Cisco whinges about Microsoft-HP alliance

NETWORKING POWERHOUSE Cisco has complained that a $180 million unified communications deal between Microsoft and HP leaves their reseller partners out of the loop.

According to CRN, Don Proctor, senior vice president of Cisco's software group, said that the HP-Microsoft alliance appears to be mostly a direct play and told channel partners that it is "cutting you out of the equation."

He added that the Vole and the maker of expensive printer ink still need the channel because they would not be supporting the products well enough themselves. µ