Agentic AI for SMBs: Cisco’s Big-League Tools Made Accessible

Artificial intelligence isn’t just the latest corporate buzzword anymore. It’s gone mainstream—and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are starting to realize how powerful it can be. From smarter security to streamlined operations, AI has the potential to completely change the way smaller companies run. The catch? Until recently, these kinds of tools were designed with massive enterprises (and equally massive budgets) in mind.

That’s where Network Solutions Incorporated (NSI) comes in. Based in Granger, Indiana, NSI has been working with Cisco to bring advanced, enterprise-grade AI solutions down to a scale that makes sense for SMBs. In other words: the same power, minus the sticker shock.

Big AI, Small Business

Cisco’s Agentic AI isn’t just about futuristic buzz—it’s about practical automation that saves time and reduces headaches across networking, collaboration, and security. For smaller businesses, that means finally being able to access the kind of top-tier efficiency and protection that used to feel out of reach.

NSI specializes in making that transition smooth. They help cut down the complexity and cost so SMBs don’t have to hire huge IT teams or struggle with confusing rollouts. The result? A high-powered AI engine working in the background while lean teams stay focused on the business itself.

Battling Cyber Threats with ZTNA + AI

Let’s be real: cybercrime hits small businesses hard. Nearly half of all cyberattacks are aimed at SMBs because hackers know defenses are often weaker. Cisco’s Universal Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) flips that script.

Instead of assuming users and devices are trustworthy, Zero Trust checks everyone—every login, every connection, every app. Layer in Cisco’s Agentic AI, and you’ve got a system that doesn’t just block known threats, but actually spots suspicious behavior in real time and reacts automatically. For SMBs, this means enterprise-level defense without the need for a full-scale security operations center.

Smarter Deployment with Managed Services

Here’s the part that usually trips up SMBs: cost and complexity. Even if you see the value in AI-driven security, investing in the infrastructure and staff to manage it can feel impossible.

NSI solves that with managed services. Instead of building (and paying for) a big in-house team, businesses can rely on NSI to handle the heavy lifting—deployment, monitoring, updates, and scaling. Costs are predictable, tools are easier to manage, and SMBs can grow their AI solutions as they grow their business.

Breaking Down SMB Concerns

“It’s too complex.” NSI offers training, onboarding, and ongoing support to keep things simple.
“It’s too expensive.” Cisco’s scalable pricing plus NSI’s managed model keeps costs flexible.
“What if we grow?” The solutions are built to expand—no need to rip and replace when the business gets bigger.

Why It Matters

For years, there’s been a huge gap between basic IT tools and the kind of sophisticated solutions enterprises rely on. Cisco and NSI are closing that gap. Now, SMBs can tap into advanced automation and security that actually fits their workflows, budgets, and growth plans.

In today’s digital economy, staying small doesn’t mean settling for small protection. With Cisco’s Agentic AI—deployed and supported by NSI—SMBs get the same edge that larger competitors enjoy.

The Bottom Line

AI is no longer just for the Fortune 500. Thanks to NSI and Cisco, small and mid-sized businesses can now bring enterprise-grade security and efficiency into their day-to-day operations—without breaking the bank or drowning in complexity.

The message for SMB leaders is clear: the tools are ready, the path is affordable, and the benefits are real. With the right partner, scaling into the future just got a whole lot smarter.

If you'd like to read more about Cisco's Agentic AI click this link: Cisco’s Agentic AI: Revolutionizing Networking and Security for the AI Era

Network Solutions, Inc. (NSI), founded in 1989 is a Managed Services and Cisco Gold Provider demonstrating advanced competencies across Cisco's solutions, including networking, security, collaboration, and data center technologies. This designation reflects NSI's commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality services backed by Cisco’s latest technology and best practices, ensuring that customers receive expert guidance and support for their implementations.

To learn more about Network Solutions or our NSI ADVANCE Managed Services, including