NTT DATA unveils AI driven Cisco infrastructure for global firms

NTT DATA has launched AI powered Software Defined Infrastructure services for Cisco products, representing the latest development in a 30-year collaboration between the two companies.

The new Software Defined Infrastructure (SDI) services provide organisations with real-time infrastructure optimisation, aiming to reduce costs and support accelerated digital transformation amid growing adoption of artificial intelligence technologies. This service encompasses Cisco's range of infrastructure and software products.

Aditya Afzulpurkar, Senior Vice President, Technology Solutions at NTT DATA, said:

"With AI powered SDI services, we're leveraging our strategic vision to provide organizations proactive, intelligent automation helping them navigate the complexities of hardware and software alignment to business. We are proud of the evolution of our partnership with Cisco as both companies go beyond traditional services to help clients solve real business challenges in the era of AI."

Current research from NTT DATA's 2024 GenAI study indicates that 80% of organisations believe inadequate or outdated technology is limiting progress and innovation. The report also highlights that 94% of C-suite executives see legacy infrastructure as a significant barrier to business agility. Despite the acknowledgment of AI infrastructure's critical role, only 13% of organisations are fully prepared to utilise AI and related technologies, according to Cisco's 2024 AI Readiness Index.

Industry analysts note that the combination of automation, intelligence, and measurable results is increasingly important for enterprises. Leslie Rosenberg, Research Vice President, Network Lifecycle and Infrastructure Services at IDC, commented: "As businesses navigate increasingly complex technology lifecycles, they need partners who combine automation, intelligence, and measurable results. SDI services deliver on all three, redefining the way enterprises manage IT infrastructure."

NTT DATA states that its SDI services for Cisco products are designed to introduce intelligent automation and deliver real-time insights, aiming to enhance infrastructure efficiency, reduce operational costs, and help businesses achieve defined outcomes. Significant investment in AI capabilities has been made to support these services, which also include solutions for asset management and service reliability.

Shannon Leininger, Vice President, Global Partner Sales at Cisco, highlighted the long-term collaboration between the two companies, stating: "For over 30 years, NTT DATA and Cisco have collaborated in delivering innovation and accelerating customer success. NTT DATA will now also provide AI-powered digital infrastructure services to enable future-proofed workplaces and AI ready data centers — bringing together networking and security to empower organizations with a modern digital infrastructure for the AI era."

Among the stated capabilities of NTT DATA's new SDI services are outcomes-based shared success plans, use of AI to support service reliability, AI-driven license management for efficient resource use, strategies that focus on business outcomes and security, and digital-first interfaces to provide instant updates via mobile applications. The intention is to enable a seamless interface for monitoring infrastructure requests, risks, licenses, and AI insights.

NTT DATA is Cisco's only Gold partner in 34 countries. In 2024, NTT DATA received 40 awards at Cisco's Partner Summit, including three global partner of the year awards. Their joint services have supported over 4,000 enterprises worldwide, delivering lifecycle services intended to improve business agility and resilience.

Globally, NTT DATA employs over 14,000 technical experts in more than 50 countries. Its product and service offerings range from small branch network solutions to large-scale global enterprise infrastructures, including support for private 5G networks.

The AI powered SDI services from NTT DATA are available for deployment worldwide. The company states the new services are intended to support future workplaces and data centres as organisations increasingly adopt AI technologies across their operations.