We came together at WebexOne 2024 in Fort Lauderdale to celebrate the achievements of 62 exceptional Webex Customer Award finalists and 18 winners, recognized for their unparallelled contributions to innovation. We’d like to take a moment to celebrate the achievements of five winners who are using Cisco devices and the Webex Suite to reimagine the employee experience and create smarter workspaces at their organizations. These innovators – Advanced Micro Devices, University of Wollongong, USI Insurance, Akamai, and the Dallas Cowboys are making waves across diverse sectors, from computer technology and higher education to professional football and insurance, each of these customers stand out as innovators and champions for their forward-thinking ideas, embrace of AI, and innovative approaches to overcoming collaboration challenges in this new era of hybrid work. Let’s explore their remarkable stories and celebrate their success.
1. AMD boosts efficiency with 80% utilization of collaboration tools and 98% conference room occupancy using Cisco Devices
In 2023, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), a renowned global semiconductor powerhouse based in Santa Clara, California, embarked on an impressive journey to revolutionize workplace collaboration. With a vast workforce of over 35,000 employees spread across six continents, AMD took a bold step forward by upgrading their conference rooms with cutting-edge Cisco Devices. This strategic move replaced their outdated systems, which had been in use for an average of eight years and marked a significant leap in enhancing connectivity and collaboration across their global operations. With a renewed emphasis on office work and global collaboration, the integration of one-touch join and quad cam functionality into their conference rooms has notably improved meeting quality and user engagement.
A standout success of this initiative is the Technostar site in Bangalore, AMD’s largest global Cisco deployment and the first to fully adopt the new standard. These enhancements have delivered remarkable outcomes: some of AMD’s 1,396 global conference rooms now boast a 98% occupancy rate, operate 12 hours a day, and achieve over 80% utilization of collaboration tools. The transition to Cisco technology has also halved the number of problematic rooms and helpdesk tickets, earning enthusiastic feedback from users and executives alike.
2. University of Wollongong’s global education revolution with Cisco Devices
The University of Wollongong (UOW) is renowned for academic excellence, serving over 33,000 students across 13 campuses worldwide. With nine campuses in Australia and additional sites in Dubai, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and India, UOW ranks among the top 1% of universities globally, underscoring its commitment to providing comprehensive education tailored to a diverse student body.
At the heart of this mission is UOW’s embrace of cutting-edge technology, particularly through the implementation of Cisco Devices. By standardizing on Cisco’s robust video solutions, UOW has transformed thousands of learning environments—from expansive lecture halls to intimate huddle rooms—into seamless collaboration and communication hubs across all campuses.
Setting new standards at the university
Prior to 2017, UOW managed a costly and complex multi-vendor system. Transitioning to Cisco’s unified platform marked a pivotal shift, enabling the creation of modern, AI-enabled, cloud-managed rooms that support a broad spectrum of educational activities. Whether it’s the sophisticated “campfire” council room, equipped with 13 screens and five cameras, or versatile mobile classrooms, Cisco’s technology optimizes each space for dynamic learning and interaction.
The integration of the Webex Suite further enriches UOW’s educational experience, offering features such as real-time language translation, multi-content sharing, and digital whiteboarding. These tools enhance accessibility and engagement for both in-room and remote participants, ensuring a fully inclusive learning environment.
UOW’s strategic partnership with Cisco not only strengthens its infrastructure but also reinforces its position as a leader in innovative, technology-driven education. Through this collaboration, UOW continues to set the benchmark for how educational institutions can leverage technology to improve learning outcomes and foster global connectivity.
3. USI’s AI transformation: elevating collaboration in the hybrid work era
As a leader in insurance brokerage and consulting, USI is pioneering the transformation of team collaboration through the power of artificial intelligence. Since its founding in 1994, USI has seen remarkable growth, generating nearly $3 billion in revenue and employing over 10,000 associates across 200 offices nationwide.
In April 2024, USI Insurance took a significant step forward by joining the early access program for Cisco AI Assistant and transitioning to the new Webex Suite architecture. This strategic move has dramatically transformed meetings at USI, making them more productive and inclusive. The Cisco AI Assistant has notably improved call quality, allowing seamless meetings even with unstable internet conditions. With features that capture sidebar conversations, remote participants are now fully included, resulting in a 260% increase in Cisco AI Assistant usage and a substantial boost in meeting activity.
Harnessing Cisco’s AI innovations to redefine hybrid work and communication
Cisco’s cinematic meetings and Crossview technology have further elevated the hybrid work experience, ensuring that all in-person or remote participants enjoy inclusive and effective meetings. Among AI-driven advancements, automatic meeting transcriptions and summarizations are standout features for USI. These tools have revolutionized meetings by allowing participants to focus on discussions without the distraction of notetaking. Attendees can easily catch up on missed meetings with AI-generated transcriptions and action items, leading to increased participation and engagement.
USI has also adopted Vidcast, Webex’s asynchronous video capability, to enhance communication, minimizing the need for live meetings. The marketing team can craft personalized video messages for clients, saving time and boosting outreach. Vidcast’s AI features, such as automatic summarization and chapter creation, have proven invaluable, leading to the replacement of previous solutions. Furthermore, the Webex AI Codec has resolved challenges with home internet quality, improving call experiences and showcasing the potential of Cisco AI Assistant to address real-world issues.
These innovations showcase how USI is harnessing AI to enhance collaboration, streamline communication, and adapt to the evolving landscape of hybrid work, setting a new standard for efficiency and engagement in the industry.
4. Akamai achieves 90% employee engagement rate with Cisco devices & Webex collaboration solutions
Akamai, renowned for its expertise in cloud computing, security, and content delivery services, is more than just a tech giant with over 10,900 employees. The company is a pioneer in leveraging Cisco’s advanced collaboration tools to drive innovation and efficiency across its operations.
By fully embracing the Webex Suite, along with Slido for polling, Vidcast for asynchronous video messaging, and Cisco devices, Akamai has seamlessly integrated these technologies into its daily workflows. Their proactive approach is evident in their active participation in beta testing, where they provide crucial feedback to refine and enhance these tools.
Akamai’s dedication to cutting-edge technology is further demonstrated by their use of Webex Control Hub. This powerful platform enables them to manage their technology portfolio with precision and access comprehensive analytics, ensuring they remain ahead of the curve.
The results are clear—Akamai has achieved an impressive 90% employee engagement rate with these collaboration tools. This not only highlights the successful integration of these technologies but also underscores their positive impact on the company’s operations and employee satisfaction.
In a world where effective collaboration is key to success, Akamai’s strategic use of Cisco’s collaboration tools sets a benchmark for innovation and operational excellence.
5. Innovating with Cisco Devices: The Dallas Cowboys’ Winning Strategy
The Dallas Cowboys, known for their legendary history and Super Bowl victories, are taking their game off the field by embracing Cisco’s cutting-edge collaboration technology. This innovative drive is showcased through their use of Cisco devices at key locations like their high-tech headquarters, The Star, and the iconic AT&T Stadium.
With Cisco Phones, Room Kits, and Desk Minis in their playbook, the Cowboys have transformed how they communicate and collaborate. These devices ensure smooth interactions, whether in their expansive offices or during remote team huddles. For team owner Jerry Jones and the coaching staff, Cisco’s dependable audio and video solutions keep them in sync no matter where they are.
At the core of this technological transformation is Cisco’s Control Hub, a robust platform that enables the Cowboys to monitor and adjust their extensive network of devices. This allows them to address any issues before they interfere with the game plan, ensuring that communications remain seamless.
By harnessing Cisco’s robust solutions, the Dallas Cowboys illustrate how cutting-edge technology can elevate both fan experiences and team operations. As America’s Team continues to set the pace in hybrid work and collaboration, they’re redefining excellence in the sports world and beyond.
Read their full case study here.
Empowering industry leaders to innovate and transform
Reflecting on these remarkable stories of innovation, it’s evident that Webex’s collaboration technology serves as a catalyst for transformation across diverse industries.
From AMD’s enhanced conference rooms to the University of Wollongong’s global education revolution, USI’s AI-driven collaboration advancements, Akamai’s exemplary employee engagement, and the Dallas Cowboys’ winning strategy, each organization has harnessed Cisco’s solutions to redefine their operations and set new benchmarks in their fields.
These award-winning organizations showcase the power of embracing technology to drive innovation and efficiency, paving the way for a future where seamless communication and collaboration lead to success. As we celebrate these achievements, we eagerly anticipate how these and other forward-thinking organizations will continue to evolve and inspire within the ever-changing landscape of employee engagement and connectivity.
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