Protecting Against Gray Market and Counterfeit Goods

Just figure that if new Cisco equipement is being offered at a 40% or more discount..DING DING DING DING...COUNTERFEIT.

Both articles also make the point that secondary market resellers - aka Cisco's "grey market" - also take the problem of counterfeit goods very seriously and do a better job of keeping them out of the overall channel than many of cisco's authorized partners. We actually see and test more Cisco products in a day than most Cisco partners see in a year. The most pertinent fact remains that Cisco is unwilling to help the market identify fake products (unlike microsoft and most other tech giants), allowing the problem to persist while they exploit it for their own PR devices.

NHR can supply authentic, high quality Cisco goods with a 1 year standard overnight replacment warranty for a significant discount to Cisco new, and deliver almost anything in 24-48 hours. Give it a try, and you'll also find a refreshing attention to customer service...

Mike Sheldon, CEO
Network Hardware Resale

I have one question fo Mike Sheldon.

1) Is your facility, the one where you do all this checking for counterfeit, ISO certified? Are your methodologies and procedures for checking for counterfeit documented?

NHR has two large refurbishments centers open in Santa Barbara and Amsterdam with a third about to open in Singapore. We began the ISO certification process earlier this year and expect to receive certification early in 2008. All processes and procedures involved in the receipt, authentication, and testing of Cisco equipment is fully documented. The aboved referenced InformationWeek article details our general operations procedure in one of its sidebars, link provided: http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=J3XQ5RQQTQSOGQSNDLPSKH0CJUNN2JVN?articleID=200900804

Specifically with regard to counterfeit Cisco: NHR examines packaging, labels, serial numbers and holograms for any abnormalities, then begins the more serious certification procedures. We have an extensive photo library of authentic Cisco products side-by-side with corresponding counterfeits versions of the product, and these are used by NHR technicians to pinpoint the telltale – and often subtle – traits of fake gear.

Depending on the product, testing also includes examining internal and external numbers like CLEI codes; verifying serial numbers from both Cisco and the original manufacturer (where different); testing the output from ports to insure they measure to within Cisco spec; inspecting the physical construction of internal components down to (literally) the color of individual wires wound on certain coils on the circuit board or the manufacturer of a given RJ45 jack (Cisco uses only one kind, counterfeiters typically use a few others). All of this is documented, and we follow a zero-tolerance approach. All suspect equipment is refused, and NHR works closely with law enforcement to report suppliers of suspected counterfeit equipment.

What we don’t have is assistance from Cisco themselves, and we would welcome it!

Mike Sheldon, CEO
Network Hardware Resale

NHR completes rigorous testing and authentication processes in facilities in California and the Netherlands. Although NHR’s facilities are not yet ISO certified, we are in the process and expect to receive certification within the year.

When it comes to identifying counterfeit, NHR has well documented procedures followed by our technical and inventory management professionals worldwide. Our processes include an extensive photo library of authentic Cisco products and counterfeits used by NHR technicians to pinpoint the telltale – and often subtle – traits of fake gear. Although NHR examines packaging, labels, serial numbers and holograms, those are only the first superficial inspection of a product. NHR has documented unique counterfeit screening processes for each type of product that include detailed examination of components as well as testing to ensure performance matches factory specifications. Our processes follow a zero-tolerance policy. All suspect equipment is refused or destroyed, and NHR works closely with law enforcement to report suppliers of counterfeit.

If you have any questions about NHR's quality assurance processes, we are happy to answer them. Please email feedback@networkhardware.com.

We've used NHR for years and have been very happy with the quality of equipment they supply. And, even better, and slightly amusing...we can get equipment immediately...without the typical Cisco/VAR lead time of 2-6 weeks.