Purchasing Equipment that does not requires Smartnet
Purchase SFPs and other interface modules. These serial numbers are not tracked. This process could save millions a year.
Purchase complete refurbed systems with new Licenses.
Determining if Smartnet is really needed
If equipment is in physical reach of trained IT personnel, refurbed Hot spares are better than a 4 hour response time and Smartnet is not needed.
If the equipment is on Smartnet only for an IOS upgrade option at some point, then cancel it. Compare the cost of an IOS upgrade vs. the annual cost of Smartnet – It’s only a fraction of the cost and is paid only when needed
Smartnet can be cancelled at anytime and a credit must be issued for the time remaining on the contract. Individual line items on master contracts can also be cancelled.
Saving $$$ immediately
A procedure that should be in place is to cancel Smartnet on all retired equipment for credit.
If Smartnet is not a requirement, take an extra step in the design process to see if older models could be used instead of newer. The older the model #, the more available and cheaper the product is.
When adding equipment to a master contract, be sure to prorate the time to the anniversary date.
The more Smartnet is not used, the more money is saved by purchasing refurbed equipment and even more money is saved on annual contract cost.
JDC Lifetime Warranty on Cisco, Foundry and Juniper - Click on warranty tab for more details.The warranty provides free phone support and overnight replacement. This is equivalent to low level Smartnet which Cisco charges a yearly fee. Refurbed equipment has a better DOA rate then new. The equipment is already burned in. New equipment has all new components and the weak drop out in the first 3 months. After burn in, the MTBF rates are 15 -20 years, much longer then the equipment will be in service.