Cisco Systems Canada Co. rolled out three integrated services (ISR) routers last month that hit new price lows for the ISR line. In addition, Cisco launched wireless add-ons for all ISR boxes.
While the three new routers are aimed at small and medium businesses, in addition to branch offices and teleworkers, cost-conscious small businesses may still shy away from Cisco’s prices.
“It’s still relatively expensive,” noted Brian Sharwood, an analyst with the Seaboard Group in Toronto. “They’re competing against some of the off-the-shelf Linksys stuff that comes from your Staples or Office Depot. The channels SMBs buy from are Staples, Business Depot, Grand & Toy, those kinds of stores.”SMBs flocking to Staples or Business Depot for cheap Linksys gear isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Cisco, as Cisco owns Linksys. But it does raise the question of who should buy Linksys and who should buy Cisco. Text SMBs flocking to Staples or Business Depot for cheap Linksys gear isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Cisco, as Cisco owns Linksys. But it does raise the question of who should buy Linksys and who should buy Cisco.
“Someone who would like to manage the network themselves would be an ideal Linksys candidate,” said Dee Dee Par