Cisco Systems - Internet Protocol-Based (IP) Networking Solutions

Today, networks are an essential part of all enterprises operating in the energy industry, and Cisco Internet Protocol-based (IP) networking solutions are the foundation of these networks. Now that the technology has enabled the automation of manufacturing processes from exploration and production up to the refinery, business transactions and other tasks, organisations are looking to increase productivity by focusing on the interactions between colleagues, partners, customers and systems. More productive interactions also help improve profitability and customer satisfaction, as well as creating new opportunities for corporate growth and success.

Cisco Systems is the worldwide leader in networking for the internet. Many organisations enjoy the benefits of our technology, such as Unified Communications and the fully integrated Connected Energy Approach. Cisco's name has become synonymous with the internet, and with the productivity improvements that internet business solutions provide. At Cisco, our vision is to change the way people work, live, play and learn.

INTERNET BUSINESS SOLUTIONS SERVICES - KEY OFFERING FOR ENERGY INDUSTRY

The energy industry is undergoing profound fundamental change at a time when technology offers possibilities never seen before. While companies concentrate their specialised internal resources on their core businesses, they recognise the complexity and inter-relationships driving the "New World" economy and are increasingly turning to external partners to deploy internet business solutions services and bring about consequent business benefits.

The current thinking in the energy industry is to enhance process control through automation and by centralising this automation. Decisions are made faster thanks to the availability of real-time data, and they are made better when the information is centralised so that processes can then be optimised across the various segments of the energy industry value chain.

Rapidly collecting data itself, whether in real-time or near real-time, is only the first step. Turning that data into intelligent information (by optimising across plants) is the second step. This future lies in intelligent networked systems; i.e. systems that are designed with the human element in mind and are self-provisioning, self-diagnosing, self-healing, and self-optimising.

CISCO CONNECTED ENERGY

The Cisco Connected Energy approach will bridge these different disciplines in the industry. This truly holistic approach to energy industry processes helps by connecting teams from field operations to the plant, and ultimately to the end-customer to drive global efficiency and continuity. In today's energy industry, companies are under daily pressure to keep up with increasing demands for oil and gas, as well as uninterrupted service in highly unpredictable and sometimes volatile market conditions. Whilst the new technological advances are very impressive and often even game-changing, these advances are only useful if they can be implemented with minimal disruptions and downtime. Uninterrupted operations are vital to the industry.

The need for truly integrated systems based on open standards, resulting in more adaptive and agile operations, is also required in order to optimise operations, mitigate risk of disparate systems and lower costs. The Cisco Connected Energy solution brings all this together.