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

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • 60-Watt vs 100-Watt Light Bulbs: Brightness & Wattage

    60-Watt vs 100-Watt Light Bulbs: Brightness & Wattage

    With the widespread use of LED light bulbs, the replacement and upgrade of different light bulbs have also made the concept of “equivalent wattage” more and more discussed. When comparing 60-watt vs 100-watt bulb, the wattage and brightness are the factors that need to be figured out first. Wattage is used to measure the energy consumption while many… Read More…

  • What is Human Centric Lighting: Benefits & Applications

    What is Human Centric Lighting: Benefits & Applications

    Human centric lighting (HCL) is a kind of illuminated way based on human physical and psychological needs. Its core goal is to imitate the changes in natural light to support the body’s circadian rhythm, improve visual comfort, and enhance mood. The key element of human centric lighting contains dynamic ​color temperature adjustment, adjustable brightness, spectrum… Read More…


New Products

  • LightForm: New Saule-L-01 Suspension Luminaire

    LightForm: New Saule-L-01 Suspension Luminaire

    LightForm is thrilled to introduce Saule, the newest lighting collection from Quebec atelier Larose Guyon, now exclusively available at LightForm. Inspired by the gentle grace of the willow tree, Saule is a sculptural light that feels alive. Cascading hand-formed brass leaves shimmer like foliage in the breeze, suspended from arched metal arms that echo the tree’s elegant… Read More…

  • Transform Outdoor Spaces with Lutron: Control, Elegance, & Performance

    Transform Outdoor Spaces with Lutron: Control, Elegance, & Performance

    Outdoor lighting is about more than just light—it’s an extension of the ambiance, design, and comfort of living spaces. With Lutron’s outdoor modules RR-15OUT-BL (for RadioRA 3 systems) and HQR-15OUT-BL (for HomeWorks QS systems), you can offer your clients powerful tools to transform their outdoor projects—whether gardens, patios, pools, or façades. Read More…