Cisco Borgs WebEx
$3.2bn conferencing play
Posted in Networks, 15th March 2007 16:04 GMT
Increase your knowledge of the latest threats to your busines
Cisco is to acquire web conferencing leader WebEx, the companies announced in a joint release today.
Cisco will pay $3.2bn, though WebEx has $300m cash in the bank, so the real cost is nearer $2.9bn.
WebEx has technology to manage online conferences; sharing slides and streaming content from a presenter to an audience, as well as managing attendance and allowing questions to be sent back to the presenter.
WebEx also provides services for companies such as BT Conferencing, Salesforce.com, and America Online. Though largely used by US companies, the technology allows people around the world to experience the same conference - right down to making attendees select a seat and indicate when they're comfortable and ready to start.
For Cisco the deal is part of its move up the value chain, from a company selling the anonymous grey boxes so essential to modern networking, to one providing goods and services direct to companies and their employees. ®


The future of SaaS and IT infrastructure management
Should your email live in the cloud: a comparative cost analysis
Hosted security IT manager's guide
Securing your Apache web server with a Thawte digital certificate

Win a Samsung C6625!
Is your cameraphone an oxymoron?
Windows 7, Bing and security: Mr Ballmer regrets
Sign up, sign up for The Register IT security newsletter