Small Business Networking Essentials
In today's global economy, small business networking is about reducing your operating costs. It's about reacting quickly to changing markets and...
Small Business Networking Essentials
Learn about routing, switching, security, wireless and IP telephones
Small Business Network
Building a Small Business Network
Small Business Network
Invest in a network that can grow over time, so you can add features and functionality.
Make sure your switches and routers are easy to install, use, and manage.
In today's global economy, small business networking is about reducing your operating costs. It's about reacting quickly to changing markets and customer needs. It's about being prepared for the future.
Routers and switches are the building blocks for all business communications as they can increase productivity, cut business costs, and improve security and customer service.
Small Business Network Benefits:
Routers and Switches allow your Small Business Network to:
Work Anywhere
A host of technologies such as virtual private networks (VPNs) enable mobile employees and teleworkers to work securely at home, on the road, or at customers' offices.
For additional small business networking information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply request a call from Sales.
Improving security
Reduce risk and protect valuable business information by installing a networked solution with switches and routers. For example, routers can protect your network with a built-in firewall and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) - specialised software that examines incoming data and protects against attacks.
Reducing operating costs
Routing and switching technologies can make a positive impact on your bottom line. You save expenses by sharing equipment, such as printers, internet access, servers, and services. A reliable network also can grow with your business, keeping you from having to replace it as your needs grow.
Speeding access to information
Accurate, timely information is essential for making business decisions. Routing and switching provides access to allow great visibility into real-time business information and provides a sound basis for effective decision-making.
Enhancing customer service
Today's customers expect rapid responses and personalised services whenever they're dealing with your business. A responsive, reliable small business network is an absolute necessity to give your employees speedy access to customer information.
Access Customer Data Wherever, Whenever
Secure small business networking allows you to input, update, and view information about customers in a database.
Be Prepared for the Future
Designing a secure, flexible small business network allows you to easily, cost-effectively add new applications such as voice and video. Therefore your business will be better positioned to keep ahead of competitors.
Adding voice and wireless to your secure small business network provides additional benefits:
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Streamline Network Management
Combining voice, data, and other applications into one network simplifies network installation and management.
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Communicate More Effectively
A secure voice and data network foundation lets you check email, voicemail, and faxes from one inbox. A single phone number will ring simultaneously on multiple devices, preventing callers from landing in voicemail. With enhanced communications, your company can more easily expand globally.
Reduce Costs
Consolidating all your communications onto a single network saves companies an average of 46 percent in network costs, according to market research firm IDC.
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Use Your Phone as a Computer—and Your Computer as a Phone
Your employees can roam the sales floor, warehouse, office, or campus with their phones, so they're never out of touch. They can use their wireless phones to look up customer data, access the company directory, get stock quotes, and perform other tasks. When traveling, employees can use laptops to make and receive calls using your company's full phone system—just as they would if they were in the office.
Ten Tips for Making Your Business More Efficient
Cut costs, improve efficiency, boost customer satisfaction, stay ahead
Efficiency is Key
To keep pace in an increasingly competitive world, your business needs to run as efficiently as possible. Sooner or later, any company not operating efficiently will be out of business. Efficiency is even more important for small and medium-sized businesses, because their resources are limited compared to large global companies.
For additional small business networking information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply request a call from Sales.
Here are 10 tips for using network technology to help your business
- Give employees secure, consistent access to information. You have an advantage over larger competitors because you can react quickly to business changes. But you can quickly lose this edge if your company network is frequently down, sluggish, or unsecured. A secure, reliable network based on intelligent routers and switches lets your employees access the information and tools they need to keep ahead of competitors.
- Deliver anytime, anywhere access to employees on the go. To stay productive on the move, your employees need to be able to reach the people and information they need—anywhere, anytime. With tools like virtual private networks (VPNs), your employees can work outside the office and still enjoy safe access to the business network.
- Create effective business processes with partners. Some large companies make efficient, secure business processes a prerequisite for doing business with them. To meet the business needs of your partners, you need a secure, reliable network.
- Make it easy to work together. Smooth collaboration between employees, partners, suppliers, and customers is a sure-fire way to boost efficiency while also reducing costs. An intelligent network lets your business take advantage of interactive calendaring, videoconferencing, unified communications, and other technologies for easy collaboration.
- Enable employees to take their phone systems wherever they go. Missed calls create project delays, wasted opportunities, and lost revenues. With a networked voice and data solution, your employees can have one phone number that rings simultaneously on multiple devices, so customers reach the right person the first time. Your staff can access all their communications anywhere, from just one inbox.
- Streamline customer communications. Delivering fast, knowledgeable service is the best way to keep customers satisfied. Linking your network phone system to a customer relationship management (CRM) solution is a great way to enhance customer communications. When a customer calls, a pop-up window with their records appears on an employee's IP phone screen, computer screen, or both.
- Reduce unproductive travel time. All too often, time spent on the road is time lost. A networked phone solution that offers video calls and Web conferencing can help reduce the time and expense of traveling to offsite meetings. Instead of spending time traveling, you can use the time to get work done with technology.
- Employ a managed service provider. Is managing a network the best use of your employees' time? In some situations, it is advantageous to hire a managed service provider for network administration. Working with a managed service provider can free your IT staff to focus on other IT tasks and use their time more effectively.
- Improve employee satisfaction. Ageing phone systems and slow networks can frustrate your employees and customers. In some cases, an employee might become burned out and decide to move on. To help ensure that employees are productive and satisfied, your business needs a secure, reliable, and fast network.
- Develop a long-term technology plan. The process of replacing obsolete hardware can bring the office to a standstill. You can minimise such disruptions by carefully determining short- and long-term business objectives and working with your network vendor to deploy technology that matches them.
Solutions from Cisco
Cisco and Cisco Certified Partners, value-added resellers (VARs), and managed service providers offer a variety of solutions tailored specifically to the needs of businesses like yours:
Cisco and its partners work closely with you to identify business goals and map them to specific solutions. And Cisco Capital offers flexible leasing and financing options designed for your needs.
Begin exploring Cisco solutions for small businesses.
The Network & Its Key Components
Switches, Routers & Wireless
What is a Network?
The network operates by connecting computers and peripherals using switches, routers, and access points. These devices perform very different functions, and within the network they communicate with one another, as well as with other networks.
Switches
Switches are used to connect multiple devices on the same network within a building or campus. For example, a switch can connect your computers, printers, and servers, creating a network of shared resources. The switch serves as a controller, allowing devices to share information and communicate. Through information sharing and resource allocation, switches save you money and increase productivity.
There are two basic types of switches to choose from as part of your networking basics, managed and unmanaged:
An unmanaged switch works right out of the box. It's not designed to be configured, so you don't have to worry about installing or setting it up correctly. Unmanaged switches have less network capacity than managed switches. You'll usually find unmanaged switches in home networking equipment.
A managed network switch is configurable, offering greater flexibility and capacity than an unmanaged switch. You can monitor and adjust a managed switch locally or remotely, to give you greater network control.
Cloud managed switching
Upgrading network switches is often a significant financial and technological commitment. Switches are the foundation of any network and are expected to last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more. In today’s modern networks switches must be highly reliable, easy to manage at scale, and compatible with the latest technologies for the foreseeable future.
Cisco Meraki switching customers have seen real cost savings by leveraging the ease of management and unique technologies that are inherent to the Meraki cloud-managed solution.
10 Ways Cisco Meraki Switches Make Life Easier
1. Preconfigure switches for zero-touch deployment
2. Manage all switch ports from a single pane of glass
3. Run remote cable tests and packet captures4. Identify and locate switch ports
5. Identify bandwidth hogs
6. Save energy and increase wired security
7. Contain rogue DHCP servers
8. Lock down switch access
9. Keep current with seamless updates
10. Spot network trends
Try ANY Cisco Meraki product on your network for free!
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Routers
Routers are used to connect multiple networks together. For example, you would use a router to connect your networked computers to the Internet and thereby share an Internet connection among many users. The router acts as a dispatcher, choosing the best route for your information to travel so that you receive it quickly.
Routers analyse the data that is sent over a network and send it to another network or to a different type of network. They connect your business to the outside world, protect your information from security threats and can even decide which computers get priority over others.
Routers include different capabilities. Features include:
- Firewall: Specialised software that examines incoming data and protects your network against attacks.
- Virtual private network (VPN): A way for remote employees to safely access your network.
- IP phone network: Combines your company's computer and telephone network, using voice and conferencing technology, to simplify and unify your communications.
For additional small business networking information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply request a call from Sales.
What Is a Network Switch versus a Router?
Switches create a network. Routers connect networks. A router links computers to the Internet, so users can share the connection. A router acts as a dispatcher, choosing the best path or route for information to travel so it's received quickly.
What Is a Network Switch to My Business?
Switches and routers are the building blocks for all business communications. They can increase productivity, trim expenses, improve security and customer service.
Wireless
An access point allows wireless devices to connect to the network. Having a wireless network makes it easy to bring new devices online and provides flexible support to mobile workers. An access point takes the bandwidth coming from a router and stretches it so that many devices can go on the network from farther distances away. But an access point does more than simply extend Wi-Fi. It can also give useful data about the devices on the network, provide proactive security, and serve many other practical purposes.
Access points support different IEEE standards. Each standard operates on varying frequencies, delivering different bandwidth, and supporting different numbers of channels.
There are four different types of deployments that an organisation can choose from to create a wireless network. Each deployment has its own attributes that will work better for different solutions. They are:
- Cisco Mobility Express: A simple, high-performance wireless solution for small or medium-sized organisations. Mobility Express has the full complement of advanced Cisco features. These features allow for a quick and effortless deployment that can be operational in minutes.
- Centralised deployment: The most common type of wireless network, traditionally deployed in campuses where buildings and networks are in close proximity. This deployment consolidates the wireless network, allowing for easier upgrades and enabling advanced wireless functionality. Controllers are based on-premises and are installed in a centralised location.
- Converged deployment: A solution tailored for small campuses or branch offices. This deployment consistently converges wired and wireless on one network device—an access switch—and performs the dual role of both switch and wireless controller.
- Cloud-based deployment: A system that uses the cloud to manage network devices deployed on-premises at different locations. The solution requires Cisco Meraki cloud-managed devices, which have full visibility of the network.
How cloud networking saves time and money
As networks grow in size and complexity, IT decision makers are beginning to look beyond the upfront hardware costs to include operational expenses, which can become a significant, recurring cost. This is often referred to as Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Initial configuration, network complexity, troubleshooting, security, and revision management can add up to a substantial cost each year. Selecting the right solution can pay massive dividends and often significantly recover the costs of a network refresh over the lifetime of the deployment.
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Go Beyond Guest Wi-Fi
Insights let you deliver the ultimate personalized experience
In more and more industries, fast, reliable guest wireless is essential, and Cisco Meraki delivers this, but it is no ordinary access point. The Meraki solution also has many more tricks up its sleeve, right out-of-the-box, like: location analytics to better understand guest behaviour and foot traffic; integrated Bluetooth Low Energy to seamlessly interface with iBeacon apps and allow for location-aware experiences; the ability to easily manage all components of your network from a single, web-based dashboard; and the unlimited scalability of Meraki cloud management.
Wireless Network
Why you need to go Wireless
What is a Wireless Network?
A wireless local-area network (LAN) uses radio waves to connect devices such as laptops to the Internet and to your business network and its applications. When you connect a laptop to a WiFi hotspot at a cafe, hotel, airport lounge, or other public place, you're connecting to that business's wireless network.
What Is a Wireless Network vs. a Wired Network?
A wired network connects devices to the Internet or other network using cables. The most common wired networks use cables connected to Ethernet ports on the network router on one end and to a computer or other device on the cable's opposite end.
Catching Up with Wired Networks
In the past, some believed wired networks were faster and more secure than wireless networks. But continual enhancements to wireless networking standards and technologies have eroded those speed and security differences.
The Benefits of a Wireless Network:
A business can experience many benefits from a wireless network, including:
For additional small business Wireless information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply request a call from Sales.
Convenience. Access your network resources from any location within your wireless network's coverage area or from any WiFi hotspot.
Mobility. You're no longer tied to your desk, as you were with a wired connection.
Productivity. Wireless access to the Internet and to your company's key applications and resources helps your staff get the job done and encourages collaboration.
Easy setup. You don't have to string cables, so installation can be quick and cost-effective.
Expandable. You can easily expand wireless networks with existing equipment, while a wired network might require additional wiring.
Security. Advances in wireless networks provide robust security protections.
Cost. Wireless networks reduce wiring costs.
Other reasons to go Wireless:
Enhanced guest access
- Give secure network access to customers and business partners
- Offer a value-added service
A wireless network allows your business to provide secure wireless access to the Internet for guests such as customers or business partners.
Improved responsiveness
- Connect to the information you need when you need it
- Provide better customer service
A wireless network can improve customer service by quickly connecting staff to the information they need. For example, a doctor in a small medical office can access online patient files while moving between exam rooms, or a retail sales person can check on available inventory necessary to write up orders on the showroom floor.
Better access to information
- Connect hard-to-reach areas
- Improve your processes
Wireless LANs allow a business to bring network access to areas that would be difficult to connect to a wired network. For example, adding wireless access points to a warehouse can make it easier to check and manage inventory, providing the company with accurate inventory figures in real time.
Wireless Networking: Getting Started
Ready to get started with wireless networking? Consider these steps:
1. Make Sure Your PCs Are Wireless
Most laptops today have built-in wireless networking connections. If yours doesn't, you'll need to install a wireless network adapter card, which is typically inexpensive and easy to use.
2. Get a Router Capable of Wireless Networking
Many network routers today act as wireless networking access points. They let you connect multiple computers to a single wireless network. And they connect your network to the Internet.
You can extend wireless networking throughout your office, store, or campus by placing additional wireless access points in various locations. The additional access points extend the wireless signal's range and strength over a wider geographical area, so that it's available in more places, such as conference rooms.
3. Pay Attention to Location
The signal generated from each wireless access point or router extends up to approximately 300 feet. Walls, metal (such as in elevator shafts) and floors can negatively affect range. And the wireless signal's strength weakens the longer it has to travel. For best results, space out your access points and position them in central areas. Tip: Access points can provide stronger signals when installed on or near ceilings.
4. Don't Overshare Access Point
For best results, don't share any single wireless access point with more than 20 users. Typically, the more users sharing an access point, the slower the wireless network can become. If your business network supports a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or Unified Communications system, limit each access point to 8-12 users.
5. Secure Your Network
Security is vital to wireless networking. Some security methods to consider for your network include:
- Data encryption, so only authorised users can access information over your wireless network
- User authentication, which identifies computers trying to access the network
- Secure access for visitors and guests
- Control systems, which protect the laptops and other devices that use the network.
Cisco Aironet 1815 Access Point Series - A Wireless Small Business staple in your business network
Network Security Checklist
Helping You Keep Your Network Safe
Network Security Checklist
For additional small business security information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply request a call from Sales.
Many small and medium-sized businesses do not have adequate network security. Here's how to make sure you do.
Now more than ever, you depend on your network for your most important business operations, such as communication, inventory, billing, sales, and trading with partners. Yet up to now, you might have held off on protecting your network, for several reasons:
- Network security might seem too complex, and tackling it might seem like too much work. But you can take a step-by-step approach as described in the checklist below, and then get an outside consultant to help you complete your security plan.
- You might think network security is an expense that won't help your business grow. Instead of thinking about network security as a technical concern, consider it a business continuity issue. Networks have become a basic part of doing business today, making security as important as sales and marketing.
- You may believe that smaller companies are less likely to be a target of attacks. But as large companies beef up their network security, hackers are increasingly focusing on small and medium-sized businesses.
General Security Planning Tips
The following tips can help you develop and win support for an effective network security plan:
- Focus on return on value rather than return on investment. Consider the harm a network security breach could do to your business, such as lost revenue or customer litigation.
- Never assume that network attacks will come only from outsiders. Your employees can accidentally create security vulnerabilities, or former employees can cause damage.
- Don't be tempted to confront security concerns with a piecemeal approach rather than a single, unified strategy that protects your whole network.
- Work with others in your company to develop and roll out security strategies, focusing on technology, training, and physical site security with tools like surveillance cameras.
- Find the right balance between security and usability. The more secure your network is, the more difficult it can be to use.
Network Security Checklist
Every business should have a thoughtfully prepared network security plan. A thorough policy will cover topics such as:
- Acceptable use policy, to specify what types of network activities are allowed and which ones are prohibited
- E-mail and communications activities, to help minimise problems from e-mails and attachments
- Antivirus policy, to help protect the network against threats like viruses, worms, and Trojan horses
- Identity policy, to help safeguard the network from unauthorised users
- Password policy, to help employees select strong passwords and protect them
- Encryption policy, to provide guidance on using encryption technology to protect network data
- Remote access policy, to help employees safely access the network when working outside the office
Answering the following questions can help you develop your own policy:
Do you have any of the following?
- Firewall, to keep unauthorised users off your network
- Virtual private network (VPN), to give employees, customers, and partners secure access to your network
- Intrusion prevention, to detect and stop threats before they harm your network
- Content security, to protect your network from viruses, spam, spyware, and other attacks
- Secure wireless network, to provide safe network access to visitors and employees on the go
- Identity management, to give you control over who and what can access the network
- Compliance validation, to make sure that any device accessing the network meets your security requirements
Identify Your Most Important Digital Assets and Who Uses Them
- Exactly what are your company's digital assets (such as intellectual property and customer records)?
- What are they worth?
- Where do those assets reside?
- Who has access to these assets, and why? Can all employees access the same assets?
- Do you extend access to business partners and customers?
- How do you control that access?
What Would a Security Breach Do to Your Business?
What is the potential financial impact of a network outage due to a security breach?
- Could a security breach disrupt your supply chain?
- What would happen if your Website went down?
- Do you have e-commerce features on your site? How long could the site be down before you lost money?
- Are you insured against Internet attacks, or against the misuse of your customers' data? Is this insurance adequate?
- Do you have backup and recovery capabilities to restore information if necessary after a security breach?
Consider Your Current and Future Needs
- How do you expect your business plan to evolve over the next few years?
- How recently have you updated your network equipment? Software? Virus definitions?
- What type of security training do you provide to your employees?
- How will growth affect your digital assets and their value to your business as a whole?
- In the future, are you likely to have a greater need for remote employees, customers, or partners to access those digital assets?
Cisco's Next Gen Intrusion Prevention Systems (NGIPS) are a necessity for a Small Business Network to ensure your business network is safe
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no obligation Cisco Umbrella trial.
Umbrella is the easiest and most effective solution to block malware, phishing and C2 callbacks.
Firewalls
Firewall protection for your network
Firewall Solutions
Firewall software and hardware solutions are both designed to block unauthorised access to computers. Firewalls help prevent hackers from intercepting private data or planting Trojan horses or other Internet threats on your networked computers.
Small business firewall software is one method used to protect computers against hacker attacks and other Internet threats. Another method is to deploy a hardware firewall (which also uses software).
For additional Firewall information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply request a call from Sales.
Software vs. Hardware Firewalls
Software firewalls protect each individual PC they're installed on. But to protect all your company's computers, each must have a software firewall installed. That can get expensive and be difficult to maintain.
On the other hand, hardware-based firewall solutions for small business protect all computers on your network. A hardware-based firewall is easier to administer, too.
The ideal firewall solutions for small business integrate a hardware firewall with software controls into a comprehensive security solution that includes virtual private network (VPN) support, antivirus, antispam, antispyware, and content filtering capabilities.
Firewall Solutions for Small Business: Benefits
Firewall solutions for small business, when integrated with a comprehensive security device, offer many benefits. Among them are:
- Support for changing business needs. The best firewall solutions for small business let you safely deploy new applications. They provide advanced application-layer security for a wide range of applications, including email, voice over IP (VoIP), video, and multimedia programs.
- Controlled access to your company's resources. The most effective firewall solutions for small business block unauthorized access to applications or information assets.
- Increased employee productivity. By blocking unauthorised access from hackers, your firewall helps prevent the loss of employee productivity or valuable company data.
- Improved business resiliency. The best firewalls prevent disruption of business-critical applications and services due to security breaches.
Find out more about Cisco Next Gen Firewall Solutions
Cisco Meraki MX64 Firewall
Cisco ASA 5500-X FirePower Services
5 Ways to Tune Your Network with a LAN Switch
Effective switching is essential to handling growing network traffic
Need Speed? Here are 5 Ways to Tune Your Network with a LAN Switch
Any small or midsized business can use LAN switching to sustain the speeds and availability that users need. This presents five ways to do it, from experts at two Cisco Certified Partners that do it every day.
1. Segment Your Network Logically, Using VLANs
A traditional flat network (which places all traffic in a single broadcast domain) can easily overload switch links. Instead, apply your switch's VLAN features to send traffic only where it needs to go, at the speed it needs to go.
For additional small business networking information visit Cisco. If you would like to talk to a Cisco Specialist regarding an upcoming project, then simply request a call from Sales.
You can use a variety of Layer 2 and Layer 3 VLAN types to segment traffic. Many Cisco switches for small and midsized businesses offer all of the following types of VLANs:
- Protocol, such as a VLAN dedicated to IP voice or video traffic
- Devices, such as a VLAN for wireless clients, a server or printer, or all the equipment on a building floor
- Port, such as a VLAN for a department or other group of users
- Guest, MAC address, and unauthenticated traffic
- Dynamic VLAN assignment that uses the end device's source MAC address to assign switch ports to VLANs
- Multicast VLAN Registration (MVR), which organizes multicast traffic into a dedicated VLAN while maintaining the users' other VLANs. Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) Snooping limits the traffic to the devices that need it.
2. Provide the Needed Capacity
Deploy the processing power and bandwidth that your segments, applications, and users need. To reduce latency, congestion, and collisions, apply switch capacity capabilities such as:
- A fast engine: Nonblocking wire-speed silicon chips. Switches that forward traffic at wire speed sometimes cost more but can still make a difference in performance.
- Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP). This standard feature increases available bandwidth by trunking ports.
- Gigabit bandwidth on LAN ports and uplinks. It took a long time for links to go from 10/100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, but small and mid-sized businesses are now quickly moving to 10 Gbps, and soon it will be more. We recommend you review your infrastructure annually, and pace your CapEx by planning a five-year lifecycle.
- Stack'em. If you can, stack your switches to increase throughput and have them operate as one device with a single IP address. The throughput of a stack of Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Switches can be up to 64 Gbps.
3. Apply Wire-Speed Routing Between VLANs
Inter-VLAN routing is necessary for any user or server that uses multiple VLANs.
Use your switch, not your router software, to route inter-VLAN traffic. A switch's hardware can do the routing, at wire speed. And offloading the router allows it to better handle its WAN connectivity and firewall functions, improving overall network performance.
Absolutely take advantage of both the static and dynamic IP routing capabilities in your switch.
4. Prioritise Applications and Apply Traffic Shaping
Make the best use of your bandwidth by controlling access to it.
You can use the following switch features to set performance parameters based on the traffic's importance and sensitivity to jitter and latency; also check to confirm that the connected devices support the feature:
- Prioritise applications by 802.1p/q tag (a Layer 2 switching capability)
- Prioritise applications by IP header (differentiated services code point (DSCP)/type of service (ToS), a Layer 3 switching capability).
- Shape traffic to delay packets, using criteria such as bandwidth throttling or rate limiting.
5. Set Endpoint Parameters, Preferably Automatically
Set the switch's endpoint ports for optimal performance, using parameters such as storm control, number of devices allowed, quality of service (QoS), and VLANs.
A switch with smart ports can detect new devices and use macros to configure many port parameters accordingly. Having automated QoS settings for IP phones and other devices really helps speed configuration, and you can always adjust the default settings.
Cisco switches can also connect endpoints using the Cisco Discovery Protocol. It recognises Cisco devices and pulls the data relevant for optimal performance connections, fast problem solving, and efficient network management."
Integrate Your Switching, Reduce Expenses
Applying these five tips--in combination with Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) or other monitoring and management tools as well as switch security features such as dynamic Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) inspection, IP Source Guard, and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Snooping to thwart attacks--can produce awesome network performance. And help your company save money.
Move into the Fast Lane
When you need to speed up your network, Cisco Certified Partners can help you make adroit switching and infrastructure moves--including network assessment and design, solution financing and implementation, and onsite support and/or managed services.
Cisco Catalyst 3850 Switch
Support for your small business at every step
When you’re investing in something as critical to your business as IT, you have to think about much more than just the technology products you’re buying. You’re buying into a vendor — and the way they look after you at every step of your project can make all the difference.
So let’s explore some of the resources Cisco offers to help your business and your people to be more successful. With our services, Customer Experience organisation and all of Cisco behind you, you can tackle your biggest challenges with confidence as you grow with your ambitions.
Help is always just a phone call away
Customers tell us that the quality of the technical support they receive is a critical factor in their choice of vendor. Skimping on support is a mistake you only make once: when a misconfiguration or obscure bug takes down your network, you need to know the right people are in your corner.
When something goes wrong, call the Technical Assistance Center (TAC)— Cisco’s technical support division. TAC’s thousands of engineers around the world have huge collective experience, not to mention cutting-edge tools and data at their disposal to diagnose and fix your problem, fast.
But TAC isn’t just there when things fall over — you can call for advice with configuration, software upgrades, or any other issue that concerns you.
Cisco’s TAC has won more awards for the quality of our support than literally any other company in the world. Is there anyone else you’d rather have at the end of the phone?
Training in action: when knowledge is power
The IT skills gap is hitting companies of all shapes and sizes. When the cutting edge of technology keeps moving, you need to be sure you can keep your team up to speed, without breaking the bank. We’ve got you covered.
Research shows that Cisco-certified staff are better respected and perform better at their jobs. Today we make our premium quality technical training available in all kinds of formats — including on-demand video training through the Technical Knowledge Library. You can check out our free webinars for a taster of the content available on the platform.
Across cisco.com you’ll find a wealth of information resources to get you in the know about industry trends and new technologies. From blogs to design guides and documentation, and the famous TechWise TV, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. And if you want your content specific to small businesses, there’s no better place to start than Tech Connection.
Join the club
When you choose Cisco, you also get access to Cisco users all over the world. Check out our Communities for discussion on all our technologies, and join the exclusive customer community in The Gateway to feel right at home with a private community of people just like you. Prefer to get your insights in person? Our annual Cisco Live event brings thousands of customers and partners together for a week of hands-on learning.
Threat intelligence you can count on
Security is an ever-present concern, and you know full well that you can’t protect your business by throwing technology at the problem. Who’s got your back when things go south? We have.
Cisco sees more security threats than any other vendor. We use our threat intelligence to make our products — like Umbrella, Duo and Firepower — smarter. But we also keep our customers informed about the risks they should look out for. So do check out our extensive security podcasts, webinars, blogs and Cybersecurity Reports throughout the year.
Strengthening your readiness and response
Attackers are always looking for vulnerabilities in every vendors’ products. We take very seriously our commitment to patching our products to keep them as secure as possible. You’ll get software updates as part of your service contract with us, and we’ll alert you to vulnerabilities that affect you.
Visit our Trust Center to see how we build security into everything we do. And for when that inevitable breach does happen, explore our Incident Response Services.
Always on hand for you
When you’re choosing a vendor, the quality of their products is only half the story. Will they be there for you after you’ve signed the contract?
At Cisco, our singular mission is to make sure you get the results you need from your investment, at every step from implementation through support to end of life.
For more than 30 years, businesses large and small have turned to us, and we’ve earned their trust both through the services that we and our community of partners provide, and through the efforts of every Cisco employee.
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Finance options built with Small Business in mind
Finance options built with Small Business in mind
Get IT solutions more affordably, save valuable cash and make the most of your technology investments.
Technology investment is just one of many priorities competing for your budget. So why not free-up your valuable cash? Bundle your entire IT solution: hardware, software, services and subscriptions, including third-party. All with monthly, true interest-free payments.
With the option to add more solutions as your business grows, you have the flexibility to stay ahead of industry trends.
But buying the right technology is only half the battle. You need to know that the technology supporting your business is working effectively every day. When the unexpected happens, who do you turn to for help? With the right support and advice, you can have the confidence that you won’t be held-back by downtime.
Build the business case
Financing any IT investment is always a balancing act. We can help you to fund your next project, minimise upfront costs and deliver the benefits you want. We’ll also help you build in the flexibility to scale or update outside of planned refresh cycles. Because who knows what the future holds?
What are your options?
You could purchase your new IT solution outright and pay in cash. However, a technology investment is likely to be one of many strategic investment priorities competing for your budget. In addition, equipment starts to depreciate and age as soon as it’s purchased, requiring ongoing maintenance and upkeep.
Alternatively, you could take a bank loan or similar financing options, but you will pay a higher interest rate that will inflate the actual cost. Plus, you won’t have the option to upgrade or refresh the technology.
Instead, there is an increasing trend of companies leasing IT solutions. According to a recent study by the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, 8 out of 10 business now finance their IT equipment. Leasing delivers an almost cost-neutral technology refresh capability, but more importantly avoids technology obsolescence.
When assessing financing options, organisations say the most important factors are:
1. Reducing total cost of ownership (32%)
2. Flexibility to manage budgets (16%)
3. Accelerated technology adoption (15%)
Source: Forrester, “Financing in the Current Macroeconomic Environment”
The right investment for you
If you’re thinking of making an investment in a Cisco solution to help you grow your business, Cisco Capital is the best way to finance your IT. No one in the market provides better payment options, with the opportunity to bundle your entire IT purchase. That’s your hardware, software, subscriptions, services and third-party products – all in one contract.
Our easylease 0% has been specifically designed for small business. It allows you to spread the cost and pay for your entire solution in equal payments over 36 months at 0% interest. There is no upfront payment required and we offer a true 0% interest rate. This allows you to finance your whole IT purchase interest-free.
Who says you can’t predict the future?
Just imagine having a predictable cash flow for 3 years. Simply add up the total cost of your solutions, divide by 36 and that’s the amount you’ll pay every month. Allowing you the freedom to focus on other business priorities.
All as you benefit from the ongoing flexibility to add new solutions to the agreement as your business grows, moving further ahead of your competitors and in-line with your business needs.
Whether you are at the beginning of your journey, or looking to extend and improve existing investments – we can provide you with financing to suit your small business requirements.
Find out more about financing with Cisco Capital here.
