Cisco

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An Analysis of Cisco Systems by Steven Levchenko

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Objective

I. Network Communications Industry Summary

a. Industry Profile

b. Typical Industry Competitive Strategy

c. Porter Model Evaluation

d. Globalization of the Industry

e. Importance of I/T to the Industry

II. The Cisco Company

a. Cisco Systems Company Profile

b. Business Leaders

c. Competitive Strategy Statement

d. Market and Financial Performance

e. Significance of Information Systems

f. Strengths and Weaknesses of Cisco

III. Structured Analysis of Information Systems Use at Cisco Systems

a. Strategic Option Generator

b. Roles, Roles and Relationships

c. Redefine/Define

d. Significance of Telecommunications

e. Success Factor Profile

IV Final Analysis

a. Success of Business Strategy and I/T Use to Date

b. Have the Above factors positioned them for the Future?

Bibliography

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper is to provide: an analysis of Cisco Systems using various elements developed by Michael Porter as well as concepts from Jack Callon’s book: “Competitive Advantage Through Information Technology.” The structure of the paper is as follows: Section I focuses on the Network Communications industry (hereby referred to as NetCom industry.) It will define the industry, its environment and its actors, and how the actors compete with each other. Section II’s focus is entirely on Cisco, its history, key people, competitive strategy statement, market and financial performance, the significance of its information systems and finally its strengths and weaknesses.

Section III is the most important part of the paper, for it focuses on Cisco’s strategy, and most importantly, the factors which led to its success. Key information systems are identified and their position in the company analyzed. Following it is Section IV, which provides this author’s...