This blog is co-authored by Vinay Nichani, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Sales, Solutions, and Alliances for NTT Data's$6B Technology Solutions Business.

For 40 years, Cisco has been at the forefront of not just building networks but shaping the future. This week, at Cisco Live in San Diego, we unveiled the largest launch in our history-a transformative leap that establishes a new foundation for our customers in an AI-driven world. At the same time, NTT DATA announced a major milestone in our 34-year partnership: the global availability ofAI-Powered Software-Defined Infrastructure Servicesfor Cisco products.

Together, Cisco and NTT DATA are not just introducing new products and services; we are unlocking an entirely new era of opportunity for our customers. This collaboration is designed to empower organizations to lead and thrive in a rapidly evolving market.

Modern Infrastructure Requires an AI-Ready Approach

According to NTT DATA's 2024 GenAI research, 80% of organizations agree that inadequate or outdated technology is holding back progress and innovation. Moreover, 94% of C-suite executives believe legacy infrastructure significantly hinders business agility.

While AI infrastructure investments are critical for modernization, only 13% of organizations are fully prepared to leverage AI and AI-powered technologies, as highlighted in Cisco's 2024 AI Readiness Index.

As our customers face increasingly complex challenges in integrating AI into their operations, modernizing their networks becomes essential. UpgradingLast Day of Support (LDOS)infrastructure is a crucial step to avoid operational risks, security vulnerabilities, and inefficiencies associated with outdated technology.

Driving Business Outcomes for Customers Worldwide

Cisco and NTT DATA are uniquely positioned to guide our customers through digital transformation. By combining Cisco's cutting-edgeAI-ready secure network architecturewith NTT DATA's expertise in software-defined infrastructure and lifecycle management, we enable businesses to achieve unparalleled operational efficiency and scalability.

Our partnership ensures that customers are not just keeping pace but leading the charge in their industries. Key highlights of our integrated approach include:

• AI-Ready Secure Network Architecture:Cisco's latest innovations deliver operational simplicity powered by AI for unified management and assurance. Security is seamlessly integrated into the network to protect against evolving threats, while scalable infrastructure supports high throughput, low latency, and edge computing.
• Lifecycle Management:NTT DATA's software-defined infrastructure services streamline deployment, adoption, and renewal processes, maximizing ROI on Cisco technology investments.
• Sustainability and Scalability:Together, we are committed to delivering sustainable solutions that meet today's needs while preparing businesses for future challenges.

Your Moment to Lead in the AI Era

This is more than a launch; it's a call to action to revolutionize how infrastructure and data connect and protect your organization in the AI era. With Cisco and NTT DATA, you have the tools, expertise, and support to seize this moment and own the future. Together, we are not just building networks; we are building the future of AI-driven innovation.

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

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