"We're seeing tremendous interest in these software offerings. Customers see the value in how these offerings enable employees to work on their terms in the Post-PC era, while still having access to collaboration experiences," Winge said.

Joe Ussia, director of sales for Cisco partner Infinite IT Solutions Inc., of Mississauga, Ont., said this was a smart and logical move on Cisco.

"Cisco had to concede on the Cius and to go back to their roots and support industry standards as they usually do. As most other vendors who have strived to dislodge the goliath have failed (or are just about to), it makes sense to focus on what they are good at: the core that makes everything tick. Cisco is great at so many things, and it is imperative that they focus on technologies that actually matter. End points come and go, but the core is what keeps us connected," Ussia said.