The partners -- Citrix, EMC, Intel, SAP, and Schneider Electric -- will join Cisco in providing technology and resources for the House, which is constructed on a roof-top location in London. The companies said that the joint effort, which features virtual desktops, data storage, processing power, analytical software , and energy management , will demonstrate "how partners can work together and create an ecosystem to transform business."

'What We Make Possible'

Cisco House is open for the next five months, and more than 11,000 visitors are expected. It provides a vision of a dedicated connected environment, and is intended to stimulate fresh ideas about how network platforms can provide new ways to promote growth and efficiency -- including reducing costs, increasing productivity, and creating new business and service models -- for businesses, non-profits organizations, cities and countries.

The vision is presented through interactive, multimedia experiences in the House, available on the ground floor, plus case studies shown on plasma screens. The top floor has a large lounge for networking, which overlooks Olympic Park. Meeting rooms feature TelePresence suites, and the House also offers smaller communication pods.

Cisco UK CEO Phil Smith told news media that the focus of Cisco House is "not on what Cisco makes, but what we make possible." He added that the aim is to engage leaders around innovative business models, using global case studies to show how Cisco and others are helping to create business, city, or country transformations.

Citrix said in a statement that the House represents a working environment for the Cloud Era, where "everyone is assumed to be mobile , using multiple, personal devices, connecting over a wireless network." In this kind of environment, Citrix said, apps are delivered through self-service enterprise app stores, over private or public clouds. (continued...)

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