I’ll admit I was surprised to hear so many people check their phones even before having a morning cup of coffee, mostly because I didn’t realize other people did that, too!
This phenomena probably won’t be as surprising in a few years when there will be one mobile device for every person on Earth, according to the Connected World Report, 2010.
While these stats may sound like drivel, they actually underscore the importance that a reliable network plays (and will play) for an increasingly mobile workforce — not just for those people checking Facebook under the covers.
Let’s face it: a network built on “good enough” equipment isn’t going to deliver the same experience as one using next-generation equipment designed for the loads of today’s demanding applications—including voice, video, and data.
Curious about the importance of the network as it relates to mobile? Head over to Silicon Angle where Mike Rau (Vice President, CTO for the Borderless Network Architecture at Cisco) blogged on myth number one --The Single-Purpose Network Myth.
In the post, Mike explains that a good enough network is not designed to handle the needs of an increasingly mobile population, but is built to serve the single purpose of connecting users to resources in silos of connectivity. As mobility demands on the enterprise increase, he indicates that it becomes critical that an end user is consistently managed as they access the network, whether over a wired, wireless, or VPN connection.
It may be sunny where you live, but the forecast calls for clouds today as Cisco and Xerox Corporation announced a strategic alliance to deliver cloud-based IT services. The partnership between Cisco and Xerox brings technology solutions that combine network and print cloud services for customers, along with a host of opportunities for partners.
Today’s announcement means that customers can add managed print services to their networks, leverage cloud server infrastructure to scale their application hosting, monitor print devices, manage everything in one cloud environment — and lower IT expenses, too.
What’s not to like? Today’s announcement delivers solutions in the following major areas:
XeroxCorporationManaged Print Services over Cisco Borderless Networks:
This consolidates IT and print management using the network’s embedded security, WAN optimization, and print aware intelligence to monitor print technology and operating costs, to protect confidential data from any location, and to improve employee productivity with advanced mobile and cloud printing applications.
XeroxCloud ITO Services via Cisco UCS and Vblock Infrastructure:
This accelerates the rollout of new IT services to adapt to changing needs of the workforce and reduce IT costs through a private cloud, the public cloud or through a combination in a hybrid cloud environment.
XeroxMobile Print Solution on Virtual Desktops and Cisco Cius:
Means (almost) no more worrying. Mobile workers can securely print documents from any email-enabled device – including virtual desktops and Cisco Cius tablet – to any enabled printer using the Cisco Borderless Networks and Wireless LAN solutions.
The network needs to be fast, run all of the latest applications, adeptly handle video, not to mention offer stability and security. Oh, and the network should also be scalable and serve users’ needs.
Whew. Needless to say, we expect a lot from the network. And so do customers.
With all these features on customers’ network wish lists, all too often acquisition costs are the only consideration when planning for the future. But Bob Cagnazzi, CEO of Cisco Master Partner BlueWater Communications Group, says that’s a big mistake.
BlueWater provides a lifecycle suite of services around the network, including: collaboration, video, virtualization, and cloud computing for a range of clients in the tri-state New York area. We caught up with Bob on a recent trip to California to get his thoughts on why it’s important for customers to understand both short- and long-term costs associated with the network.
What questions does Bob ask his customers when they’re planning for the future of their networks? Read More »
We’ve all heard some pretty outrageous myths and urban legends. You know, your mom probably warned you that if you swallow chewing gum, it will remain undigested in your gut for seven years.
Or did you hear that penguins will fall on their backs trying to see airplanes flying overhead?
And, finally, you may have heard that a “good enough” network will work just fine for video, voice, and mission-critical applications.
The truth is, none of these myths is true.
And there was some major mythbusting going on yesterday during the “Debunking the Myth of the Good Enough Network” webcast.
Bob Cagnazzi, CEO of BlueWater Communications Group (Cisco Master Partner); Rob Lloyd, Cisco’s EVP of Worldwide Operations; and Mike Rau, Cisco’s VP and CTO of Borderless Networks helped to debunk the seven most misleading myths of the “good enough” network. They talked about the dreaded Single Purpose Myth, the horrific Security as a Bolt On Myth, and the scary Application and Endpoint Ignorant Myth, just to name a few.
After he debunked those myths, Mike then provided key questions for our partners to ask their customers to find out if their network is ready.
Today, Ricardo Moreno--Senior Director, Strategy, Planning & Programs, Worldwide Partner Organization--blogged about evolving our channel partner program and specific architecture specializations: Borderless Networks, Collaboration, and Data Center.
As Cisco evolves its products and services to map to architectures, partners and customers must develop new skills to be successful. Engineers will need to be able to devise network-centric architectures, and salespeople will require the ability to identify business issues and map technology solutions to the issue.
Building competencies in key areas including business consulting, architecture practice and business and solution modeling will position channel partners with the skills they need to thrive in this new architectural framework.
As the Global Director of the Worldwide Learning Partner Channel, my team works directly with our network of more than 450 strategic partners located in over 130 countries globally.
Learning Partners are authorized by Cisco to deliver technical, certification, product, and solutions training. They are key to supporting the company-wide transition to architectural strategy by delivering architectural proficiencies and related certification courses.
You have undoubtedly joined the more than 300,000 worldwide Cisco customers and channel partners who annually receive authorized training and enablement through Authorized Cisco Learning Partners.
To help Cisco partners and customers make the shift to architectures, we’re working closely with Learning Partners to create specialized training and skills development. In fact, Cisco is evolving its entire global Learning Partner Channel program to deliver architecture-based skills and training.
To speed customer adoption of the new architectural approach and help partners embrace architectural capabilities, Cisco is transforming its Worldwide Learning Partner Channel program into two tracks for FY12: Read More »
Are you among the one third of smartphone owners who use social media applications from bed?
