arises, to definitely displace competitor’s gear. There’s never been a hint of channel conflict that seems to be rampant with some of the other vendors in the MSP space.
Ben,
Thanks for that insight. I don’t think any MSPs are suggesting that Cisco will use OnPlus to win direct deals. But I do think MSPs were curious about how Cisco manages the OnPlus information. Lisa’s reply from Cisco seemed to mitigate those potential MSP concerns.
-jp
extremly vague reply – no one asked about trusting cisco on been partner focused – question was how is the End Customer Login/password been collected and stored – to do a discovery and to be able to report back on warranty and EOL etc – Cisco would need to have the Login info for each device it discovers and hold this info on file to be able to run future discovery etc – just not sure Customers would be happy having all of the Device Login/passwords been stored off site by cisco – what happens if someone wants to end the contract – who owns the data been stored by Cisco?
I know this forum is about how you have used this technology, but, I have seen Cisco bullying tactics utilized by their sales engineers as outlined below first hand. I will say that I have made a career off Cisco and they still make fine products, but, tread carefully before you take the plunge.
http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/cisco-resorting-intimidation-tactics
I am a small provider who earns a living on my abilities as a solutions engineer. I had recently closed an important hospital upgrade project in May of 2011. It was about a 200k project for a complete infrastructure overhall in which i was selling Cisco switching gear. Being agnostic as a good consultant, I tried selling Palo Alto as the firewall vendor over Cisco’s fragmented solutions. There immediate response was to cut down my credibility as a solutions provider and called Palo Alto and I quote their lead engineer “a bandaid solution” and said this in front of my customer and I had no idea what I was talking about. Mind you I was giving them 100k in switching sales (I wanted to go to HP after that comment). As a partner that conversation should have been sidelined and then worked with me offline. I am sure Nir Zuk (Palo Alto CTO and Founder, Netscreen CTO, Checkpoint Principal Engineer who helped code stateful inspection) would love to counteract that comment live. I had a ton of support from San Jose with Palo Alto but Cisco’s last flailing response was to give away two ASA5510s to the customer to keep other firewall vendors out of their proverbial sandbox.
As I said before, I have made a career from knowing Cisco gear and have done well at that. However, be aware that if this product line does not work for Cisco, they will ditch it as they have other products or give it away to allow themselves to penetrate a new customer with other sales agendas (especially government or healthcare). These tactics are not panning out well for them and people are indeed fed up with Cisco in many ways. Unless John Chambers had individual conversations with their elitist sales force, beware of the 800 lb gorilla if you plan on partnering with them.
[email protected]: I’ll see if I can get you a more specific answer.
[email protected]: I gave the Network World story a look. I think the last paragraph of that blog entry is the most telling.
Basically, all high-tech companies introduce some form of pressure to entice customers to buy their products. All tech companies will give you dozens of reasons why the other guy’s technology is the wrong technology for your business. I didn’t read anything in the Network World coverage that surprised me. Though I certainly would not condone a tech company allegedly leading with “pressure and intimidation” rather than innovation that really serves a customer.
-jp