Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mehitabel who wrote (26724)	6/30/1999 11:38:00 PM
From: James Wamsley	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 77400

Another not so informative, but cute, article from "Upside Today" Cisco Buys New Look News Special June 30, 1999 by Sylvia Carr After a $4 billion StrataCom purchase three years ago, Cisco stemmed its acquisition efforts, maintaining a steady stream of $100 million-range engagements. But lately Cisco's losing its head again with $3.45 billion in 1999 mergers, as it becomes dead-set on reshaping itself into a contoured, telecom player. Tuesday, Cisco added StratumOne Communications to its curves. StratumOne's semiconductor technology was worth $435 million to Cisco because it enables data-service providers to quickly build top-quality, high-speed networks for data, voice and video. But StratumOne is only the beginning. Over the last three months, Cisco's made a place in its heart (and master plan) for five more pets. Earlier in June, Cisco bought TransMedia Communications to bring voice and data closer together. For $400 million in stock, TransMedia forked over its secret charms for bridging the public phone network and IP-based or ATM-based networks, which excel at moving large chunks of data. Back in April, Cisco scooped up four companies that offer a slew of enterprise services. Amteva Technologies (worth $170 million of Cisco's cash and stock) was chosen for its midriff-baring middleware, which lets users access a single voice mail, e-mail and fax mailbox over an Internet-based network. Soon after, Cisco undertook the most expensive of the bunch, the $2 billion acquisition of GeoTel Communications, with its handsome software for voice-call centers. Kicking off the romantic frenzy, Cisco paid a total of $445 million for Fibex Systems and Sentient Networks. Together, they enable data-service providers to gradually move to a packet-based ATM network, while maintaining their existing circuit-based phone businesses. At this rate, Cisco's face-lift will be over in no time flat. When you've got the cash, and you're trying to bring data and voice networks together, buying technology sure beats making it by hand