Network Integrity begins with the purchase
Of all Cisco hardware purchased from non authorised channels: 10% Counterfeit 10% Grey 80% used / old equipment
Accept No Substitute
Getting the real deal: What can you do?
Ask whether the equipment is new, genuine Cisco product - not second-hand or non-genuine.
Ask for a guarantee of genuine Cisco components to avoid potential third party or non-genuine substitutions.
Be suspicious of prices that seem too good to be true - they probably are.
Check that the equipment provided comes with a valid software license.
Check that the equipment provided has a full Cisco warranty enclosed.
Ask whether the equipment entitles you to Cisco Service Support.
Look for signs like packaging that looks sub-standard, not original or which appears to have been used before or tampered with.
Beware of an insistence on ordering now to beat the price increase, grabbing a special offer about to expire or reserving the last few remaining in stock .
Resist any telemarketing offers to send someone over to pick up payment or insistence on cash-on-delivery shipment, and Internet or e-mail offers that incorporate any of these indicators.
Report suspicious activity to your nearest Cisco Systems office or email brandprotection@cisco.com.
Include wording such as the following in your RFP for Cisco networking equipment: "Unless otherwise specified, Vendor warrants that the Cisco products are new and in their original packaging. No substitutions are to be supplied without the Buyer's prior written consent. Vendor certifies that the products are genuine Cisco products, are entitled to a full Cisco warranty, and that any related software is licensed originally to the Buyer as the original licensee authorized to use the Cisco software."
Source equipment directly from authorized Cisco Channels.
Contact a Cisco Partner: www.cisco.com/go/partnerlocator
