Cisco Systems (News - Alert) Inc. the world’s largest maker of computer networking gear, and TANDBERG, a provider of telepresence, high-definition videoconferencing and mobile video products and services, gave customers a sneak peek at its plans as a result of its merger.
The company plans to create “an open architecture” that will give users greater interoperability, Cisco (News - Alert) said. This new architecture will give customers such features as One Button to Push and Continuous Presence, as well as integration with leading unified communications platforms, Cisco said .
Company officials reiterated plans this week to create a telepresence technology group will retain and build upon product lines from both companies. In addition to the telepresence technology group, TANDBERG’s sales and channels organization will become a specialist sales team within Cisco (News - Alert), the companies said.
In November, Cisco increased its bid to acquire Norway-based TANDBERG for $3.4 billion. Cisco extended its original bid after the company received weak support from TANDBERG shareholders, TMCnet previously reported.
The merger is expected to close in the first half of this year. But until then, Cisco and TANDBERG “remain competitors,” company officials said.
Cisco’s acquisition of TANDBERG reflects its recent focus on the telepresence field. The company, for example, has launch videoconferencing technology, positing the equipment as a way to cut back on travel costs and to go green, the San Francisco Times reported.
Amy Tierney is a Web editor for TMCnet, covering business communications Her areas of focus include conferencing, SIP, Fax over IP, unified communications and telepresence. Amy also writes about education and healthcare technology, overseeing production of e-Newsletters on those topics as well as communications solutions and UC. To read more of Amy's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Amy Tierney