Cisco IT’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program allows employees to be most productive on whatever device they choose.  Whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac or PC they can connect to the Cisco internal network easily, but that’s not what this blog is about, if you’re interested in that initiative click here and here. This blog is about how adding a social layer, specifically Cisco WebEx Social, resulted in an improved user experience and reduced caseload and therefore avoided cost.  Personally, I’d like to say the easy onboarding of devices has caused me less wrinkles, but I’ve yet to find a quantitative way to prove that hypothesis true, so let’s stick to the facts:

• In November 2010, Cisco IT had 4,566 cases per 33,354 devices or about 0.14 Cases/Device
• In October 2011, Cisco IT had 3,921 cases per 48,530 devices or about 0.08 Cases/Device
• Cisco IT has had a 52% increase in devices and 16% more users

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Tags: aaron chiles, Android, blog, byod, case, caseload, cisco on cisco, Cisco WebEx Social, coc-collaboration, collaboration, community, Help, information technology, iPad, iphone, IT, mac, mobility, onboarding, PC, support, WebEx Social, wxs

If you had US$15,000 to take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?  I’ve always wanted to visit Perth, Bangalore, and Brasilia myself, but sadly, I’m not elligable to win the Unified Access Challenge.  However, if you’re reading this -- you probably are!  Basically, you watch an accelerated TechWiseTV episode with JimmyRay Purser, Robb Boyd (with a short Ike video too), and then answer a few questions about Unified Access.

The challenge is open for three more weeks and there are a few versions you need to choose from. If you’re a Cisco Partner you need to take the Partner version.  If you don’t know whether you’re a partner or not, you’re probably not, so don’t fret.  Because for non-partners we have the challenge in both English and Spanish: Read More »

Tags: Borderless Networks, Cisco, iPad, trip, unified access, video, Webinars, Week in Review

In the next few weeks we have a couple great webinars coming up, we’ve recently been investing in our community, the Unified Access Challenge was extended until April 26, and the Supervisor 720 Engine for the Catalyst 6500 turned 10 on Sunday! Read More »

Tags: Catalyst 6500, community, Conquer the Cloud, iPad, unified access, Webinars

As a sales team manager, I need to be available by phone or instant messaging (IM) in multiple places every day. So it’s no surprise to find me using the new Cisco Jabber for iPad client while I’m traveling because it provides the IM, voice calling, presence, messaging, and video calling capabilities that are exactly what I need to stay connected with my team, customers, partners, and colleagues.

When I’m in the office, working from my Cisco laptop, my Cisco 9971 desk phone, and Cisco TelePresence EX 90 desktop video endpoint – I have full-featured communications and application access. But when I’m out of the office, I can use the Single Number Reach (SNR) feature to move transparently to the Jabber client, which means people can dial a single number to reach me on both endpoints simultaneously while also making it easy for me to receive calls and messages wherever I go.

T.J. Hyne, one of my consulting system engineers, shares how he used the Cisco Jabber for iPad client to connect remote participants into a video call during a customer meeting, over the customer’s wireless network. The ease of the video call was an unexpected surprise for the customer, and it helped to illustrate the value of video for meaningful communication in real-time.

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Tags: coc-collaboration, iPad, jabber, jabber client, mobility, softphone

A few weeks ago we launched new Cisco Unified Access solutions at Cisco Live. These included the new Catalyst 3850 switch and the new Cisco 5760 Wireless LAN Controller, both built on the new Unified Access Data Plane ASIC.  These will be key for Cisco partners and their customers as they implement BYOD policies and add more wireless access in branch offices, stores, and other remote locations. It’s a great opportunity for you to help your customers deploy these technologies with a converged approach.

To capitalize on this opportunity, of course, you’ll need to learn something about Cisco Unified Access and I’ve got some ideas for you on that.  Read More »

Tags: Borderless Networks, Catalyst 3850, catalyst switch, Cisco, Cisco 5760 Wireless LAN Controller, contest, Ike Theodore Willis, iPad, partner, unified access