Cisco Systems

By CIO New Zealand staff | Monday, January 11 2010

Diversification was core to Cisco in 2009, moving beyond its traditional networking products into datacentres and virtualisation.

Global HQ: San Jose, California, US
Website: www.cisco.com
Global leader: John Chambers, CEO and chairman
Local leader: Geoff Lawrie, country manager, New Zealand
Core activity: Online applications and internet networking
Revenue: US$36.1 billion (FY08-09, ended July 25)
Key customers: Westpac, BNZ, ANZ National Bank, Fonterra, Australian Federal Government, Foster’s Group
Employees: 65,545

Diversification was core to Cisco in 2009, moving beyond its traditional networking products into datacentres and virtualisation. The company launched its first-ever server system, integrating computing, network and virtualisation resources. It also entered a partnership with VMware to provide data centre solutions.

In addition to its ICT interests, Cisco completed the purchase of San Francisco-based Flip Video creators, Pure Digital Technologies, moving into the digital imaging space. Cisco also launched several new environmentally
friendly products as part of its Smart+Connected Communities (S+CC) strategy.

Profits were down in 2009, but a focus on operational savings slashed $US1.2 billion from the bottom line. Locally that translated into a 25 per cent reduction in discretionary expenses, and helped the company to a 24 percent
increase in total revenue.

In 2010, Cisco will continue to diversify. S+CC will feature front and centre, aiming to deliver more energy-efficient products and “smart” networked services. Rachael Bolton