IT leaders from across the country gathered at Cisco Live US 2025 to explore the latest innovations, strategies, and best practices in technology. The event featured tailored sessions and keynotes designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing manufacturing, transportation, utilities and other industrial organizations. Here are a few highlights from the week.
Modernizing Industrial Operations
The most innovative demonstration on the show floor at Cisco Live featured a guitar refurbishment factory illustrating how industrial networks are becoming the nervous system of modern manufacturing. In this advanced assembly line, guitars underwent meticulous inspection and tuning by AI-driven robotics, showcasing the wide-ranging capabilities enabled by sophisticated networking technology.
The demo featured AI-powered machine vision, virtualized programmable logic controllers, industrial visibility, network segmentation, secure remote access, data extraction, and more—highlighting how cutting-edge networking is fueling innovation and operational efficiency in industrial settings. Check out the below video to see the technology in action.
Cisco Customer Achievement Awards
The Cisco Customer Achievement Awards recognized outstanding Cisco customers who achieved exceptional results through innovative use of Cisco solutions. The awards celebrated excellence in areas such as AI-readiness, future-proof workplaces, digital resilience, and sustainability, highlighting transformative business outcomes and customer success stories. Winners were announced during the awards ceremony at Cisco Live San Diego 2025 and featured the below industrial customers.
Future-Proofed Workplaces
The Future-proofed Workplaces Awards honored customers modernizing work environments, ensuring secure access, immersive collaboration, hybrid work, and innovations in smart building tech and secure networking.
- Fairlife – Modernized Infrastructure Maestro Award Winner
High Impact Sessions
There were numerous high impact sessions throughout the week including:
Enhancing Plant Floor Security to Reduce MTTR at General Motors
This session highlighted practical strategies for improving plant floor security and minimizing downtime in manufacturing settings. General Motors is tackling challenges like limited visibility into network traffic and endpoints, along with a shortage of skills and training, to secure its global plants. With the implementation of Identity Services Engine (ISE) for policy management and the deployment of Catalyst Industrial Ethernet (IE) solutions, IP67 switches, and Catalyst Center, GM is achieving increased efficiencies and a strong ROI.
The Software-defined Factory Enabled by SDA
This session explored the application of Software-Defined Access (SDA) technology in industrial automation environments. It featured Audi, showcasing their innovative approach to virtualizing Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) hardware. By leveraging hyperconverged infrastructure and SDA, Audi is creating efficient virtual environments that connect seamlessly to the plant floor.
Explore Cisco Live US 2025 On-Demand Sessions
Don’t miss the opportunity to catch up on all the valuable insights and innovations shared at Cisco Live US 2025 by exploring the Cisco Live on-demand session library. Whether you want to revisit your favorite presentations or discover new topics relevant to your organization, the on-demand sessions offer flexible access to expert-led discussions, product demonstrations, and industry best practices.
Be sure to check out must-watch sessions such as Connecting and Protecting Manufacturing Organizations in the AI Era, for in-depth perspectives on how AI is transforming security and connectivity in manufacturing. It’s the perfect way to stay informed, inspire your team, and make the most of Cisco Live—anytime, anywhere.
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