Abstract
This paper compares purchasing bonds from Cisco or GM and concludes that Cisco would have a lower discount rate than GM due to its lower risk. No financial calculations are involved; the paper is only a qualitative analysis.

From the Paper
"Investors have two primary options open to them when investing in a company debt and equity. Equity stocks provide one set of advantages and disadvantages while debt including bonds provide another. This research considers the issues surrounding bonds issued by General Motors (GM) and Cisco Systems and determines which of these bonds is of greater value to investors at this time.
"General Motors, once the very symbol of American business at its largest and most influential, has fallen from that pinnacle. Today..."

Tags:discount rate, GM, General Motors, bonds, Cisco Systems

Abstract
The paper presents case studies on recent problems at each of these organizations: Ford Motors, Cisco Systems and Apollo Hospital. The author clarifies the situation. The paper includes an executive summary, analysis and recommendations.

From the Paper
"Cisco Systems implemented an Oracle ERP system when it made the decision that its existing legacy software program was not reliable enough to handle existing operations and not sophisticated enough to allow Cisco to continue to expand and when management determined that every effort to fix the existing system was in effect putting one bandage on top of another. Ultimately the cost of the project exceeded ... million. The scope of the product expanded dramatically. The implementation team grew to more than ... people."

Tags:Case, studies, Cisco, Ford, Apollo, Hospital

Abstract
This paper reviews and discusses the history and background of Cisco Systems. According to the paper, Cisco Systems is the world leader in the development, design, manufacturing and selling of home, small business and enterprise networking, telecommunications and online security. The paper reports that Cisco is considered to be one of the most ethically astute and well-run companies in the United States today, receiving many awards for their work on social responsibility initiatives and corporate citizenship.

Outline:
Executive Summary
Financial Reports and Analysis
Internship Opportunities
Social Responsibility and Corporate Citizenship
Cisco Charitable Giving Programs

From the Paper
"In terms of hiring interns from local colleges and universities, Cisco is one of the few companies to actually post open positions in their open jobs database accessible by anyone on the Internet. Cisco Internship Positions (2006) shows twenty six positions open today, all of them paying jobs, where the interns receive a stipend, and if their performance on the job is strong enough, the chance to come back after they finish their degrees and work for Cisco full-time. Numerous senior managers and directors in the company have completed their internships and come back to work for years at Cisco, progressing through the ranks of the company. It is commonplace to find at least two or three Vice Presidents at Cisco who have had this career progression as well. The company seeks interns in San Jose, California, the Research Triangle area of North Carolina, and at smaller engineering locations throughout the world."

Tags:charitable, giving, global, corporate, citizenship, disadvantaged, assistance, support

Abstract
As the leading provider of networking products for the Internet, Cisco Systems uses e-commerce via the internet. Therefore, according to the paper, Cisco Systems adamantly opposes any government regulation, such as taxing internet traffic, that would impinge on the efficiency and growth of e-commerce. This paper looks at the ways in which Cisco Systems is affected by government regulation.

From the Paper
"Other laws and proposed laws also have caused concern for both Cisco Systems and the industry. Both the Congress and several states are considering laws to protect individual privacy on the Internet. Both Cisco and the industry oppose such a law, holding that the industry can be more effective through self-regulation. Another law that has been proposed frequently by some members of Congress and by some states would apply taxation to Internet activity. Both Cisco and the industry argue that taxation would cripple e-commerce just as it is beginning to grow. Thus far, the lawmakers have backed down on taxation proposals for the Internet."

Tags:e-commerce, internet, growth, industry, products

Abstract
Today, rapid technical developments such as voice over Internet protocol, as opposed to voice delivered via traditional telephony, wireless, and the availability of broad band are prompting, in most cases, incremental improvements in everything from telephone systems to application control and management. One major pioneer in this industry has been Cisco Systems, Inc., which continues to dominate the marketplace with many of its innovative IP telephony products and services. This paper provides an overview and analysis of Cisco System, Inc.'s approach toward IP telephony, followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.

From the Paper
"For example, since 1997, the number of ISP (facilities-based and resellers) in the United States has increased by nearly 40 per cent, points of presence per ISP five fold, Internet hosts quadrupled and Internet traffic six to 10 times; furthermore, there were an estimated 7463 ISP in the spring of 2000, 20 percent of which operated on a national basis. Likewise, suppliers of Internet connectivity (IBP) have expanded their physical presence across the board (Coble-Neal & Madden, 2002). In this setting, companies are seeking innovative ways to make use of the communications infrastructure that is already in place, as well as identifying improved methods for existing applications."

Tags:ipl, pbx, tcp, voice, voip

Abstract
This paper discusses how Cisco has shifted its strategy and has cultivated its internal strengths that it leveraged in order to reclaim its market dominance. The paper outlines four core components that are the pillar of Cisco's strength - organization, finance, marketing and operations. Each component is examined in the paper.

From the Paper
"Cisco Systems, the self-proclaimed "worldwide leader in networking for the Internet," has dominated similar firms in its industry. As Wall-Streets' beloved stock and an essential stock in any investor's portfolio, with over 35,566 employees worldwide and boasting revenues totaling 22.2 billion in the previous fiscal year the company aims to ensure that networks both public and private operate with maximum performance, security, and flexibility. As a result the competition is left scrambling to keep up. Like many other market leaders, Cisco Systems too, has become a victim of the current economic state that once propelled the company into the limelight. "

Tags:economy, business, internet, technology, networking, stock, revenue, john, chambers

Abstract
This paper provides a thorough SWOT analysis of Cisco Systems Inc, focusing on the essential element of human resources. It looks at the company's strengths in the market today and why it is so successful. It also looks at its weaknesses, which are known to management and which can be improved through business strategy. The current market is analyzed by looking at Cisco's opportunities and threats from competitors; also discussed is the quality of the marketing system.

From the Paper
"As technology changes business on a day-to-day basis, one thing continues to remain the same; the human component of any business is critical. Although processes and tasks can often be automated, saving valuable man-hours in the process, this automation means that each human employee who is left is just that much more important. For this reason, Human Resources and the functions they provide are critical to a company's success. Without a strong, innovative Human Resources team, with the processes and procedures in place to allow them to work effectively, the best employees cannot be consistently hired or retained. A company can have the best product or service in the world, but if their staff is lacking, sooner or later their company will suffer. In the end, Human Resources has a dramatic effect on a company's bottom line."

Tags:human, resources, employee

Abstract
This paper takes a look at issues related to getting a Cisco certification training program started in schools. It offers information on the system, its advantages and its disadvantages, the cost benefits, and the educational outcome that can be expected by implementing this unique program. It also offers a short discussion of the results that can be expected if this program is not included at the school.

From the Paper
"The Cisco educational and certification process is well known in the Informational Technology (IT) sector. The educational portion of the process has the reputation of being very tough to master and gain certification. One article espoused the fact that while there is no universal agreement on which certifications were most desirable, that "based on responses from 336 of the 470 contractors...the top two certifications were Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert" (Alexander, 1999, pg 72). Since that time the two companies have continued to evolve and improve their certification processes and are still considered two of the toughest certifications to obtain. At that time "83% of the contractors believed certifications either were 'very important' or 'somewhat important' to their prospects for career advancement" (Alexander, pg. 72)."

Tags:education, technology, computers, curriculum

Abstract
This paper discusses the company, Cisco Systems, and its unique capabilities in the technology arena. It talks about the company's history and its competitive advantage in its industries.

From the Paper
"The search for talented high-tech workers has grown fierce as the numbers of eligible workers that meet this need are few. One company, Cisco Systems, has perfected a way to not only attract these employees, but also to retain them as well. The company went public back in 1994 primarily as a manufacturer of routers for the Internet and communications market. It has blossomed into a communications giant that is involved in some aspect with almost every technology field."

Tags:analysis, consulting, firewalls, networking, networks, routers, security, strategy, technology

From the Paper
"Cisco Systems was founded by Leonard Bosack and Sandra Lerner, who were a young husband and wife at Stanford University in 1984. Bosack developed technology to link the network in the computer lab to his wife's network in the business department. Believing the idea was a good one, they took a mortgage on their house, bought a used mainframe, and got friends and relatives to work for deferred pay, selling their first router in 1986.

Turning to Donald Valentine, a venture capitalist at Sequoia Capital who bought a controlling stake, the Cisco team expanded its marketing thrust to include corporations and in 1987, saw sales of $1.5 million that grew to $28 million in 1989."