It's not an easy road:
One of the most difficult challenges for a new CEO can fill executive vacancies. Cisco incoming CEO Chuck Robbins Wednesday met this challenge by naming 20 years Cisco veteran Chris Dedicoat to succeed him as head of worldwide sales.
When Robbins steps in his new position on July 26 to replace longtime leader John Chambers, who is expected to drive growth for the networking giant based in San Jose California ,.
The partners told CRN a difficult task waiting for Robbins gives to the challenges of a rapidly changing environment, such as security, networking and computing center stage InterCloud offer cloud software defined by Cisco. Here's a look at some of the challenges marketers to see Robbins, as he prepares to enter his new role.
1. Safety, safety, safety:
The No. 1 challenge Robbins Cisco is making a more recognizable brand in the security sector, according to the partners. Although Cisco has recently introduced a number of new offerings, partners are crying for greater investment in security.
2. Rinse Cloud:
"[InterCloud] still a bit" confused ", said the CEO of a solution provider on the East Coast, who asked not to be identified.Although Cisco executives are being turbulent in signatory InterCloud partners as providers, solution providers are still trying to analyze the proposal exact value for channel partners.
3. Too late to revive the EMC relationship:
With cameras leaving office, the partners are now worried about the already tense relationship between Cisco and EMC.Cisco in October most of its stake was sold EMC and VCE now owns approximately 10 percent of the joint venture. EMC also announced this month, a new line of systems infrastructure hyper-VCE converged server using white box instead of Cisco Unified Computing System, which is used in VCE Vblock systems and VxBlock.
4. Streamline Development, Break Down Silos:
The partners say they did not flee the Cisco product lines can be overlapping and confusion for customers at times. It can be difficult to keep up with the constant stream of acquisitions and implementations, upgrades and new product lines of the company, according to the partners.
Robbins mentioned partners should focus on two areas: a more integrated "holistic" supply security and network strategy more clearly defined by the software.
5. A new model of selling compensation:
As Cisco continues to press its partners to build cloud and managed services business, solution providers want to see an effort by Cisco, too. Although Robbins said the company will increase the fee for vendors who sell direct services to members, several manufacturers have said they want to know exactly what Cisco is setting the compensation and how long it will take place.
6. Keep acquisitions from:
Software and the acquisition of Cisco security strategy favorably played many partners, citing the successful integration of companies such as Cisco and Sourcefire Metacloud as examples. Cisco has been on a tear recently with the acquisition of software, which accounts for 9 their last 10 acquisitions.
7. Implementation of the entire portfolio:
Cameras Robbins has referred to as "machine running".
Partners said Robbins has proven its ability to perform in sales and in the canal side of the business, but it is unclear how successful it may be across the board as leader, solution providers said.
"Their biggest challenge is the realization of all they have in their entire portfolio," said Chris Bottger, senior vice president of collaboration services IVCi, a solution provider based in New York Hauppauge, and Cisco partners, the ranked No. 201 in the 2014 CRN SP500.
8. Maintaining the momentum:
After an enthusiastic partner of Cisco Summit in Montreal last month that brought many new services and offers for the channel, it is important that Robbins maintains momentum with Cisco.Cisco reported strong earnings for the second fiscal quarter in February, recording percent year over year sales growth of 7 and positive results for the third quarter this month with gains of up to 12 percent and earnings more than 5 percent over the previous year.The partners also believe Cisco is ahead of the competition in the emerging market and potentially lucrative Internet-of-things.
