by Shane Henson — August 24, 2011—Officials from Ontario, Canada and within Cisco, a major provider of networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate, recently pledged support for efforts to generate a long-term investment of expertise and technology for the Province of Ontario. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed outlines Cisco and the province’s intention to cooperate in developing initiatives that will help drive key economic development goals and support technology research and development.
The collaboration with Cisco is the latest in Ontario’s ongoing initiatives to partner with private industry to facilitate solution innovation and commercialization, increase research and development, and make better use of the province’s broadband capacity.
Facilities managers in Ontario and other areas that Cisco partners with may benefit from the effects of this collaboration, including initiatives to increase energy savings through converged solutions for security, building automation and IT services.
Ontario and Cisco Canada intend to develop a collaborative framework to focus on key activities to help further the province’s transformational vision and increase productivity by driving innovation and sustainable economic development in strategic areas of health and wellness, energy, smart+connected communities, education and economic cluster development. Strategic objectives include:
- Advance the innovative cluster of Ontario companies focused on increasing energy savings through converged solutions for security, building automation and IT services;
- Explore innovative solutions in energy management;
- Drive environmental sustainability through greater use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT);
- Promote the development of environmentally sustainable, smart+connected communities that generate economic growth and better opportunities for citizens who work and live in those intelligent communities;
- Develop innovative approaches to the cost-effective and sustainable delivery of Government services;
- Enhance opportunities for collaboration among Ontario companies through an intelligent community infrastructure;
- Identify opportunities to enhance network infrastructure to facilitate remote work and the virtual workforce; and
- Utilize a living lab concept to showcase and pilot smart+connected community solutions and to encourage cities and communities in Ontario to launch similar initiatives.
- Explore innovative solutions in energy management;
