Cisco eyes SMBs for further growth

CHANDIGARH: Networking major Cisco systems plans to tap the small and medium enterprises segment, which it said was set to spend $1.2 billion for beefing up internet and networking infrastructure in 2006.

This would account for nearly 16 per cent of total IT spend projected for fiscal 2006-07, a senior Cisco systems official said on Wednesday.

"We at Cisco systems... are looking at plans to address the needs of burgeoning SMB segment in Punjab and Haryana," company's India Business Development Manager (Commercial) Kaushik Bellani told reporters.

He said that while technology is being viewed as a driver for increasing efficiencies and global competitiveness, its role as a strategic business tool is still under-valued.

"Cisco aims to address this awareness gap by showcasing a complete range of customised Cisco networking solutions for SMBs across technologies such as routing, switching, security, wireless, voice and video," he said, adding the company commands over 80 per cent of the Indian networking market share.

Talking about the region including states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, he said Cisco will help SMB customers design and operate business critical networks more efficiently.

"Under the program, Cisco has created a customised mobile van called Network on Wheels which will visit strategic industrial locations across key cities and host live demonstrations for more than 100 customers per city. Among other things, the Van will demonstrate for SMBs interactive technology solutions designed to enhance their competitive advantage and maximise productivity," he said.