Predictika · Cisco Catalyst 9000 switch quotes

An AI sales agent's Catalyst switch quote, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares a quote for Catalyst 9300, 9300X, 9300L and 9500 switches with network modules, power supplies, stacking, a software subscription and Smart Net support. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the product and quoting rules, compares the total the quote states with the computed one, and returns every finding together with the line-item quote. This is an illustrative model built from Cisco's public product information with fictional prices; it is not Cisco's internal rule set.

Scope: quotes for Cisco Catalyst 9300, 9300X, 9300L and 9500 switches with network modules, power supplies, stacking, Cisco DNA subscription and Smart Net support. See everything this validator covers

This validator models one product line: Cisco Catalyst 9000 series access and core switches, specifically the Catalyst 9300, 9300X, 9300L and 9500 models. It handles any quote involving these switches, modules, power supplies, subscriptions and support levels, not only the scenarios shown on this page. It does not cover Cisco routers, security appliances or collaboration products.

  • Covered: switches and modules — modular-uplink and fixed-uplink models, network modules matched to the switch family (C9300-NM for 9300, C9300X-NM for 9300X), stacks of up to 8 with StackWise, and StackWise Virtual pairs on the 9500.
  • Covered: power — PWR-C1 and C9K-PWR power supplies matched to the switch, one or two supplies per switch, redundant or combined mode, PoE only on PoE models, and the per-switch power budget (system draw plus PoE) against what the supplies provide.
  • Covered: software and support — Cisco DNA subscription tiers (Essentials, Advantage), the Advantage requirement for SD-Access and for StackWise Virtual on the 9500, terms of 3, 5 or 7 years, Smart Net levels including 2-hour onsite (not at remote sites), and a waiver for no support.
  • Covered: commercial terms and the quote — lead time against the date the customer needs the switches, hardware discount authority (rep limit, ceiling, and the higher ceiling with deal registration), a cap on the subscription discount, the line-item quote, and the total the agent states.
  • Not covered — other Catalyst families (9200, 9400, 9600), wireless, routers and security products, Meraki switches, mixed-model stacks, optics and cables, and real Cisco prices, discount schedules or order-routing rules. Other areas can be added.
  • Labeled as assumptions — prices, support percentages, lead times, power ratings, the 35, 42 and 50 percent discount levels and the 25 percent subscription cap are invented illustrative values, not Cisco data.
The AI sales agentBuilds the Catalyst switch quote from the conversation and says it is ready.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

7 scenarios in 4 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
Click to expand
    
Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
Power budget that depends on the supply and the redundancy modeOnly with care
The budget is one supply in redundant mode and the sum in combined mode, set against system draw plus PoE. It can be built as a rule per switch and supply pair, but every new supply, PoE class or mode adds rules that someone has to remember.		Per-switch need and the supply capacity are computed together; 1,400 W against 1,100 W blocks, and 1,900 W passes.
Subscription tier required by the stacking mode and the model familyOnly with care
StackWise Virtual on a 9500 and SD-Access both need Advantage. Each is a separate validation rule that has to be kept in step with the ordering guide and with the stacking choice.		Both prerequisites are checked on the same call and both findings come back together.
Discount ceiling that moves with deal registration, and a separate cap on the subscriptionOnly with care
Approval chains handle one threshold well. A ceiling that rises with a registration flag, a different cap for software, and an approval band in between take layered rules that someone has to keep in step.		Rep limit, ceiling, registered ceiling and the subscription cap are checked together; 47 percent blocks, 48 percent on a registered deal goes to approval.
A stated total that does not match the computed priceOnly with workarounds
A validation rule can compare a stated total with a calculated field, but only if the stated total is a field on the quote, which it rarely is.		The stated total travels with the quote and is compared with the computed one on every call.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
Click to expand
    
Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the quote; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
11 power supply per switch is not valid; use 1 or 2, and redundant power needs 2.
2100 W of PoE per switch was requested but Catalyst 9300-24T is not a PoE model.
32-hour onsite support is not available at remote sites; choose 4-hour onsite or next-business-day.
4A hardware discount of 47 percent is above the ceiling of 42 percent without deal registration and 50 percent with it.
5A hardware discount of 48 percent is above the 35 percent a rep may give alone.
6A stack of 9 exceeds the 8 switch maximum for Catalyst 9300-24T.
7A subscription discount of 30 percent is above the 25 percent cap.
8A subscription term of 4 years is not offered; choose 3, 5 or 7 years.
9Catalyst 9300-48P has modular uplinks and ships with none; add a network module.
10Catalyst 9300L-48P-4X has fixed uplinks and takes no network module; remove C9300-NM-4G.
11Each switch needs 1400 W (system plus PoE) but the power supplies provide 1100 W in this mode.
12Network module C9300-NM-8X does not fit Catalyst 9300X-48HX; Catalyst 9300X switches take C9300X network modules and Catalyst 9300 switches take C9300 network modules.
13Power supply C9K-PWR-650WAC does not fit Catalyst 9300-24T; Catalyst 9300 family switches take PWR-C1 supplies and Catalyst 9500 switches take C9K-PWR supplies.
14SD-Access fabric requires the Advantage subscription tier.
15StackWise Virtual on the Catalyst 9500 requires the Advantage subscription tier.
16Stated total does not match: the agent stated $91,800.00; the validator computes $86,800.00.
17The Catalyst 9300X-48HX lead time is about 16 weeks; the customer needs it in 8 weeks.
18The quote has no Smart Net support; a support waiver is required.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
Click to expand
    
The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Module and power: Wrong module family and too little power

    
The agent's request. Please quote 8 Catalyst 9300X-48HX switches for Larkspur Health, as 2 stacks of 4, each with a C9300-NM-8X network module and two PWR-C1-1100WAC power supplies in redundant mode, carrying 1,000 W of PoE per switch. Advantage subscription for 5 years with SD-Access, 4-hour onsite Smart Net, a metro site, delivery within 20 weeks and a 30 percent hardware discount. The quote states a total of $202,300.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Network module does not fit the switch. Network module C9300-NM-8X does not fit Catalyst 9300X-48HX; Catalyst 9300X switches take C9300X network modules and Catalyst 9300 switches take C9300 network modules.
    • 
      
  • Power budget exceeded. Each switch needs 1400 W (system plus PoE) but the power supplies provide 1100 W in this mode.
    • 
    

    
2. Module and power: C9300X module and 1900 W supplies

    
The agent's request. Please quote 8 Catalyst 9300X-48HX switches for Larkspur Health, as 2 stacks of 4, each with a C9300X-NM-8Y network module and two PWR-C1-1900WAC power supplies in redundant mode, carrying 1,000 W of PoE per switch. Advantage subscription for 5 years with SD-Access, 4-hour onsite Smart Net, a metro site, delivery within 20 weeks and a 30 percent hardware discount. The quote states a total of $218,540.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Quote summary. Total $218,540.00: switch $92,000.00; network module $19,200.00; power supply $14,400.00; stacking $3,600.00; software subscription $31,200.00; support $96,900.00; discount $-38,760.00.
    • 
    

    
3. Software tier: Virtual stack and SD-Access on Essentials

    
The agent's request. Please quote 4 Catalyst 9500-48Y4C switches for Cobalt Freight, as 2 StackWise Virtual pairs, each switch with two C9K-PWR-650WAC power supplies in redundant mode. Essentials subscription for 5 years with SD-Access, 4-hour onsite Smart Net, a metro site, delivery within 16 weeks and a 25 percent hardware discount. The quote states a total of $147,500.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Virtual stack needs the Advantage tier. StackWise Virtual on the Catalyst 9500 requires the Advantage subscription tier.
    • 
      
  • SD-Access needs the Advantage tier. SD-Access fabric requires the Advantage subscription tier.
    • 
    

    
4. Software tier: Same order on Advantage

    
The agent's request. Please quote 4 Catalyst 9500-48Y4C switches for Cobalt Freight, as 2 StackWise Virtual pairs, each switch with two C9K-PWR-650WAC power supplies in redundant mode. Advantage subscription for 5 years with SD-Access, 4-hour onsite Smart Net, a metro site, delivery within 16 weeks and a 25 percent hardware discount. The quote states a total of $154,300.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Quote summary. Total $154,300.00: switch $84,000.00; power supply $4,000.00; stacking $1,800.00; software subscription $19,600.00; support $67,350.00; discount $-22,450.00.
    • 
    

    
5. Discount and term: One supply, 4-year term, 47 percent

    
The agent's request. Please quote 12 Catalyst 9300-48P switches for Redwood Schools, as 3 stacks of 4, each with a C9300-NM-4G network module and one PWR-C1-715WAC power supply, set to redundant power mode, carrying 300 W of PoE per switch. Essentials subscription for 4 years with next-business-day Smart Net, a metro site, delivery within 12 weeks and a 47 percent hardware discount, with no deal registration. The quote states a total of $84,396.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Power supply count not valid. 1 power supply per switch is not valid; use 1 or 2, and redundant power needs 2.
    • 
      
  • Subscription term not offered. A subscription term of 4 years is not offered; choose 3, 5 or 7 years.
    • 
      
  • Discount above the ceiling. A hardware discount of 47 percent is above the ceiling of 42 percent without deal registration and 50 percent with it.
    • 
    

    
6. Discount and term: Registered deal at 48 percent

    
The agent's request. Please quote 12 Catalyst 9300-48P switches for Redwood Schools, as 3 stacks of 4, each with a C9300-NM-4G network module and two PWR-C1-715WAC power supplies in redundant mode, carrying 300 W of PoE per switch. Essentials subscription for 5 years with next-business-day Smart Net, a metro site, delivery within 12 weeks and a 48 percent hardware discount on a registered deal. The quote states a total of $100,572.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Discount needs approval. A hardware discount of 48 percent is above the 35 percent a rep may give alone.
    • 
      
  • Quote summary. Total $100,572.00: switch $55,200.00; network module $7,200.00; power supply $10,800.00; stacking $5,400.00; software subscription $20,400.00; support $39,300.00; discount $-37,728.00.
    • 
    

    
7. Support and delivery: Remote 2-hour support, needed in 8 weeks

    
The agent's request. Please quote 4 Catalyst 9300X-48HX switches for Delta Mills at its remote branch sites, unstacked, each with a C9300X-NM-2Q network module and one PWR-C1-1100WAC power supply, carrying 500 W of PoE per switch. Advantage subscription for 3 years with 2-hour onsite Smart Net, delivery within 8 weeks and a 20 percent hardware discount. The quote states a total of $89,660.00. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • 2-hour support not available at remote sites. 2-hour onsite support is not available at remote sites; choose 4-hour onsite or next-business-day.
    • 
      
  • Cannot deliver in time. The Catalyst 9300X-48HX lead time is about 16 weeks; the customer needs it in 8 weeks.
    • 
    

  

  

    
Narration transcript
Click to expand
    
The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares a quote for Catalyst 9300, 9300X, 9300L and 9500 switches with network modules, power supplies, stacking, a software subscription and Smart Net support. Before it goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of the product and quoting rules, compares the total the quote states with the computed one, and returns every finding together with the line-item quote. This is an illustrative model built from Cisco's public product information with fictional prices; it is not Cisco's internal rule set.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
    3. 
      
  3. The agent says. Please quote 8 Catalyst 9300X-48HX switches for Larkspur Health, as 2 stacks of 4, each with a C9300-NM-8X network module and two PWR-C1-1100WAC power supplies in redundant mode. Advantage subscription for 5 years with SD-Access, 4-hour onsite Smart Net, a metro site, delivery within 20 weeks and a 30 percent hardware discount. The rest of the request is on screen. The quote states a total of $202,300.00.
    4. 
      
  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
    5. 
      
  5. Blocked, with two findings, all in one answer. Network module C9300-NM-8X does not fit Catalyst 9300X-48HX; Catalyst 9300X switches take C9300X network modules and Catalyst 9300 switches take C9300 network modules. Each switch needs 1400 W (system plus PoE) but the power supplies provide 1100 W in this mode.
    6. 
      
  6. The validator returned two blocking findings in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the quote are checked against each other.
    7. 
      
  7. What this shows: for power budget that depends on the supply and the redundancy mode, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
    8. 
      
  8. Now the agent resubmits.
    9. 
      
  9. The corrected request. It changes the network module to C9300X-NM-8Y, the power supply to PWR-C1-1900WAC and the stated total to $218,540.
    10. 
      
  10. It calls the validator again.
    11. 
      
  11. This time the validator clears it.
    12. 
      
  12. The validator also returns the line-item quote. It starts with Catalyst 9300X-48HX and C9300X-NM-8Y; the other five lines are on screen.
    13. 
      
  13. Both earlier findings are cleared, and the validator's total, $218,540.00, matches the quote.
    14. 
      
  14. Two problems caught in one call, fixed in one pass, and a clean $218,540 quote. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    15.