Cisco expands presence in Korea
Jaime Valles, president of Cisco Asia-Pacific, Japan and Greater China, delivers his keynote speech at the “Cisco Connect Korea 2013” conference at COEX in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of Cisco Korea
Networking giant urges attention to big data
By Kim Yoo-chul
Cisco Systems is expanding its business in Korea as the U.S.-based global solutions provider has designated the nation as one of its top strategic markets.
In line with that initiative, it has decided to grant a vice president position to the new country manager, said a senior Cisco executive, Thursday.
``Our headquarters leveled up the position of the Korean office after Korea was named as one of Cisco’s top investment priorities. The new country manager will get a vice president title,’’ said Les Williamson, leader of Cisco Asia-Pacific during the ``Cisco Connect Korea 2013’’ conference at the COEX convention center in Seoul.
He said the company is looking for a Korean national to manage its Korean business. Williamson is currently serving as acting country manager after the former Korea chief recently stepped down from the position.
Cisco is evolving its partner strategy in anticipation of so-called ``multiple market transitions happening simultaneously.’’
Cisco Korea has five locations with 500 employees and 35 training centers focused on networking. The company runs its research center in Incheon with local telecommunications giant KT.
Cisco also asked local companies to pay more attention to data management.
``Enormous amounts of data are being generated daily by smartphones, sensors, video cameras, smart meters, and other connected devices, adding to the huge store of information from traditional sources. This `data avalanche’ represents a potential gold mine of insights. Information technology (IT) professionals and businesses are challenged to extract strategic value from their data,’’ Cisco said in a report titled ``Cisco Connected World Technology Report.’’
The report surveyed IT professionals across 18 countries to examine IT readiness, challenges and strategic value of implementing “big data” projects.
``While more companies are collecting, storing and analyzing data, the report reveals that many are struggling with both the business and IT challenges of big data,’’ it said.
Sixty percent of survey respondents agreed big data will help improve decision making, but only 28 percent reported they are currently generating strategic value from their data.
``Over two-thirds of IT managers agree that big data will be a strategic priority for their companies in 2013 and over the next five years as well. But one of the key obstacles to adopting big data solutions is security, followed by budget and staffing,’’ the report said.
``Many companies are discovering that big data projects need to span multiple lines of business, requiring new levels of intercompany collaboration. And while technology is important to big data solutions, people are needed with the special skill sets and creativity to imagine and realize data’s full potential,’’ according to the report.