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Webex by Cisco
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideoconferencing, web conferencing, Unified communications as a service
PredecessorCisco Webex
Founded1995; 29 years ago (1995)
FounderSubrah Iyar
Min Zhu
HeadquartersSan Jose, California (United States)
Key people
Chuck Robbins (CEO)
Frank A. Calderoni (CFO)
ProductsWebex App, Webex Suite, Webex Meeting, Webex Messaging, Webex Calling, Webex Contact Center, Webex Devices
RevenueUS$380 million (2006)
Number of employees
10,000 (2015)
ParentCisco Systems
Websitewww.webex.com

Webex by Cisco is an American company that develops and sells web conferencing, videoconferencing and contact center as a service applications.[1] It was founded as WebEx in 1995 and taken over by Cisco Systems in 2007. Its headquarters are in San Jose, California.[2]

Its software products include Webex App, Webex Suite, Webex Meetings, Webex Messaging, Webex Calling, Webex Contact Center, and Webex Devices.[3] All Webex products are part of the Cisco Systems collaboration portfolio.[4]

History

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WebEx was founded in 1995[5] by Subrah Iyar and Min Zhu. It had its initial public offering in July 2000.[5] WebEx was listed on the NASDAQ National Market, and then the NASDAQ Global Select Market, when that was introduced in 2006.[6]

Services

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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),[7] a global network intended for use with on-demand programs. The network was designed by Shaun Bryant, Webex's Chief Network Architect,[8] and Zaid Ali Sr, Network Architect, to be one of the first SaaS platforms on the Internet.[citation needed]

The WebEx Connect product allows for custom communication workflows, such as those used in customer relationship management. The product allows plug-ins to the WebEx platform to connect to popular messaging and social media platforms.[9] On September 26, 2006, the company announced plans to offer a web collaboration "mashup" platform called "Webex Connect".[10]

Defunct products include a business version of AOL's instant messaging software, AIM Pro, with additional features to help workers collaborate using conferencing tools offered by Webex.[11]

On November 17, 2014, Cisco announced an evolution of Webex called Project Squared.[12] On March 17, 2015 this effort was re-branded as Cisco Spark.[13]

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.[14]

On May 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 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.[15]

In September 2020, Cisco launched a new platform Webex Classrooms for virtual homeroom encounters.[16]

On October 26, 2021, Cisco launched an update aimed to enhance virtual and hybrid in-person meetings and events, using AI-powered technology for their Webex portfolio.[17]

In May 2024, Cisco and Tata Communications partnered to launch Webex Calling in India. [18]

Acquisition

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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.[19]

On March 15, 2007, Cisco Systems announced it would acquire WebEx for $3.2 billion.[20] Cisco has said that its long-term plan is to absorb WebEx at both a technology and a sales level.[21]

In October 2020, Cisco acquired BabbleLabs.[22]

In February 2021, Cisco acquired imimobile, a provider of communications platform as a service (CPaaS) solutions for its Webex collaboration portfolio imimobile.[23]

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Goldman Sachs securities fraud investigation

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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.[24] Another charge accuses Goldman Sachs of violating securities law in its allocation of shares in WebEx's initial public offering.[25]

Raindance lawsuit for patent infringement

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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.[26] 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.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Cisco Relaunches Webex With New Branding and New Focus on Hybrid Meetings". Barrons.com. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  2. ^ "About Cisco". February 2022.
  3. ^ Webex (March 19, 2018). "Video Conferencing, Cloud Calling & Screen Sharing | Webex by Cisco". Webex.com. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  4. ^ Berndtson, Chad (2020). "Cisco Revamps Collaboration Portfolio Around WebEx Brand". CRN. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Cisco announces agreement to acquire WebEx". Cisco. March 15, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  6. ^ "WebEx selected for new NASDAQ Global Select Market" (Press release). WebEx. June 27, 2006. Archived from the original on November 9, 2006.
  7. ^ Cisco DevNet. Developer.webex.com. Retrieved on 2014-02-27.
  8. ^ http://entreprise.jigsaw.com/id70704_d80/webex_communications_inc_it_is_business_contacts.xhtml[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Cloud communications platform, built for the enterprise".
  10. ^ "Webex is expanding from connecting people to connecting process and applications in real time". Webex. Archived from the original on February 26, 2007. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  11. ^ "AOL Launches AIM Pro Service". eWeek. July 19, 2006. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  12. ^ "Cisco's New Project Squared Collaboration Tool Offers Modern Alternative To Aging Webex". TechCrunch. November 17, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  13. ^ "Cisco Re-brands Project Squared Collaboration Effort as Spark". e-Week. March 17, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  14. ^ "Cisco Turns their Spark into Webex Teams", VideoCentric, Reading, Berkshire, 25 April 2018.
  15. ^ "Cisco boasts 'amazing takeup' of Webex as locked-down users flock to video conferencing". May 15, 2020.
  16. ^ "Cisco debuts Webex Classrooms". msn news. September 1, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  17. ^ "Cisco launches new AI-powered and hybrid event features for Webex". VentureBeat. October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  18. ^ "Cisco Webex".
  19. ^ Solhein, Shelley (August 8, 2005). "Webex tools get Intranets infusion". eweek.
  20. ^ Malik, Om (March 15, 2007). "Why Cisco paid $3.2B for WebEx?". GigaOm. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  21. ^ Murray, James (March 15, 2007). "Cisco outlines WebEx integration plans". IT Week. Archived from the original on May 26, 2007.
  22. ^ Wilson, Georgia (October 2, 2020). "Cisco acquires BabbleLabs to enhance Webex Platform features". Business Chief. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  23. ^ "Cisco Completes Acquisition of IMImobile PLC".
  24. ^ "SEC Litigation Complaint 18113". Securities and Exchange Commission. April 28, 2003. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  25. ^ "SEC Litigation press release for complaint 19051" (Press release). Securities and Exchange Commission. January 25, 2005. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  26. ^ a b WEBEX COMMUNICATIONS INC 10-Q
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