San Jose, May 9, 2014: Cisco’s Internet of Things (IoT) head has resigned.
Guido Jouret
The tech giant reportedly confirmed the development that Vice President and General Manager of Cisco’s Internet of Things Group, Guido Jouret had stepped down “in order to pursue a new opportunity.” As reported by networking blogger Brad Reese, Rob Soderbery, senior Vice President of Cisco’s Enterprise Networking Group for now oversee the unit directly in his stead.
Analysts have questioned the timing of Guido’s departure, especially since Cisco has been quite bullish on the business of IoT, even giving it a different label – the Internet of Everything (IoE). The IoT defines the concept surrounding networking devices using the Web and sensors, connecting up everything from our utilities on the grid via smart meters to coffee shop fridges and household lighting systems.
Jouret was directly responsible for the development of IoT products, including cameras, sensors, smart electric meters and routers.
The IoT division was launched by Cisco in October 2013, and the company said at the time that it would focus on IoT-ready networking standards and gear. As reported by this website, at the CES-2014 and the Mobile World Congress 2014 trade show platform earier this year, Cisco’s Chief Executive Officer John Chambers had reiterated the importance of the IoE. At the World Congress, Chambers had told the audience that the (IoT) potentially had between five and 10 times the impact on society over the Internet itself.
Research firm Gartner believes IoT will hit 26 billion devices by 2020 and be worth over $1.9 trillion in the same year.
In May, Cisco announced its investment arm would be boosting its investment in IoT-based startups by $150 million.
Incidentally, in a move not diretly linked with Guido’s resignation, Jeff White, Cisco’s President and Country Manager for India and SAARC region, too, had quit earlier this month. White had moved to India in January 2013 replacing Naresh Wadhwa, who had spent almost fifteen years in Cisco. White was earlier the Vice-President for Cisco’s Service Provider Business in Asia-Pacific, Japan and China.
Image Credit: Cisco
– Advertising Message –