Cisco Celebrates Network Milestone at Expo 2020 Dubai Site

Cisco, the Official Digital Network Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, has celebrated a technology milestone with completion of its network deployment across all three of Expo’s Thematic Districts. To celebrate this milestone, a delegation of Cisco and Expo 2020 employees engaged in a Ghaf tree planting ceremony.

An overview of the tech milestones:

Seamless control and connectivity

Cisco completed the deployment of its advanced networks across all three Thematic Districts –Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability of Expo 2020 Dubai. The network will enable visitors, exhibitors and organizers across the site to connect on any device – securely, wirelessly and seamlessly.

Cisco’s industry renowned Intent-Based Network forms the backbone of Expo 2020’s technological infrastructure. Consolidating operations into a single IP network, the intent-based network provides an infrastructure which constantly learns, adapts and protects, making it the ideal foundation for the Expo 2020 digital experience.

Providing Expo’s back-office operations and visitors with a seamless network experience, Cisco’s Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) –the industry’s first intent-based networking solution for the enterprise – will host around 8,000 Wi-Fi access points, serving up to 300,000 users per day during Expo 2020 as well as supporting over 400 end points in IOT systems such as building management, irrigation and lighting control.

Security-first infrastructure

A strong network security infrastructure is critical to ensuring the success of Expo 2020 Dubai. Cisco solutions will be deployed around the site to help detect and stop threats, keeping visitors and employees connected in a safe and seamless manner.

Cisco’s Physical Security network has also been implemented to support a CCTV network which, once completed, will comprise of a number of security cameras. This network will use redundant switches to minimize blind spots providing security teams with unmatched visibility and coverage to monitor and control access throughout the 4.38 sq km site with ease.

Streamlined business communications

Improving overall business processes, Cisco’s collaboration solutions help enhance productivity and facilitate speedy decision-making. Cisco aims to simplify communication, inspire innovation and empower Expo 2020 employees to engage with each other at a moment’s notice, on any device, from anywhere. Currently, over 3,200 Cisco phones are being used in the Expo 2020 offices, with over 1,000 users making use of Webex Teams – the company’s on-demand collaboration, file sharing and web conferencing suite.

To deliver information in a more engaging manner, the Expo 2020 site will also make use of Cisco Vision, the company’s dynamic digital signage solution. The deployment of Cisco Vision at Expo 2020 will be the largest of its kind in the region and one of the largest globally.  The Cisco Vision solution provides high-definition digital content and video and will help deliver compelling, interactive experiences and better engage with visitors in new and more impactful ways. 

The workplace reimagined

Additionally, Cisco has deployed an Office of the Future proof of concept which is an intuitive web app that allows employees to seamlessly and securely search, locate and reserve meeting rooms at Expo 2020. When scheduling a meeting, employees can include WebEx Conference, allowing remote participants to join, with the additional option of activating an AI Voice Assistant to have Voicea’s EVA take and share meeting notes. Guests and external visitors of Expo 2020 can also use the web app to book 1-on-1 meetings with select teams at Expo 2020 for an easy and seamless experience when they arrive on site.

Mohammed Alhashmi, Chief Technology Officer at Expo 2020 Dubai said: “On 20 October 2020, we will open our doors to welcome the world. We want to amaze millions of visitors with an incredible experience made possible by cutting-edge technology enabled by our partners, in particular the digital infrastructure being installed by our Digital Network Partner, Cisco. We’re delighted with the speed of progress as preparations continue ahead of the readiness and testing phase at the end of this year.”

Commenting on the milestone, Shukri Eid, Managing Director, Cisco Gulf Region said: “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards making Expo 2020’s technology infrastructure the most advanced in the history of World Expos. To celebrate this milestone together with Expo employees, we engaged in a Ghaf tree planting ceremony. Declared as the national tree of the UAE, the Ghaf represents cultural value. We are proud to be collaborating with Expo 2020 and helping to deliver a uniquely memorable digital experience.”