Cisco may not have anything to do with it. It may be down to a salesman in the middle who is on commission. I once saw CCTV cameras deployed with Jena lenses, I guess for similar reasons. The auditors (if there were any) weren't knowledgeable enough to know better.
edit: After further reading, Cisco did in fact shamelessly participate in this gigantic boondoggle.
edit: After further reading, Cisco did in fact shamelessly participate in this gigantic boondoggle.