Cisco product drive continues
Firm unveils new SME offerings, including switch and management tool
Cisco is continuing its programme of new-product launches for SMEs with the introduction of a new switch, the update of an existing line and the debut of an SME management tool, Cisco Network Assistant, for its routers, access points and switches.
"This is the first time in our recent history that we have designed products for the commercial market," said John Mason, Cisco's vice-president of mid-market EMEA.
"There will be more than 30 new products this year. We have about 40 per cent of the commercial market [50 to 1,500 users], whereas in higher-end markets our share is more like 70 or 80 per cent."
The Catalyst 4948 is a fixed 48-port 10/100/1000 switch for server aggregation, while the 4500 series includes the 4503, boasting 20 Power over Ethernet 10/100/ 1000 ports and Small Form Factor Pluggable ports to boost capacity to up to 116 Ethernet ports.
Bob Tarzey, services director at Quocirca, said: "The Cisco brand name will help penetration for resellers. But any vendor that wants to play at that level has to engage the right partners."