Cisco plots SME push via channel
Vendor cites channel involvement after turnover rise
Networking giant Cisco has posted a 21 per cent increase in turnover for its third quarter 2004 and has attributed its success to its channel partners.
The vendor, which is hoping to increase market share in the small-business sector with its SMB Connect programme, reported a turnover of $5.6bn, compared with $4.6bn in Q3 2003. Profit was $1.2bn, up from $987m in Q3 last year.
John Donovan, UK and Ireland channels director at Cisco, said: "We supply all of our EMEA business through the channel and clearly partners are instrumental in helping us drive growth."
He added that the vendor is looking at introducing more programmes to drive partner profitability and hopes to continue working closely with its existing resellers and distributors.
"We want to help partners build propositions for the SME market, which is why we launched SMB Connect," he said.
The firm has recruited 50 to 60 partners and is looking for a further 20 to 40, Donovan added.
Rachel Power, analyst at Canalys, said: "The challenge in the SME sector is to develop bundles that can be sold to SMEs via partners. It is all about price."