https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
Banking Technology
    • Newsletter
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Content Resources
    • From the Industry
    • Galleries
    • Our Sponsors
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Think Tank
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Circle of Excellence
    • Digi Awards
    • MSP 501 Rankings
    • Talkin’ Cloud 100
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
  • More
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Advertise on Channel Futures
    • Contact Us
    • Editorial Calendar
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Content Resources
    • From the Industry
    • Galleries
    • Our Sponsors
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Think Tank
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Circle of Excellence
    • Digi Awards
    • MSP 501 Rankings
    • Talkin’ Cloud 100
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
  • More
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Advertise on Channel Futures
    • Contact Us
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

Data Centers


Cisco UCS C480 ML M5 Rack Server

New Cisco Server Opens Up AI, Machine Learning Opportunities

  • Written by Lynn Haber
  • September 10, 2018
The new UCS480 ML M5 is the latest server in the UCS portfolio and is a system built specifically to tackle heavy machine-learning workloads.

Setting up Cisco’s ecosystem partners for new opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), the vendor on Monday announced the new UCS C480 ML M5 rack server, the latest in its UCS portfolio.

The new server complements the existing Cisco portfolio of B-Series, C-Series, and HyperFlex systems with GPUs to address any AI/ML use case from test/dev to training and inferencing.

“The UCS C480 ML M5 is an extension of our product line in the UCS server lineup, and is a system built from the ground up to tackle the heaviest machine learning workloads,” Todd Brannon, director, data center marketing at Cisco, told us.

Todd Brannon

The UCS  480 ML M5 is a 4U server with the latest Intel Xeon scalable processors and 8 NVIDIA Tesla V100-32G GPUs with NVLink interconnect providing higher bandwidth and improved scalability for multi-GPU system configurations. The new server also offers flexible options for CPU, network, local storage, memory and OS.

Cisco’s AI/ML push targets one of the top priorities for businesses, which is to learn from the growing amounts of data, the fuel for AI and ML, to expand their competitive edge. The company notes that eight out of 10 businesses have already implemented or are planning to adopt AI as a customer service solution by 2020. Furthermore, by 2020, insights-driven business will steal $1.2 trillion per year from their less-informed peers. And, by 2035, AI technologies are projected to increase business productivity by up to 40 percent.

In addition to the new server announcement, Cisco also reported that over the past four years, it has been working with machine learning software, or ISV, partners. For example, Cloudera Data Science Workbench is a Cisco Validated Design (CVD), which integrates an existing big data CVD for Cloudera with deep-learning frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch.

Cisco is also working with Hortonworks to validate Hadoop 3.1 in a design where the Cisco UCS C480 ML is part of the big data cluster, storing data on the C480 ML disk drives, and supporting Docker containers running analytic workloads such as Apache Spark and Google TensorFlow that require both CPUs and GPUs.

Cisco is also contributing code to Kubeflow, a Google open source project, which integrates TensorFlow with Kubernetes. The company is working with Anaconda to ensure that data scientists can collaborate on machine learning using languages such as Python.

Cisco’s computing solution for machine learning is designed to help IT by eliminating operational silos with Cisco Intersight for unified cloud-based management, demystifying AI/ML stacks, and powering the full AI data life cycle.

According to Scott Mohr, director, data center/cloud go to market, global partner organization at Cisco, there are several opportunities for Cisco partners — alliance, digital system integrators and traditional VARs. For starters, the new UCS C480 ML M5 rack server offers partners the opportunity to expand the UCS footprint with existing customers and new customers.

“Ultimately, every customer is going to become a digital subscriber over the next few years,” Mohr said. “Everybody is going to be tapping into the artificial intelligence and machine-learning engines that are available either on-prem or in the cloud to help them make better decisions, ultimately around providing better customer experience.”

Cisco’s AI/ML strategy also moves partners into the role of providing an advisory role to guide and help customers plan their AI/ML use cases.

“With large data lakes that have never been tapped into before, we’re unlocking the power of all of the data that’s been collected to provide partners with the opportunity to offer new strategic services, such as planning and life-cycle management,” Mohr said.

Scott Mohr

Partners who are able to provide coding or scripting for use cases and outcomes, or customization, could gain additional stickiness with customers.

Finally, there are AI/ML service opportunities for comprehensive reference design solution stacks for fast adoption or subscription services for global management that lead to recurring revenue, for example.

Expect to see Cisco roll out a learning road map that also includes new bundles as well as updates to rebates and VIP programs. Cisco will also offer new training in AI and ML, as well as best practices. There will be more to come about special pricing, spiffs, and promos, according to Mohr.

Cisco UCS and data center certified partners are best positioned to take advantage of the new offer. For starters, Cisco is targeting about 50 partners with deep learning capabilities before moving onto its more than 1,400 UCS and data center certified partners, globally. However, there’s a massive shortage of talent with AI/ML skills. Cisco is not only helping partners scale their capabilities with its IT services and customer experience, but the company is also leveraging strong alliances and partnerships to help meet customer requirements.

“We’re putting a lot of resources into this area [AI/ML] and ultimately this is an area that our partners are going to play a big role in helping us deliver these AI/ML experiences for our customer,” Mohr said.

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Channel Research Cloud Data Centers Strategy Technologies

Related


  • Cloud Computing
    IBM Brings Watson AI to Any Public, Private Cloud
    Azure? Check. AWS? Check. IBM is playing nice with its cloud rivals.
  • Mind the Gap
    McAfee: Changing Business Models Create Endpoint Security Gaps
    A recent global survey showed U.S. CEOs ranked cybersecurity as their No. 1 external concern for 2019, ahead of a potential economic recession.
  • Defense to offense strategy
    The Cybersecurity Shift: The Best Defense Is a Good Offense
    Retaliation at attackers once stopped, but now the battleground has shifted again.
  • Rebrand
    Kemp Technologies Rebrands, Focuses on Application Experience
    The company is beefing up its sales, marketing and training tools for channel partners.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Double Your Revenue with Backup and DRaaS
  • IBM Brings Watson AI to Any Public, Private Cloud
  • XO Is in the Air
  • Arctic Wolf Does SOC-as-a-Service Deal with Ingram Micro

From the Industry


Sponsor Content

10 Ways MSPs and MSSPs Can Deliver Managed Detection and Response Services

February 21, 2019
Sponsor Content

Email Security: A Smart Addition to Any MSP’s Layered Security Strategy

February 20, 2019
Sponsor Content

Grow Your Business by Reducing Complexity for SMB Customers

February 20, 2019
view all

Galleries


Check Point CPX360 Featuring VMware, Versa Networks

February 8, 2019
view all

Webinars


Sponsor Content

Social media and email phishing: How to protect financial information from fraudsters

February 19, 2019
Sponsor Content

Double Your Revenue with Backup and DRaaS

February 12, 2019
view all

White Papers


Sponsor Content

A Business Owner’s Guide to Cybersecurity

February 6, 2019
Sponsor Content

The Seven Types of Power Problems

February 6, 2019
Sponsor Content

The Lean MSP

January 29, 2019
view all

Videos


Sponsor Content

Video: Ivanti Unified IT: Automate Service Requests

January 14, 2019
Sponsor Content

Linksys Cloud Manager Tutorial – Dashboard Overview

January 13, 2019
Sponsor Content

Linksys Cloud Manager Tutorial – How to Set Up a Network, Access Points, and SSID

January 13, 2019
view all

Twitter


ChannelFutures

@googlecloud bolsters #cloud competition vs. @awscloud and @Azure with @aloomainc acquisition goo.gl/fb/LAoiv4

February 23, 2019
ChannelFutures

The MSP Sales Profitability Playbook goo.gl/fb/9Fh265

February 22, 2019
ChannelFutures

New CEO @Axcient plans for greater channel involvement for the #cloudmigration, business availability vendor goo.gl/fb/uNeJDe

February 22, 2019
ChannelFutures

.@McAfee #cybersecurity expert stresses the importance of #endpointsecurity. goo.gl/fb/o1f3of

February 22, 2019
ChannelFutures

Can PQC be used to create encryption that defeats the cracking power of quantum computers? goo.gl/fb/kLphnT

February 22, 2019
ChannelFutures

@Arcserve unveils new disaster recovery capabilities for #SMBs through virtual machines on the #cloud goo.gl/fb/W2vSn6

February 21, 2019
ChannelFutures

.@Lastlineinc signs first #distribution agreement in NA with #Synnex. goo.gl/fb/fxXAAz

February 21, 2019
ChannelFutures

@HarmonyPSA hopes to build on 2018 growth and cement its place in the crowded #MSP mgmt software space @MSP_501 goo.gl/fb/16XbRG

February 21, 2019

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for the Doyle Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Update and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

Channel Futures

© Channel Futures 2019. All rights reserved.

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Related Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow us

Websites are now required by law to gain your consent before applying cookies. We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Parts of the website may not work as expected without them. By closing or ignoring this message, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
X