Cisco Jabs “Good Enough” Networking Rivals

After conceding some management missteps in recent months, Cisco Systems is back on the offensive — questioning why IT managers and channel partners would embrace “good enough” networks that may not be good enough for customers, Cisco alleges. The effort includes an April 27 webcast with Executive VP Rob Lloyd (pictured) plus a viral video that labels non-Cisco networking gear as NetNoGo options. Hmmm… Is Cisco taking some thinly veiled shots at Hewlett-Packard and Juniper Networks? Here’s The VAR Guy’s spin on the situation.

No doubt, Cisco is a bit stressed these days. The company’s stock is trading near a 52-week low as CEO John Chambers tries to exit certain consumer markets while remaining in others. In the enterprise space, rivals like Hewlett-Packard and Juniper Networks claim to be chipping away at Cisco’s dominance.

Now, Cisco Executive VP Rob Lloyd and the Cisco marketing team have pieced together a promotional and educational campaign to publicize Cisco’s perspectives. The effort includes webcasts, white papers and heck — even a viral video that attacks rivals without mentioning anyone by name:

So, what’s The VAR Guy’s take on Cisco Systems? Our resident blogger checked in with some channel partners, who suggest Cisco’s business challenges have little to do with products and more to do with sales strategies. Over the past five years, those partners suggest, some of Cisco’s sales initiatives have gone a little soft as selected senior executives left the company for new opportunities.

Either way, the sleeping giant seems to be awakening. Rob Lloyd is set to share Cisco’s perspectives on April 27. But The VAR Guy will be watching — and listening — closely to see if Cisco sharpens its sales strategies as well.

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