Cisco Launches Innovation and Experience Center to Bring Digitization to Life for the Middle East

Cisco launched a state-of-the-art Innovation and Experience Center (IXC) at its Middle East regional hub in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The center will serve as a hub for open innovation and showcase what is possible with digital transformation in sectors that range from retail and hospitality to healthcare, education, and financial services.

The IXC is a first of its kind worldwide in that it combines innovation capability with a customer experience showcase to bring digitization to life for Cisco’s customers and our partners. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the latest Cisco® solutions applied to real-world, real-time scenarios and get a 360-degree view of technologies that deliver tangible business outcomes.

“In today’s highly dynamic, fast-moving world, we must accelerate our pace of innovation like never before,” said Chuck Robbins, chief executive officer, Cisco. “Our new Innovation and Experience Center takes a unique approach that will help governments and businesses across the region develop solutions leading to greater opportunities for citizens and customers in the digital age.”

The center was inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, together with Chuck Robbins. Robbins had earlier delivered a keynote address to senior UAE government officials.

“We are keen on cultivating a culture of excellence, innovation, and creativity in our bid to firmly establish Dubai among the most innovative cities in the world,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. “Innovation has become a strategic imperative that not only drives growth for our economy, but also plays a critical role in the pursuit of happiness for citizens, residents, and visitors of our nation. Cisco’s decision to base its Middle East Innovation and Experience Center in Dubai reflects the city’s stature as an emerging, dynamic global innovation hub and will support the region’s organizations and businesses to raise the bar for innovation.”

The IXC is being developed at a time when the region is experiencing an accelerated pace of digitization across sectors and as governments hasten their drive toward diversification and the development of knowledge-based economies. Businesses will be able to see digital transformation in action at the center, gaining a better understanding of how disruptive technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality can transform their business and operations and solve challenges.

“Innovation and the transition to digital are high priorities for governments across our region,” said David Meads, vice president, Middle East and Africa, Cisco. “The Innovation and Experience Center is a statement of our intent and illustrates our commitment to the region. The center aligns closely to the UAE’s National Innovation Strategy and will serve as a platform to accelerate the digital journey for our customers and enhance their competitiveness in the digital era.”

The Innovation and Experience Center is part of a global network of Cisco Innovation Centers and hubs and will work closely with the network and Cisco’s partner ecosystem to push forward new ideas and foster creative approaches that improve business outcomes for local and global organizations.

Beyond interactively showcasing Cisco’s latest solutions across multiple architectures, the ultramodern facility will feature interactive technology demonstration labs, where Cisco and its partners will develop customized solutions adapted to the specific needs of industries in the region. Some of the sectors to be featured in the IXC include healthcare, retail, education, hospitality, transportation, utilities, banking and financial services, and oil and gas.

Serving the entire Middle East region, the virtual experience facility will extend over 9000 square feet and offer live in-person and remote demos on Cisco’s solutions. The IXC will also facilitate closer collaboration between Cisco’s channel and global industry partners to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem across the region.