As many business head into the new financial year, forward-thinking Cisco customers are already sharpening their focus on IT spend planning. With evolving technology demands, potential end-of-life (EoL) hardware, and tight budgets, organisations must make data-driven decisions that optimises performance without overspending.
As an experienced Cisco partner, we can actively support customers through this process, helping companies strategically manage their Cisco infrastructure lifecycle, plan for upcoming support renewals, and fund investments more flexibly using Cisco Capital finance.
Stay ahead of End-of-Life Cisco Hardware
One of the biggest blind spots in IT budget planning is aging infrastructure.
Cisco hardware and software will periodically reach End-of-Life (EoL) or End-of-Support (EoS), leaving businesses vulnerable to potential security risks, compliance issues, and unexpected downtime. We offer detailed and non-intrusive lifecycle assessments that help you identify:
- Which Cisco products in your estate are approaching or have already reached EoL/EoS
- The operational and security risks associated with those assets
- Recommended upgrade paths for hardware and software, with associated timelines
This proactive approach ensures that you are never caught off guard. By knowing exactly when products are phasing out, you can build replacements into your budget and avoid the need for emergency spending.
Manage Cisco SmartNet Renewals with Confidence
Cisco’s SmartNet support contracts are essential for ensuring rapid hardware replacement, software updates, and 24/7 TAC support. However, tracking multiple contract renewals on all your devices across different locations, especially when they may have different expiry dates, can be a daunting task.
We simplify SmartNet contract management by:
- Conducting a full audit of your existing contracts
- Identifying upcoming renewal dates for the next year
- Highlighting expired contracts
- Consolidating contracts to reduce administrative overhead and cost
With our expert support, you’ll gain full visibility into your SmartNet estate, allowing for more accurate budget forecasting and ensuring no critical device is left unsupported.
Smarter and Simplified Cisco Software Management through Enterprise Agreements
Cisco Enterprise Agreements (EAs) provide customers with a single, flexible contract to access and manage Cisco software and subscriptions across multiple technology portfolios – such as Networking, Security, Collaboration, and Data Centre. Instead of managing separate licences, Cisco Enterprise Agreements through us allow you to streamline operations and maximise value through:
- Simplified purchasing – one agreement covering multiple Cisco solutions
- Predictable budgeting – fixed pricing and consolidated renewals
- Built-in growth allowances – deploy additional licences without immediate extra cost
- Continuous innovation – automatic access to the latest software and features
- Centralised visibility and management – track usage, compliance, and adoption in one portal
- Strategic alignment – align Cisco technology investments with business and digital-transformation goals
Turn CapEx into OpEx with Cisco Capital Finance
Large-scale IT refreshes and SmartNet renewals often come with significant capital expenditures, but in today’s economy, many businesses are looking for ways to preserve cash flow and align costs with usage. That’s where Cisco Capital comes in. We enable clients to take advantage of flexible Cisco Capital financing options, allowing you to:
- Spread payments over time (up to five years) to better match budget cycles
- Move from upfront CapEx to predictable monthly OpEx models
- Bundle hardware, software, and services into a single finance agreement
- Preserve capital for strategic initiatives while staying current with technology
This approach not only eases the budgeting process, it also accelerates your ability to innovate without compromising financial stability. By converting large, upfront investments into manageable operating expenses, you can improve your agility and ability to scale and adapt as your business needs evolve.
Plan around the Ongoing Memory Chip Shortage
Another critical factor shaping Cisco investment planning in 2026 and beyond is the global memory chip shortage. Driven largely by the explosive growth in AI infrastructure, chip manufacturers are prioritising high-bandwidth memory production, reducing the availability of traditional DRAM used in enterprise networking equipment such as switches, routers, and firewalls. This is already leading to increased hardware costs, extended lead times, and even changes to vendor pricing and contract terms. For organisations planning Cisco refresh cycles, this makes early engagement and forward procurement essential. By identifying requirements well in advance, and considering phased deployments or alternative models, businesses can help mitigate supply chain risks and avoid budget overruns caused by market volatility.
Plan Smarter with a Trusted Partner
Whether you’re overseeing a large-scale Cisco network refresh, juggling dozens of SmartNet contracts, or simply trying to make the most of your IT budget, we provide the tools, expertise, and vendor relationships to streamline the process.
Our end to end support, from asset lifecycle analysis to financial planning, ensures you can make smart, strategic decisions that maximise ROI and minimise risk.
Get in touch today to start building your 2026/2027 spend plan with confidence.
Written by Paul Hitchings
Senior Account Manager
Paul partners with global organisations to plan and deliver IT projects with confidence. He works closely with leading IT vendors to design tailored solutions spanning hardware, licensing, and professional services. Paul is committed to making IT simple, efficient, and strongly value-driven for his clients.
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