Cisco brings Africa and the world's leading technologies together at Cisco Live!

Cisco today announced the introduction of Cisco Live!, a new format for the company's annual networkers' conference. This year the event, where network engineers from all over Africa gather for technical training, education and networking, will take place in Sandton, Johannesburg from 1 to 4 December 2008. For the past 11 years, the conference has been at the forefront of educating delegates on new technologies.

Cisco Live! will incorporate networkers providing a new concept - Networkers at Cisco Live! - with a mix of technical and business offerings. This new format will broaden the traditional technical focus to include executive tracks that examine the role of technology in driving business value in a challenging economic climate.

“South Africa is the first country outside the United States to introduce the Cisco Live! brand. With Cisco Live!, we are taking the event to the next level to provide a platform where industry players can learn new technologies, discuss business trends, share ideas and network,” said Steve Midgley, managing director, Cisco Systems South Africa.

The theme of this year's conference is 'The Power of Collaboration' and delegates can look forward to thought-provoking keynotes from local and international Cisco executives and industry experts.

Furthermore, Networkers at Cisco Live! will provide a platform for customers to share their technology success stories and discuss best practice approaches with influential business leaders and decision-makers. Delegates will also have an opportunity to meet with Cisco executives and experts to gather valuable insights about Cisco's technology strategy and roadmap.

Rick Hutley, vice-president of Global Innovations for Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group, will be a keynote speaker at the event. Hutley, responsible for engaging Cisco's largest global customers, will discuss the role of collaborative technologies in addressing the key business challenges and opportunities faced by organisations today.

Also speaking at the conference will be World Wide Worx's Arthur Goldstuck, who will present findings from the Cisco-sponsored Internet Access in South Africa 2008 research report. Goldstuck's presentation will cover the latest trends in Internet access and will set the scene for a discussion around the future of connectivity in South Africa, which plays a crucial role in collaboration.

Networkers at Cisco Live! will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre and will attract more than 1 500 delegates, making it the largest networkers' conference in South Africa to date. The programme will comprise various sessions, ranging from technical trainings to an invitation-only executive symposium. Delegates will also have the opportunity to view the World of Solutions demonstration area, which will showcase collaboration and communication tools and technology, such as TelePresence.

For the second year running, the conference will incorporate the Cisco Networkers Innovation Awards. These awards recognise businesses at the forefront of successfully implementing innovative Cisco technologies. Winners will be announced in the following categories: Corporate IP Network, Data Centre Project, Unified Communications, Mobility and Wireless.

“In recent years, specialisation, globalisation and new technologies have resulted in more collaborative environments made up of global, virtual networks and communities that improvise and find more productive, innovative and faster ways to do business. Cisco puts communications and collaboration capabilities within the context of a business process to allow workers to increase their productivity, speed and agility,” added Midgley.

For more information on Networkers at Cisco Live! or to register for the event, visit www.networkersafrica.co.za.