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Cisco Live! Cisco is Connecting the Platform Dots
Cisco is benefiting from the key trends that are driving platformization by aligning its comprehensive portfolio to take full advantage of its networking, security, and IoT capabilities.
Key Highlights
- Cisco is capitalizing on the platformization trend, the strategic shift in technology where integrated, interoperable platforms replace siloed, disparate tools.
- Cisco’s Platform Suite, encompassing security, networking, collaboration, and data center solutions, provides integral data sharing and API-driven integration.
- Cisco’s SecureX and Security Cloud platforms integrate multiple security technologies into a unified implementation.
- Cisco is integrating AI across its platforms, such as the AppDynamics Business Observability platform to meet strategic platformization goals.
- Cisco’s Converged SDN Transport and 5G architecture offer a cloud-native, software-defined platform that streamlines network operations and enables monetizable services such as private networking and IoT.
The News
Cisco unveiled a new network architecture to power the campus, branch, and industrial networks of the future at Cisco Live!. The new architecture is designed to deliver unmatched operational simplicity through unified management, next-generation networking devices purpose-built for AI workloads, and advanced security capabilities embedded into the network, reinforcing Cisco’s platformization strategy. Find out more by clicking here to read the press release.
Analyst Take
Platformization is a strategic shift in technology where integrated, interoperable platforms replace siloed, disparate tools, enabling organizations to streamline operations, enhance agility, and drive innovation. Cisco is taking advantage of key trends that are driving platformization. As a result, Cisco benefits by aligning with its comprehensive portfolio of networking, security, and IoT solutions.
Cisco is redefining how organizations tackle surging traffic, growing cyber risks, and strict uptime demands as companies race to leverage AI in the workplace. The Cisco IT Networking Leader Survey reveals that 97% of organizations see network upgrades as essential for successful AI and IoT projects, with a single major outage potentially costing $160 billion globally. To address these issues, IT teams require a fresh platform strategy to scale operations, minimize downtime, and drive efficiency and innovation.
From my perspective, Cisco’s unified management platform stands out with ThousandEyes assurance, now covering mobile endpoints and industrial IoT, providing deeper, actionable insights into enterprise networks and Microsoft Azure. A new integration with Splunk enhances real-time visibility from network to application, augmenting Cisco’s platform approach. This multilayered strategy ensures comprehensive observability and assurance across owned and unowned infrastructure, promoting consistent performance and operational resilience.
AgenticOps, Cisco’s AI-powered solution for modern IT operations, enhances the platform by combining real-time telemetry, automation, and extensive domain knowledge to deliver intelligent, end-to-end actions at machine speed, while keeping IT teams in control. Fueled by a new Deep Network Model - a domain-specific LLM trained on decades of Cisco expertise, including CCIE-level content and Cisco U. courseware - AgenticOps drives advanced operational capabilities.
The Deep Network Model drives the Cisco AI Assistant, a natural language interface that detects issues, pinpoints root causes, and automates workflows, delivering AI that aligns with IT processes and cuts task times from hours to minutes. Moreover, Cisco unveiled the AI Canvas, a new AgenticOps feature with a generative AI interface for customer dashboards, fostering collaboration among NetOps, SecOps, and DevOps teams to streamline operations and ease IT burdens.
Here are the key platformization trends that I see and how can they position Cisco for enduring competitive success:
Digital Transformation and Hybrid Work Models
Digital transformation and hybrid work models are crucial because they enable organizations to integrate advanced technologies and flexible work environments, enhancing operational efficiency, agility, and resilience in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The rapid advancement of digital transformation, driven by the rapid evolution of cloud computing and AI, has led organizations to embrace platform-based strategies for managing intricate hybrid IT ecosystems. Businesses are prioritizing integrated solutions that seamlessly connect, protect, and automate operations across cloud, on-premises, and edge environments.
I find that Cisco’s Platform Suite, encompassing security, networking, collaboration, and data center solutions, can provide seamless data sharing and API-driven integration, integral to promoting digital agility. The Cisco Networking Cloud and Security Cloud deliver a cohesive management experience across varied environments such as campus, branch, and IoT. Cisco’s full-stack observability and SASE solutions address hybrid cloud demands, streamlining operations and improving user experiences.
Convergence of Network and Security
With rising cyber threats and increasing cloud adoption, organizations are focusing on unified network and security platforms to improve visibility, policy management, and threat response, with the 2024 Cisco Global Networking Trends Report indicating that 72% of IT leaders aim to implement integrated network management platforms within two years to tackle these issues.
From my perspective, Cisco’s SecureX and Security Cloud platforms integrate multiple security technologies into a unified implementation, offering automation, analytics, and unified policy management. This simplifies managing fragmented point solutions. Cisco’s integration with platforms like ThousandEyes provides comprehensive visibility and secure connectivity, supporting the shift toward converged architectures.
AI-Enabled Automation and Predictive Analytics
AI-driven automation is a strategic priority to address IT skills gaps, streamline operations, and assure digital resilience. The 2024 Global Networking Trends Report highlights that IT leaders expect widespread adoption of AI-enabled predictive network automation within two years, reducing manual tasks and enhancing operational efficiency.
I see that Cisco is integrating AI across its platforms, such as the AppDynamics Business Observability platform, which uses a business-focused approach to full-stack observability, prioritizing IT actions based on their business impact. Collaborations, such as with Delta Bravo for predictive analytics in manufacturing, showcase Cisco’s ability to transform data into real-time insights, enhancing quality and sustainability. Furthermore, Cisco’s AI-driven automation in networking, such as Cisco DNA Spaces, enables use cases like managing workplace density.
Rise of IoT and Connected Devices
The proliferation of IoT devices, particularly in industries like automotive and manufacturing, drives demand for scalable, secure connectivity platforms. Trends such as Autonomous, Connectivity, Electrification, and Shared Mobility (ACES) in the automotive sector require robust IoT management for connected vehicles and smart infrastructure.
From my viewpoint, Cisco’s IoT Control Center is a top-tier platform for managing cellular connectivity, supporting over 270 million devices, including more than 100 million connected vehicles. With 5G capabilities, global coverage, and advanced automation, it delivers real-time analytics, robust security, and monetization potential for service providers and OEMs.
5G and Edge Computing Growth
The rollout of 5G and edge computing is transforming network architectures, enabling low-latency, high-bandwidth services for applications such as connected vehicles, smart cities, and Industry 4.0. Service providers and enterprises need platforms that support converged, software-defined networks to deliver these services efficiently.
Cisco’s Converged SDN Transport and 5G architecture offer a cloud-native, software-defined platform that streamlines network operations and enables monetizable services such as private networking and IoT. The Mobility Services Platform empowers Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to seize high-growth enterprise opportunities with flexibility, while edge computing solutions like Edge Cloud for Content Delivery boost scalability and performance.
Sustainability and Operational Efficiency
Organizations are prioritizing energy management and sustainability by using real-time telemetry and platform dashboards to enhance resource efficiency. According to the 2024 Global Networking Trends Report, IT leaders are employing networking tools to advance sustainability metrics, such as lowering energy use in manufacturing.
Cisco’s platform strategy, incorporating tools like Cisco Intersight for cloud management and SecureX for cybersecurity, reduces resource waste and promotes sustainability. Its partnership with Nucor, for instance, shows how predictive analytics can cut steel scrap and energy consumption, supporting sustainability objectives.
Shift to As-a-Service Models
The shift to as-a-service models enables organizations to quickly scale services while reducing initial costs, driven by demand for cloud-based solutions and flexible billing for enterprise services, including connectivity and IoT.
Cisco’s Mobility Services Platform and IoT Control Center provide as-a-service models that reduce operational costs and allow CSPs to rapidly deploy new services. With global scalability and programmability, the platform drives monetization, connecting over 50 service providers across 120 countries.
Looking Ahead
Overall, I believe Cisco’s platformization strategy significantly impacts the market and digital ecosystem by delivering integrated, AI-driven platforms such as the Cisco Networking Cloud, Security Cloud, and IoT Control Center, which streamline complex IT environments, enhance cybersecurity, and enable scalable solutions for hybrid work, IoT, and connectivity applications. By converging networking, security, and collaboration tools, Cisco reduces operational complexity, as evidenced by the 2024 Global Networking Trends Report noting 72% of IT leaders planning to adopt integrated platforms within two years. Its AI-powered automation, such as AppDynamics and Cisco DNA Spaces, drives real-time insights and efficiency, while partnerships such as Nucor and Delta Bravo showcase sustainability and predictive analytics capabilities.
Make no mistake as Cisco’s platformization approach, centered on integrated, AI-powered, and as-a-service solutions, faces strong competition from rivals offering comparable platforms for digital transformation, hybrid work, and AI-driven workloads. Juniper and HPE Aruba aim to threaten Cisco’s networking leadership, while Palo Alto and Fortinet advance sophisticated cybersecurity platforms. VMware and Microsoft Azure rival Cisco in cloud and virtualization, and Arista shines in AI-optimized networking. These competitors are capable of spurring market innovation, pushing Cisco to refine platforms like Hypershield and Splunk integration to sustain its $57 billion annual revenue and global enterprise networking market share leadership. Such intense competition emphasizes Cisco’s need to optimize its portfolio and leverage AI and security advancements to defend and advance its competitive edge.
Supporting over 270 million IoT devices and connecting 50+ service providers across 120 countries, Cisco’s as-a-service models and open, API-driven ecosystem cultivate innovation, enabling enterprises and CSPs to rapidly scale services, optimize resources, and address digital transformation demands, solidifying Cisco’s leadership in shaping a connected, resilient digital future.
Ron Westfall | Analyst In Residence
Ron Westfall is a prominent analyst figure in technology and business transformation. Recognized as a Top 20 Analyst by AR Insights and a Tech Target contributor, his insights are featured in major media such as CNBC, Schwab Network, and NMG Media.
His expertise covers transformative fields such as Hybrid Cloud, AI Networking, Security Infrastructure, Edge Cloud Computing, Wireline/Wireless Connectivity, and 5G-IoT. Ron bridges the gap between C-suite strategic goals and the practical needs of end users and partners, driving technology ROI for leading organizations.