Webex

Cisco operates a diversified enterprise technology model combining software, cloud services and hardware. It creates value by providing enterprises and mid-market organisations with secure networking infrastructure and integrated collaboration and customer-experience platforms that support meetings, messaging, telephony and contact-centre operations. Core offerings are delivered as multi-tenant cloud services managed through central administration portals, complemented by on-premises-capable integrations and proprietary desk, room and IP phone devices.

Revenue is generated via recurring software and cloud subscriptions for collaboration suites, calling and contact-centre products, often sold as multi-year, volume-based enterprise agreements through a global network of channel partners and resellers. Additional value is created and monetised through sales of communications hardware (IP phones, room systems and related devices), professional and partner-managed services, and carrier-related services bundled with cloud telephony. The acquisition of companies such as WebEx and Meraki has expanded its portfolio into cloud-managed networking and collaboration, reinforcing a hybrid hardware-plus-SaaS model.

Cisco Systems, Inc. is a large US-based networking and collaboration technology company founded in 1984 and publicly listed since 1990. It develops and sells cloud-delivered collaboration software, including conferencing, telephony and contact-centre platforms, alongside associated hardware such as IP phones and meeting room devices.

Cisco earns revenue primarily from enterprise and mid-market organisations that purchase subscription licences for its collaboration and customer-experience platforms, plus one-off and contract-based sales of networking and communications hardware. It expanded into cloud collaboration through acquisitions such as WebEx and Meraki, and competes with other enterprise communication and conferencing providers including Zoom, Microsoft and Google.