Modern IT teams face a constant challenge. Networks must remain secure, resilient and able to support the growing demands of hybrid work, cloud adoption and AI workloads. Yet budgets are tightening, lead times can be unpredictable and sustainability targets are now a core part of IT strategy. Cisco Refresh offers a practical alternative that helps teams deliver modern network performance with reduced risk, faster availability and a lower environmental footprint. It combines the assurance of Cisco quality with the financial and sustainability benefits of certified remanufactured hardware.
This guide explains what Cisco Refresh is, why it matters and how it can support your organisation’s long term technology strategy.
What Is Cisco Refresh?
Cisco Refresh is Cisco’s official programme for certified remanufactured equipment. Hardware is returned to Cisco, rebuilt to like new condition using ISO 9001 and 14001 processes, tested to Cisco standards and supplied with the same warranty and support options as new equipment.
It includes current products, end of sale devices and hard to source models that often have long global lead times. For organisations needing rapid delivery or cost efficient expansion, Cisco Refresh provides a reliable and fully supported option
Why Cisco Refresh Matters for IT Directors and Procurement Teams
A certified refresh model is no longer a niche option. It is part of a wider shift toward sustainable procurement, lifecycle optimisation and cost efficient modernisation.
Key advantages include:
- Lower total cost of ownership through significant discounts on new list price
- Shorter lead times for urgent or time sensitive projects
- Access to current and end of life products that may be unavailable through standard channels
- Full Cisco warranty and support, including SMARTnet eligibility
- Direct contribution to sustainability goals through reduced manufacturing emissions and extended asset lifecycles
For teams under pressure to deliver more with less, Cisco Refresh provides an effective route to modernise infrastructure without compromising quality or performance.
The Importance of Refresh and Lifecycle Modernisation
The Value
Modern IT teams are under pressure to deliver more resilience, stronger security and better sustainability outcomes while staying within tight budgets. With ageing networks, long lead times and growing lifecycle demands, many organisations are rethinking how they procure and refresh their infrastructure.
Cisco Refresh provides a practical way to meet these challenges by combining certified quality with lower cost and reduced environmental impact.
Here are the core benefits that make it a strong choice for IT directors and procurement teams planning smarter, more efficient network modernisation.
Cisco Refresh typically delivers savings of 25 to 70% compared to new hardware, enabling IT teams to stretch budgets further and fund innovation projects that might otherwise be delayed.
For organisations navigating annual budget cycles, this can significantly reduce capital expenditure while maintaining enterprise grade performance.
Remanufactured hardware directly reduces waste, cuts carbon emissions and supports circular economy commitments. Cisco’s certified process ensures equipment is restored to full operational integrity while contributing to environmental goals.
For organisations reporting on ESG metrics, this initiatives provides measurable environmental gains.
All refmanufactured products include the same support options as new hardware, including SMARTnet, security updates and licensing.
This ensures no compromise in resilience, reliability or compliance.
How Cisco Refresh Fits Into Modern IT Strategy
Refresh strategies sit at the centre of several critical priorities:
- Managing technical debt and ageing infrastructure
- Securing the network against modern cyber threats
- Meeting sustainability and circular economy objectives
- Reducing CapEx while maintaining performance
- Avoiding delays caused by supply chain disruption
- Supporting hybrid work and cloud transformation
Cisco Refresh aligns with these priorities by giving organisations a trusted, fast and value driven route to upgrade infrastructure with certified quality.
How Cisilion Can Support You
Cisilion works closely with Cisco as a strategic partner to help clients modernise their networks in a smarter and more sustainable way.
Our value in the Cisco Refresh space includes:
- Advising on where Refresh can reduce cost without impacting performance
- Identifying long lead time products where Refresh offers immediate availability
- Supporting sustainability goals through remanufactured hardware adoption
- Providing fully supported, lifecycle driven refresh planning across your Cisco estate
- Integrating Refresh hardware with new Cisco technologies and existing deployments
This approach helps our clients balance performance, reliability and environmental responsibility while maximising their technology investment.
Sustainable Modernisation
Cisilion’s sustainability strategy supports clients in reducing carbon impact and improving financial efficiency across the network lifecycle. Cisco Refresh plays a key role here by:
- Extending asset life to reduce the need for new manufacturing
- Lowering hardware costs for budget conscious projects
- Enabling greener procurement choices backed by Cisco certification
- Supporting long term lifecycle strategies aligned to business goals
For organisations building sustainable technology roadmaps, Refresh complements both modernisation and cost optimisation initiatives.
Cisco Refresh offers a dependable and forward looking way for teams to modernise their network, reduce cost and meet sustainability goals without sacrificing performance or support.
As refresh cycles lengthen, cyber risks increase and budgets tighten, certified remanufactured hardware provides a powerful alternative.
Cisilion can help you assess where Cisco Refresh fits within your network strategy and how it can accelerate your modernisation roadmap.
Modernise your network more sustainably and cost effectively
Take the next step with confidence.
Our Cisco specialists can help you assess where Cisco Refresh fits into your roadmap and guide you through practical options that support long term resilience and performance.