Cisco’s global vision is to impact 1 billion lives worldwide by 2025 through its digital solutions

The US based Cisco Systems recently concluded its ‘India Summit 2018’. The fifth edition of Cisco India Summit was themed on ‘The Future. Reimagine.’ where its leadership team put together interactive executive keynotes, round table discussions on digital transformation and technology demonstrations for media and analysts to share the IT networking giant’s vision for the coming five years. The two day conference in Goa, India showcased the company’s experiences on how they are helping their customers identify the wave of digital disruption, aligning with partners for the future and unlocking new business models for Indian companies, business milestones and customer showcases.

The two day program largely focused on how Cisco has jumped on the digital transformation bandwagon and highlighted its various initiatives and programs which will positively impact 50 million beneficiaries in India by 2025. “This goal is aligned to Cisco's global vision of impacting 1 billion lives worldwide by 2025 through digital solutions”, said VC Gopalratnam, Chief Information Officer (CIO), Cisco’s International Operations (APJC, EMEAR and LATAM) and Senior Vice President of Information Technology.

Speaking at the fifth India Summit, VC Gopalratnam delved into the multiple aspects where India needs effective change. He explained how in areas of education-critical thinking, environmental sustainability and economic empowerment, they are leveraging the power of digitalization to create a robust ecosystem to empower government and community based organizations to work their way swiftly in bringing about a wave of change.

Cisco announced initiatives such as setting up of ‘Cisco thingQbator’ innovation labs in 5 Indian academic institutions and its partnership with N /Core, a non-profit start-up incubator to launch a new early-stage incubation programme named N/Core-tech which will focus on solving social and economic problems using technology. For environment and sustainable energy initiatives, it has installed solar panels across all of its rooftops of its Bangalore campus. It has also signed two solar power purchase agreements in a bid to adopt renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Other than making various new announcements in all sectors, Cisco along with National Stock Exchange and HDFC Bank delved into how these top financial institutions are relying on Cisco for their digital transformation. Munish Mittal, Chief Information Officer & Group Head – Information Technology at HDFC Bank said that HDFC Bank’s YOY digital transaction movement (net and mobile) has reached a soaring high 85 per cent, a growth from 63 per cent in March 2015-March 2016 with the help of Cisco solutions.

Furthermore, the company also shared its plans to enter into new segments such as education, manufacturing and managed security services. Cisco’s digital solutions are being embraced by leading organisations globally, not only due to its cost advantage, but to leverage the development advantages as well in all sectors equally. 

(The author was hosted by Cisco Systems, Inc. in Goa during the Cisco India Summit 2018)