This is apparently the problem.
- INSBU develops technology (Cisco ACI), makes it closed source and hardware based.
- They inform customers that they need 400GB switches in datacenters to run the software and ROI is less than 5years.
- Customers now realize that the rate of growth within the tech-space at the speed of light. In 5years, they will be massively behind in technology. For example, N9K-C9336PQ was developed in 2014 and was top of the line at the time of release. Today, that switch cant support the new feature of ACI and now costs 800 dollars on ebay. ROI is dead. Value is lost
- Customer says hell no and choose cloud services that provides end to end (software, infrastructure and automation)
- Cisco is still stuck with hardware and hopes to convince customers that hardware is king.
- Maria comes in and says, we need to move to software. 3 years later, no hope to move from hardware. Bugs, lack of modern features, expensive as hell.
This is why sales have decreased. Customers are now smarter + cloud is a lot more secured. Its downward spiral from here for Cisco.