The Cisco Small and Medium Business Sales (700-250) exam is designed for professionals aiming to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in selling Cisco solutions to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). This exam evaluates your ability to understand and position Cisco products and solutions effectively within SMB environments. The exam encompasses various topics, each with a specific percentage allocation, guiding your study focus. One significant topic is Enhancing Application Performance, which accounts for 10% of the exam. This article will provide a detailed overview of this topic and offer practice questions with explanations to help you prepare thoroughly.

Enhancing Application Performance (10%)

1.1 Understand Cisco’s Role in Ensuring Application Security, Accessibility, and Resiliency

Cisco plays a pivotal role in enhancing application performance by ensuring that applications are secure, accessible, and resilient. Cisco’s solutions include advanced security measures to protect applications from threats, ensure high availability and accessibility through robust networking infrastructure, and maintain resiliency to minimize downtime and performance degradation. Key components include:

• Cisco Secure Network Analytics: Offers real-time monitoring and threat detection to secure application data.
• Cisco DNA Center: Provides centralized network management to ensure network health and application accessibility.
• Cisco Umbrella: Delivers cloud security to protect applications from internet threats.

1.2 Identify Key Applications Relied Upon by SMBs

Small and medium-sized businesses rely on a variety of applications for their daily operations. Identifying these key applications helps in positioning Cisco solutions effectively. Common applications include:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems: Tools like Salesforce or Zoho CRM that manage customer interactions.
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems: Software like SAP Business One or Oracle NetSuite that integrate core business processes.
• Unified Communications: Platforms like Cisco Webex for seamless communication and collaboration.
• Cloud Storage and Services: Solutions like Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud for scalable storage and computing power.

1.3 Determine Positioning Strategies for Cisco Offerings Within SMB Accounts

Positioning Cisco solutions within SMB accounts involves understanding the specific needs and challenges faced by SMBs and aligning Cisco products to meet these requirements. Effective strategies include:

• Highlighting Cost Efficiency: Emphasizing how Cisco solutions provide cost-effective networking and security options.
• Demonstrating Scalability: Showcasing Cisco’s ability to scale with the business as it grows.
• Proving Reliability and Support: Stressing Cisco’s robust support services and the reliability of its products.
• Leveraging Case Studies: Using real-world examples of other SMBs that have successfully implemented Cisco solutions.

1.4 Recognize Case Studies and Success Stories that Showcase Application Performance

Case studies and success stories are powerful tools in demonstrating the effectiveness of Cisco solutions in real-world scenarios. These examples highlight how Cisco products have enhanced application performance for various SMBs by:

• Improving Network Uptime: Ensuring continuous availability of critical business applications.
• Enhancing Security Posture: Protecting sensitive data and applications from cyber threats.
• Boosting Productivity: Facilitating better collaboration and communication through reliable network infrastructure.

700-250 SMBS Knowledge Point 3 Practice Questions With Explanations

Question 1: What does the hybrid SMB experience deliver to the customer?

A. Cloud security
B. Secure connectivity and dynamic collaboration
C. Less distributed applications
D. Zero trust identity-based access

Answer: B

Explanation: The hybrid SMB experience primarily delivers secure connectivity and dynamic collaboration, which are crucial for SMBs to maintain efficient operations across various locations and platforms. This approach ensures that employees can securely access applications and collaborate effectively regardless of their physical location.

Question 2: Which solution is recommended for SMBs seeking to optimize and automate?

A. AI-powered applications
B. Business intelligence
C. Generative AI
D. Platform-as-a-service

Answer: D

Explanation: Platform-as-a-service (PaaS) is recommended for SMBs seeking to optimize and automate their operations. PaaS provides a comprehensive platform that includes hardware, software, and infrastructure, enabling SMBs to develop, run, and manage applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the underlying infrastructure.

Question 3: Which Cisco solution provides end-to-end visibility from every user to any application?

A. Cisco Control Hub
B. ThousandEyes
C. Meraki Dashboard
D. Cisco Overwatch

Answer: B

Explanation: ThousandEyes provides end-to-end visibility from every user to any application, making it an essential tool for monitoring and optimizing application performance. It offers insights into network performance and identifies issues affecting user experience.

Question 4: Which visibility product empowers IT by providing insight into application performance?

A. Webex Control Hub
B. ThousandEyes
C. Duo
D. Umbrella

Answer: B

Explanation: ThousandEyes empowers IT teams by providing detailed insights into application performance, network health, and user experience. It enables proactive management of network and application issues, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.

By understanding these core concepts and practicing with relevant questions, you will be better prepared to tackle the Enhancing Application Performance section of the Cisco Small and Medium Business Sales (700-250) exam. Good luck with your studies!