Cisco Continues Its Winning Streak in Network Switches

Cisco once again retains the top spot across both survey segments. What is even more interesting is that the distance between it and the runner up, i.e. D-Link, remains more or less the same as last year across both segments. This year saw the entry of two more brands into the club, Juniper and Netgear, signaling increasing competition, compared to 3 brands last year.

Once again, in the 100-499 employees segment, though the highest percentage of respondents currently owned D-Link network switches, it was Cisco that enjoyed the highest top of mind recall. Netgear network switch users were the most satisfied with the brand, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 in the 100-499 employees segment. In the 500-999 employees segment,the tables are turned with Netgear network switch users being the least satisfied, with an average rating of 4.1/5. Here, it is Cisco which has the highest average rating of 4.3 out of 5.

Coming to brand loyalty in the 100-499 employees segment, 98% of Cisco's current users are likely to stay with it in the future as well compared to 88% last year, with 2% being not sure or had no plans of shifting. D-Link had a tad lower brand loyalty at 95%, but this time, only 1% of the respondents said that they are considering to shift to Cisco. In the 500+ employees category, Cisco's brand loyalty is at 99%, with 1% of its current users being not sure or had no plans of shifting. Unlike last year, D-Link has slightly lower grasp over it's existing users here with 98% brand loyalty, but with 2% of its current users being not sure or had no plans of shifting.

The quality of the product is the topmost reason for choosing a network switch across all brands that made it to the club. In case of Cisco and Juniper, the second highest reason is brand value for current owners. For D-Link on the other hand, it's the value-for-money for existing owners as well as for future prospects.