Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins are praised the vendor’s partners and customers for their work over the last 12 months and encouraged them to “shape the world” as hybrid working becomes a reality.
Speaking at the first global Cisco Live event, which is being held virtually, Robbins said that Cisco is committed to delivering “inclusive collaboration”.
Addressing attendees from over 200 countries, he said: “I saw what all of you did last year; I saw what our teams did last year; I saw the way we used technology to help organisations and people work from home and remain productive.
“Technology was, and will be, at the heart of strategies moving forward. We definitely learned last year that based on technology and your capabilities… the world is truly ours to shape.
“We are at a unique point in time where we have proved that technology can help us achieve almost anything, and each of us has a role to play as we shape the future”
Webex took a back seat as the opening keynote focused largely on Cisco’s networking business, cloud, expanded as-a-service offerings and security.
Hybrid working featured prominently, particularly around 5G WiFi 6 and IoT.
Robbins said that collaboration runs through the four pillars that businesses are going to demand of Cisco and its partners over the coming months and years:
- Reimagining applications
- Empowering Teams
- Securing Enterprises
- Transforming Infrastructure
Cisco has endured a difficult pandemic amid constricting enterprise spending – particularly around large infrastructure projects.
The vendor’s most recently reported quarter was tough, but the success of Webex has been a high point amid a tough 12 months. Robbins has also touted innovation that would allow people to participate in 3D meetings.
The main Webex news from Cisco Live centred on the platform’s People Insights feature.
Cisco said People Insight’s “enables individuals and teams to set and achieve goals for their meetings, work-life integration, connections, and manage their time”.
Read more about People Insights here
