HP Networking targets Cisco with EMEA trade-in scheme

Catalyst for Change programme offers Cisco customers 20 per cent additional discounts

HP Networking has rolled to Europe a trade-in programme designed to help its partners target $9bn of old Cisco kit.

HP's networking arm launched its Catalyst for Change programme - in reference to its arch-rival's Catalyst switches - in the US in December.

Qualifying customers in EMEA can net an additional 20 per cent of list price on certain HP products when they trade in a range of switching, routing and wireless products from Cisco.

HP branded Cisco's networking gear as "complex, proprietary and expensive". Citing IDC research, it claimed that nearly $9bn of Cisco networking equipment globally is approaching end of life or service in 2011.

Chris Huggett, director of enterprise sales at HP Networking EMEA, said: "Under the single vendor stronghold of the past, enterprise networks have often become too complex, difficult to manage and expensive.

"HP Networking gives organisations a choice that delivers unprecedented flexibility, performance and agility, and which lowers total cost of ownership, ultimately enabling our clients to be more competitive."

The programme covers HP A-Series and E-Series switches, wireless or routing equipment and HP S-Series security solutions.

The order must be accompanied with a trade-in of Cisco products including Catalyst 2960/S Series, 3560/E Series/X Series, 3750/E Series/X Series, 4500 E Series, 4900 Series or 6500 Series, as well as Cisco Nexus 5000 Series or 7000 Series switches, Cisco 2100 & 3750 WLAN controllers and all Cisco routers.

More information on the promotion can be found here.