In the highly dynamic and ever-evolving world of enterprise computing, data centers serve as the backbones of operations, driving the need for powerful, scalable, and energy-efficient server… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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In the highly dynamic and ever-evolving world of enterprise computing, data centers serve as the backbones of operations, driving the need for powerful, scalable, and energy-efficient server solutions. As businesses continuously strive to refine their IT ecosystems, recognizing and capitalizing on data center energy-saving attributes and design innovations is essential for fostering sustainable development and maximizing operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Cisco’s Unified Computing System (UCS) stands at the forefront of this technological landscape, offering a comprehensive portfolio of server options tailored to meet the most diverse of requirements. Each component of the UCS family, including the B-Series, C-Series, HyperFlex, and X-Series, is designed with energy efficiency in mind, delivering performance while mitigating energy use. Energy efficiency is a major consideration, starting from the beginning of the planning and design phases of these technologies and products all the way through into each update.

The UCS Blade Servers and Chassis (B-Series) provide a harmonious blend of integration and dense computing power, while the UCS Rack-Mount Servers (C-Series) offer versatility and incremental scalability. These offerings are complemented by Cisco’s UCS HyperFlex Systems, the next-generation of hyper-converged infrastructure that brings compute, storage, and networking into a cohesive, highly efficient platform. Furthermore, the UCS X-Series takes flexibility and efficiency to new heights with its modular, future-proof architecture.

Cisco UCS B-Series Blade Chassis and Servers

The Cisco UCS B-Series Blade Chassis and Servers offer several features and design elements that contribute to greater energy efficiency compared to traditional blade server chassis. The following components and functions of UCS contribute to this efficiency:

Unified Design: Cisco UCS incorporates a unified system that integrates computing, networking, storage access, and virtualization resources into a single, cohesive architecture. This integration reduces the number of physical components needed, leading to lower power consumption compared to traditional setups where these elements are usually separate and require additional power.
Power Management: UCS includes sophisticated power management capabilities at both the hardware and software levels. This enables dynamic power allocation based on workload demands, allowing unused resources to be powered down or put into a low-power state. By adjusting power usage according to actual requirements, the wasting of energy is minimized.
Efficient Cooling: The blade servers and chassis are designed to optimize airflow and cooling efficiency. This reduces the need for excessive cooling, which can be a significant contributor to energy consumption in data centers. By efficiently managing airflow and cooling, Cisco UCS helps minimize the overall energy required for server operation.
Higher Density: UCS Blade Series Chassis typically support higher server densities compared to traditional blade server chassis. By consolidating more computing power into a smaller physical footprint, organizations can achieve greater efficiency in terms of space utilization, power consumption, and cooling requirements.
Virtualization Support: Cisco UCS is designed to work seamlessly with virtualization technologies such as VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, and others. Virtualization allows for better utilization of server resources by running multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical server. This consolidation reduces the total number of servers needed, thereby lowering energy consumption across the data center.
Power capping and monitoring: UCS provides features for power capping and monitoring, allowing administrators to set maximum power limits for individual servers or groups of servers. This helps prevent power spikes and ensures that power usage remains within predefined thresholds, thus optimizing energy efficiency.
Efficient Hardware Components: UCS incorporates energy-efficient hardware components such as processors, memory modules, and power supplies. These components are designed to deliver high performance while minimizing power consumption, contributing to overall energy efficiency.

Cisco UCS Blade Series Chassis and Servers facilitate greater energy efficiency through a combination of unified design, power management capabilities, efficient cooling, higher physical density, support for virtualization, and the use of energy-efficient hardware components. By leveraging these features, organizations can reduce their overall energy consumption and operational costs in the data center.

Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers

Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers are standalone servers that tend to be more flexible in terms of deployment and may be easier to cool individually. They are often more efficient in environments where fewer servers are required or when full utilization of a blade chassis is not possible. In such cases, deploying a few rack servers can be more energy-efficient than powering a partially empty blade chassis.
The Cisco UCS Rack Servers, like the Blade Series, have been designed with energy efficiency in mind. The following aspects contribute to the energy efficiency of UCS Rack Servers:

Modular Design: UCS Rack Servers are built with a modular design that allows for easy expansion and servicing. This means that components can be added or replaced as needed without unnecessary wasting resources.
Component Efficiency: Like the Blade Series, UCS Rack Servers use high-efficiency power supplies, voltage regulators, and cooling fans. These components are chosen for their ability to deliver performance while minimizing energy consumption.
Thermal Design: The physical design of the UCS Rack Servers helps to optimize airflow, which can reduce the need for excessive cooling. Proper thermal management ensures that the servers maintain an optimal operating temperature, which contributes to energy savings.
Advanced CPUs: UCS Rack Servers are equipped with the latest processors that offer a balance between performance and power usage. These CPUs often include features that reduce power consumption when full performance is not required.
Energy Star Certification: Many UCS Rack Servers are Energy Star certified, meaning they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Management Software: Cisco’s management software allows for detailed monitoring and control of power usage across UCS Rack Servers. This software can help identify underutilized resources and optimize power settings based on the workload.

Cisco UCS Rack Servers are designed with energy efficiency as a core principle. They feature a modular design that enables easy expansion and servicing, high-efficiency components such as power supplies and cooling fans, and processors that balance performance with power consumption. The thermal design of these rack servers optimizes airflow, contributing to reduced cooling needs.
Additionally, many UCS Rack Servers have earned Energy Star certification, indicating compliance with stringent energy efficiency guidelines. Management software further enhances energy savings by allowing detailed monitoring and control over power usage, ensuring that resources are optimized according to workload demands. These factors make UCS Rack Servers a suitable choice for data centers focused on minimizing energy consumption while maintaining high performance.

Cisco UCS S-Series Storage Servers

The Cisco UCS S-Series servers are engineered to offer high-density storage solutions with scalability, which leads to considerable energy efficiency benefits when compared to the UCS B-Series blade servers and C-Series rack servers. The B-Series focuses on optimizing compute density and network integration in a blade server form factor, while the C-Series provides versatile rack-mount server solutions. In contrast, the S-Series emphasizes storage density and capacity.

Each series has its unique design optimizations; however, the S-Series can often consolidate storage and compute resources more effectively, potentially reducing the overall energy footprint by minimizing the need for additional servers and standalone storage units. This consolidation is a key factor in achieving greater energy efficiency within data centers.

The UCS S-Series servers incorporate the following features that contribute to energy efficiency:

Efficient Hardware Components: Similar to other Cisco UCS servers, the UCS S-Series servers utilize energy-efficient hardware components such as processors, memory modules, and power supplies. These components are designed to provide high performance while minimizing power consumption, thereby improving energy efficiency.
Scalability and Flexibility: S-Series servers are highly scalable and offer flexible configurations to meet diverse workload requirements. This scalability allows engineers to right-size their infrastructure and avoid over-provisioning, which often leads to wasteful energy consumption.
Storage Optimization: UCS S-Series servers are optimized for storage-intensive workloads by offering high-density storage options within a compact form factor. With consolidated storage resources via fewer physical devices, organizations can reduce power consumption associated with managing and powering multiple storage systems.
Power Management Features: S-Series servers incorporate power management features similar to other UCS servers, allowing administrators to monitor and control power usage at both the server and chassis levels. These features enable organizations to optimize power consumption based on workload demands, reducing energy waste.
Unified Management: UCS S-Series servers are part of the Cisco Unified Computing System, which provides unified management capabilities for the entire infrastructure, including compute, storage, and networking components. This centralized management approach helps administrators efficiently monitor and optimize energy usage across the data center.

Cisco UCS HyperFlex HX-Series Servers

The Cisco HyperFlex HX-Series represents a fully integrated and hyperconverged infrastructure system that combines computing, storage, and networking into a simplified, scalable, and high-performance architecture designed to handle a wide array of workloads and applications.

When it comes to energy efficiency, the HyperFlex HX-Series stands out by further consolidating data center functions and streamlining resource management compared to the traditional UCS B-Series, C-Series, and S-Series. Unlike the B-Series blade servers which prioritize compute density, the C-Series rack servers which offer flexibility, or the S-Series storage servers which focus on high-density storage, the HX-Series incorporates all of these aspects into a cohesive unit. By doing so, it reduces the need for separate storage and compute layers, leading to potentially lower power and cooling requirements.

The integration inherent in hyperconverged infrastructure, such as the HX-Series, often results in higher efficiency and a smaller energy footprint as it reduces the number of physical components required, maximizes resource utilization, and optimizes workload distribution; all of this contributes to a more energy-conscious data center environment.

The HyperFlex can contribute to energy efficiency in the following ways:

Consolidation of Resources: HyperFlex integrates compute, storage, and networking resources into a single platform, eliminating the need for separate hardware components such as standalone servers, storage arrays, and networking switches. By consolidating these resources, organizations can reduce overall power consumption when compared to traditional infrastructure setups that require separate instances of these components.
Efficient Hardware Components: HyperFlex HX-Series Servers are designed to incorporate energy-efficient hardware components such as processors, memory modules, and power supplies. These components are optimized for performance, per watt, helping to minimize power consumption while delivering the necessary robust compute and storage capabilities.
Dynamic Resource Allocation: HyperFlex platforms often include features for dynamic resource allocation and optimization. This may include technologies such as VMware Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) or Cisco Intersight Workload Optimizer, which intelligently distribute workloads across the infrastructure to maximize resource utilization and minimize energy waste.
Software-Defined Storage Efficiency: HyperFlex utilizes software-defined storage (SDS) technology, which allows for more efficient use of storage resources compared to traditional storage solutions. Features such as deduplication, compression, and thin provisioning help to reduce the overall storage footprint, resulting in lower power consumption associated with storage devices.
Integrated Management and Automation: HyperFlex platforms typically include centralized management and automation capabilities that enable administrators to efficiently monitor and control the entire infrastructure from a single interface. This combined integration management approach can streamline operations, optimize resource usage, and identify opportunities for energy saving.
Scalability and Right-Sizing: HyperFlex allows organizations to scale resources incrementally by adding additional server nodes to the cluster as needed. This scalability enables organizations to custom fit their infrastructure and avoid over-provisioning, which can lead to unnecessary energy consumption.
Efficient Cooling Design: HyperFlex systems are designed with extreme consideration for efficient cooling to maintain optimal operating temperatures for the hardware components. By optimizing airflow and cooling mechanisms within the infrastructure, HyperFlex helps minimize energy consumption associated with cooling systems.

Cisco UCS X-Series Modular System

The Cisco UCS X-Series is a versatile and innovative computing platform that elevates the concept of a modular system to new heights, offering a flexible, future-ready solution for the modern data center. It stands apart from the traditional UCS B-Series blade servers, C-Series rack servers, S-Series storage servers, and even the integrated HyperFlex HX-Series hyperconverged systems, in that it provides a unique blend of adaptability and scalability. The X-Series is designed with a composable infrastructure that allows dynamic reconfiguration of computing, storage, and I/O resources to match specific workload requirements.

In terms of energy efficiency, the UCS X-Series is engineered to streamline power usage by dynamically adapting to the demands of various applications. It achieves this through a technology that allows components to be powered on and off independently, which can lead to significant energy savings compared to the always-on nature of B-Series and C-Series servers. While the S-Series servers are optimized for high-density storage, the X-Series can reduce the need for separate high-capacity storage systems by incorporating storage elements directly into its composable framework. Furthermore, compared to the HyperFlex HX-Series, the UCS X-Series may offer even more granular control over resource allocation, potentially leading to even better energy management and waste reduction.

The UCS X-Series platform aims to set a new standard for sustainability by optimizing power consumption across diverse workloads, minimizing the environmental impact, and lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO) through improved energy efficiency. By intelligently consolidating and optimizing resources, the X-Series promises, and has proven to be, a forward-looking solution that responds to the growing need for eco-friendly and cost-effective data center operations.

The Cisco UCS X-Series can contribute to energy efficiency in the following ways:

Integrated Architecture: Cisco UCS X-Series combines compute, storage, and networking into a unified system, reducing the need for seperate components. This consolidation leads to lower overall energy consumption compared to traditional data center architectures.
Energy-Efficient Components: The UCS X-Series is built with the latest energy-efficient technologies; CPUs, memory modules, and power supplies in the X-Series are selected for their performance-to-power consumption ratio, ensuring that energy use is optimized without sacrificing performance.
Intelligent Workload Placement: Cisco UCS X-Series can utilize Cisco Intersight and other intelligent resource management tools to distribute workloads intelligently and efficiently across available resources, optimizing power usage and reducing unnecessary energy expenditure.
Software-Defined Storage Benefits: The X-Series can leverage software-defined storage which often includes features like deduplication, compression, and thin provisioning to make storage operations more efficient and reduce the energy needed for data storage.
Automated Management: With Cisco Intersight, the X-Series provides automated management and orchestration across the infrastructure, helping to streamline operations, reduce manual intervention, and cut down on energy usage through improved allocation of resources.
Scalable Infrastructure: The modular design of the UCS X-Series allows for easy scalability, thus allowing organizations to add resources only as needed. This helps prevent over-provisioning and the energy costs associated with idle equipment.
Optimized Cooling: The X-Series chassis is designed with cooling efficiency in mind, using advanced airflow management and heat sinks to keep components at optimal temperatures. This reduces the amount of energy needed for cooling infrastructure.

Mindful energy consumption without compromise

Cisco’s UCS offers a robust and diverse suite of server solutions, each engineered to address the specific demands of modern-day data centers with a sharp focus on energy efficiency. The UCS B-Series and C-Series each bring distinct advantages in terms of integration, computing density, and flexible scalability, while the S-Series specializes in high-density storage capabilities. The HyperFlex HX-Series advances the convergence of compute, storage, and networking, streamlining data center operations and energy consumption. Finally, the UCS X-Series represents the pinnacle of modularity and future-proof design, delivering unparalleled flexibility to dynamically meet the shifting demands of enterprise workloads.

Across this entire portfolio, from the B-Series to the X-Series, Cisco has infused an ethos of sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient hardware, advanced power management, and intelligent cooling designs. By optimizing the use of resources, embracing virtualization, and enabling scalable, granular infrastructure deployments, Cisco’s UCS platforms are not just powerful computing solutions but are also catalysts for energy-conscious, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible data center operations.

For organizations navigating the complexities of digital transformation while balancing operational efficiency with the goal of sustainability, the Cisco UCS lineup stands ready to deliver performance that powers growth without compromising on our commitment to a greener future.

Continue learning about data center energy efficiency

Find resources for infrastructure developers on the Cisco DevNet UCS Programmable Infrastructure page
Enabling Energy Efficiency with Cisco UCS Modular Servers
Cisco Drives Simplified Operations and Energy Efficiency with Intersight and UCS X-Series
To learn more about UCS Chassis, Servers, Fabric Interconnects, Adapters and more, visit Cisco Servers – Unified Computing System (UCS)
From The Newsroom at Cisco: “Building the foundation for a sustainable data center – Cisco’s new UCS-X server expands capabilities while lessening energy usage“

"}]]  Learn how Cisco's Unified Computing System (UCS) helps you stand at the forefront of data center energy-saving with attributes and design innovations essential for fostering sustainable development and maximizing operational efficiency and effectiveness.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Embark on the Industry 4.0 revolution, where AI and ML supercharge automation and data analytics blend with robust cybersecurity and human-machine collaboration. Yet, this future is not without its… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Embark on the Industry 4.0 revolution, where AI and ML supercharge automation and data analytics blend with robust cybersecurity and human-machine collaboration. Yet, this future is not without its trials, including elusive OT visibility, outdated systems, and neglected network security. Overcoming these hurdles demands a blend of tech innovation, organizational and process revamping, and skill development. Ready to take on the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s challenges and lead the charge? We focus on essential elements: robust industrial network connectivity, clear visibility, robust cybersecurity, agile segmentation, and precise access control. We aim to boost production, ramp up profits, cut operational costs, and ensure industry compliance, all while carefully balancing the IT-OT relationship. Here, we will outline five strategic steps for a dynamic and progressive journey into Industry 4.0.

The foundation

We begin by crafting a resilient industrial blueprint, aligning with a strategic framework such as the Purdue Model. Our focus is on carefully selecting networking platforms with a software-defined capability that excel in scalability, dynamic adaptability, intelligent segmentation, and asset visibility. The goal of this initial stage is straightforward: to build an automated and intelligent network that elevates the network into a proactive sensor, enhancing both visibility and security from the ground up.

Visibility and segmentation

Moving into the second phase, we aim to create pervasive visibility within our network. We’ll embed applications into the industrial network that monitor assets, assess vulnerability, perform deep packet inspection, and integrate with security systems like firewalls and SIEMs. This will shed light on our digital ecosystem, providing crucial insights into its operations. As part of this phase, the focus is on implementing a solid segmentation strategy, embedding asset data into the network using technologies such as 802.1x and advanced policy engines for dynamic grouping based on security profiles. This critical move turns our network into a security enforcer with enhanced visibility and intelligent segmentation, ensuring assets are effectively protected. This phase of the architecture leverages the solid Cisco Industrial Ethernet foundation from phase 1 and adds Cyber Vision embedded sensors, integration with ISE (Identity Services Engine), firewalls, SIEMs, and asset management solutions.

Advanced connectivity with wired and wireless

In phase three, we turn to cutting-edge connectivity, exploring wireless technologies and advancements in AGV systems. Building on our secure base, we consider zero-loss wireless solutions, resilient connectivity in motion, and SD-WAN for seamless WAN connections across locations. We look to integrate advanced sensor networks for live monitoring and data-driven insights. Preparing for Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul low latency loss less handoffs, 5G’s high speed, and Wi-Fi 6’s enhanced capabilities is not just an upgrade but a transformative leap that is totally dependent upon understanding your use cases, opening doors to new efficiencies, and positioning businesses at the forefront of industrial innovation.

Realizing outcomes

Phase four focuses on using our infrastructure to drive smarter, faster business decisions. In this phase, we aggregate data to make sound and informed decisions. The goal is to boost efficiency, decrease risk, reduce downtime, and decrease errors, leveraging Industry 4.0 to refine operations and achieve better outcomes. We accomplish this by leveraging the network in both on premise and cloud capacities, to gain access to data in all corners of the network so that it can be processed using AI learning models and analytics tools.

IT & OT interlock

In the final phase, we aim for a lasting impact through a strong IT-OT alliance and a firm grasp of policies and culture. We prioritize automated, dynamic responses to operational events, informed by data and risk assessments. This proactive approach ensures a flexible, resilient operation that continuously improves and excels. The ideal state in this final phase is for a trusted relationship between IT-OT and a network infrastructure that dynamically makes decisions based on intelligent information.

This phased approach unlocks the full potential of your Industry 4.0 infrastructure, driving growth and keeping you ahead and secure in the fast-paced digital world. Looking for an industry-leading partner? Cisco’s Industrial IoT (IIoT) experts and engineers are on hand to help you navigate this transformation. Contact us to start a partnership and map out your enterprise’s journey forward. Our team is ready to demo our latest Cisco industrial solutions and share how we’ve helped manufacturers like you successfully and securely update their industrial network to keep their business moving.

Click here to schedule a 15-minute personalized manufacturing consultation.

"}]]  Maximizing business performance and achieving key outcomes by leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies and innovations  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Thirty-three years ago, I stumbled into the world of technology with a goal: to support my family financially and ensure my brother could attend university. What started as a necessity quickly turned… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Thirty-three years ago, I stumbled into the world of technology with a goal: to support my family financially and ensure my brother could attend university. What started as a necessity quickly turned into a passion, as I discovered the immense potential and opportunities within the IT sector.

My younger self, growing up in Australia.

Today, as we celebrate Girls in ICT Day, my focus is on nurturing leadership in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and the critical role it plays in driving meaningful change not only across the tech landscape but shaping the world we live in.

True leadership transcends titles and positions, embodying innovative thinking, confident decision-making, and the ability to adapt changes effectively. These are qualities we need to instill in students, innovators, and leaders at every level.

Supporting girls and women in tech

As digital transformations driven by AI and other emerging technologies continue to reshape our industries, the imperative for gender inclusivity becomes even more pronounced. The data shows women hold less than a third of tech roles and earn 21% less than their male counterparts. In AI, women constitute only 22% of the workforce, with significant underrepresentation in tech leadership roles. Within the C-suite across STEM fields, only one in eight is a woman.

These statistics are more than numbers; they represent a stark reality where, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), closing the global gender gap across all sectors will take almost 132 years at the current pace, a delay we can neither accept nor afford. This projection is especially concerning within the technology leadership, where diversity of ideas and innovation that women bring is vital not only for gender equality but for the broader health and advancement of the industry.

At Cisco, we recognize our responsibility to act. Through initiatives like the Cisco Networking Academy and Women Rock-IT, we aim to provide the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in this transformational field. These programs are designed to unlock potential and inspire a new generation of leaders to pursue careers in technology.

I invite you to watch a video featuring Gemma Alcock, founder and CEO of SkyBound Rescuer, an innovator in the use of drone technology for search and rescue operations. Gemma’s story is a powerful example of what women can achieve in tech with the right support and opportunities. See Gemma’s story below and get more information on the Women Rock-IT homepage.

The tech sector needs you

To every aspiring young woman with an interest in technology: the tech sector needs you.

Your creativity, ideas, and unique perspectives are vital for crafting a balanced and inclusive digital future. We need you to step forward into leadership roles, to challenge the existing stereotypes, and to contribute to building a world where digital advancements benefit everyone.

Empowering young women

To the global community: Let’s reinforce our commitment to empowering young women.

By investing in comprehensive education, robust mentorship, and skill development, we ensure that women do not just enter tech but excel in it. Let’s support and inspire our girls on Girls in ICT Day, and beyond, because they are indeed the leaders of our digital future.

From an accidental beginning in tech thirty-three years ago to leading change at Cisco, my journey underscores the vast opportunities that the tech world can offer. Let us celebrate Girls in ICT Day by committing to empower the next generation of women leaders in STEM, ensuring they have the tools and confidence needed to lead and innovate. Together, we can close the gender gap in technology and cultivate a future rich in diversity and inclusion for all.

Note: Data and statistics cited in this article are derived from reports by the World Economic Forum, UNESCO, the International Telecommunication Union, and studies conducted by McKinsey & Company and Deloitte. For more detailed information, please refer to their latest publications on gender equality in the tech industry.

"}]]  We celebrate Girls in ICT Day by empowering the next generation of women leaders in STEM and ensuring they have everything needed to lead and innovate. Together, we can close the gender gap in technology and cultivate a future rich in diversity and inclusion for all.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

The CCNA certification you know and love is about to receive some important updates. Let’s take a look at the small (but relevant) changes to the 200-301 CCNA exam arriving on August 20, 2024. Read o… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Follow Cisco Learning & Certifications

X ]]  Important updates are coming soon to Cisco’s flagship certification. This August, the updated CCNA v1.1 exam will test candidates on Generative AI, Cloud Network Management, and Machine Learning.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

This month marked a significant milestone in the technology services industry as the NTT Group celebrates the formation of NTT DATA, Inc. by combining the services of NTT Ltd. and NTT DATA. It also… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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This month marked a significant milestone in the technology services industry as the NTT Group celebrates the formation of NTT DATA, Inc. by combining the services of NTT Ltd. and NTT DATA. It also heralds a new era in the longstanding partnership between Cisco and NTT, as we look forward to offering more value, innovation, and lifecycle services to our joint customers globally.

Three Decades of Global Innovation: Enhanced Partnership for the Next Digital Frontier

The combination of NTT Ltd.’s unparalleled expertise in global networking, cloud, security, collaboration, lifecycle, and managed services, with NTT DATA’s renowned capabilities in IT consulting, application development, management, and holistic digital transformation approach, forms one of the top innovators of business and technology services in the world.  With this new entity in place, the partnership between NTT DATA and Cisco is stronger than ever.

For more than 33 years, Cisco and NTT DATA have worked across the globe to deliver cutting-edge solutions to complex business challenges, applying the skills of more than 14,000 technical experts in more than 50 countries.

Accelerating Customer Growth and Fostering Innovation

For our more than 11,000 joint customers, NTT DATA will mean access to a more robust and diverse set of solutions, bolstered by Cisco’s advanced networking technologies and security expertise. The expansion of services under NTT DATA reinforces its status as a Cisco Global Partner, and one of only a select few Cisco Global Partners to boast more than eleven Cisco Powered Services specializations.

With the combination of NTT Ltd. and NTT DATA, our joint customers can expect an end-to-end experience—from strategy and consulting to implementation and ongoing management. This seamless delivery model is designed to accelerate business outcomes and ensure that our customers remain at the forefront of innovation.

Moreover, the formation will drive more co-creation and co-innovation. Together, we will harness Cisco and NTT DATA’s R&D capabilities to drive advancements in IoT, AI, cybersecurity, Private 5G and sustainability, with our customers benefiting from leading-edge industry solutions.

Expanding Customer Value in the Digital Age

We are excited about the possibilities of this evolution and extending our longstanding partnership. Our commitment to customer success is unwavering, and with the combined strength of Cisco and NTT DATA, we are more capable than ever to help our customers navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Let’s celebrate a future where our strengthened partnership translates into tangible business benefits for our customers, empowering them to achieve and exceed their business aspirations.

Visit the NTT DATA-Cisco partnership page to learn more about how we deliver outcomes for customers

We’d love to hear what you think. Ask a Question, Comment Below, and Stay Connected with #CiscoPartners on social!

Cisco Partners Facebook  |  @CiscoPartners X/Twitter  |  Cisco Partners LinkedIn

"}]]  This month the NTT Group combined the services of NTT Ltd. and NTT DATA to form NTT DATA, Inc., marking a significant milestone in the technology services industry and offering a deeper partnership between Cisco and NTT.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Imagine our planet as a vast network — not of technology and devices, but of life.

Earth Month invites us, as stewards of this global network, to initiate impactful changes, both small and s… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Imagine our planet as a vast network — not of technology and devices, but of life.

Earth Month invites us, as stewards of this global network, to initiate impactful changes, both small and significant, in our daily lives. Over the last two years, I’ve committed to a personal challenge that aligns with our corporate ethos of sustainability. I’ve eliminated plastic water bottles and paper coffee cups from my routine, even while traveling.

Take a moment to visualize a reusable water bottle – a simple, yet powerful tool in our sustainability kit. This bottle has accompanied me across various landscapes and through numerous experiences, becoming a symbol of my commitment to the environment. Each refill represents a small victory: a plastic bottle saved from the fate of recycling or landfill.

Using a reusable water bottle every day instead of a single-use plastic one can impact your carbon footprint.

Based on the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable data, a 500-milliliter plastic water bottle contributes approximately 82.8 grams of carbon dioxide emissions. If you were to consume one such bottle daily for a year, the emissions would add up to over 30 kilograms (about 67 pounds) of carbon dioxide. By opting for a reusable bottle, you can avoid these emissions and take an active step towards reducing your individual environmental impact.

Our organization, Cisco, has set ambitious environmental goals: achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across our value chain by 2040 and 100% of new Cisco products and packaging to incorporate Circular Design Principles by fiscal year 2025. These initiatives mirror our company’s mission to power an inclusive future for all, one where environmental stewardship is paramount.  And in that future, Mother Nature has a voice:

While these corporate goals are crucial, individual actions play an equally important role. My journey began with a simple water bottle, and I encourage each of you to consider how your choices can contribute to a greater collective impact.

What steps can you take, not only during Earth Month but year-round, to protect our planet?

Here are a few actionable ideas for you to consider:

Organize or participate in a cleanup in your community
Calculate your carbon footprint
Educate yourself on plastics
Take a plastic quiz
Reject fast fashion

I invite you to reflect on these suggestions and consider integrating them into your daily routine. Your contributions, no matter how small they may seem, can lead to positive changes for our planet. Share your thoughts and additional ideas with our global community.

Together, we can help forge a path toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.

For Cisco employees, there are additional resources at your disposal (links for internal audiences only):

Check out Cisco’s Earth Aware 2024 (SharePoint)
Use Cisco’s Community Impact Portal to organize or participate in a cleanup.

"}]]  The advent of Earth Month reminds us of our role as stewards of the planet's vast network of life. With Cisco's ambitious goals to achieve net zero emissions and integrate Circular Design Principles, we all play a part in this journey. Join us in making sustainable choices, not just during Earth Month, but all year round. Together, we can build a more sustainable, inclusive future.  Read More Cisco Blogs