Posts filed under 'cisco'
There have always been finance options available for technology solutions however given the current economic environment perhaps these will become more attractive to both vendors and customers (vendors who may not want to appear to be discounting their products and customers who are short of cash). For example a new financing solution from Cisco provides deferral of payments for 6 months… no doubt the devil is in the detail but if you are considering a project or if you have just delayed a project it may be worth checking with your potential suppliers about the options available.
February 12th, 2009
Cisco has released research on mobile data traffic growth under the banner of the Visual Networking Index. Some of the key points include:
- Global mobile traffic will exceed two exabytes per month by 2013.
- Global mobile data traffic reached one exabyte per month in half the time that fixed data traffic did.
- Nearly 64 percent of the world’s mobile traffic will be video by 2013.
- Mobile video will grow at a CAGR of 150 percent between 2008 and 2013.
- Mobile broadband handsets with higher than 3G speeds and laptop air or data cards will constitute more than 80 percent of global mobile traffic by 2013.
February 10th, 2009
Last week HSBC was reportedto be considering the iPhone as a replacement for around 200,000 Blackberrys. So is the iPhone a viable replacement for the Blackberry? Let’s take a look at some recent coverage on the topic.
In case you missed it, in early March Apple released abilities for the iPhone to incorporate enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync push email. In addition Cisco IPSec VPN and device configuration management tools were included.
Recent analysis from Gartner declares that the iPhone is acceptable for business use, excelling in some areas, with some closer examination required around security and management.
Security of corporate devices is always a sticky matter. I personally know of one global firm that has already rejected the iPhone for corporate use due to security concerns. That said, Apple proudly displays both Disney and Kraft as business iPhone users.
Meanwhile Blackberry has released it’s latest model called the Bold. A comparison by the Times Online concludes that the Blackberry is the best smartphone for business use with key advantages including the ability to edit Microsoft email document attachments and a longer battery life. However for browser and touchscreen capabilities the iPhone is ahead.
As with all user facing technology if the feature and security requirements specific to your organisation are met then often the best next step is to experience the usability through demonstrations, then if appropriate limited user pilots.
Mobile device requirements should include consideration of your Unified Communications roadmap. Indeed for a comprehensive mobile device showdown you should really include Windows Mobile Devices and Nokia E class handsets (but that’s another post all together).
Richard Tucker
August 18th, 2008
There is an interesting article over at CRN about the rise of HP ProCurve networking equipment. According to research from Dell’oro group HP ProCurve port shipments grew worldwide by 28.4% (10.4% North America) compared to an industry growth of 7.8% (-11.8 North America).
Synergy Research Group places ProCurve third in terms of worldwide revenue for the quarter behind Cisco and then 3Com.
So what are the reasons put forward for this growth? Refreshed product lines, effective channel marketing, lower cost and lifetime warrantly.
In terms of competing with Cisco, their partners point to the advantages of a common vendor for both voice and data. Protocols such as Network Access Control (NAC) will apparantly not work with HP Procurve. HP dismisses this disadvantage commenting that this should not be a concern for standards based networks. My own experience has found that advanced features first arrive as non-standards based, then evolve into standards based. Thus, I’d say there will be some advantages to consider in a single vendor voice and data platform… just depends on the price!
One thing is for sure, increased competition can only result in good news for consumers.
Richard Tucker
August 10th, 2008
Some highlight news items over the last fortnight in enterprise telecommunications:
Enterasys has formed a joint venture with Siemens Enterprise Communciations by taking a controlling stake in the company. This provides the networking company with a voice offering to aid competing with companies such as Nortel and Cisco who supply both voice and data solutions.
Meanwhile Cisco who already has a voice and data solution portfolio has announced an arrangement with HP to collaborate on Cisco Unified Communications products. Some analysts see this as acknowledgement by Cisco that partnerships with competitors are key to expanding their market.
Energy efficiency of equipment is making headlines. According to the Tolly Group Shoretel IP Telephony will use up to 37% less energy than Cisco for a 1,500 end deployment, thus reducing total cost of ownership and helping the environment. I’m not sure if the absolute comparisions are of too much value, however the key point of considering energy consumption and efficiency in total cost of ownership is well illustrated.
RADVISION will be enabling Cisco’s Unified Customer Voice portal, a contact center user self service product, with video. The objective is to support video interactions with customers. Perhaps this product will be renamed soon to Unified Customer Interaction Portal :).
Research firm Frost & Sullivan has made some predictions on growth for the Unified Messaging market: Contact Centres will provide the lead, and the real trigger will be Microsoft and IBM encouraging customers to upgrade their email and Instant Messaging platforms. I agree 100%.
Another market growth observation from Frost & Sullivan: growth in IP Telephony is due to replacement of out-of-date equipment rather than drivers for new functionality or cost savings. This is consistent with my own observations of the market.
Nortel has provided their top 5 examples for ”hyperconnectivity” this summer (Nortel’s marketing term for staying connected to communications anywhere anytime): the office is anywhere, rural connectivity, road tripping, island hotspots and playtime. If you ask me their idea of summer is terrible. Lets leave things to “the office is anywhere”.
Richard Tucker
August 10th, 2008
