We’ve used a lot of the product. We use them for switches.
Their speed and their ability to handle the network well are the most significant aspects of the product. I remember an incident where we bought a different unbranded switch and had many network issues. We had to discard it and buy a Cisco switch. Once some routers and switches from China were installed, the network became very problematic. The only solution was to buy a Cisco switch, replace it, and it was able to handle the network reasonably well, the users and everything. The bandwidth was perfect after replacing those with Cisco. I trust the products from that perspective. They're able to deliver where they promise.
They just need to simplify the learning curve.
We’ve used the solution for about ten years now.
Cisco is number one in terms of stability.
The switches are entirely scalable. They can handle heavy traffic - even with spikes in demand. Definitely, with the spikes during, for example, lunch hour and everybody wanting to connect to the internet, it handles the uptick well, so it's highly scalable. It can handle varying loads.
Over 400 people connect to the network.
We do plan to increase usage.
The tech support is good.
Cisco products require some knowledge of it. Most of them are not plug-and-play. You will have to have some knowledge in configuring them, specific knowledge for them. They're good. However, for advanced setups, even advanced security and everything, it requires somebody knowledgeable in Cisco systems.
Deploying it took a more extended period to set everything up and running, compared to other products, compared, let's say, to other companies, for example, Tenda or Huawei. Compared to a Huawei switch, a Cisco switch will require to take some more time to do the configuration and everything. It took some time to get it perfectly running.
It doesn't require much to maintain. Once they are set up, maintaining them is very easy since they're quite reliable and stable. For us, two people for a company of 400 will handle the network perfectly. We have two network engineers for a company with 400 to 500 people, so that speaks to the stability of their products. They don't need to be micromanaged every now and then.
Most of them, once you buy, is a one-off payment, so you don't have to re-apply year and year, like buying licenses and stuff. Once you buy, that's it. They were quite expensive.
We’re using the latest version of the solution. We had some switches replaced this year; they're the latest version. Our network team keeps them updated, and they do all the security, et cetera, on the firewalls and routers from Cisco.
I can recommend Cisco switches any day.
I would rate Cisco products at nine out of ten.