Inside the Cisco Modeling Labs 2.6 Workbench Revamp

Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) 2.6, the latest version of our premier network virtualization platform, is finally here. CML 2.6 offers quite a list of useful tools, with additions like Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud deployment and a new Maintenance mode for system admins.

However, I’m here to discuss the feature I’m most excited about:

CML 2.6 includes a revamped Workbench that allows users to see multiple devices, tools, and configs in the same view.

New features within revamped Workbench include:

• a menu to add nodes to your workplace.
• a sidebar hub to modify lab elements.
• multi-select and right-click action menus.
• keyboard shortcuts.
• lab actions.
• a panes panel for a more flexible workspace.

Continue reading for an in-depth look inside the Workbench revamp available in Cisco Modeling Labs’ latest feature release.

Inside the CML 2.6 Workbench revamp

CML 2.6’s revamped Workbench includes UI enhancements that allow its users to contain multiple devices, tools, and configs in a single, integrated view. (Pictured: [1] Toolbar [2] Sidebar [3] Panes panel showing two open panes.)

Adding nodes with—or without—a mouse 

Incorporating new nodes into your workspace is still a straightforward process, whereby you can drag and drop your chosen type of node onto the canvas. But prior to CML 2.6, the interactive drag menu was on the right-side menu. Now, it’s activated by selecting the Add Nodes icon in the Workbench toolbar. 

Select the “Add Nodes” icon (1) in the Workbench toolbar to activate the interactive drag menu.

In addition to this traditional method of adding nodes, we’ve introduced a brand-new feature called Bulk Add. It is designed with accessibility in mind, so you can add as many nodes as you need—using only your keyboard, eliminating the need for a mouse.  

Now you can add nodes in bulk, mouse-free. Available in CML 2.6’s revamped Workbench.

Editing elements in the Sidebar 

We have redesigned the user interface to provide a more streamlined and unified experience for users as they edit elements within a lab. Now, in CML 2.6, the Sidebar serves as the single, consolidated hub for changing all your lab elements. Whether you want to edit a node, link, or annotation, simply select it, and the Sidebar will display the relevant editing options. 

Select an element within your lab to instantly activate the Sidebar, a single, consolidated hub that offers a convenient menu of relevant editing options. (Pictured: [1] Node has been selected; [2] Sidebar appears with tabs categorized by property: SETTINGS, CONNECTIVITY, CONFIG, INTERFACES.) 

This streamlined way to manage your lab elements eliminates the need for the bottom panel to shift in response to the Workbench state. In turn, you benefit from a more focused experience. With this setup, you can keep your attention on the bottom pane while simultaneously editing the properties of a lab element using the Sidebar. 

Using the Multi-select Action menu 

You can activate the Multi-Select action menu by selecting multiple elements and right-clicking anywhere on the canvas. This action opens a Context-sensitive menu with a distinct section for each element type. 

Select multiple elements and right-click anywhere on the canvas to activate the multi-action menu in the CML Workbench.

Within each section, you can perform actions on the corresponding element type. Please note: the system currently does not verify the validity of an action. Also, when you select multiple nodes, an Alignment section becomes available in the menu, providing options to align the selected nodes. 

Using the Right-click Context menu 

The Right-Click Context menu displays when you right-click a type of element: annotation, node, or link. This menu presents a list of actions specifically tailored to the selected element type. 

Pictured above is an example of the Right-click Context menu for a link.

Note: the Right-click Context menu typically provides more actions for each element type compared to the Multi-select Action menu.

Keyboard shortcuts 

Lab Actions menu 

You can find the Lab Actions menu in the toolbar under the “LAB” section. You can also activate this menu by right-clicking the canvas while no elements are selected. 

Panes panel 

The Panes panel is a versatile tool designed to give you a flexible workspace. For one, the Panes panel allows you to open multiple tabs, each hosting a Console, VNC, or PCAP session. You can also choose how you want to host tabs: in only one pane or across multiple. For instance, you can have one pane containing an open console session while another runs a packet capture.

What to keep in mind when using the Panes panel:

• One single pane is set by default, but you can add others by selecting the “+” icon.
• If you have more than one pane, you will see one pane highlighted with a blue square, which indicates it will be the target for any new sessions you open. (You can change this by clicking in a different pane, which sets it as the new target.) 

To open a tab, simply right-click a running link or node, and open the corresponding session for VNC, Console, or PCAP. As an added convenience, you also have the option to select multiple nodes and simultaneously launch multiple sessions, streamlining your workflow. 

Once you have a tab open, you can easily reposition it by dragging it from one pane to another. This drag-and-drop functionality provides a straightforward way to organize your workspace according to your preference or need. 

The panes and their respective tabs are designed to retain their state on a per-browser and per-lab basis. This means your arrangement of panes and tabs, as well as the content within them, will remain as you set them (even if you navigate away or close your browser), providing a persistent working environment. 

Each pane tab is equipped with a context menu, which you can access by right-clicking the tab. This context menu contains options and actions that pertain specifically to the type of tab, giving you a set of relevant controls right at your fingertips. 

If you have more than one pane, you will see one pane highlighted with a blue square (pictured above). This blue square indicates the target for any new sessions you open. You can change this by clicking in a different pane, which sets it as the new target.

To make your workspace even more customizable, you can rename tabs to reflect their content or purpose. You can either double-click on the tab, which will allow you to edit the name directly, or right-click on the tab and choose the Rename option from the context menu. 

The Carrot Down icon associated with each pane (see below) serves as a gateway to a menu. This menu displays a searchable list of all currently open sessions, making it easy for you to navigate directly to the session you need. 

Using the Carrot Down menu option (1), you can quickly view all open sessions at a glance.

To help you track the relationship between your tabs and their associated elements, you can select a tab to view its corresponding node (or link) on the canvas. This means you can instantly see which parts of your lab you are currently interacting with via your session. 

If you need more canvas space temporarily, you can hide and show the Panes panel by clicking the “PANES” toolbar option.

Source: cisco.com

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Enhance operational performance and agility through your network

The network has never been more important to running mission-critical IT applications and solving business needs. To drive business advantage, an organization’s network must support hybrid work and cloud-centric models, stay ahead of cybersecurity threats, while providing automation capabilities and network insights from real-time analytics.

This is further complicated by managing across multiple sites, meeting compliance standards, and monitoring a range of technologies from multiple vendors. Rearchitecting the campus network to accommodate these challenges can increase the burden on IT teams already struggling with skill shortages and staffing constraints.

The criticality of the network to the business underscores the importance of working with leading networking and IT services companies to overcome these challenges and provide the managed solutions and expertise enterprises require. That’s where NTT’s Managed Network Service for Cisco Catalyst Center, underpinned by NTT’s Spektra platform, comes in. NTT’s Managed Catalyst Center offer helps customers enhance network performance to meet the demands of the digital organization.

Improve network performance with NTT and Cisco

NTT’s Managed Network Services with Cisco Catalyst Center provides a cloud-based network automation, advanced monitoring and management solution. Cisco Catalyst Center becomes the brain of the network – monitoring and automating network management and providing event correlation, real-time analytics and insights. Catalyst Center is underpinned by AI-enabled network management that can streamline configuration, troubleshooting and operational functions by making recommendations based on Machine Reasoning Analytics.  NTT’s network transformation platform, SPEKTRA, delivers an additional layer of AI-enabled automation, predictive analytics and event correlation techniques.

This integrated solution uses advanced AIOps to deliver innovation and intelligent workplace features by using Cisco Catalyst Center DevOps API services layer. Monitoring, event correlation, automation and real-time analytics provide the insights that network administrators need to manage the IT ecosystem more efficiently. End-to-end managed services encompass design, support, delivery, and lifecycle services with a single, unified services portal.

Benefits of true integration and managed solutions

NTT’s technical expertise brings the full range of Catalyst Center features into its Managed Networks solution to provide numerous advantages, including:

• Real-time analytics helps administrators quickly identify and resolve network and security issues before they become major problems.
• Automation of up to 90 percent of network management tasks reduces the workload and lowers downtimecaused by manual configuration errors and troubleshooting.
• Simplified network management with a single dashboard view covers the entire network.
• Proactive management and operations by using advanced monitoring and event management keep the network running smoothly, 24x7x365.
• Access to technical expertise for managing and supporting the solution reduces the pressure on in-house IT staff.

This solution can be adapted to meet infrastructure needs across a range of situations: large, complex networks that require automation, segmentation, and real-time analytics; network management for multisite organizations; and migrations to the cloud with automation and real-time analytics that support cloud-based services.  Additionally, NTT helps customers meet compliance requirements with policy-based access control and network segmentation.

Unlock the potential of advanced functionality

“Our Managed Cisco Catalyst Center offering is another example of how we combine innovation in AI with our network management expertise to help our clients improve their network performance and find operational efficiencies while simplifying management requirements,” said Amit Dhingra,Executive Vice President: Managed Network Services at NTT in his blog, Introducing NTT’s Managed Cisco Catalyst Center. 

NTT’s Managed Catalyst Center offering uses a framework of platform, people, and process to redesign the network and deliver operational excellence.

Source: cisco.com

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Mining innovation: Underground mining visibility, locating assets and protecting people

Enabling autonomous operations and understanding the location of people and assets in real time are necessary for realizing fully operational smart mines. Smart mines require the ability to make good decisions based on large volumes of data, specifically within tunnels. This capability requires enhanced network availability and corresponding visualization tools to provide an intuitive understanding of the large amount of information generated.

The drive to digitize and automate underground operations requires the gathering of real-time data. Underground smart mines deal with complexities such as operations occurring in three dimensions over hundreds to thousands of kilometres; power, ventilation, and airflow considerations; potential for personal safety concerns with ambient temperatures sometimes over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit); and airborne pollutants that can impact worker health. It is imperative for both safety and efficiency that an underground mine be able to locate people and assets as close to real time as possible.

Improving workforce productivity while increasing safety and optimizing fleet productivity and payload are key objectives in underground mining. Visualizing worker and asset locations and producing useful metrics from the increasingly digitized operational technology (OT) edge has been shown to be helpful in achieving these goals. These metrics provide inputs into both environmental management and cultural heritage protection systems, which show proximity to protected areas and prevent operations on impinging via alerts or geofencing.

Cisco’s forward thinking and commitment to the future of mining aims at digitization, automation, and net-zero emissions outcomes in mines. These objectives require network and communication reliability in order for customers to achieve high levels of visibility over their operations. To deliver on this goal, Cisco collaborates with ecosystem partners that deliver complementary solutions like GeoMoby. GeoMoby provide blueprints for reliable operational environment network infrastructure combined with a sensor-driven visualization layer that brings real-time insight into mining operations.

Solutions and benefits

• Underground mining benefits from ecosystem-based, end-to-end solutions to fulfill specific requirements for sensor-driven connectivity and augmentation such as last-mile connectivity, temporary coverage, and low-bandwidth coverage for areas without Wi-Fi.
• Cisco Spaces provides location and telemetry data for indoor and outdoor use cases. This data produces connectivity, environmental, and location-based insights for ecosystem-based solutions.

 

Opportunity with GeoMoby

• Reduction or elimination of gaps in network connectivity and communication
• All-in-one 3D map and real-time location, including existing Cisco tags and infrastructure
• Convergence between OT/IT: traffic management, ventilation automation, IoT sensors, data collection, etc.
• New solution blueprint that extends value for customers using Cisco solutions and specialist ecosystem partners such as GeoMoby

The common goal of GeoMoby and Cisco is to accelerate the digitalization of the mining industry. GeoMoby uses, extends, and enhances Cisco technology within mining operations. The result is a readily implementable mining platform that enables continual optimization of operations and safety in underground mining.

Use cases

Objective	Description	Use Cases
Improve workforce productivity	Monitor employee and contractor movements and record any delays in order to provide insightful data that can help identify areas for improvement. Enhance visibility into operations in order to optimize decision-making and increase productivity.	Contractor management Workforce management Automatic check-in and check-out Idle time detection Ventilation on demand
Increase operational efficiency of assets	Monitor vehicle movements and record any speed excess in order to identify where and when vehicles are being underutilized or overutilized. Increase efficiency by reducing fuel consumption and overall costs. Promote compliance with safety regulations.	Predictive maintenance Driver management Maintenance management Speed management Ventilation on demand
Increase worker health and safety	Monitor critical health metrics, such as temperature and blood oxygen (Spo2) levels, in real time. Enable proactive intervention by sending instant notifications in case of emergency, enabling prompt action to mitigate potential health issues and risks. Provide insightful data that can be used to evaluate the overall health of operations and make informed decisions for improved safety and productivity.	Health and safety management Collection of health metrics Enhanced compliance with regulation
Increase fleet productivity and payload	Track and analyze the payload of every asset with time stamps, distance travelled, and in-use time, enabling informed decisions on resource allocation and waste reduction. Help to increase productivity and efficiency by reducing cycle times and optimizing truck utilization.	Payload management Fleet management Payload budgeting Performance tracking
Visualize people and assets with an electronic tag board	Display real-time location data for both people and vehicles on a map and a table. Enable optimization of operations by improving safety, productivity, and efficiency. In emergency situations, help to locate personnel and assets and facilitate a prompt response by visualizing people inside the refuge room and the closest refuge room for people in danger.	Electronic tag board Emergency response management Historic location data of people and assets Offline navigation to refuge chambers or fresh air bases
Environmental management system	Provide real-time environmental data and quickly identify potential environmental risks and hazards. Send alerts for anomalies and safety risks. Provide historical data on environmental performance, enabling tracking performance over time and making data-driven decisions about operations.	Air quality management Temperature management Gas monitoring system Historical data management
Cultural heritage protection system	Track people and assets and sends alerts when they are nearing or inside protected areas. Improve compliance with regulations in order to prevent potential abuses and disruptions. Help to ensure that only authorized individuals are granted access to protected areas.	Environmental, social and governance framework (ESG) reporting Compliance with regulations

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Expanding data security around the globe

In an ongoing effort to prioritize data security and privacy for Secure Email Threat Defense customers, we’re excited to announce the opening of two data centers in the Asia Pacific region: one in Australia and one in India.

There are now 4 Secure Email Threat Defense locations, with existing regions in the US and Europe. These new sites will have all the security features present in our existing locations and will receive feature enhancements at the same cadence as the existing locations.

Acknowledging the escalating demand for our product and the imperative to accommodate customers in varied geographical locations, we have meticulously designated Australia and India as our upcoming deployment regions. Our expansion into Australia and India not only broadens our global footprint but also reinforces our dedication to meeting the unique needs of customers in these regions. By localizing our product, users in the new region can expect faster response times and reduced latency, resulting in a more seamless and efficient user experience.

This expansion not only showcases our dedication to meeting the unique requirements of customers in different regions but also highlights our ability to swiftly deliver deployments. We are excited to bring the benefits of our product to Australia and India, enabling businesses in these regions to thrive in a secure and compliant manner.

These environments are built to the same high-level security, service resiliency, and data management practice standards we exhibit across all our global regions. They, too, will meet SOC2 and ISO 27001 standards and will be supported by our Data Privacy policy.

As we look to further expand our data security footprint, our next location is expected to be in the United Arab Emirates. Coverage in these new geographies is a clear indicator of our commitment to, and investment in, the data security of our customers around the globe.

Source: cisco.com

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Introducing Black Belt Academy’s New Flexible Validation Criteria

The goal of Cisco’s Black Belt Academy is to provide our partners with an efficient and effective role-based learning journey, which is presented in two or three sequential Stages. There is a strong correlation between partners’ revenue growth and the number of their employees who earn Stage 2 and 3 certifications, which require a deeper understanding of the subject matter, so progress requires validation.

However, we received feedback from partners that our validation criteria aren’t always appropriate for some roles. We listened. The result: more flexible validation criteria.

What’s changed – New flexible validation criteria for Presales and Deployment Roles

In the Black Belt Academy, as learners progress on their journeys from Stage 2 to Stage 3, new options are available depending on the role and the technology. We have provided alternatives other than the Deal ID submission for Stage 2 Learning Plan completion.

Alternative criteria include:

• Completing a “Capture the Flag” mission
• Creating a Perfect Pitch video of how you would present to a customer
• Proof of concept document of a test environment setup for a customer
• High-level design document of a customer solution

These details, which are built into the Learning Plans, will be available as the learner’s progress on their journeys.

Solution specialization tracks like SASE, FSO, Hybrid Cloud and Hybrid WFH will still require a Sales Order number from learners who are planning to apply for solution specialization at the partner (company) level. Partner admins should refer to program guidelines here.

Overall Impact

• More learners are progressing to Stage 2, which increases the number of those eligible for Stage 3 and certification.
• More options will make this validation process less complicated.
• A more streamlined learning journey, including automated ‘Capture the Flag’ missions.
• An overall improvement in user experience.

These changes represent our direction towards making the learning experience better for our partners. We are working on future improvements for you. Stay tuned!

Source: cisco.com

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820-605 CSM: How Top Customer Success Managers Stand Out!

In the fast-paced world of technology, companies constantly strive to deliver excellent products and services to their customers. The role of a Cisco Customer Success Manager Specialist has become increasingly crucial in ensuring customer satisfaction and retention. Cisco, a global technology leader, offers the 820-605 CSM certification, which equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to excel in this dynamic field. In this article, we will explore the winning strategies that top Cisco 820-605 Customer Success Managers use to stand out from the crowd and drive success for their clients.

In today's competitive business landscape, customer success has become critical to any organization's growth and sustainability. A Cisco 820-605 Customer Success Manager (CSM) ensures customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty. This article explores the winning strategies of top Cisco 820-605 CSM to stand out in their field and deliver exceptional results.

Essential Skills and Qualities of Top Cisco 820-605 Customer Success Manager

A Customer Success Manager ensures customers achieve their desired outcomes using a company's products or services. To excel in this role, top CSM understands the importance of building strong customer relationships.

Building Strong Customer Relationships

The foundation of successful customer management lies in building strong relationships. Top CSM prioritizes active listening and empathy, ensuring they understand their customers' needs and concerns. Proactive communication is another essential aspect of relationship-building, as it keeps the customers engaged and informed.

Adopting a Data-Driven Approach

Data is a powerful tool that can guide CSM to drive customer success. By utilizing customer analytics and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), top CSM gain valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences. This data-driven approach allows them to identify growth opportunities and take proactive measures to prevent potential issues.

Providing Exceptional Onboarding and Training

The onboarding process is critical in setting the tone for a successful customer relationship. Top CSM tailor the onboarding experience to the customer's needs and requirements. Continuous training and skill enhancement further contribute to customer success, ensuring that customers are well-equipped to make the most of the product or service.

Nurturing Customer Advocacy and Loyalty

Customer advocates are valuable assets for any organization. Top CSM focuses on cultivating customer advocates by consistently delivering exceptional service and promptly addressing any concerns that may arise. They understand that nurturing customer loyalty is essential for long-term success.

Implementing Customer Success Technology

Technology plays a pivotal role in modern customer success efforts. Top CSM leverages customer success platforms and automation tools to streamline workflows and enhance customer experience. By adopting technology, they can effectively manage a more extensive customer base without compromising quality.

Leveraging Cross-Functional Collaboration

Customer success is a team effort that involves multiple departments within an organization. Top CSM collaborates closely with sales and marketing teams to ensure a smooth handoff from pre-sales to onboarding. They also work with product development teams to relay customer feedback and contribute to product enhancements.

Managing Churn and Customer Dissatisfaction

Churn and customer dissatisfaction are inevitable challenges for any business. Top CSM proactively identify red flags and take necessary actions to prevent churn. Moreover, they view customer dissatisfaction as an opportunity to turn the situation around and strengthen the relationship.

Embracing a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is vital for continuous improvement and success. Top CSM embraces learning opportunities from setbacks and actively seeks innovative solutions to enhance customer success. Fostering their professional development also allows them to stay ahead in their field.

Measuring and Demonstrating Customer Success

To showcase the value of their efforts, top CSM define clear success metrics and create impactful reports for stakeholders. By effectively demonstrating their contributions, they solidify their position as indispensable assets to the organization.

Handling Difficult Conversations

Sometimes, CSM encounters challenging situations where customers express dissatisfaction or complaints. Top CSM is skilled at addressing these conversations with empathy and professionalism, turning negative experiences into positive outcomes.

Customer Success in Complex Environments

Enterprise-level challenges and diverse industries require CSM to adapt their strategies accordingly. Top CSM tailor their approaches to suit various sectors' unique demands, ensuring customer success is achieved across the board.

Cisco 820-605 CSM Exam: Overview and Preparation Tips in One Guide

Benefits of the Cisco 820-605 CSM Certification

Career Advancement:

Earning the Cisco 820-605 CSM certification demonstrates your commitment to customer success management, making you a valuable asset to any organization. It opens doors to various opportunities, including customer success manager, customer relationship manager, and client services roles.

Enhanced Skillset:

The certification process covers a wide range of topics, including customer engagement strategies, customer lifecycle management, and problem-solving techniques. These skills enhance your ability to provide exemplary customer support and ensure long-lasting client relationships.

Credibility and Recognition:

Cisco is a renowned networking and technology solutions leader. Holding a Cisco 820-605 CSM certification validates your expertise in customer success management and earns you recognition within the industry.

Competitive Edge:

A Cisco 820-605 CSM certification sets you apart from other candidates in a competitive job market. Employers seek certified professionals who can bring tangible value to customer success initiatives.

Cisco 820-605 CSM Certification Process

Candidates must pass the certification exam to obtain the Cisco 820-605 CSM certification. The exam tests candidates' understanding of customer success principles, customer engagement strategies, and how to drive business outcomes through customer relationships.

Cisco provides learning resources, including official study guides and training courses, to help candidates prepare effectively for the exam. Engaging in hands-on labs and real-world scenarios further strengthens practical knowledge and skills.

Proven Strategies for Customer Retention and Growth

Creating Tailored Success Plans

Successful CSM works closely with customers to create customized success plans aligning with their goals and objectives. These plans act as roadmaps for achieving success and promoting long-term loyalty.

Delivering Continuous Value

Top CSM consistently delivers customer value by providing ongoing support, conducting training sessions, and sharing industry best practices. By demonstrating the value of their products, CSM increases customer retention.

The Future of Customer Success

As technology continues to evolve, so does the role of a CSM. Top professionals in this field embrace technological advancements and adapt their strategies to meet evolving customer expectations. The growing importance of CSM in businesses ensures a promising future for this profession.

Career Path and Growth Opportunities

Achieving the Cisco 820-605 CSM certification opens up exciting career opportunities. Graduates can pursue Customer Success Managers, Account Managers, or Sales Professionals roles. With experience and continuous professional development, individuals can progress to senior management positions or specialize in specific industry domains.

Recertification and Continuous Learning

The technology landscape is ever-evolving, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends is crucial. Cisco certifications typically have a validity period, and professionals must recertify to maintain their status. Recertification ensures that certified individuals remain competent and relevant in their respective domains.

Conclusion

Customer Success Managers are the driving force behind successful customer relationships. The strategies employed by top Cisco 820-605 CSM allow them to stand out and create lasting value for their customers. By prioritizing strong relationships, data-driven decisions, and continuous improvement, these professionals continue to elevate the standards of customer success in the technology industry.

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