Hewlett-Packard and Cisco Systems Announce Strategic Partnership for Internetworking Products

Strategic Insights -

Hewlett-Packard and Cisco Systems have forged a strategic partnership, with Cisco selecting HP as its worldwide authorized service provider for internetworking products. This agreement expands HP's role as a reseller and service provider for Cisco products, enhancing its position as a leading support provider for multivendor networking environments. The partnership enables HP to offer a comprehensive range of services, including installation, maintenance, and support, to multinational customers.

Key Takeaways:

  • HP will provide installation, phone-in assistance, on-site maintenance, software updates, remote diagnostics, 24-hour technical support, and other services for Cisco's internetworking products.
  • The partnership enables HP to procure and integrate Cisco products as part of its network-implementation services for multivendor environments.
  • HP's service and support professionals will receive in-depth technical product training through all levels of Cisco certification.
  • HP becomes a worldwide Cisco Gold Certified Partner, the highest level of reseller support certification, and will address support-infrastructure requirements in local regions.
  • HP's Multivendor Services Division will leverage Cisco Certified Internetwork Experts and staff regional offices with IBM SNA and CiscoWorks router-management expertise.
  • Cisco Systems is the leading global supplier of enterprise networks, including routers, LAN and ATM switches, dial-up access servers, and network-management software.

Statistics:

  • HP generated $3.6 billion in service revenue in 1994.
  • HP has 17,500 professionals worldwide delivering IT service and support programs.
  • HP had revenue of $25 billion in its 1994 fiscal year.
  • Cisco Systems is traded under the NASDAQ symbol CSCO.

Sources:

  • Hewlett-Packard Company and Cisco Systems, Inc. press release, April 11, 1995.
  • Cisco Systems, Inc. website (no specific date mentioned).
  • The level of support provided by HP's Multivendor Services Division.