Cisco started out focusing on selling routing and switching hardware to customers. Soon afterward, Cisco began selling Cisco Technical Support Services (which you have learned about in this course) to support the operation of their hardware.

These services were responsive in nature and protected a customer’s network investment beyond coverage provided by the hardware warranty. Cisco Technical Support Services address issues that arise during the operation of the hardware.

As networks have grown in both size and complexity, Cisco and its partners have moved from selling individual hardware devices to selling solutions. (A solution is a networked set of hardware and software products, applications, and support services that meet a set of customer requirements.) A solution may feature an advanced technology, such as IP Communications or security.

Where point approaches to service and support were once enough, network solutions require a coordinated sequence of activities for success in deploying and operating technologies and optimizing their performance. Companies prepare and plan effectively to set the stage for sound design. They progress smoothly into network operations, and continually adapt to changing business requirements through optimization.