Technology Key to Solving Urban Inefficiencies, Cisco Says
October 17 2017 - 8:49PM
Dow Jones News
By Greg Bensinger
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. -- Cities can more efficiently conduct
parking, waste management, commuting and energy consumption, to
name a few, all through the use of technology including connected
sensors, said Cisco Systems Inc. Chief Executive Chuck Robbins.
"We have to do things more efficiently," said Mr. Robbins at The
Wall Street Journal's WSJ D.Live technology conference on Tuesday.
Lighting, for example, accounts for 20% of global energy use he
said, adding that smarter technological devices can cut energy
use.
Cisco has worked to put itself at the center of smart cities
that rely on sensors and other monitoring to ferret out
inefficiencies. Mr. Robbins said his company is working with 120
cities around the world to boost productivity, pointing to Hamburg,
where the port has improved productivity by more effectively moving
through cargo ships.
Smart cities technology is a diversification for Cisco, which
hasn't kept pace with the market for its core product, switching
hardware.
Security of such technologically connected cities remains
paramount, said Mr. Robbins. Asked if he worried about potential
security threats, Mr. Robbins said "every day we are."
"Security has to be foundational, upfront," he said.
Mr. Robbins is set to become chairman in December when John
Chambers steps down from that role after more than a decade. It
marks the end of an era for Cisco, which was helmed by Mr. Chambers
for two decades amid rapid growth and a subsequent retreat from its
one-time throne as the world's most valuable company.
The change isn't likely to affect Mr. Robbins' typical workday,
he said.
Mr. Robbins also said he was optimistic lawmakers would soon
reach an agreement to cut corporate taxes, giving Cisco the
opportunity to conduct more mergers or acquisitions and increase
capital spending. "The benefit [of tax reform] is well understood,"
he said.
Write to Greg Bensinger at greg.bensinger@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 17, 2017 20:34 ET (00:34 GMT)
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