https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
Banking Technology
    • Newsletter
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Content Resources
    • From the Industry
    • Galleries
    • Our Sponsors
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Think Tank
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Circle of Excellence
    • Digi Awards
    • MSP 501 Rankings
    • Talkin’ Cloud 100
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
  • More
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Advertise on Channel Futures
    • Contact Us
    • Editorial Calendar
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Content Resources
    • From the Industry
    • Galleries
    • Our Sponsors
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Think Tank
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Circle of Excellence
    • Digi Awards
    • MSP 501 Rankings
    • Talkin’ Cloud 100
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
  • More
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Advertise on Channel Futures
    • Contact Us
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

Business Models


Cisco Memo to MSPs: You Can Trust Cisco OnPlus Service

  • Written by Joe Panettieri 1
  • January 3, 2012
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.

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.

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Business Models Cloud RMM/PSA

Related


  • Doctor with Tablet
    Sophos: Processes, Policies Critical in Health Care Security
    Having health-care clients can be a challenge, particularly where security policies are concerned.
  • Symantec Unveils New Endpoint Tools to Close Security Talent Gap
    Symantec MEDR detects stealthy attacks and examines suspicious activity,
  • Data breach
    MSSPs, Be Warned: You Can Be Liable for a Client’s Data Breach
    Distributed liability requires intense focus on new legal protections for MSSPs.
  • Incentive
    Unitrends Incentivizes VARs to Go All In on Kaseya IT Complete
    The program gives VARs more upfront commission and recurring revenue for any IT Complete product,

5 comments

  1. Ben Johnson January 4, 2012 @ 6:07 am
    Reply

    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.

  2. Joe Panettieri January 4, 2012 @ 6:14 am
    Reply

    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

  3. dan ash January 4, 2012 @ 9:38 am
    Reply

    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?

  4. Darrell January 4, 2012 @ 3:02 pm
    Reply

    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.

  5. Joe Panettieri January 4, 2012 @ 4:55 pm
    Reply

    Dan@3: I’ll see if I can get you a more specific answer.

    Darrell@4: 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

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Growth in Edge Computing Spurs Creation of LF Edge Group
  • Remove the Mystery (RTM)
  • HP Adds Partner Perk for Display and Accessories Sales
  • VMware Joins AT&T, Verizon, IBM on Unsettling 2019 Layoffs List

From the Industry


Sponsor Content

Your Customers Are Going Digital: How Partners Can Minimize Challenges

February 19, 2019
Sponsor Content

What the Next Generation of WiFi Means for MSPs and Their Clients

February 19, 2019
Sponsor Content

A 2019 Update on RDP Ransomware

February 14, 2019
view all

Galleries


Check Point CPX360 Featuring VMware, Versa Networks

February 8, 2019
view all

Webinars


Sponsor Content

Social media and email phishing: How to protect financial information from fraudsters

February 19, 2019
Sponsor Content

Double Your Revenue with Backup and DRaaS

February 12, 2019
view all

White Papers


Sponsor Content

A Business Owner’s Guide to Cybersecurity

February 6, 2019
Sponsor Content

The Seven Types of Power Problems

February 6, 2019
Sponsor Content

The Lean MSP

January 29, 2019
view all

Videos


Sponsor Content

Video: Ivanti Unified IT: Automate Service Requests

January 14, 2019
Sponsor Content

Linksys Cloud Manager Tutorial – Dashboard Overview

January 13, 2019
Sponsor Content

Linksys Cloud Manager Tutorial – How to Set Up a Network, Access Points, and SSID

January 13, 2019
view all

Twitter


ChannelFutures

Tech Writer’s Bureau – VIPRE Site Manager, Webroot GSM and ESET MSP Administrator Comparison goo.gl/fb/hAKBQM

February 20, 2019
ChannelFutures

11 Habits of Highly Effective MSP Marketers goo.gl/fb/Px6hEB

February 20, 2019
ChannelFutures

Social media and email phishing: How to protect financial information from fraudsters goo.gl/fb/GPgoab

February 19, 2019
ChannelFutures

Social media and email phishing: How to protect financial information from fraudsters goo.gl/fb/vtvpFu

February 19, 2019
ChannelFutures

#MSSP Insider for how MSP-managed endpoints can effectively deal with ransomware through solutions backed by… goo.gl/fb/heXw9V

February 19, 2019
ChannelFutures

@StorageCraft releases “vaccine” for health care-specific #data management and protection ills. goo.gl/fb/cPaqLA

February 19, 2019
ChannelFutures

@StorageCraft releases “vaccine” for health care-specific #data management and protection ills. goo.gl/fb/F5WdfQ

February 19, 2019
ChannelFutures

#MSSP Insider for how MSP-managed endpoints can effectively deal with ransomware through solutions backed by… goo.gl/fb/m93UEZ

February 19, 2019

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for the Doyle Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Update and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

Channel Futures

© Channel Futures 2019. All rights reserved.

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Related Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow us

Websites are now required by law to gain your consent before applying cookies. We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Parts of the website may not work as expected without them. By closing or ignoring this message, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
X