CES 2014: Cisco Ups Internet Of Everything Opportunity To $19 Trillion

If Cisco CEO John Chambers' vision for the Internet of Everything pans out, our cities will look a whole lot different -- and a whole lot smarter -- over the next decade.

During his keynote address Tuesday at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, Chambers shared Cisco's most recent statistics around the Internet of Everything and the potentially massive cost savings it could mean for consumers, businesses and cities around the world.

In the keynote -- which featured a guest appearance from comedian Sarah Silverman -- Chambers said the Internet of Everything represents a potential $19 trillion opportunity between the public and private sectors combined, with the breakdown between a $14.4 trillion potential "value at stake" for the private sector -- a number Cisco has touted before -- and $4.6 trillion in new revenue gains or cost savings for the public sector. He also said these numbers could be conservative.

[Related: CES 2014: Cisco's Chambers On Internet Of Everything, 2014 Challenges ]

"If you were to take away only one number from today, think $19 trillion," Chambers told the crowd. "This is where I get the attention of CEOs, governments and business leaders."

Chambers then highlighted specific examples of how the Internet of Everything -- or the ability to Internet-enable objects ranging from cars to home appliances -- will impact the day-to-day lives of consumers and businesses.

Chambers said, for example, that Internet-enabled streetlights could use sensors to turn themselves on and off, detecting when their light is actually needed. Europe spends roughly $13 billion a year on street lighting, and Internet of Everything technology could be used to cut that figure down 70 percent to 80 percent, he said.

What's more, according to Chambers, these "Internet streetlights" could be used as charging stations for electronic vehicles, or to deliver Wi-Fi to underserved areas.

"This is not about technology at all," Chambers said. "It's really about how it changes people's lives."

In another example, Chambers said Internet of Everything technology could be used to cut waste management costs by as much as 30 percent through the use of sensors in trash cans that let collectors know whether the cans are full or not.

Chambers told CRN at a CES press conference Monday that Cisco partners will play a major role in Cisco's Internet of Everything offensive and that Cisco plans to stay fully committed to its channel as it wraps its arms around these new technologies.

"I think our channel strategy plays right into our sweet spot," Chambers said.

Cisco didn't unveil any major new Internet of Everything products at this year's CES but did unveil a cloud-based version of its TV service delivery platform Videoscape.

PUBLISHED JAN. 8, 2014