Cisco Introduces New Innovations for Digital Buildings

February 20, 2017

What if the next time you walk into a store to buy your favourite brand of shampoo, the floor literally lights up and shows you the way? Or you enter a shared office space, and the room simply “knows” who you are and adjusts the lights and temperature to your liking?

Businesses want to set the bar with innovation. They want to outsmart the competition. And they want to inspire their customers and employees. They also want to get it done fast and without breaking the bank. Digital transformation not only creates better experiences for workers and guests, but saves money and energy. To make it happen, a multitude of systems that control everything from badge swipes to lighting and air conditioning must work together as if they were one. And it must be secure.

Today, the industry takes a huge leap forward as Cisco announces the Catalyst Digital Building Series Switch. It is the first switch built specifically for the needs of digital buildings by powering and connecting building systems onto a single, low-voltage IP network. This milestone is at the heart of the smart building vision Cisco is defining with its growing list of 23+ ecosystem partners.

The new digital building switch ties into Cisco’s ambitions to change how enterprise networks are built and managed. Cisco is using a new digital network architecture — Cisco DNA — to build more automated, responsive, self-driving networks.

What’s new

1. Supports convergence: for the first time, disparate systems like lighting, HVAC, and badging can be managed on the same switch. This is due to the switch’s support of a key IoT protocol called the Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) —an industry first.
2. Delivers twice the power: the switch supports bigger, brighter lighting fixtures – and can get the power back on within 5 seconds of a power outage. The 60W per-port Cisco UPOE technology delivers twice the power of current PoE+.
3. Simplifies installation: Cisco designed the switch with ease of installation in mind. Technicians use Bluetooth and a mobile app to install and deploy it.
4. Runs noise-free: its fanless design makes it ideal for anywhere that requires quiet – like hospitals, retail shops, hotels, and the workplace.

Find out more: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-digital-building-series-switches/index.html

 

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Aug 6, 2025 - Hèmèra Announces Acquistion by Industry Professionals Francois Renaud, Matthew Curatolo & Nicholas Cohen

    Hèmèra Announces a New Era of Innovation & Leadership

    Hèmèra has announced that it has been acquired by industry professionals François Renaud, Matthew Curatolo, and Nicolas Cohen. This acquisition marks the beginning of an exciting new era for Hèmèra, as the new leadership team is poised to build on the company’s legacy of delivering innovative, high-performance lighting solutions to discerning customers. The new leadership… Read More…

  • July 28, 2025 - Eureka Wins Multiple SIT Furniture Design Awards

    Eureka Wins Multiple SIT Furniture Design Awards

    Eureka is pleased to announce that it has received 2025 SIT Furniture Design Awards for its Junction, Lattice, and Velia luminaires. SIT Furniture Design Award was created to celebrate and share the remarkable work of furniture designers and those who use furniture in their projects. The creativity, innovative vision, and accessibility of the furniture design… Read More…


Design


New Products

  • ABB Emergi-Lite: JMC Series – Steel, Compact, 6V & 12V

    ABB Emergi-Lite: JMC Series – Steel, Compact, 6V & 12V

    ABB Emergi-Lite’s JMC Series battery unit’s emergency lighting system shall consist of fully automatic equipment with two emergency lighting heads. The unit shall be rated V with a capacity of W for 30 minutes of emergency operation. The charger shall be factory set with a charging voltage tolerance of ± 1% to enable a longer… Read More…

  • STANPRO: New CIELO – Trimless Downlight

    STANPRO: New CIELO – Trimless Downlight

    The CIELO Trimless LED Downlight boasts a sleek, modern design that delivers a subtle, elegant aesthetic. With its clean, seamless finish, it enhances any contemporary space. Available with gimbal and zoomable models and integrated 2700/ 3000/ 3500/ 4000/ 5000 K selectable color temperature. This series is perfect for both residential and commercial applications. Read More…