Cisco Systems CEO Chuck Robbins has a lot on his mind. His company is going through what he calls the most significant business model transition in its history as it becomes a software powerhouse, leading with subscriptions and flexible IT financing models.

To that end, Cisco is in the process of revamping its own financial models to sell more solutions as a service. It’s also reworking its enterprise licenses, according to Robbins. It’s a complicated process, but the shift will help set up Cisco partners for the hybrid work trend, which isn’t going anywhere as some employees return to the office and others stay at home. Companies are at the starting line of a “massive” digital investment cycle that will include edge solutions and meeting solutions that go beyond simple videoconferencing. And that means that opportunities abound for channel partners. But at the same time, supply chain issues continue to challenge the biggest tech firms and their partners.

At the 2021 Best of Breed (BoB) Conference in Atlanta, hosted by CRN parent The Channel Company, Robbins talked about Cisco’s software evolution and the trend toward consumption-based IT, hybrid work, supply chain issues and the social responsibilities of tech leaders today.

Here’s what Robbins had to say to an audience of solution providers.