Dicker Data to offer Cisco AI PODs Infrastructure to Australian Partner Ecosystem

A key update was shared at Cisco Live Melbourne as Cisco announced the launch of its first Australian AI POD infrastructure program, delivered through distributor partner Dicker Data. This initiative gives Australian channel partners hands-on access to enterprise-grade AI infrastructure to develop, test, and deploy AI solutions for their customers, at no cost.

• Cisco to offer channel partners the opportunity to leverage and trial AI use cases and build out capabilities for AI deployment and driving AI infrastructure adoption, with an AI PODs available through Dicker Data

• Cisco AI PODs expected to be live in early 2026 with select channel partners able to leverage the infrastructure to trial use cases and build their own solutions in Australia

• This is the first time that partners have access to Cisco’s AI PODs infrastructure technology to trial and build AI use cases in Australia

What Partners and Customers Get

The AI pod delivers pre-loaded, industry-specific use cases across key verticals: healthcare and aged care; mining, earth moving, oil and gas; industrial and manufacturing; retail and convenience stores; and food and hospitality. Partners can trial real-world AI scenarios risk-free, accelerating time-to-market and reducing deployment uncertainty for their customers.

How It Works:

• Partners gain access to production-grade Cisco AI infrastructure in early 2026

• Pre-built use cases enable rapid prototyping tailored to customer needs

• Full support and services included to ensure successful trials and transitions to production

• Partners leverage learnings to build differentiated AI solutions and services

Why This Matters:

This is the first time Australian partners have direct access to Cisco’s AI pod infrastructure, removing barriers to AI adoption. Partners can confidently guide customers through AI implementation with proven, tested solutions—creating competitive advantage and unlocking new revenue streams.

Cisco’s Managing Director of Partner and Routes to Market, Rodney Hamill, said: “This AI pod program levels the playing field for Australian partners. Rather than starting from scratch, partners can trial battle-tested use cases and build confidence in AI deployment. That translates to faster customer adoption and real business outcomes.”

Dicker Data’s Executive Director and COO, Vladimir Mitnovetski, said “Dicker Data has launched AI Accelerate to fundamentally help bridge the gap of skills and enablement for channel partners as the market continues to shift to requiring AI solutions. This next step in launching use cases with AI pods in partnership with Cisco will enable us to help customers test real-world scenarios free of charge and accelerate Australia’s AI adoption.”

“Additionally, with Cisco’s Unified Edge solution entering the market, we’re extending our exclusive bundles with Schneider Electric to mid-market partners, bringing scalable, secure, and AI-ready infrastructure to the edge where it’s needed most. Today’s announcements demonstrate how Cisco and Dicker Data are committing to supporting partners of all sizes to capitalise on the AI opportunity,” said Mitnovetski.

Next Steps:

The AI pod is expected to be live in early 2026. Interested partners should contact their Cisco or Dicker Data representatives for early access details.