Expo 2020 Dubai is ready to be most digitally-connected show

Inayat-ur-Rahman, Business Editor

The Expo 2020 Dubai set to be the most digitally-connected and immersive event in World Expo history. For the past four years, Cisco has worked closely with the organiser to help deliver highly immersive digital experiences for Expo 2020 Dubai, the region’s most anticipated event. The two organisations announced that Cisco’s network infrastructure will also be deployed at the Dubai Exhibition Center – strategically located close to the heart of the Expo 2020 Dubai site.

With Cisco demonstrating clear expertise in deploying, managing and maintaining the network at the Expo 2020 Dubai site, the company has now also been chosen to provide a state-of-the-art network that will be the foundation for the digital infrastructure at the Dubai Exhibition Centre. This network deployment represents the largest of its kind for an event space in the region.

 As part of the implementation, Cisco will provide an end-to-end security solution with robust firewalls, network access control (NAC) and web proxy server capabilities. Collectively, these solutions will help gatekeep network access, increase visibility of network usage and reduce network operational risk.

“Our ambition has always been to take the World Expo experience to new heights. Having the right network infrastructure and strategic collaboration in place is key. Over the years, Cisco has proved to be a trusted partner and consultant helping to accelerate our digitization agenda and to provide seamless and secure connectivity for employees, volunteers, participants and visitors alike at Expo 2020 and the Dubai Exhibition Centre,” said Mohammed Alhashmi, Chief Technology Officer at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Network Services Orchestrator (NSO) solutions are typically used by large enterprises and service providers. With the Dubai Exhibition Centre expected to experience high network usage, Cisco is implementing its NSO technology in an event space for the first time. With its automation capabilities, NSO frees application and service owners to focus on improving the visitor experience, by delivering services up to 90% faster.

At the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Cisco’s NSO technology will be used to simplify network operations by leveraging automation and providing the ability to work with multiple vendors and technology domains. This, in turn, will help enable the venue to conduct network and service modifications while in live production – continually optimizing the connected experience for visitors. In addition, NSO will help orchestrate all deployed network infrastructures, while an intuitive dashboard enables seamless management of all available network services. “Our trusted relationship has continued to evolve and strengthen, with Cisco offering the best of our technology and our people to support Expo 2020 Dubai.

Through our latest collaboration, Cisco will help the Dubai Exhibition Centre to seamlessly host large-scale events, so that every visitor has an unforgettable, connected experience,” said Shukri Eid, Managing Director, Cisco Gulf Region.

 Over the last four years, or more than 1,500 days, Cisco’s strategic collaboration has helped Expo 2020 Dubai establish a secure, intelligent foundation for connectivity.

As part of its mission to help Expo 2020 Dubai create the most digitally-connected and immersive event in World Expo history, Cisco has deployed:

250 of the industry’s most experienced project managers and engineers on-site to provide more than 2.5 million person hours of technology implementation and rollout support.

20,000 secure endpoints across the site to deliver industry leading connectivity.

30 different technology solutions across the Expo 2020 Dubai site.

Meanwhile, Canon an Official Provider of Expo 2020 Dubai and the first company ever to be the single provider of imaging and printing for a World Expo, has launched a special series of its monthly online Frontiers of Innovation broadcasts to celebrate the partnership.

Mai Youssef, Corporate Communications and Marketing Services Director, Canon Middle East and Canon Central and North Africa, commented: “Featuring some of the best minds in the region from a range of sectors discussing key issues of our time, Frontiers of Innovation is an important aspect of Canon’s external communications. The subjects discussed reflect our commitment to the environment, empowering talent, innovation and the future. This joint initiative with Expo 2020 is part of our ongoing commitment to drive innovation and generate solutions to support businesses in various sectors across the Middle East and Africa.”

Dina Storey, Director - Sustainability Operations, Sustainability-Real Estate from Dubai Expo 2020 commented: “Our joint venture with Canon Middle East will create an important platform to discuss key issues that are cropping up in the photography and filmography world. With a large focus on sustainability and innovation – two things that are extremely important to us at Dubai Expo 2020 - we’re able to create a better future for young artists and encourage more people to join this inspiring community.”