Cisco has this week announced that it will be closing down production of its Cisco Cius tablet, which was designed for enterprise clients. The Cisco Cius Android-based tablet was priced at around $750 and was announced on June 29th at Cisco Live 2010.
End of the Road for Cisco Cius
It was announced by Cisco in a blog post that Cisco will no longer be investing time and resources into the development of their Android Cisco Cius tablet form factor, and no further enhancements will be made to the current Cius tablet from today onwards. Cisco explains:
“Moving forward, we intend to double down on software offerings, like Jabber and WebEx, that provide the anytime, anywhere, and any device experiences. We will leverage key learnings and key collaboration experiences native to Cius in our other collaboration products.”
The decision to discontinue the Cisco Cius Android tablet reflects the challenges faced by many companies in the highly competitive tablet market. The Cius tablet was initially designed to cater to enterprise clients, offering features such as integrated video conferencing, secure access to business applications, and seamless connectivity with Cisco’s collaboration tools. Despite these advantages, the tablet struggled to gain traction in a market dominated by consumer-focused devices.
Challenges in the Tablet Market
The Cisco Cius Android tablet joins the ever-growing list of failed tablets, due to cheaper Android tablets entering the market and the dominance of Apple’s iPad tablet. The iPad, with its sleek design, robust app ecosystem, and strong brand recognition, quickly became the go-to choice for both consumers and businesses. This left little room for competitors like the Cius to establish a foothold.
Moreover, the rapid evolution of mobile technology meant that devices needed to be frequently updated to stay relevant. Cisco’s decision to focus on software rather than hardware is a strategic move to stay competitive in the fast-paced tech industry. By concentrating on software solutions like Jabber and WebEx, Cisco aims to provide versatile, cross-platform tools that can be used on any device, rather than being tied to a specific hardware product.
Another factor contributing to the Cius tablet’s demise was its price point. At $750, the Cius was significantly more expensive than many other Android tablets on the market. This high cost made it less attractive to businesses looking for cost-effective solutions. In contrast, other Android tablets offered similar functionality at a fraction of the price, making them more appealing to budget-conscious enterprises.
Lessons Learned and Future Directions
Cisco’s experience with the Cius tablet highlights the importance of adaptability in the tech industry. The company has recognized the need to pivot away from hardware and focus on software solutions that can deliver value across a wide range of devices. This shift is evident in their commitment to enhancing products like Jabber and WebEx, which are designed to facilitate communication and collaboration in an increasingly mobile and remote workforce.
By leveraging the insights gained from the Cius project, Cisco can improve its software offerings and better meet the needs of its enterprise clients. The move away from hardware production also allows Cisco to allocate more resources to developing innovative software solutions that can keep pace with the rapidly changing technology landscape.
In conclusion, while the discontinuation of the Cisco Cius tablet marks the end of an era, it also represents a new beginning for Cisco’s software strategy. By focusing on versatile, cross-platform tools, Cisco aims to remain a key player in the enterprise collaboration space, providing solutions that enable seamless communication and productivity across any device.
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