Cisco and VMware share a long track record of joint innovation and integrated solution development, providing differentiated capabilities and benefits for our partners and customers. Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) is a great example of technology that raises the performance bar and dramatically simplifies the data center operational environment by delivering a compute platform purpose-built with scalable virtualization in mind. Meanwhile, VMware Horizon View is uniquely suited to delivering a total desktop virtualization solution that simplifies IT management, increases security and increases control of end-user access while centrally delivering desktop services from the cloud, which drives down costs.

When you pair Cisco UCS with VMware Horizon View-you get the best of both worlds: truly scalable, easy to manage, end-to-end solutions that dramatically improve price-to-performance ratios for desktop virtualization deployments.

Large enterprises began adopting Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) as customers sought more secure, scalable and cost-effective means to deliver desktop workspaces to end-users. These days, VDI helps enterprises support growing trends like Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD), or as some of our VMware friends call it, Spend-Your-Own-Money (SYOM). As a result, Cisco and VMware have been successfully delivering VDI solutions to enterprise customers for the last two years.

But what we’ve heard from you, our trusted channel partner community, is that it’s harder to build the business case for VDI with customers who are in the midmarket space. Not only do these customers have fewer seats to virtualize, but they’re also usually without the resources or time to decipher how all of the moving parts associated with VDI fit together. How do we enable them to benefit from VDI without the significant CAPEX hurdle, or the costs associated with scaling once their needs grow? And how do we provide them with simpler, more cost efficient solutions?

Check out how partners benefit from a tremendous midmarket VDI opportunity.  Read More »

Tags: atlantis computing, Cisco, EMC, fusion-io, midmarket, netapp, nimble storage, partner, vdi

The midmarket segment (100-1,000 employees) is huge, representing a $7.1 billion opportunity. And we’re here to help you get your fair share.

Midmarket customers have the same collaboration needs as larger enterprises, yet require scalable and tailored IT solutions that allow them to communicate effectively, make decisions faster, and compete in this increasingly global economy. Tapping into this segment can lead to increased sales opportunities, and ultimately, growth for your collaboration practice.

To help you win big in midmarket, Cisco is providing a number of new product, program and partner enablement tool updates designed specifically for this segment.  Cisco continues to invest in programs like Partner Plus, as well as enhanced solutions and services offers to help partners succeed with midmarket customers..

What are the updates and how can it help you get your share of this untapped opportunity?  Read More »

Tags: Cisco, collaboration, express collaboration specialization, midmarket, partner, resellers

We’re in the midst of an incredible megatrend. We know it and we’re living it. We all love our mobile devices; whether it’s our laptop (yes, I’m sitting at my kids swim class typing away for work), our mobile phone (I’m getting texts on what’s for dinner), or our tablet (where Draw Something awaits me). Apple recently stated that they have sold more than 67 million iPads in the recent 18 months. That is more than all the Mac sales in the past 27 years. There’s no denying it:  we are in the midst of an incredible megatrend—a mobile megatrend.

But what does this mean to businesses?From the IT perspective, the role of the mobile devices has transformed from a luxury item used for personal communication and entertainment to an integral tool for employee productivity. Mobile devices are now the main platform for work (laptop or tablet) and the primary medium for corporate contact (mobile phone). With employees bringing an average of two mobile devices each (laptop/tablet + mobile phone), companies can reap the benefits of new business opportunities and more productive employees.

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Tags: 11n, 2x2:2, 802.11a, 802.11a/b, 802.11b, 802.11n, access point, bring your own device, Bring your Own Device (BYOD), byod, iPad, midmarket, midsize, mobility, tablet, wireless

Do you have an iPhone,  Android, Samsung , or any other mobile phone? Not surprising since there will be 15 billion networked devices by 2015¹. With employees (yes, even IT themselves) bringing their mobile phones to work, businesses are seeing at least a doubling of mobile devices per employee; from laptop-only to laptop + mobile phone (+ tablet)².

The IT department is faced with an increased burden on their existing wireless network, while securing email access from any platform and simultaneously ensuring an optimal, reliable user mobile experience. Offering a reliable, consistent user mobile experience used to be a luxury ask; today, it impacts employee productivity. Mobile employee productivity can range from wireless laptop access from conference rooms to roaming the within the building accessing corporate email from any mobile device. This is true for me (working at a large enterprise) and my husband (working at a medium-sized business).

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Tags: 802.11n, access point, Aironet, AP, byod, controller, Ironport, midmarket, midsize, mobile, mobility, network, networking, security, wi-fi, wireless

Are you responsible for IT or voice services in a mid size company? Do you have 300 or fewer employees? Is your existing voice collaboration solution nearing its end of life, or no longer supported by the original manufacturer? Have you considered a solution from Cisco Systems? Yes Cisco! We are is proud to announce a new foundational voice solution specifically built for companies like yours, the Cisco Unified Communications Manager Business Edition 3000 (Unified CMBE 3000).

Cisco entered the IP communications in the late 1990’s and soon became a market leader. Cisco’s unified communications and voice products historically have been designed for a large majority of the market’s segments.  Cisco’s Unified Communications 300 and 500 series products were designed for businesses with under one hundred users.  The more capable Unified CM Business Edition 5000 and 6000 have more advanced features for organizations with 100-1000 users. Comparatively, the Cisco Unified Communications Manager scales up to 30,000 users per cluster.

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Tags: Cisco, IT, midmarket, smb, unified communications, Voice