Cisco - Innovation as the Engine of Growth
|
Case Code: BSTR462 Case Length: 17 Pages Period: 1984-2014 Pub Date: 2015 Teaching Note: Not Available |
Price: Rs.500 Organization: Cisco Systems, Inc. Industry: Networking, IT Countries: Global Themes: Technology and Innovation Management |
Abstract Case Intro 1 Case Intro 2 Excerpts
Introduction
In March 2014, one of the world's leading technology companies, Cisco Systems, Inc. (Cisco), introduced two new switches in the Nexus 9000 portfolio for its data center and cloud solution, Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI). ACI, an innovative architecture containing software and hardware for data centers, was aimed at tackling networking problems. The company asserted that ACI was the first solution that offered full network automation, visibility, security at scale, and integrated management of both physical and virtual networked IT resources.
Cisco, incorporated in 1984, had the reputation of being one of the most innovative companies in the world. It was credited with introducing the first multiprotocol router which played a major role in fuelling the growth of the Internet. Over the years, the company introduced several breakthrough products that enabled it to be at the forefront of networking technologies. From the mid-1990s, it also successfully cashed in on market transitions by developing the appropriate technologies.
Cisco's model of innovation consisted of four pillars – 'Build, Buy, Partner, and Integrate'. The company's innovative culture and its heavy R&D spend ensured that its engineers developed several new products, which led to constant revenue growth in the company. From the mid-1990s, Cisco also adopted a strategy of acquiring innovative companies that were developing disruptive technologies. The strategy enabled it to improve its market prospects, apart from boosting its innovation efforts.
The company invested in startups and provided them with various kinds of support. It worked with venture capital firms and innovation hubs to recognize and encourage upcoming startups. Cisco believed that these startups, which it called 'partners', provided it with an unparalleled insight into evolving technologies and enabled it to make inroads into new markets. Cisco was careful to integrate all the new startups or companies that it acquired. It adopted certain rules for integration, which ensured that its business and innovative processes were not hampered...
Buy this case study (Please select any one of the payment options)
| Price: Rs.500 |
Price: Rs.500 | PayPal (11 USD) |
