Vantaggi
The products are without exception really good, and do solve business problems for customers. Sales cycles have reduced, and offer better opportunity for sales associates to make quota.
Svantaggi
Management, particularly top management, are quick to blame foot soldiers for problems at the company - even for issues that lower levels cannot begin to influence. Management also regularly receives bonuses, while the rank and file haven't received regular bonuses for nearly 4 years now. Continual cuts to staff (particularly to remove those who have been long-term employees) have taken many functions down to bare bones - or less - making everyone's jobs more difficult. New geographies have stretched resources further. If you are not well aligned with someone who is EC+1 you will have a harder time, no matter what your role is. Very limited opportunities for advancement, although the number of more senior staff leaving lately is opening up roles - they tend to fill from the outside. A Cisco pedigree seems almost essential for success.