CASE: Cisco Systems

INTRODUCTION
Collaboration in the workplace has become a hot topic for several executives and employees
looking to positively affect business outcomes. On the most basic level, collaboration
happens when two or more people work together toward a common goal. But the vagueness
of the term—and its wide application across numerous technology solutions—have left many
still wondering “what is collaboration?” and how can my company benefit?
Collaboration solutions have transformed Cisco's business. Cisco IT deploys our solutions to
help them improve business processes, speed decision-making, and boost productivity. With
it, they can simplify communication, inspire innovation, and empower people to engage with
each other anywhere on any device.

Real-life collaboration
From fixing a meal, planning a trip, getting our family ready for the day, even choosing a
show to watch on Netflix. All of these are collaboration examples. Collaboration touches just
about every aspect of our daily life.

Collaboration in the workplace

Web Calling: Web calling, or “web conferencing” as its also known, is a collaboration
solution by using which a user can place a call using the internet from a mobile, laptop or any
video device which supports internet. Users can have a simple call like a normal voice call or
can have a video call, they can share their screens and ideas on an online whiteboard.
Video Conferencing: A subset of web calling solutions, video conferencing technology
enables users to transmit live video during a call. Video conferencing can be done by any
video supporting device. Many devices now come with features of video conferencing like
apple’s facetime and, many other softwares are also available like Google duo, IMO, etc.
Team Collaboration: Most of the time when we want to reach out to our team, we send
emails. But sending emails and receiving a reply is a hectic time-consuming work and most
of the times important emails get ignored in a fully packed inbox. So, to reduce the work time
and bring all things together team collaboration is a great idea, where developing software
and ideas to keep the team together and reaching out easy.
Document Collaboration: How often have you asked your colleagues to review a file via
email and received several versions with conflicting mark-ups, leaving you to reconcile the
edits? It’s an exercise in frustration. Document collaboration solutions, particularly those that
enable version control, can help eliminate unnecessary confusion and extra work. No
overlapping edits; no multiple versions of a file floating around; and some offer a single
repository for the final files. Everyone on the same page. Additional benefits of enterprise
collaboration solutions include:
 • Accelerate project delivery times
• Improve communication among and across teams
• Keep projects moving forward between meetings
• Ignite innovation because idea sharing isn’t limited to meeting times
• Help erase hierarchies and give a voice to all team members
• Enable team members to work whenever and wherever they want from any device
• Reduce travel and training costs

COMPUTER NETWORK INDUSTRY

In this modern world, the basic need that has evolved is the need of the Internet. To have the
Internet what we need is networks.
Computer networking or data communication is the most important part of information
technology. Today every business in the world needs a computer network for smooth
operations, flexibly, instant communication and data access. Just imagine if there is no
network communication in the university campuses, hospitals, multinational organizations,
and educational institutes then how difficult are to communicate with each other. We can take
the example of LPU only if there is no network means no UMS and after this, we can
imagine the whole scenario.

CISCO SYSTEMS
Cisco Systems, American technology company, operating worldwide, that is best known for
its computer networking products. Cisco was founded in 1984 and has its headquarters in San
Jose, California.
With the newly adopted tagline “Tomorrow Starts Here”, the company wants the people to
know that they are investing in something that moves with the current technology of the
world.
The company has 274 office in 96 different countries. About 69% of network devices used in
world are the products of Cisco.
Other than providing networking products they also provide many services like VoIP
services, Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS), Network Emergency Response.
The CISCO Networking Academy provides free education about cisco systems to the
students. Till now six million people have already joined the academy. Thus, it has
established itself in many sectors and still growing at a rapid rate.
Summary:
Cisco Systems is the world’s largest supplier of data networking equipment and leading
global pillar of networking solutions. Cisco’s worldwide alliances help it achieve many
objectives.
We will discuss two major alliances:

• Motorola Cisco Joint venture →

In June 1999 executives at Motorola and Cisco partnered to form a joint venture,
Spectrapoint Wireless. They spent $300 million to acquire the fixed wireless assets of
Bosch Telecom. Over the next five years, they pledged to spend $1 billion on the
venture to become leaders in fixed wireless--a medium where phone calls, Internet
pages, and television signals are beamed to a rooftop dish and then transported
through the building via wires.

Reason of failure - One year later, Motorola and Cisco called off the partnership
because there was no one to sell its services to. Their early enthusiasm blinded them
to the fact that service providers were not yet willing to pay for the sort of expensive
equipment Spectrapoint would make. "Analysts and participants hyped the market for
fixed wireless, saying it would take off in 2000," says Michelle Gao, an analyst with
Frost & Sullivan who says fixed wireless may not be significant for at least five years.
"Motorola and Cisco believed in the hype and made a mistake."

• Cisco - Lionbridge alliance →

For global expansion, Cisco started Cisco.com. The network-traffic to this website
were only from places like Barcelona, Beijing, and Berlin. The company publishes its
own reading materials for general public known by Cisco Press. And originally the
company published Cisco.com only in English, thus it’s use was limited.
As most other foreign nation partners and customers who spoke different languages
were unable to read it. Thus, they decided to win support, cooperation and for
business expansion, they need translate it in other languages.

Solution- Translation Software

Cisco started building its own translation software, but with little experience in the
field, they needed help.
Thus, it partnered with Lionbridge Technology to build human translation system.
Even the system is automated the software provides multiple features of
customization as per need.
And now it is published in 84 languages.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES:

Operating in various markets offers opportunities as well as challenges. The opportunities

include access to new markets, access to more resources, and innovative technology. The
industry remains dynamic and profitable where emerging markets experience significant
growth in business.
Some major opportunities for the company:
Software
Cisco is still a company mainly focused on hardware, selling the switches and routers
that form the backbone of the Internet. But the company recognizes that it's business
model needs to change along with technology.so the company is investing heavily
areas like security, collaboration, and cloud. To develop a fully-fledged software.

Security
Cisco has been acquiring smaller security companies over the past few years in an effort to
build out its portfolio, and it will very likely continue to do so, unlike some cybersecurity
companies that focus on one particular area, Cisco is looking to become a one-stop-shop for
enterprise security.

Collaboration
Cisco is collaborating with cloud service provider giants like AWS and Google to build a
name for itself in the fast-changing industry from hardware to software and usage of cloud
increasing.

Education
Through CISCO NETWORKING ACADEMY they are providing the free online course.
More six million people have already joined, and it is basic purpose is providing education to
all. One can also become an instructor and train students.

Networking devices or IOT’s

The IoT will bring greater and accelerated connectivity to machines, devices, and things.
Learn more about the IoT—what it is, and how it will affect your industry, company, and
what you do. See how Cisco helps companies transition to a connected world.
Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
SDN delivers speed and agility when you deploy new applications and business services.
Flexibility, policy, and programmability are the hallmarks of our SDN solutions. See how
Cisco can handle today's most demanding networking needs.
Some major challenges for the company:
Competition in switches and routers
Cisco is the world's largest vendor of Ethernet switches and routers. However, it's been losing
market share in both markets to rivals like Huawei and HP in term of production and sales of
routers and switches in the global market.
The rise of cloud networking
A newer challenge for Cisco is the rise of cloud networking solutions which rely more on
software instead of hardware. These platforms, also known as SDN (software-defined
networking) ones, are often more cost-efficient and scalable than older hardware-based
networks.

New Product Introduction (NPI) and Time to Market (TTM)

According to a survey by Sopheon, 79% of new products miss their launch date. The
financial implication of this is significant; with data suggesting that up to 33% of profits may
be lost if a product is delayed by 6 months.

Factory security

The introduction of the Industrial Internet of Things to the plant floor has created new
challenges for IT and OT professionals. Most significant of these challenges is keeping the
data – and machines – on the floor secure in an environment accustomed to closed networks.
Where only wired networks existed before, Wi-Fi networks now flourish – and the
cybersecurity risks are significant.

FUTURE ASPECTS:
Like most companies, Cisco sees the potential for data analytics and new machine-learning
algorithms to add intelligence to its products that can improve performance and security,
automate operations, provide business insights and adapt to new situations through extensible
software interfaces. These are keys to Cisco’s strategy, which it describes as a platform
“powered by intent and informed by context.” The foundation is a rebranded SDN Cisco now
calls DNA Center
One Network Fabric that Automatically Adapts - Software-defined access.
See and Act on All Threats – Encrypted traffic analysis.
Predict issues before they become issues – Network Data Platform
Agile Infrastructure – Catalyst 9000 Switching Portfolio with Software Subscription
Manage the network as one entity – DNA center.
Accelerate the journey to the new network – DNA services.
REFERENCES:
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cisco_Systems
• https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/technology-trends.html
• https://www.lionbridge.com/technology/
• https://www.forbes.com/best/2001/0521/030_print.html
• https://community.cisco.com/t5/technology-and-support/ct-p/technology-support
• https://www.cisco.com/c/m/en_ca/articles/
• International Business by Daniels, John.D