Cisco Webex
Cisco Webex is an American company that develops and sells web conferencing and videoconferencing applications.[1] It was founded as WebEx in 1995 and taken over by Cisco Systems in 2007. Its headquarters are in Milpitas, California.
 | |
| Type of business | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1995 |
| Predecessor(s) | WebEx |
| Headquarters | Milpitas, California (United States) |
| Founder(s) | Subrah Iyar Min Zhu |
| Key people | Chuck Robbins (CEO) Frank A. Calderoni (CFO) |
| Industry | Videoconferencing, Web conferencing |
| Products | Webex Meetings, Webex Teams, Webex Training Center, Webex Support Center, Webex Event Center, Webex Sales Center, Webex Enterprise Edition, Webex Connect |
| Revenue | US$380 million (2006) |
| Employees | 10,000+ (2015) |
| Parent | Cisco Systems |
| URL | www |
Its software products include Webex Meetings, Webex Teams, Training Center, Event Center, Support Center, Sales Center, MeetMeNow, PCNow, Webex AIM Pro Business Edition, Webex WebOffice, and WebEx Connect. All Webex products are part of the Cisco Systems collaboration portfolio.
History
WebEx was founded in 1995[2] by Subrah Iyar and Min Zhu. It had its initial public offering in July 2000.[2] WebEx was listed on the NASDAQ National Market, and then the NASDAQ Global Select Market, when that was introduced in 2006.[3]
Time limit
Cisco Webex has a time limit of 50 minutes (free service) and 24 hours (registered clients).
Services
At the time of the acquisition, all Webex applications were built on the MediaTone platform and supported by the Webex MediaTone Network (originally called the Webex interactive network),[4] a global network intended for use with on-demand programs. The network was designed by Shaun Bryant, Webex's Chief Network Architect,[5] and Zaid Ali Sr, Network Architect, to be one of the first SaaS platforms on the Internet.
In July 2006, AOL and Webex launched a business version of AOL's instant messaging software, AIM Pro, with additional features to help workers collaborate using conferencing tools offered by Webex.[6]
On September 26, 2006, the company announced plans to offer a web collaboration "mashup" platform called "Webex Connect".[7]
On November 17, 2014, Cisco announced an evolution of Webex called Project Squared.[8] On March 17, 2015 this effort was re-branded as Cisco Spark.[9]
On April 18, 2018, Cisco announced that Cisco Spark would be combined into the Cisco Webex platform. On this same date, Cisco rebranded all of the rest of their Spark products to Webex, including the Spark Room Kit—now Webex Room Kit—and Spark Board—now Webex Board.[10]
On May 15, 2020, Cisco CFO Kelly Kramer reported in the month of April 2020, they had 500 million meeting attendees, and that equated to 25 billion meeting minutes, using its video-conferencing application WebEx. [11]
In September 2020, Cisco launched a new platform Webex Classrooms for virtual homeroom encounters.[12]
Acquisition
The company acquired Intranets.com in 2005, providing entrance into the small- and mid-size business market through the company's customer base of businesses with fewer than 100 employees. It acquired the ability to offer online collaboration tools such as discussion forums, document sharing and calendaring while Intranets.com provided access to the Webex communications environment for its customers.[13]
On March 15, 2007, Cisco Systems announced it would acquire WebEx for $3.2 billion.[14] Cisco has said that its long-term plan is to absorb WebEx at both a technology and a sales level.[15]
In October 2020, Cisco acquired BabbleLabs.[16]
Legal proceedings and inquiries
Goldman Sachs securities fraud investigation
As a result of a securities fraud investigation initiated by the SEC and by various state Attorney General offices, Goldman Sachs faced charges of issuing unfair research, including coverage of WebEx, and IPO violations for the period 1999 to 2001. Webex management allegedly dictated to Goldman Sachs analysts what the research should and should not include. Webex maintains the management's information was accurate.[17] Another charge accuses Goldman Sachs of violating securities law in its allocation of shares in WebEx's initial public offering.[18]
Raindance lawsuit for patent infringement
On September 27, 2005, Webex sued Raindance Communications, Inc., a competitor, for patent infringement. On October 14, 2005, Raindance filed a countersuit against Webex for patent infringement. Both parties sought both damages and an injunction enjoining further acts they claim to be infringing on patents.[19] On March 31, 2006, the parties agreed to the dismissal of both actions, releases of claims for past infringement, payments associated with those releases, and cross-licenses to each other's patents. The agreement resulted in Webex receiving 1 million dollars from Raindance.[19]
See also
References
- "How to Make the Most of a Conference Call". Today.Duke.edu. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- "Cisco announces agreement to acquire WebEx". Cisco. March 15, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- "WebEx selected for new NASDAQ Global Select Market" (Press release). WebEx. June 27, 2006. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006.
- Cisco DevNet. Developer.webex.com. Retrieved on 2014-02-27.
- http://entreprise.jigsaw.com/id70704_d80/webex_communications_inc_it_is_business_contacts.xhtml%5B%5D
- "AOL Launches AIM Pro Service". eWeek. July 19, 2006. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
- "Webex is expanding from connecting people to connecting process and applications in real time". Webex. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- "Cisco's New Project Squared Collaboration Tool Offers Modern Alternative To Aging Webex". TechCrunch. November 17, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- "Cisco Re-brands Project Squared Collaboration Effort as Spark". e-Week. March 17, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- "Cisco Turns their Spark into Webex Teams", VideoCentric, Reading, Berkshire, 25 April 2018.
- "Cisco boasts 'amazing takeup' of WebEx as locked-down users flock to video conferencing". May 15, 2020.
- "Cisco debuts Webex Classrooms". msn news. September 1, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
- Solhein, Shelley (August 8, 2005). "Webex tools get Intranets infusion". eweek.
- Malik, Om (March 15, 2007). "Why Cisco paid $3.2B for WebEx?". GigaOm. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- Murray, James (March 15, 2007). "Cisco outlines WebEx integration plans". IT Week. Archived from the original on May 26, 2007.
- Wilson, Georgia (October 2, 2020). "Cisco acquires BabbleLabs to enhance Webex Platform features". Business Chief. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
- "SEC Litigation Complaint 18113". Securities and Exchange Commission. April 28, 2003. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- "SEC Litigation press release for complaint 19051" (Press release). Securities and Exchange Commission. January 25, 2005. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- WEBEX COMMUNICATIONS INC 10-Q
