Accelerating AI-powered Autonomous Operations – Smarter, Simpler Network Management

In today’s fast-paced industrial landscape, manufacturers are feeling the heat from competitive and geopolitical pressures like never before. Many are struggling to stay agile because their traditional network and automation systems are simply too rigid to keep up. When your network policy is tied to hardware, it becomes a major bottleneck, making it difficult to scale, secure your assets, or even begin the journey toward AI-powered autonomous operations. If you feel like your infrastructure is holding back your innovation, you aren’t alone. ​

The good news is that there is a smarter way forward: Full-Stack Software-Defined Manufacturing. By teaming up with Rockwell Automation, Cisco is helping businesses move beyond the limitations of legacy systems. Our approach uses Software-Defined Networking (SDN) to decouple the network control plane from the hardware, centralizing everything through the Cisco Catalyst Center. This creates a virtual, programmable overlay that allows you to manage your IT and OT environments as one unified, agile system, making it easier to deploy new services and respond to real-time production needs. ​

This isn’t just about making things easier to manage; it’s about building a foundation for the future. With features like zero-trust security, micro-segmentation, and deep industrial observability, you can protect your critical assets while simultaneously boosting operational efficiency and reducing downtime. Whether you are looking to optimize your production lines or accelerate your digital transformation, this full-stack solution provides the visibility and automated control you need to shift from simple automation to true, AI-enabled autonomy. ​

If you’re ready to stop fighting with complex network configurations and start focusing on your business outcomes, we invite you to dive deeper into our latest whitepaper. It’s packed with detailed use cases, technical insights, and the roadmap you need to modernize your plant floor. Download the whitepaper today to see how you can build a more resilient, scalable, and secure manufacturing future with the combined expertise of Cisco and Rockwell Automation. ​

For more information read the solution overview here.​