DevNet Create: Where Applications meet Business

Tapping into the Network

A couple of weeks ago, I was met with an iOS Enterprise Developer. We chatted about the new feature called Fast Lane, which allows any Enterprise iOS application to run with better Quality of Service on a Cisco Wi-Fi network. Cisco fast-lane-enabled networks will recognize the QoS markings from iOS 10 devices with fast lane capabilities, and then do the work of carrying this prioritization from the iPhone or iPad through the network. For example, real-time voice and video data can be treated differently from less-time critical web page data, thus enhancing the performance of your app and your network.

He was pleasantly surprised that, with minimal changes, to his application can provide better experiences to his customers, who were already on Cisco networks. What surprised me the most was the question — “What else can I tap into?”

As we continued our discussion, I introduced him to the concept of Connected Mobility Experience (CMX), which essentially uses triangulation technologies to find the position of the device. Triangulation can be used for both Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE) devices. Using very simple APIs, any application can “tap” into the source to find the location of device, person or a thing. Various application such as “Finding experts”, “how many devices and what make”, “closest asset near me”, “coupons for you” can be enabled. The list of applications is driven by your imagination! Hearing me say this, he wanted to know what APIs he could use and where he could find the CMX APIs.

Sharing stories and APIs

That’s when I introduced him to Cisco Spark, a platform where you can securely collaborate and share information. Collaboration can mean chat, voice or video. Cisco Spark for Developers puts team collaboration capabilities in the hands of developers around the world. It enables developers to use Cisco Spark services within their mobile apps. Once he understood what Cisco Spark had to offer, he went to say that as independent developers, they often build their own solutions, and that solutions like Spark will significantly reduce their time-to-market and application complexity.

We geeked out a bit more talking about this application world. At the end of the meeting, he exclaims: “Big Opportunity! If we start tapping into the network”.

Come share your stories with us, on stage or during our breakout sessions and social meet-ups. Submit your ideas papercall.io/devnetcreate2017

See you at #DevNetCreate! devnetcreate.io/2017/