In Cisco Services, we do both.
Our engineers are on the leading edge of new capabilities – security, cloud, automation, you name it. With more than 50 million network installations, we have deeper insight into the network than anyone. That innovation and expertise is built in across our entire lifecycle of IT services to help customers capture value in a digital world. It gives us an edge—an edge our customers appreciate.
One Cisco executive just told me about his recent visit with a client CIO. That client made him wait because he wanted more time with one of our Solution Integration Architects. That’s an awesome testament to our value.
I talk with customers all the time, and I hear it myself, too. The global head of IT Infrastructure at an investment management firm said her Cisco services engineer is like a part of their in-house team. She also loved that he’s a passionate advocate for their needs back into Cisco. It’s a two-way street.
We built a similar relationship with AoK Nordost, a German health insurer responsible for about 1/3 of the region’s population. We helped them see what’s possible from a “digital” modernization of their business – for subscribers, sales, marketing and internal administration. Together we developed both a top-down digital strategy and a bottoms-up IT platform to serve their millions of subscribers better.
While they were building for the future, they also needed to deploy solutions quickly to make their customers’ lives better right away. They turned to Cisco technologies like telepresence, video communication, Wi-Fi, contact center and telephone communications. We also helped them to innovate.
Together we developed their popular new “Fit mit AOK” fitness application. We cut their time to market dramatically; we went from start to market in about 4 months. And while we made patient data more accessible to caregivers and patients, we also ensured that data was more secure.
I’m proud of the team and our work with AOK Nordost.
I also believe in the power of teaching people to fish.
Cisco’s certified community of IT professionals is THREE MILLION strong. That’s a powerful ecosystem of networking and IT specialists.
And CCIEs are considered the Jedis of the networking world — comprising less than three percent of all Cisco-certified individuals around the world. Jiaqi Xu is among the best of the best of this group. That’s because he’s one of only 16 individuals worldwide with not one, not two, but seven different CCIE certifications.
Our learning curriculum is continually being updated. We recently refreshed our certifications to include updated skills for digital transformation in such key areas as network programmability, security, IoT, network design, data center, and data analytics. And we created specialized certifications for deeper expertise in cybersecurity, cloud, network programmability, and overall IT business acumen. We have a full suite of learning tools and resources—online and in person—to help people build, deploy and manage their own digitally transformed environments.
Our learning services continue to set the industry benchmark. Perhaps because our certifications are always evolving, based on changing roles and skills needed to make sure talent is ready for the new digital economy.
Fish or fisherman, we’ve got you covered. How can we help your team?
Learn more about Cisco Services.
Great article, Joe. I’ve been part of the Cisco Services team for the last 4 years, and we have always worked towards helping the Customer and also facilitating their self-sufficiency. I believe that all of Cisco’s customers can affirm this.
This proverb written in Chinese : 授人以鱼不如授人以渔 is as interesting as it is in English. Fish and to fish has the same pronunciation but slightly different character.