Rockwell Automation and Cisco have announced a strategic collaboration to drive the next phase of India’s manufacturing transformation by integrating industrial automation with advanced digital technologies. The partnership aims to help manufacturers build secure, intelligent and resilient production environments while supporting the country’s vision of becoming a globally competitive manufacturing hub.
As part of the collaboration, the companies have introduced a Full-Stack Software-Defined Manufacturing reference design that combines Cisco’s software-defined networking capabilities with Rockwell Automation’s industrial automation technologies. The integrated framework is designed to bridge information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT), enabling manufacturers to achieve greater operational visibility, secure data exchange and AI-enabled decision-making across production facilities.
To showcase the capabilities of the new platform, Rockwell Automation has established a Software-Defined Manufacturing Demo Pod at its Gurugram facility in collaboration with Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration programme. The demonstration centre will serve as a collaborative space where manufacturers, technology partners and industry stakeholders can evaluate, test and develop digital manufacturing solutions before deploying them at scale.
The partnership also places a strong emphasis on workforce development. Rockwell Automation and Cisco will jointly launch a digital skills initiative aimed at equipping professionals with competencies in networking, industrial automation and cybersecurity. The programme will leverage Cisco Networking Academy and Rockwell Automation’s Learning+ platform to help bridge the digital skills gap in India’s manufacturing sector and prepare the workforce for increasingly connected industrial environments.
The companies believe the initiative will help manufacturers transition from conventional automation systems to intelligent, AI-enabled operations capable of improving productivity, reducing operational risks and enhancing overall efficiency. The integrated approach is expected to provide real-time operational insights while strengthening cybersecurity and ensuring reliable performance across manufacturing networks.
Commenting on the collaboration, Dilip Sawhney, Managing Director of Rockwell Automation India, said the partnership combines industrial automation expertise with modern digital infrastructure to help manufacturers create more resilient, efficient and future-ready operations.
Kartika Prihadi, Vice President, Partner and Routes to Market Sales, Cisco APJC, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting India’s manufacturing ambitions by bringing together secure networking, automation and AI-ready infrastructure that enables industries to move beyond automation towards autonomous operations.
As India continues to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities, the collaboration between Rockwell Automation and Cisco is expected to provide industries with a scalable technology framework that supports innovation, operational excellence and sustainable industrial growth. The initiative also reinforces the importance of technology partnerships and workforce development in building the next generation of digitally connected manufacturing enterprises.
