Financing the Future: Powering Network Modernization and AI Transformation

As we prepare for Cisco Live Amsterdam 2026 (9-12 February), I’ve been reflecting on a fundamental shift in our industry. The conversation has moved beyond broad digital transformation. Today, success depends on how effectively organizations modernize their networks for the demands of AI, and how they choose to finance that transformation.

At Cisco, our strategy is clear. We transform data centers to power AI workloads anywhere, modernize everywhere people and technology work, and we keep the entire digital footprint secure and resilient.

And as we work with customers across EMEA, we also see how important it is that technological resilience be matched by financial resilience.

The Data is Clear: Financing Is the New “Must-Have”

The link between AI readiness and infrastructure modernization is undeniable. AI transformation cannot happen on an aging infrastructure. To run tomorrow’s AI workloads, organizations need high-performance networks, GPUs, and storage today. Modernization is no longer a one-time project. It requires continuous evolution to meet high-bandwidth, low-latency demands.

At the same time, macroeconomic pressure and tighter budgets are forcing leaders to rethink how they acquire technology. IT leaders and CFOs are increasingly choosing leasing and financing to gain flexibility and protect against technology obsolescence. In fact, IDC’s 2025 IT Leasing and Financing Survey found that for 82% of respondents the availability of financing directly influences their choice of vendor.

Financing is no longer optional. It’s now a core component of a competitive technology strategy.

By leveraging financing solutions like Cisco Dual Pay, to fund hardware refreshes, organizations may be able to:

Move faster by acquiring the latest technology immediately

Preserve capital for other strategic investments

Stay ahead of evolving technology requirements

Security: Resilience Beyond Prevention

As organizations modernize, the threat landscape expands. Security today is no longer just about prevention. It is about resilience and business continuity.

Across customer and partner conversations, enterprises and service providers are increasingly placing security among their highest IT investment priorities, alongside AI and cloud infrastructure, as they focus on resilience, risk management, and uninterrupted operations.

Cisco is uniquely positioned to address this challenge by combining security, assurance, and observability. Strengthening organizations’ digital footprint requires the latest hardware capable of running advanced, AI-driven security operations. Cisco Capital provides the financing strategy to deploy these technologies at speed, moving organizations to a more strategic acquisition model.

Unlocking Growth for SMB and Mid-Market Organizations

SMB and Mid-Market organizations face unique barriers to AI adoption. In a TechAisle research, 82% of SMBs cite cost and lack of investment as their primary AI roadblock while more than 50% of SMBs strongly prefer OPEX models for IT acquisition to reduce upfront costs and improve budget predictability.

Flexible financing allows these organizations to invest confidently in AI-ready infrastructure without compromising financial stability. It ensures that innovation is not constrained by company size.

Advancing Sustainability through Smart Investment

In addition, sustainability is now a core factor in infrastructure decisions. In fact, IDC research shows 91% of IT leaders say circularity and sustainability already influence their future technology investments.

Through programs such as Cisco Refresh (certified remanufactured equipment), Cisco Green Pay and Cisco Dual Pay, organizations can accelerate modernization while supporting a more circular technology lifecycle and reducing environmental impact.

Join us in Amsterdam

Whether your priority is AI readiness, security resilience, or workplace modernization, Cisco Capital can help align your technology roadmap with a financing strategy designed to provide momentum and predictability.

Meet us at Cisco Live EMEA in Amsterdam, 9 to 12 February, to explore how we may turn today’s infrastructure investment into tomorrow’s competitive advantage.

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