Blog

A lot of people use Cisco to help their networks run well. Those same people have a lot of questions regarding Cisco, so we're here to help clear up the three most common.

In this world of “too good to be true” prices and “trust me” guarantees, as buyers, we must always beware of fraudulent products. Today, counterfeiting in the networking world is becoming more prevalent, more sophisticated… and a whole lot harder to spot. With years of expertise in vetting out real vs. fake, we’ve pinpointed key markers to look out for.

Although many things of the past have faded away, the continued use and staying power of the Cisco Catalyst 3560 has kept it current for over 15 years. Why would anyone still use it? Take a look at what it offers.

In today’s day and age, companies are constantly working to processes quicker, simpler and more transparent. So why are some businesses like Cisco still making confusing contracts and licenses?

Cybersecurity is a subject matter on everyone’s minds these days. Seems like every day we see news stories and articles warning us of the dangers inherent out there in the world. This article provides an overview of some principles it makes sense to be aware of.

Networking and server equipment are among those products affected by the U.S. tariffs on China, causing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to increase their prices. We’ve heard concerns from many of our customers about these price increases.

After attending the Gartner Catalyst conference, I was amazed to learn how much the Internet of Things (IoT) is continuing to grow and becoming a more prominent factor in our customer's business. It’s important for all of us to stay current on this trending technology.

Complete infrastructure life cycle management that includes secure IT asset disposition (ITAD) and third-party (TPM) can help you maximize value ate every stage of your technology investment.

 Product Engineer, Errol McCall explores the mind of famous villains throughout history to understand their take on network administration. He delves into common challenges in the workplace and how choosing the right technology vendor can steer you away from the dark side. Stick with the good guys and your organization can avoid network downtime, going over budget and more. 

At CXtec, we've been doing this maximizing value in IT investments thing a long time. 40 years, to be exact. We decided to start writing about it in this blog several years back and it's been a fun ride, to say the least. We decided to gather together our top 40 blog posts to celebrate our 40 years in business.

The right life cycle management approach when it comes to network hardware and data center cabling will help IT organizations do more while optimizing their budget

A VoIP phone system can save an organization a lot of money, but the up-front costs for new equipment can be prohibitive. Instead, consider used phones from a reputable provider.

Are you ready to upgrade your equipment? Is unused equipment collecting dust in a closet? How do you maximize ROI and get the most value for this gear? When trading in your used equipment, it is important to partner with a vendor you trust.

In order to achieve this, make sure you are asking the right questions. Check out these important factors to consider when choosing a vendor.

A couple allegations have surfaced surrounding the Aruba AP-310 series access points in comparison to other AP’s in the Aruba indoor 300 level Wave 2 lines.

What better time to discuss these accusations and take a deep dive into how the AP-310 compares to the 300/320/330.

Software-defined networking is great technology, but the cost of new products is prohibitive for some companies. If yours is one, take a look at the secondary market and pre-owned equipment.

In a previous blog post, 5 reasons to buy refurbished Cisco equipment, I talked about five facts to keep in mind as you consider how to proceed with your Cisco hardware solutions.

Well, my engineering group reminded me of something else to consider for any hardware solution, not just a Cisco solution.

Over the past year, Cisco has raised prices on a number of networking devices throughout its portfolio. These increases are forcing many organizations to take action – finding a way to stretch your budget has become a challenge. We at CXtec have some suggestions on how you can combat rising Cisco prices.

Back in 2014, CXtec started the “Defend Your Investment” program. The program originally rewarded customers with toy Army men, after purchasing a equal2new® product to signify the advantage organizations have by defending their investment with pre-owned hardware. The Army men have since greeted jeeps, tanks, helicopters, ships, motorcycles and wooden gliders. Pre-owned equipment is an integral piece of maximizing value in a technology investment. Businesses should be rethinking their approach to network hardware as they can save 40% to 90% on network hardware. Here are some things to consider.