Berlin and Cisco: Together on the digital path

Over the next three years, <link http://p216128.webspaceconfig.de/http:///h>Cisco</link> will invest 500 million USD to help accelerate the digitization in Germany as part of the initiative "<link http://p216128.webspaceconfig.de/http:///h>Deutschland Digital</link>" (Digital Germany). The partnership that has now been agreed on is part of this project. According to Oliver Tuszik, Head of Cisco Germany, the aim of the project is to "improve the quality of life of all German citizens and to provide an additional stimulus to the economy in Berlin." Cornelia Yzer, Senator for Economics, Technology and Research in Berlin, commented that the dynamic growth seen in recent years was "closely linked to the digital transformation". She also said that the Senate will keep supporting innovations, promote digitization and turn Berlin into a smart city.

Aim is to establish central platforms and intelligent network functions

In the recently signed memorandum both partners have already agreed on concrete measures to develop solutions for the citizens in the three areas of telemedicine, security and network infrastructure. These measures include developing a health platform that - subject to the patients' consent - enables general practitioners and specialists, hospitals, rescue services and rehabilitation facilities to exchange data. In the area of public security and rescue services, too, a centralized digital platform will help facilitate communication between members of the police force, fire departments and hospital staff. Also, public services will be able to check current weather forecasts as well as traffic and environmental data using the platform. This will help streamline operational planning, for example in the case of severe weather or events in general. On top of the agenda in the area of network infrastructure is the development of a horizontal infrastructure. i.e. intelligent network functions that serve all users. In the past industries and administrative bodies used their own solutions, but now an open international standard is to pave the way for uniform security and analysis functions.