Last update on 2024-03-05

Cisco Systems (CSCO) Explained

An Overview of CSCO: Its Business Strategy, Core Products, Major Competitors, and Essential Insights into its Role in the Communication Equipment Industry

Cisco Systems is the largest provider of networking equipment in the world and one of the largest software companies in the world. Its largest businesses are selling networking hardware and software (where it has leading market shares) and cybersecurity software like firewalls. It also has collaboration products, like its Webex suite, and observability tools. It primarily outsources its manufacturing to third parties and has a large sales and marketing staff—25,000 strong across 90 countries. Overall, Cisco employees 80,000 employees and sells its products globally.

Current Business Strategy

Cisco Systems has been focusing on transforming from a hardware-centric company to one emphasizing software and services. This includes investing in cloud, security, Internet of Things (IoT), and collaboration technologies. Cisco aims to deliver integrated solutions that are secure, automated, and simple to use, targeting growth in subscription-based and recurring revenue streams.

Most known Products

Here is the list of the 5 most well-known products of Cisco Systems (CSCO):

• Cisco Catalyst Switches: Highly reliable enterprise networking solutions that provide high performance, security, and intelligence across a range of network sizes.
• Cisco Integrated Services Routers (ISRs): Routers offering secure, wire-speed delivery of concurrent data, voice, and video services. Designed for scalability, they facilitate cloud-based applications.
• Cisco Webex: A collaboration platform offering video conferencing, online meetings, screen share, and webinars, facilitating remote and dispersed team collaborations.
• Cisco ASA Firewall: Advanced firewall and network security solution that provides comprehensive protection against a wide range of threats, with integrated intrusion prevention, VPN capabilities, and more.
• Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client: VPN client providing the security necessary for remote access and support for enterprise networks, offering features like web security, VPN access, and roaming protection.

Competitors

Here is the list of the main 5 competitors of Cisco Systems (CSCO):

• JNPR: Juniper Networks competes with Cisco in the networking hardware sector, offering solutions for high-performance networks including routers, switches, network management software, network security products, and software-defined networking technology.
• HPE: Hewlett Packard Enterprise offers networking hardware, software, and services that compete with Cisco's, particularly in areas like data center networking and wireless LAN for enterprise environments.
• MSFT: Microsoft competes with Cisco in the collaboration and productivity tools space with its Microsoft Teams platform, as well as in cloud computing and enterprise security solutions.
• AVGO: Broadcom competes with Cisco through its extensive range of networking hardware, such as switches and integrated circuits. Broadcom's acquisition of Brocade has further intensified competition in the storage and networking sectors.
• ZM: Zoom Video Communications offers a competitive video conferencing platform to Cisco's Webex. With its easy-to-use interface and robust performance, Zoom has become a prominent choice for virtual meetings, competing directly with Cisco's offerings in the collaboration space.