Cisco’s focus in the artificial intelligence (AI) space is helping customers see and know more about their operation to proactively solve a range of tech problems.
As the creation of data grows, enterprises are facing more network complexity and cyberthreats, including in the cloud. The networking leader Cisco is offering several AI technologies, including machine learning (ML), to help companies run an “intelligence-powered” business, from applications to the data center and networking.
See below to learn all about where Cisco stands in the AI sector:
See more:Â Top Performing Artificial Intelligence Companies
Cisco and the AI market
AI software revenue is expected to grow to $65.5 billion in 2022, which would be an increase of 21.3% from 2021, according to Gartner.
With the rapid growth of AI in cybersecurity, 48% of CIOs are planning to deploy AI security within the next 12 months, Gartner says.
To help customers protect their data, Cisco has developed network security offerings that use AI technology.
“I’m bullish about AI finally going mainstream after years of hype — bigger than the cloud or the internet — and being the biggest driving force for digital transformation over the next decade,” said John Chambers, a venture capitalist and former CEO of Cisco, to MarketWatch.
See more:Â The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market
Cisco AI portfolio
Cisco offers a range of products across their hardware and software portfolios that are “driven” by AI technologies, including ML:
- Network management: Cisco DNA Center, Cisco Identity Service Engine (ISE), Cisco DevNet
- Data center infrastructure: Unified Computing System (UCS), UCS X-Series Modular System, UCS X-Fabric
- Network security: Machine learning, Cisco DNA Analytics
- Collaboration: Webex, Webex Assistant
- Application observability: AppDynamics
- Network automation: Cisco CrossWork software suite for multi-vendor and multi-domain network operations
Key benefits
- Increased network visibility:Â Use automated AI-based views on historical and real-time data for enhanced network monitoring of performance and vulnerabilities as well as analysis of data lakes
- Improved insights:Â Use ML to discover trends and patterns in network behavior to uncover problems and prioritize issues
- Greater action:Â Use ML algorithms and automated workflows to help engineers resolve issues
Use Case
SpotIT was one of Cisco’s first customers to implement Cisco DNA Center network management software with AI technology.
“With Cisco DNA Center, SpotIT can shift their focus from “dealing with issues at the component level to dealing with the expectations of our customers and their users,” says Ben Demeyere, security and network consultant, SpotIT.
“For example, we can look at the health score for a specific type of network function, such as onboarding, authentication, or roaming, and proactively enhance network parameters before they become a problem.”
SpotIT also uses Cisco DNA Center to pinpoint problems and gaps in their systems. They are able to check for slowdowns in applications and networks. SpotIT can use the network management software as needed, adding or optimizing to gain better service.
“By using Cisco DNA Center, we can react to an issue and offer a solution that is timely, targeted, and budget-friendly,” Demeyere says.
As one of the first partners, SpotIT has also seen Cisco improve their AI capabilities.
Differentiators
- AI with Cisco and Google Cloud:Â Both companies are focused on data being collected, cleaned, correlated, and trained for an AI model.
- Cisco DevNet:Â Sandbox and developer tools to create solutions using Cisco AI
- Webex:Â Cisco is focused on innovation and new capabilities in the collaboration software market in several areas: relationship intelligence; audio and speech technologies; bots and assistant; and computer vision.
User reviews
Users give mostly positive reviews to several Cisco products that are partly driven by AI:
Cisco DNA Center
G2: 4.3 out of 5
Gartner Peer Insights: 4.5 out of 5
TrustRadius: 8.6 out of 10
An IT specialist at Lamda I-TECH says at TrustRadius that there are “factors that make integration and management simple. Security in retrospect, AI-powered heat maps, and network device onboarding.”
AppDynamics
G2: 4.3 out of 5
Gartner Peer Insights: 4.4 out of 5
TrustRadius: 8.3 out of 10
A senior software engineer says at G2 “It will deduct issues with real-time monitoring before they impact customers. Also unlocks the power of machine learning to accelerate and automate root-cause diagnosis.”
Cisco Webex
G2: 4.2 out of 5
Gartner Peer Insights: 4.4 out of 5
TrustRadius: 8.9 out of 10
A user with Mapple says at TrustRadius, “Webex Meetings allows us to make low-cost phone calls using the application. … The AI-based cloud recording can transcribe the audio from the discussions. Even if the language isn’t English, it can quickly find English translations.”
Industry recognition of Cisco AI
- Stevie Award, Gold: for “Cisco System’s Intelligent RMA Experience (IRE)” in the Customer Service & Call Center Awards Achievement category in 2021 Cisco says their in AI, their “collective capabilities make this program very unique, significant, and impactful, as shown by higher CXSAT scores and internal productivity gains.”
- Awards.AI: awarded to Cisco in the category Best Use of AI in the Enterprise category in 2018 for their in-house ML system for customer service and the “next best action.”
Conclusions
When it comes to Cisco’s development of artificial intelligence, the networking leader is looking to the technology as a key part of serving its customers into the future.
“As the pace of change and diversity of the environment continues to rapidly evolve, Cisco is committed to continually simplifying our solutions,” said Scott Harrell, SVP and GM enterprise networking business, Cisco.
“Artificial intelligence and machine learning can enable businesses to efficiently discern which issues to prioritize becoming more nimble and proactive.
“This will have a profound effect on network operations and the IT teams that run them. At Cisco, we’re future-proofing our networks and the workforce through automation and intelligence.”
Cisco’s AI capabilities are also currently helping customers improve their tech infrastructure, with a focus on the vendor’s networking expertise.
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