John Chambers, Cisco: Technology can transform Brazil – Computerworld

John Chambers, who led Cisco for two decades, wrote an article to present his views on the Brazilian scene in the coming months. In his view, the country is the opportunity to set a bold technological agenda, leading digitization projects and foster economic growth. “We are betting on Brazil and our promising partnership,” said the executive. Read below the full text:

Brazil is in transition. Just a few years, the country halved the poverty rate and raised more than 40 million people to the middle class. However, the country is experiencing a time of major economic inflection. The scan – process by which technology transforms society, businesses and governments – may be the ultimate weapon to resume the emerging power position, and improve people’s lives

The use of technology is rising – IDC predicts that the Brazilian market for IT and Telecom will grow 5% in 2015 – but the rate is still low compared to similar-sized countries. To take advantage of the use of technology, the public and private sectors need to step up efforts in expanding broadband infrastructure and information and communication technology (ICT).

The Internet has generated tremendous global opportunity in the last 20 years and we have now entered the next phase: the Internet of All Things (IOE) – What is the connection between people, things, processes and data – that will be even more powerful. For Brazil, we anticipate that the IOE manages US $ 352 billion in public and private sectors in the next decade. For this, the technology must be a strategic tool and the country needs to have a comprehensive ICT infrastructure.

This infrastructure will allow the country to a wide digital management. An example is what is happening in Rio de Janeiro that while preparing for the 2016 Olympics, is building a technology infrastructure to position Rio as intelligent, connected and innovative city. The impact will remain after the event. When installing network sensors that collect data, for example, can reduce congestion, pollution and waste of energy.

The scan also influences the healthcare industry. In such a large country, a significant portion of the population lives in regions where access to health care is limited. Telemedicine helps to minimize this challenge by connecting local clinics to hospitals and specialists from a distance, as in “Connected Healthy Children” program, the Federal University of Sergipe. If the model is replicated, Brazil will become a Latin American reference in child health care.

Investments in local innovation ecosystems are also essential for growth. Shift focus to foster the creation of new companies related to digital transformation will help speed the recovery, providing the basis for the future and creating jobs.

In addition to creating jobs in the sector , Brazil must invest in training. Even with the unemployment rate to 6.7% (4), the demand for networking professionals in the country will move 360,000 jobs this year, according to IDC. Public-private partnerships as the Networking Academies can help fill the gap. The program has trained about 155 thousand students in Brazil, and this is just the beginning. The idea is to reach 50,000 students annually by 2017.

With the spotlight trained on Brazil, there is a national sense of urgency. Scanning is the key to success. Leaders have the opportunity to set a bold technological agenda, leading digitization projects and foster economic growth. We are betting on Brazil and our promising partnership.