Is Cisco SmartNet Your Only Option? (Part I)

When speaking with fellow IT professionals, it is quite common to discover that Cisco gear makes up the majority, if not all, of their Networking environment. Given that over 50% of the market share is owned by Cisco, this is not too surprising.

What I personally do find surprising, is the fact that very few people recognize there are other options when it comes to break-fix support and local part sourcing. Cisco is very good at providing service to their customers, but it comes at a steep price. A lot of IT leaders and executives are willing to pay the premium because they believe that other options (VAR Resellers, TPM, etc.) cannot provide adequate coverage.

As a result, a lot of companies choose to use a manufacturer's warranty - but the truth is, many Cisco environments have gear that can be covered by a Third-Party Maintenance (TPM) provider.

In fact, our experience here at SEI has shown us that about 60% of the average Cisco environment is a good fit for our maintenance program. The reason for this is that most IT professionals extend the life of their Networking gear for as long as possible. As a result, this equipment will go through the Cisco lifecycle - reaching a point where upgrades are no longer necessary. Once it has reached that point, why pay the premium? Why not invest in other IT initiatives?

*Our maintenance program here at SEI includes 30-50% savings, a simplified dispatch process, local parts, and flexible agreements. All features that will enhance the life of your data center and organization.*

What are your thoughts?

Have you ever considered Third-Party Maintenance for your Networking environment?

Comment your thoughts below, or send me an in-mail with further questions.