Cisco launch a digital acceleration program

Cisco launch a three-year partnership program in Michigan for making the state more secure and digitally advanced.

The company said, the State Digital Acceleration program has five priorities which are developing connected roadways, fostering improvements in advanced manufacturing, offering digital education and training for tech workers, developing a “citizen-centered, smart, and connected government,” and making Michigan a “safer and more attractive place to live.”

Initially, the company will partner with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to pilot Cisco Connected Roadways, to improve passenger and worker safety.

Alison Gleeson, senior vice president of Cisco Americas, said, Cisco interested in exploring ways to assist MDOT in notifying drivers about poor weather conditions. Also, the exact mile at which the driver is expected to hit these conditions, via digital signage and vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

advanced manufacturing training

Second, Cisco partner with Wayne State University in Detroit to create a 25,000-square foot building for advanced manufacturing training. The company also plans to hire 300 instructors to expand the footprint of its Networking Academy.

The aim is to double the number of students that graduate from Networking Academy programs in Michigan each year from 3,000 students to 8,000 students by 2020.

Finally, Cisco will partner with the Michigan department of technology, management, and budget related to “collaboration around a converged network platform for innovation in the future in services, security, collaboration, cloud, and more.”

The company also works to encourage “smart, connected communities” across Michigan, Gleeson said. Also, Cisco ranked as a leading “smart city” supplier.

Cisco also plans to improve services delivered to residents and state agencies, including cyber security and cloud computing.

Gleeson said that Cisco will likely launch a digital acceleration program in another state before the end of the year, and said the company plans to roll out the program to other states in the coming year.

More information: [Cisco]