Cisco launches new networking and security products for Asian SMBs

Technology giant Cisco has unveiled a range of new networking and security products aimed at small and medium businesses (SMBs) in the Asia-Pacific region.

The launches include the Cisco Catalyst 1200 and 1300 Series switches and the Cisco Meraki MX. These innovations aim to simplify network establishment and security management and help SMBs quicken their digital transformation while alleviating complexity for operations teams stretched for resources.

The products were revealed at Cisco Live in Melbourne, with a keen focus on meeting the specific requirements and budgets of the SMB market. These switches can be installed on-premises or as cloud-based, managed solutions, presenting opportunities to rapidly adopt technology and make the most of digitisation benefits.

Andrew Sage, Vice President of Global Distribution and SMB Sales at Cisco, says that in the ever-changing business environment, "SMB customers are seeking digital transformation more than ever before." They need to invest not only in the infrastructure and security for their business applications to work effectively, but also in the applications themselves to remain competitive.

Sage added, "Cisco is focused not only on developing cutting edge solutions to ensure those applications are secure, resilient, and accessible from anywhere, but also on enabling our partners to help deliver outcomes for our SMB customers, unlocking a new era of growth."

The Catalyst 1200 and 1300 Series switches are key network building blocks that facilitate communication between connected devices including computers, servers, and printers on the same network within a building or campus.

Their management is simplified by the Cisco Business Dashboard, a centralised tool that automates deployment, monitors activity and oversees the lifecycle of network devices. Cisco has also pared down the process with the Cisco Business mobile app, which enables setup and management of the Catalyst 1200 and 1300 Series.

Alongside this, Cisco is offering the Meraki MX, a comprehensive security and SD-WAN solution designed to address the rising cybersecurity needs of SMBs. It provides everything from an application-based firewall to threat protection, VPN, failover, web application and VoIP health, and more.

The Meraki MX can be installed with no touch and can be remotely managed, offering a crucial advantage in today's SaaS-driven, third-party service-oriented environment where network complexity and disruption risk are heightened.

Moreover, Cisco has launched the MSP Express for SMB, a catalogue of scalable Managed Services. It gives SMBs flexibility in consuming technology based on capital allocation priorities. The MSP Express incorporates foundational Cisco products for the SMB segment, including Meraki, DUO, Umbrella, and Webex.

Commenting on their commitment to the SMB sector, Michiko Kamata, Managing Director SMB and Distributions Sales at Cisco APJC, said, "The SMB segment is a significant area of investment and focus for Cisco, especially in Asia-Pacific."

"This includes working with our partner community and enabling them to better serve SMB customers with a new bespoke Cisco Partner Journey for SMB partners." This plan combines content, resources, and tools from across Cisco to equip partners to deliver optimal outcomes for SMB customers in the region.