Cisco Systems

“Some of Cisco’s new products help break down barriers with business-to-business collaboration” - Leanne Schrotzberger Cisco Systems.

When the Internet was first introduced, most people had no idea how this new technology would affect our daily lives. Most people would not have envisioned that they would be able to do all their banking online. Nor would have thought they would be able to do most of their shopping on line, and in both cases within secure environments. Many banks are now offering a bill payment feature that allows you to pay bills online rather than sending a check through the mail. With the conception of the Internet and the higher speeds offered by Internet Service Providers (ISP), there have been many other advances in technology that allow one’s Internet connection to be used for much more than browsing web pages or downloading files. Let’s look at Cisco System’s and some of the tools they offer that use these innovations to encourage group collaborative communication among a company’s employees.

Cisco Systems is a company that offers cutting edge technology that can be used for many business applications. One of their main areas of focus is business collaboration and communication. Much of their new technology deals with businesses being able to communicate effectively, some of Cisco’s new products help break down barriers with “business-to-business collaboration” (2009, ¶ 2). One package offered by them is Cisco’s Tele-Presence. This package allows users to generate a live face-to-face meeting similar to simple video conferencing, but it also allows people to “share content, create high-quality video recordings and events, consult with experts and deliver powerful personalized services; all using the power of the network for an immersive in-person experience” (n.d., ¶ 3). Setting up a meeting is very simple and requires no Information Technology (IT) support. Starting a meeting is as easy as picking up the phone and making a call. The high quality makes people appear “lifelike and life-size” (¶ 4). Up to 48 locations can participate in a single meeting and “Collaboration applications are plug and play” (n.d., ¶ 4).

Another application that Cisco uses to foster collaboration is Unified Communicator (UC). This application provides a very high quality meeting like Tele- Presence, but it includes a high degree of security across any work space (n.d.). Cisco Unified Communications connects people, information, and teams, helping to enable comprehensive and effective collaborative experiences” (n.d. ¶ 1). It allows user companies to connect partners, vendors, co-workers, and their customers with the information and data they require. UC allows workers to be connected through a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone systems, an Instant Messaging (IM) application, and also mobile devices, which allows employees to be productive anywhere in the world. UC also permits people to access and share video on a “desktop, on the road, and on-demand, as easily” as dialing a phone (n.d. ¶ 3). So not only does it offer conferencing, messaging, IP communications, mobile applications, but it also offers a high amount of customer care.

WebEx is another application Cisco designed that allows group collaborative communications. WebEx can be used for much more than just company meetings by offering broader needs for a business. There is no restriction on the type of computer system, platform, browser, or devices, in any country in the world (n.d). The application can be used for real-time meetings, webcasts, corporate instant messaging, and it can be used for training sessions. The training can be e-Learning or distance learning around the world (n.d.). The large benefit for a business is that WebEx also allows remote technical support attended or unattended (n.d.).

The items listed here are just a few of the many tools offered by Cisco Systems. As we have seen, some of the options include high quality video conference with either audio or video. Their other package “unified communicator” can handle voice and data traffic as well as instant messaging and mobile devices, all with improved security. It also allows a high degree of improved customer care. WebEx has many of the same features as the other two packages, but it also has no restrictions on the type of operating system or computer system used by the business. It also allows for company training and remote technical support either attended or unattended. As we can see, Cisco Systems offers a vast variety of products that improves group collaboration within the business community allowing a business to work in a more effective manner.

References
Cisco System’s. (n.d). Fostering Collaboration with Everyone, Everywhere. Retrieved December 8, 2009 from http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns669/networking_solutions_solution_segment_home.html?POSITION=SEM&COUNTRY_SITE=us&CAMPAIGN=HN&CREATIVE=TelePresence&REFERRING_SITE=Google&KEYWORD=cisco+telepresence

Cisco System’s. (n.d). Gain Competitive Edge using Cisco WebEx Solution. Retrieved December 8, 2009 from http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/ns990/webex_deployment.html

Cisco System’s. (n.d). New Communications Experience. Retrieved December 8, 2009 from
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns151/networking_solutions_unified_communications_home.html

CNNMoney.com. (November, 2009). Cisco Breaks Down Barriers to Business-to-Business Collaboration Retrieved November 2, 2009 from http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0556505.htm