Cisco enhances AppDynamics with new AI-powered virtual appliance for on-premises observability

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) has unveiled a new virtual appliance for its AppDynamics On-Premises observability platform. This enhancement empowers customers with AI-powered intelligence for anomaly detection, root cause analysis, application security, and comprehensive SAP monitoring, bolstering IT operations with advanced tools to manage application performance and security effectively.

Strategic Enhancements and Flexibility

Ronak Desai, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Cisco AppDynamics and Full-Stack Observability, highlighted the innovation, stating, “Many of our customers continue to rely on self-hosted observability to manage business-critical applications, and we are thrilled to deliver these AI-powered innovations as part of Cisco AppDynamics On-Premises for the first time.” This initiative is in response to the growing demand for flexible observability solutions that cater to various business and regulatory needs, especially in sectors like public administration, finance, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail.

AI-Powered Features and Benefits

The new virtual appliance introduces several cutting-edge capabilities:

– AI-Powered Detection and Remediation: Utilizes dynamic baselining and continuous transaction diagnostics to quickly identify and address performance anomalies.

– Application Security: Enhances protection with Cisco Secure Application, integrating automated risk scoring and Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) to safeguard against vulnerabilities.

– Resilient SAP Landscape: Offers full-stack observability for SAP environments, improving service availability and aligning performance with business outcomes.

Cloud and On-Premises Deployment Options

In addition to traditional on-premises deployment, the virtual appliance can be hosted in cloud environments such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, providing flexibility and control over data residency and operational sovereignty.

Transitioning to SaaS with Flexibility

Recognizing the evolving needs of IT infrastructures, Cisco has introduced AppDynamics Flex Licensing. This new model supports customers in transitioning from on-premises to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions at their convenience, ensuring operational continuity and efficiency during digital transformations.

Stephen Elliot, Group Vice President for IDC, remarked on the importance of on-premises solutions: “Many technology executives are interested in on-premises, self-hosted observability solutions. Incorporating AI to automatically detect anomalies and suspected root causes in application performance is a huge step forward for on-premises customers who prefer to retain full control of their observability deployment.”

Set for general availability in May 2024, with additional features rolling out in the third quarter, Cisco’s latest offerings for AppDynamics On-Premises mark a significant advancement in IT operations’ ability to monitor and secure applications effectively. This strategic update not only addresses immediate operational needs but also prepares enterprises for a seamless transition to more cloud-centric models in the future.

Cisco’s integration of AI technologies into its AppDynamics platform signifies a robust commitment to enhancing on-premises application observability while providing pathways to SaaS adaptations. This strategic approach caters to the diverse and evolving needs of global businesses, particularly those in regulated industries, offering them the flexibility and security necessary to thrive in a digital-first world.