Cisco Builds Business Collaboration Cloud for Chengdu

San Jose, September 23, 2011 – Cisco recently announced that it has signed an agreement with the Chengdu municipal government, the aim of which is for Cisco to help the city to build a business collaboration cloud to serve as the platform for public services.

This initiative is the continuation of Cisco’s effort to help build Smart+Connected Communities project for Chengdu according to the previous agreement signed between Cisco and Chengdu in July last year. Cisco’s TelePresence communication system will be used in this endeavor.

In the business collaboration cloud initiative, Chengdu will explore taking advantage of Cisco’s technologies for Unified Communications, collaboration, services and cloud computing to build a public service platform. Specifically, the initiative is expected to include a business collaboration cloud management platform, an exchange center, a collaboration network system and terminals for the Cisco TelePresence system. The business collaboration cloud will aim to start serving Chengdu in the early stages, and will target providing nationwide services in the near future, with a goal of connecting to other collaboration clouds worldwide in later stages.

With its solid information infrastructure, developed electronic information industry, and fast growing market demand, Chengdu is well positioned to develop the software and information service industries, to explore the cloud-based business models, and to build business collaboration cloud.

In addition to this, the Mayor of Chengdu Ge Honglin, paid a visit to the corporate headquarters of Cisco in San Jose, California, in September, and met with Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers. During the meeting, the Mayor expressed appreciation for Cisco’s significant efforts in relief and the contribution of over US$45M to Sichuan, after the major earthquake in May 2008. Ge Honglin also praised Cisco for its strategic vision in partnering with Chengdu, and hopes that the business collaboration cloud initiative will further promote the development of related industries in the city.

Cisco launched a three-year corporate social responsibility program called “Connecting Sichuan” in July 2008, to engage in the post-quake rebuild efforts shortly after the earthquake. Chengdu’s education and healthcare sectors have greatly benefited from the program. And the Mayor’s visit was after the successful wrap-up of the program just two months ago.

Chambers said: “Mayor Ge’s visit at this point represents the great importance that he attaches to our cooperation. By helping the city to build the business collaboration cloud, we are dedicated to the development of ICT in Chengdu.” He also hopes that the two parties will continue to promote the best practices from “Connecting Sichuan” in remote healthcare and education services.

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