Dicker Data teams up with Cisco to offer AI-ready platform to Australian partners

Partners can trial AI use cases and develop capabilities for AI deployment at no cost.

Dicker Data has partnered with Cisco to offer its AI PODs infrastructure to partners in Australia in early 2026. It follows Dicker Data’s launch of its channel-focused AI practice, AI Accelerate, earlier in the year.

Partners can access enterprise-grade AI infrastructure to develop, test and deploy AI solutions for their customers at no cost. They will also have access to dedicated Cisco AI experts to help build out bespoke solutions and to help accelerate their AI practice.

“Cisco and Dicker Data are committing to supporting partners of all sizes to capitalise on the AI opportunity," said Vlad Mitnovetski, executive director and COO, Dicker Data.

The AI pod delivers pre-loaded, industry-specific use cases across key verticals including healthcare and aged care, mining, manufacturing, retail and hospitality. The goal is to help partners demonstrate solutions to their customers and define the ingredients needed for AI solutions.

“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,” he added.

The platform can be deployed via SaaS or on-premises to ensure effective governance without introducing “shadow AI” and partners will also be offered guidance on ethical AI practices.

The AI infrastructure integrates with ServiceNow, Splunk and other operational tools providing unified visibility, incident response and continuous governance. The platform is built on zero trust principles and includes a suite of Cisco AI-ready solutions and validated third-party reference solutions.

Dicker Data will be working with interested partners to understand their readiness and capability to leverage the technology and we will provide access based on the outcomes of an AI assessment.

“Part of our co-investment strategy is ensuring partners with the right skills, ambitions and end-customers have access to the technology,” said Dicker Data, executive director and COO, Vlad Mitnovetski.