ANDREU VILAMITJANA, CEO OF CISCO SPAIN

What would be the Cisco Elevator Pitch?

Cisco has been helping companies, administrations and service providers more than 30 years to build state-of-the-art smart grids and integrate and manage IT solutions to take advantage of the digital opportunities of the present and the future.

In 2019 Cisco is no longer a networking company, we have an end-to-end offer. Covering networks based on intention (intent-based networking), cyber-security, collaboration, data center and cloud, our self-adapting solutions to business needs provide the secure and intelligent platform needed for your digital transformation. We have also helped transform the way we live, work, learn and have fun, facilitating digital inclusion and contributing to creating a more prosperous and just society.

What is the key success factor in your company?

The continuous and collaborative innovation. We have more than 25,000 engineers, 19,000 patents and 12 Co-Innovation Centers on a global scale - including Barcelona - that develop new solutions and technologies collaborating with the ecosystem. And we allocate more than 6,000 million dollars a year to R&D (13% of global revenues), being one of the companies that invest more in innovation.

Each year, we allocate between 250 and 300 million dollars to start-ups and venture capital funds worldwide. We have incorporated innovative third-party technology through more than 200 acquisitions. And we apply the CDA program to accelerate the digitization of countries, cities and communities: 26 countries to date including Spain, where it is called ‘Digitize’.

Which project are you working in currently?

We want to continue promoting the success of the ‘Digitize’ program. In March since March, it is designed to accelerate the digital transformation of Spain. It combines collaboration and shared investment between Cisco, administrations and private companies - large companies, SMEs, start-ups, partners ... - promoting projects that improve the quality of life of citizens, create jobs, improve youth training and workers and optimize economic competitiveness. It has a great success, which we now want to extend further with the active participation of our channel partners, with special focus on SMEs and vertical sectors.

‘Digitize’ covers four areas of activity (Industry 4.0, Intelligent Territories, Critical Infrastructures and Digital Jobs and Innovation). The last pillar is essential to facilitate employability and create net employment. Through the Cisco NetAcad non-profit program, 175,000 young people in Spain have already been trained in digital technologies (IoT, cyber-security, network programming ...). And Digitaliza plans to train 100,000 more in the next three years.

What are you learning today? 

A fundamental aspect: the importance of context and intelligence applied to ICT processes. Today, about 80% of global Internet traffic goes through Cisco equipment. Taking advantage of this experience, Cisco is significantly changing the way organizations leverage their technology infrastructures, simplifying the growing complexity of their IT environments: the exponential growth of connected users, devices and objects.

We offer the only integrated multi-domain architecture based on business needs, with security from start to finish and advanced analytics. We are integrating AI and ML capabilities in our entire offer, helping organizations extract the value of data, make better decisions and increase their business results. And we offer these software innovations through subscriptions, guaranteeing customers access to continuous innovation.

What person should the entire 22@ community know?

Xavier Azemar. He is responsible for the Cisco Co-Innovation Center in Barcelona. A passionate about technology. Great interlocutor And, above all, open to collaborate with researchers, universities, partners, start-ups ... In recent years the Center has financed 20 projects worth 1.5 million dollars. And he is currently immersed in various collaborative projects related to Artificial Intelligence and communication protocols with universities such as the Polytechnic of Catalonia or the Open University of Catalonia.

How do you see Cisco in 5 years?

As the partner that has helped Spanish companies and administrations succeed in their digital transformation. And, therefore, contributing to increase GDP and improve employment. But also as a transforming reference in the digital society. Cisco Spain workers lead multiple CSR initiatives that promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion in ICT, such as the School Program, Girls Power Tech, NetAcad or our support for Greenlight for Girls.

Cisco Spain also has 12 consecutive years as 1st or 2nd ‘Best Company to Work for in Spain’ (category 50-500 employees, Great Place to Work Institute), being number 1 in the last four years. And we want to continue maintaining this position, since it is the employees themselves who rate the company.