While many grumble about the cost of Cisco's products, you're buying more than simple networking equipment. Depending on the service plan you choose, you could get direct access to the expertise of the world's best-known and most-installed networking company.
Cisco SMARTnet is a new way of handling technical support with an emphasis on proactivity. While it offers standard support when needed, it also provides your staff with multiple new tools that prevent needless network problems.
Cisco SMARTnet isn't just a fancy warranty. It helps you manage your Cisco network in an entirely new way by taking most or all of the burdens off your local IT staff.
What is Cisco SMARTnet? Four Important Cisco SMARTnet Features That People Overlook
1 - Smart Call Home
Smart Call Home is a revolutionary new system which creates a network that practically runs itself. Your Cisco equipment is continually self-monitoring for any anomalous behavior, sending highly-encrypted updates to Cisco's centers. The system proactively looks for adjustments that could speed performance, or deter intrusion.
If something does happen, then based on standards you've provided, Smart Call Home will alert members of your staff as to what it's found. If the situation is serious enough, it can even contact Cisco's Technical Assistance Center directly for immediate attention.
Smart Call Home can drastically reduce downtime, as well as cutting the man hours necessary to correct any downtime that does occur.
2 - Ongoing OS Updates
Cisco is continually updating their software set to provide better services with stronger security. Keeping up with all the patches can be a huge chore for most IT departments doing it manually. However, through SMARTnet, you get every OS update installed as soon as it's ready.
You don't have to worry about mismatching OS sets, or bugs going un-patched. SMARTnet ensures every piece of Cisco equipment is talking the same language.
3 - Rapid Parts Replacement
Cisco understands that you cannot afford any more downtime than is preventable, and that rapid parts procurement is a necessity in the event of hardware failure. Depending on the level of SMARTnet service you select, you could receive replacement parts the next day, or within as little as two hours.
In some cases, you can also order replacements in advance, to ensure they're on-hand the moment you need them.
They're delivered by a certified Cisco representative and installed immediately (additional option), then verified to ensure no further damage has occurred. SMARTnet can shave hours -or even days- off parts replacement time frames.
4 - Live Online Support
Cisco offers a range of ways to contact them online, available to SMARTnet subscribers. They host regular online webinars and Q&A sessions with their own technicians, to help your IT staff get the most from their network. These include detailed video-based how-to's that can take your staff through complex configurations.
In fact, in a worst-case scenario, Cisco support can be contacted through your Twitter account, or through several other social media sites.
SMARTnet Protects You At All Times
Cisco SMARTnet services go far beyond simple warranty support. They look to head off trouble whenever possible, and to continually provide new tools and information to your staff. According to Cisco internal studies, those that adopt SMARTnet saw a three-year ROI of 192%, thanks to the ongoing cost-savings.
Whether you're ready to migrate to Cisco, or you purchased in the past, Hummingbird Networks can help you build a top-tier Cisco network complete with all the SMARTnet services you need. Contact us today for more information!
Image Credits: https://www.flickr.com/photos/juditk/4542396623/sizes/l/in/photostream/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdhancock/4374606127/sizes/l/
