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Expo 2020\u2019s drive for connectivity is propelled by the deployment of innovative new technologies<\/p>\n
More from Expo 2020:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n From the outset, the first World Expo to be held in the Arab region has been all about bringing together countries, governments, businesses and individuals from around the world, into a common, connected space.<\/p>\n \u201cThe idea of creating the most connected place on Earth was born during the bid phase in 2013, and first floated in the registration dossier submitted to the Bureau International des Expositions,\u201d says Iman Alomrani, deputy chief technology officer for Expo 2020 Dubai. \u201cFrom that point, the roadmap evolved, as Expo 2020 itself evolved, enriched by innovation from our partners and the creativity of the expo team.\u201d<\/p>\n The concept of connectivity extends beyond just physical networks. The expo organisers describe\u00a0it as \u201cthe bedrock of healthy and empowered societies, ensuring that we all benefit economically, socially and intellectually by sharing and learning\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople often think of being \u2018connected\u2019 as simply logging on to a Wi-Fi network, but it is about much more than a mere function \u2013 rather, what it has the potential to enable,\u201d says Shukri Eid, managing director at Cisco Gulf region.<\/p>\n Cisco was appointed the Official Digital Network Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai in 2018, and its ‘intent-based’ network forms the backbone of Expo 2020\u2019s technological infrastructure.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether we consider connectivity as something that takes place between people, places or things, technology is a common thread that unites all,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Expo\u2019s technology infrastructure was designed and built with experiences of previous mega-events in mind, explains Alomrani, particularly when it came to the choice of technology partners and cybersecurity architecture.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are committed to harnessing cutting-edge technology to deliver an exceptional World Expo,\u201d she says. \u201cTo that end, we are implementing the latest innovative technologies, such as 5G connectivity and Cisco\u2019s intent-based network, which have no reference in previous mega-events, as they did not exist until recently.\u201d<\/p>\n
Providing back-office operations and expo visitors with a seamless network experience, Cisco\u2019s Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) \u2013 the industry\u2019s first intent-based networking enterprise solution \u2013 will host about\u00a08,000 Wi-Fi access points, serving up to 300,000 users a day during the event, as well as supporting more than 400 end points in Internet of Things (IoT) systems such as building management, irrigation and lighting control.<\/p>\n \u201cConsolidating operations into a single internet protocol\u00a0(IP) network, the intent-based network provides an infrastructure that constantly learns, adapts and protects, making it the ideal foundation for the Expo 2020 digital experience,\u201d explains Eid. \u201cThis also means that we can enable visitors, exhibitors and organisers across the site to connect on any device, securely, wirelessly and seamlessly.\u201d<\/p>\n In the second half of 2019, Cisco celebrated the milestone of completing network deployment across the three thematic districts at the Expo 2020 site.<\/p>\n Cisco has also been selected to manage, operate and maintain Expo 2020 Dubai\u2019s entire IT network, across the thematic districts, pavilions, parks and arrival plazas, as well as at Dubai Exhibition Centre, co-located at the expo site.<\/p>\n \u201cIn terms of enabling a cohesive working environment, our Webex collaboration technology platform is currently being used by Expo 2020\u00a0for on-demand communication, secure file-sharing and web conferencing,\u201d says Eid.<\/p>\n Alomrani says that the investment\u00a0in collaborative software platforms such as Webex has paid off during the pandemic, allowing Expo 2020 staff to shift to remote working. At the height of the pandemic, Expo 2020\u2019s teams participated in more than a million virtual meeting minutes through the platform during a three-month period, supporting continuity of business during the event’s preparation phase.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have deployed our Office of the Future proof-of-concept at the expo site, which enables fast and secure searching, locating and reserving of meeting rooms,\u201d says Eid. \u201cExpo 2020 Dubai is also leveraging our dynamic signage solution, known as Cisco Vision, in one of the largest deployments of its kind globally.\u201d<\/p>\n The technology functions at Expo 2020 were one of the first to transition from the planning and installation phase to operations, two years ahead of opening.<\/p>\n \u201c[In addition to] starting the transition early, we focused on transferring the talent, knowledge and experience of the implementation team to the operations team and ensuring our technology partners stay with us from the initial design of the system until its decommissioning after Expo 2020,\u201d explains Alomrani.<\/p>\n \u201cSound governance in terms of testing, commissioning and ongoing service-level management, together with keeping our teams clearly focused on either project delivery or operational support, have also proved critical to the success of this process.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\nIntegrating connectivity with infrastructure<\/strong><\/h6>\n
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\n<\/strong><\/p>\nIn terms of technology infrastructure, the Expo 2020 site is equipped with, among other things:<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n
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\nRemaining agile<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\nInnovation underway<\/h2>\n