ASX-listed engineering firm Downer will deploy Cisco-powered smart city and connected transport systems under a new partnership.

The two companies said in a statement that their partnership would cover “joint solution development to address customer use cases such as safety and operational efficiency, use of the Cisco IoT portfolio including the Kinetic IoT data fabric to deliver insight and action from data, video analytics and cybersecurity.”

They noted that Downer already had some smart city work under its belt, covering the deployment of smart streetlights, smart stormwater drains, smart signs and smart infrastructure on roads.

“As Downer and Cisco deploy more devices and connect more infrastructure, they are able to predict maintenance requirements and deliver better services, with fewer disruptions to the public and providing better value to customers,” they said.

Cisco is hoping that partnering with Downer will provide a path into projects that aim to bring information technology and operational technology (IT-OT) together.

IT-OT has been on the radar of industrial companies for over a decade, yet it is only in the past year that any significant projects have begun.

In addition to transport and smart cities projects, Downer and Cisco said they would also seek work in the resources and facilities management spaces.

“We see this partnership as a critical component of our smart city deployments over the coming years,” Downer’s technology and innovation group manager Jeff Sharp said.

“Downer is keen to maintain and grow our leadership position in this market, and the partnership with Cisco lets us tap into some of the best technology globally and deliver our customers smart infrastructure that makes life better for the general public.”